I thought Halaal meat was meat blessed by a Muslim cleric

No, Chenina, it is not okay to say Bismi'Allah and eat non-halal meat. I asked about this specifically a few times and was told. When I go to Dunedin in New Zealand to visit my mother I go vegetarian as there is no halal meat sold there.

Sister chenina, Here are the answer(s) to your question from a well-known Muslim scholar who lives in Saudi Arabia (his name is sheik Muhammad Al-Munajeed): Question: Can he buy meat from a non-Muslim butcher who says that it is halaal? > Answer: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/52800/halal Question: If a Muslim says the name of Allaah over the meat of the People of the Book, does this mean that it is permissible for him to eat it? > Answer: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/3261/halal Question about: Eating beef that has not been slaughtered properly until after it has been killed! > Answer: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/11609/halal Question about: Permissibility of eating meat slaughtered by Christians and Jews! > Answer: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/103/halal Question about: Receiving meat as a gift from non-Muslim parent! > Answer: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/172/halal =========== I advice you to visit this useful and credible website (by the same Muslim scholar (sheik Muhammad Al-Munajeed) to find the answer(s) to any of your questions concerning Islamic issues: Islam Questions & Answers: This site aims to provide intelligent, authoritative responses to anyones question about Islam, whether it be from a Muslim or a non-Muslim, and to help solve general and personal social problems http://www.islam-qa.com/en

Don't eat any meat and you won't have to worry.