Eating- It's something that each and every single one of us need to do to sustain our lives. Some cultures eat differently than others. And as of late the diet of the average American has come into to question (Google: S.A.D.). We as a whole are lazy, fat- and not chubby endearing fat- downright OBESE. This isn't a problem just as an aesthetic issue- but as an issue with health and wellness. There are SO many obesity related illnesses and health problems that it doesn't seem to make sense. If a warning was placed on every single cheese burger that said "If eaten in excess will cause consumer to be overweight, and likely develop high blood pressure/heart disease/high cholesterol/the need to wear stretchy pants with elastic waist bands", do you think people would eat that with such voracity? It's a damn shame. We are not a nation of imbeciles for the most part. The majority of our population (for now...but thats a whole OTHER topic entirely) can read and speak. Why is it that healthy foods aren't more common? Why is it in low-income areas there are LOTS of fast food joints and unhealthy options (whole foods doesn't have a dollar menu, and it's unfortunate because everyone should have access to fruits and vegetables that aren't pesticide laiden, gmo abominations)- and minimal opportunities to eat fresh, healthy good foods that don't cost more than can be spent? Why is it that people in these communities suffer from a large portion of these health issues when anyone can see the remedy is the ability to love a healthier lifestyle?
While in many cases you'd think, why can't they just BUY healthier foods? Then we go back to availability and cost. It's expensive to buy fruits, vegetables, fish and clean organic meats. Some people just can't afford to buy healthy, whole, local and organic foods. This is not only upsetting but it reeks of government conspiracy. However that is not what I'm blogging about right now....hopefully what I share with you will be eye opening and not terribly preachy.
I.Plant based diets: Why they are better for your body, and the planet.
How many of our parents would scream at us to "Eat your vegetables?!". Most of them right? Well, it wasn't to be annoying. Plants are not only delicious- but PACKED with so many nutrients, antioxidants (they're compounds found in plants that help repair and prevent cell damage caused by oxidation and free-radicals. Free-radicals are the environmental agents that ..damage cells! Cellular damage is what makes people sick (like cancer, aging, saggy skin, mental degeneration, etc.). For the most part getting old and having cells damaged is not really avoidable- however you will be able to arm your body with the tools needed to put up a better fight against time and the elements with a plant based diet.
And there are also omega fatty acids (hugely in hemp, nuts and seeds and many greens EAT UP!!)
So thats why eating plants is good for you- but how is it better for the planet you ask? Well here's why:
To sustain livestock for human consumption (the way that agribusiness has it set up), there needs to be land. Many "farms"- or in reality, feed-lots (not in the US per say...this is globally) have been cleared on land that used to be forests. Deforestation is BAD. Loss of habitat for native populations of people and wild life is one of the first and major reasons why this is bad. McDonalds has cleared many acres (I am not sure how many...) of land in the South American rain forest to do this. Gotta love that right? :::vomits:::
But the golden arches aren't the only company that does stuff like that. There are other industrial meat producers that do the same thing.
The impact initially is the land that is used and abused for this- but it's also the environmental impact. The waste and filth and disease that is absorbed into the ground, and the water supply in these areas is astonishing.
Whats great about plants is that they also have so many awesome things in them such as fiber, protein and minerals. It's a win win.
1. Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
For as many people as there are on the planet, there is a different diet for all of them. Some people like pistachios, while others loathe them. Some love a rare bloody steak, and for others it's all about the hummus and kale. This is a wonderful thing about human beings- we're omnivores by nature. It's part of what has helped us survive for as long as we have. You'd think that our super smart brains that also assisted us in our survival would help us out a bit more- but have you seen the news lately? Some of us aren't so smart so it seems. But I digress....
Now that we live in a world that has many many offerings in every shape and color- labels have come to pass to describe the eating habits, and in some cases, lifestyle.
A.VEGAN
Vegan.org. gives the definition and explaination of what makes a person a vegan and why they would choose this eating-lifesyle:
what is a VEGAN? A vegan (pronounced VEE-gun) is someone who, for various reasons, chooses to avoid using or consuming animal products. While vegetarians choose not to use flesh foods, vegans also avoid dairy and eggs, as well as fur, leather, wool, down, and cosmetics or chemical products tested on animals.
why VEGAN? Veganism, the natural extension of vegetarianism, is an integral component of a cruelty-free lifestyle. Living vegan provides numerous benefits to animals' lives, to the environment, and to our own health–through a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Last year, and the year before I was a Vegan off and on. On because quite frankly I am fed up with the inhumane, and disrespectful way in which the majority of the worlds meat is procured. To disrespect a life, and be so cruel breaks my heart and to be a part of that really makes me feel like I am part of a problem, and not a solution. It's soul wrenching when you see the videos, and hear the stories of how these innocent, and abused lives are "processed" but the industry that is vile, and filthy. Agribusiness.
