Avoiding pink slime and meat glue

Buying meat in the store sounds like such a simple thing until you realize your meat may not be "meat". From pink slime to meat glue, processors are using technological tricks to turn waste scraps in to something resembling food. While some stores have pledged not to use slime and glue, it's getting to the point where you have to take matters in to your own hands to make sure your food is really food. Here are a few ways to reduce your exposure to faux meats.

• Buy beef on the hoof: Buy directly from a farmer you personally know. Have the cow butchered to your specifications. Local Harvest and Eat Wild are good places to start your search for a whole or half cow.
• Grind your own burger meat: If you don't have the money or space to get a whole cow, you can still buy whole cuts of meat and make hamburger yourself. Chuck, ground round and sirloin all make excellent burgers. An inexpensive hand grinder can get you burger meat and give you a workout at the same time. If you have a Kitchenaid mixer, look in to getting a grinder attachment.
• Buy organic: By law, organic hamburger meat can not contain plink slime. Meat glue, however, may still be used. It just has to be meat glue made from organic materials. Buying a whole cow is still your best bet.