Changing Your Diet Can Help Save the Planet

Last year I researched and created a flyer called "Changing your diet can help save the planet." I was asked to do this by an environmental community group for a table at an event we were sponsoring. The reason they asked me to do it was because I brought it up as an issue during the large group meeting. The information being sought was ideas about what could be communicated to the public about the environment. I knew that even environmental activists were probably not comfortable with the food production issues. Because of this, I struggled with even bringing it up. But I felt strongly about it and decided to risk it. Many of them were concerned that people don't like to be told what to eat (including them). Somehow it seemed easier to tell people what to drive, how much energy to use etc. But, I spoke to the chairperson and she really did want me to pursue this and I told her I would try to be as factual and informational as possible without being strident. She liked it and we used it. 

Here is the result:

Meatless Monday Official In Onondaga County, NY

Need I say any more! This document signed by the Onondaga County Executive, Joanie Mahoney,  in NYS was signed on January 11, 2016. I applaud her and the County in making a commitment to citizen health, animal and environmental protection despite many pressures to suppress the important information delineated in this document. It may seem like a small thing, but, in my opinion, it signifies a small but bold step forward to address these issues. Meatless Monday could migrate into Meatless Tuesday or Vegan before 6 or even the accelerated adoption of a plant based diet. A positive slippery slope????

The Daily Show opens the window to the plant-based fresh air

 

 

Last night I realized that the movement toward a plant-based diet (PBD) is likely to speed up. Gene Baur, the founder of Farm Sanctuary, animal rights activist and vegan was on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart! Mr Baur was talking about his new book, “Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to a Mindful, Compassionate, Animal-friendly life”. Some of their discussion was about the number of world problems that would be solved by adopting a PBD; huge amounts of grain and water are needed for animal agriculture; negative impact of their practices on the environment, human health and the humane treatment of farm animals.

Sometimes people are inspired to change their diet, but are not sure what to cook or eat and all the meat-based protein has been the staple of the Western diet for so long. Mr. Baur mentioned that there are companies specifically working to develop meat-like products from plants and calling them just another delicious form of protein rather than ‘meatless meat’ or ‘faux meat’ etc. I had also read that Bill Gates is funding this type of research and development.

A great way to start is to just consider eating plant-based one day a week. Meatless Mondays has been quite successful with more people slowly realizing how many of these food items can be tasty and provide all the essential nutrients. There is also a plan developed by Mark Bittman, the New York Times lead food writer that suggests you could wait until dinner time to eat meat products. He calls it ‘Vegan before 6’. I know several people personally who have been doing this and find it an easy way to move into the PBD groove.

I have been through this transition myself and know how hard it is to make the plunge. But now that I have been following a vegan diet for a couple of years, it just keeps getting easier and more fun. I feel that following such a diet is actually a personal commitment to participate in the solution to the issues mentioned above. I am always experimenting with new ingredients and incorporating them into old recipes or finding new recipes. There are plenty of vegan recipes on-line and in some wonderful creative cookbooks by talented compassionate chefs and cooks.  

It was interesting to listen to Jon Stewart’s side of the conversation. I think he probably represented where many people are right now regarding the PBD. His awareness has been awakened by the more open information being publicized about the issues discussed above. His and many people’s dilemma is that the transition is not easy – there are more and more vegan offerings in restaurants and grocery stores – but the prevalence and familiarity of the meat-based items makes it harder to try something unfamiliar. I am a regular viewer of ‘The Daily Show’ and I do applaud him for having Mr. Baur on his program. Jon Stewart is a very influential TV icon who so many admire and inviting him to discuss his book is a bold and compassionate act. I am hopeful that his many fans will think about what was presented and be inspired to make whatever steps they can to try the PBD.

 

http://farmsanctuary.org/living/   Farm Sanctuary Link