real chicken

So, we've decided now to buy only organic, free-range meats (for many reasons, but having recently watched "Food, Inc." forced our commitment).  I've prepared whole chickens many times in the last few years, but I must say that having the head and feet still intact really affects how I feel about what I'm doing.  Not even having to actually kill it myself, and pluck the feathers, being presented with the head and feet enforces in your mind that this was a living creature that died so that I could eat.  I think this is an obvious, but important, thing to think about when we eat.  I felt like I was handling the bird with more respect somehow.  And while it was being cooked, and I moved it, and the foot broke off, I irrationally flinched a bit in apology.  If we're going to continue to eat other animals for our own benefit, it's important for me now that we don't think of this flesh as just another chunk of matter that comes conveniently processed & wrapped from the grocery store.