With having said that- I need to also address that I do eat meat, and minimal but some dairy. Eggs too. My body did NOT respond well to the lack of protein no matter how many supplements I took to replace the nutrients I was missing from animal proteins. My hair fell out, my skin was gross and I gained 10 lbs. My body needs meat.
So I decided that I was going to just make choices that were based on what my body craves and needs. Turns out, I eat mostly plants anyway. Everything else is kind of an afterthought. I am a reluctant ominvore- BUT I LOVE food, so that doesn't linger too too long.
There ARE people who are committed, long term for the rest of their life Vegans. And this is awesome. I envy their bodies ability to adjust and flourish sans animal products.
B. Vegetarian
We all know, or have been a vegetarian at some point in our lives. It's pretty easy right? You can eat all the macaroni and cheese, meat-free lasagna, baked ziti, quesadillas, grilled cheese, swiss omlettes, bagel and cream cheese you want and be SO much more healthy than your meat eating friends and family. You're really doing the healthy thing....NOT!!!
The diet described above- while tasty and truly mega comfort foods ARE NOT the foundation to a healthy diet, nor is that the diet that any self proclaimed vegetarian should adhere to (not that I'm the person who decides that...). There is a word for that. It's called a Carb-Cheese-atarian. You can see them from afar usually. Either they are 6, or they are the slightly chubby (because really, those are not foods conducive to being svelte and fit...) preachy people who will proclaim that they are really making a difference.
Well, if you're eating conventional dairy and wheat- probably not b/c they're filled with hormones and GMO's and that is going to make you sick and unhealthy anyway....but also- WHERE ARE THE VEGETABLES?
I know a few people who claim to be Vegetarians but really they're the Carb-Cheese-atarian.
A vegetarian (ovo/lacto-ovo) according to Wikipedia (the most reliable source!! ;P) is this:
"Vegetarianism is the practice of following a plant-based diet including fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, nuts, and seeds, with or without dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat meat, including: red meat, game, poultry, fish, crustacea, shellfish, and products of animal slaughter such as animal-derived gelatin and rennet.[1] There are a number of vegetarian diets. A lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products but excludes eggs, an ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs but not dairy products, and a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy products."
(so....hear that "pescatarians"...you're not an official vegetarian!)
C. Pescataraian
I never really understood why people needed a label for this since fish are animals too- and eating them is equally as bad as eating lamb, or turkey or beef. It's still a life. I wonder if the people who use this term do so only to make themselves feel better. Because eating fish means they have to die and you are every bit as much a carnivore. You are not any better than a person chowing down on a slab of ribs covered in maple bacon bbq sauce.
I have no animosity- but I don't like that when people who (quite often snootily) proclaim that they don't eat meat, but will then order up a salmon fillet. C'mon. It's meat. It's the muscle of an animal. Get over yourself....
So the definition of Pescatarian is a person who doesn't eat Mammals or warm blooded animals and has a primarily vegetable based diet.
Meh.
a) Labels are just labels
During my last attempt at veganism, I had a great friend tell me that even if I was vegan for 5 months, had an egg and went back on my merry way- it wouldn't de-veganize me. One meal doesn't make a lifestyle....and really that can be true for all things. Many many days go by where I don't touch milk, or eggs or animal protein of any type. Sometimes I don't eat meat. Then there are days where I live off of tuna, or turkey or have 3 hard boiled eggs a day....what does that make me? Aside from Omnivore- where do I fit? I'm most certainly NOT a vegan, or a vegetarian, but I don't always eat meat. Flexatarian? Ugh- Who the hell cares? If I buy a Prada bag, and put a Jansport tag on it it's still a Prada bag (a REALLY messed up one...), but it's just a tag. A label.
My observation has led me to the most comfortable place of all. Acceptance that one meal doesn't define my lifestyle, and a label can not encompass the kind of person I am, or the level of awareness I have.
