is practically a vegetarian, so my meat consumption has declined considerably on her account. However, that is exactly what we do. When we do eat meat, it's the organic free-ranged or grass fed stuff. OMG does it make a difference. Looking at our friends and family, I can't find anyone in their 30's or younger that doesn't eat less meat than my parents served. Also, I would say that across the board, it's a conscious health choice. gq also introduced me to the pressure cooker. Everyone should have one. That, and a rice cooker.
All very sensible. But let's be honest, not quite fun, mk :) http://www.bbqguys.com/item_item_481.html (I got mine this past summer. I even get to boil the water for the coffee after the meal since it keeps going for a while. Hammock not included ;)
TBH, I don't mind my meat to be a bit tough, if it is tough in the right way. Flank steak is always going to be flank steak, and I'm not a fan of those tough threads of sinew. But, I don't mind at all if my sirloin has a bit more chew. Grass or corn fed, sirloin isn't going to get strings of stuff stuck between my teeth.
The most tender parts of the cow are often what are referred to as "reactionary" muscles. These are the parts of the animal that aren't used all the time and are therefore more tender. A great example of this is the "hanging tender", which is a muscle that's just kind of... there. It serves no function and because of this, damn does it make for some good eats. http://www.smartkitchen.com/resources/hanging-tender So, the trade off is that cows that are treated like shit all there lives will likely be more tender because they've rarely been allowed to move.
It used to be that being "plump" was attractive because it showed that you could afford to afford to eat plenty and meat was a big part of that. Now a days, it's in vogue to be healthy. To be thin and in shape shows that you have time and resources to dedicate to such things. To have a tan no longer means you worked in the fields all day, it means you went to the spa. Having a "whole foods" tote bag would be far more fashionable than a "Certified Angus Beef" one. It's a marketing movement, it just happens to be one I'm not against.