Often vegans are preachy, and omnivores are defensive. What's really important is the quality, and sustainability of your food.
That brings up one last "label"...the Localvore. These are people who are dedicated to consuming foods that are locally procured. Whats interesting here is that local has so many different definitions. It can refer to the region, or specific mileage, or even state. By being a localvore which I think is something that you can do in certain quantities- and is a much looser term- you are committing to the local farmers, and producers in your area. This not only helps small businesses and farms, but it helps to bolster the local economy. Any do-do knows that the small loval economies are what makes up the bigger picture. It's key to check out local farmers markets (Hello, they're sprouting up everywhere. And now that it's trendy to wander the stalls of local artesenal meats, cheeses, breads herbs, veggies and more? You'll have to fight your way past the dredlock-ed patchouli covered moon maidens (Matts nickname for me) for the last organic baguettes and thyme scented goat cheese. It's a good thing. I think that to some extent we can all be localvores.
b) pro's and con's
As far as Pro's go, you can't do better than a plant based local diet. You will feel better, and you will be helping others.
There are pretty much cons to everything. It's really just much more expensive to do these things. Also some people aren't in areas that have easy access to farmers markets and farm stands.
There are more and more co-ops popping up so joining one is a great way to get natural, organic and local foods and products. It's great because you are contributing to a group committed to social change and being involved in the food chain- but theres usually a pretty sweet member discount on products when you're a member.
c) your body, your rules.
Something that really riles me up about processed and conventional foods is that there are ingredients in most of them that nobody would voluntarily consume. Preservatives, colorings, hydrogenated fats, sugar, ugh- and more corn that you realize. Why should anyone HAVE to eat these things? What you put in your body should be your choice. Thats the importance of education and being involved.
All of this stuff is great information- but how you put it to use is up to you. Quite often you can find great deals on organic produce- WHEN IT'S IN SEASON, or if you have a store card (conventional supermarkets will often put organic produce on sale at the end of the week so keep an eye out for great deals!)
II. Why Organic is the best choice you can make, even if it's not the easiest.
anyone who has been the the supermarket in the past 5 years knows that organic fruits, veggies and products are more expensive than conventional right? Usually by a good dollar or more. I know that I'm making this seems like no big deal- especially in times of such economic turmoil. Well it's worth it. Organic food has been found to be nutritionally better, environmentally more sustainable, and really- if you really know what food is supposed to taste like- much better tasting.
1) Yes, it's expensive. Get over it.
Why pay .99 cents a lb for bananas when you can pay .79 cents a pound for bananas?
Well, how many pounds of bananas are you buying? Are you buying 55 hundred pounds? That would be a savings of approximately 1,100.00. Unless you own a large primate, you're probably only buying a pound, maybe pound and a half at a time. This means that you're spending an extra .30 cents. Really? This is the disparity you're upset about?
a) Why it's more expensive
The extra .30 cents that you spend on those bananas are paying for the extra cost of not using nasty pesticides, genetically modified seeds and herba/fungacides. This means that other precautions need to be taken to ensure that the crop grows well. The other part of the additional cost goes to the people who work in the field and work with the bananas (or apples, peppers, berries, wheat etc.). There is a quality of life that people have that is better when they are not exposed to toxic harsh chemicals all day every day. You're making peoples lives better for less than .50 cents. Really, what an awesome choice!
b) Where to get it and for less.
Guess what? The word has got out that people, more and more every day want to have access to organic and naturally grown foods. This is a supply and demand situation. This is great news! You can now get organic at your regular conventional supermarket. While a few years back it was rare that an organic option was available outside of the natural food stores. It is important to diversify where you buy your foods. My first choice is always a farmers market (back to supporting your local producers!), then my local independent stores. If there are certain things that I can't find there, I will go to chains to find it. But there's a process.
2) Monsanto is evil. This is fact.
Monsanto, ah- I've reserved all of my negative feelings for thee. Your desire to patent nature, and harm mankind is unsavory and vile. I can't even begin to find the words anymore to describe how abominable and downright bad this company is. Please just google it. And then click on the links and videos. Read the articles. Be involved in where your food comes from. If you don't make your choices, corporations will make them for you.
III. Local and the politics behind it all that can help YOU change the world for the better.
Local foods are excellent! You are helping your local economy- which is vital to your community. AND you're reducing your carbon footprint! When you select foods that are grown in your region- they don't need to travel as far and use as much fuel to get to you. Thats pretty awesome right? Because of the gaining awareness and popularity of farmers markets and local farms- the selection of foods you can get locally is growing. A good friend of mine works very closely with some amazing New York State, and Central New York food producers and I can't say enough about the amazing quality and integrity that these products have. For more information check out his blog at : http://smallpotatoessales.blogspot.com/ . It's a great way to take a peek into the wonderful world of local.
1) What is local?
Ok, so lets say you don't really live near a farm. What would a local farm be to you? Well- It varies. If you're looking at a radius of 100 miles, you can most likely find some kind of locally produced good, or food. Maybe not a producer on a large scale- but you can usually find these artisans in the areas in your city or town by using craigslist. Thats all I've got.
Oh, but local is hard to define. Some would say it's grown and produced in the town that you are living in. Others would say it's regional, or within the state. It's a loose definition, but I would like to think of it in terms of if I can drive there in less than 8 hours it's local.
2) But what if it's not organic?
Organic and local is like the holy grail for me. But we can't always get what we want, and you have to figure out what is the most important to you. I like to support my local growers and producers whenever possible, but I won't ever be able to get organic local pineapple. or local pineapple. It's a fact of life. So I'll buy the ones from Costa Rica (and there Fair Trade is my bigger concern. NOTE: Fair Trade will by default have very high standards to measure up to because it wouldn't be fair trade if the products were covered in pesticides and herbicides and other nastiness. Just something to keep in mind.) Just make the best choice you can.
a) why we need to be more involved in our food growers.
Why all the hubub about where the food comes from and what goes on it? Well, like I had mentioned before, if you don't make choices, you loose that freedom. Eventually large corporations will decide what is best for you, and it won't matter what you want. For example do you want to be fattened up like feedlot cattle with corn and other additives? Because what seems like over 75% of the processed conventional foods out there have high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, guar gums...the list goes on. When was the last time you, or your mother, or anyone you know used ANY of those things in a recipe? Probably never.
Basically, if you aren't paying attention, the companies that make the choices about what goes into the foosd we buy- will make the choice that is best for them. That usually means the cheapest choice. Next time you go to a regular supermarket look at the ingredients of 10 things in an aisle. How many don't have any of the weird ingredients I mentioned?
b) farmer love!
No Farmers, No Food. This isn't just a bumper sticker. It's the truth. The harsh reality is that for many farmers the only way to carry on the traditions of their family for generations, is to sell out to Monsanto, ConAgra, and other awful large companies. Supporting your local farmers is so important. They touch the soil, and the food that feeds America. There is something so beautiful about cultivating the land, nurturing it. Help farmers continue to do this by looking into where you can buy their farm fresh eggs, dairy and produce. Sometimes if you're in the right area there are also special farms that can give you meat too! Always give respect and love to the people who work so hard to produce food, and do what they can to preserve our agriculture.
c) Co-ops and Farmers markets!
This is probably getting very redundant, but thats because all of these things are intertwined with how we eat, and where we get our food. The closer to home, the better.
A great way to do this is to get involved with a Co-op. Cooperative markets are amazing. Not only do they help you eat local, and organic and all natural, you also get to be a part of something wonderful. Generally co-ops are open to the public, but members/owners will get their special price. In exchange they have a deciding voice in a lot of what is in the store for purchase, as well as an obligation to help work a few shifts a month.
And then there are farmers markets which by now we have all seen, shopped at, or passed by (though I find it almost physically impossible to walk or drive by a farmers market- or farm stand- and not browse;which ultimately leads to buying SOMETHING- my last purchase was local honey and some herbs). Farmers markets are wonderful opportunities for consumers to get a taste of what local producers and farmers have to offer. You'll get most often excellent and fair prices on top notch produce, backed goods, herbs, meats and cheeses. Nothing is better. It's not from a lab, a factory or warehouse. It's REAL FOOD.
I could go on and on about food- Most likely repeating myself and beaming and chattering on about the benefits of fair trade, or biodynamic items. Or how the lack of nutrients in processed foods are contributing to the obesity and general ill health of many Americans- and the world. I'd probably tell you at least once how reading 'The Botany of Desire' helped me pay mind to where my food was coming from. For those who know me, and have had this conversation with me repeatedly, then you know that I feel that it's important to understand that what you put into your body is immediately responsible for what you'll get out of it. If you want to have good health, eat good healthy foods.
