Go Green: Improve The Environment And Your Diet!
Gail Davis
July 24, 2008
"Go Green" is the new buzzword but did you know that you can green up your diet along with your environment? There are many easy ways to do this. We´ll discuss several of them here.
The first thing you´ll want to do is plan ahead. To "Go Green" you need to shop carefully. Don´t get caught hungry or you´ll go for the "easy" meal instead of the healthy meal. Check out your weekly grocery ads and make your shopping list and menu at the same time. Incorporate quick and easy weight loss tips into your meal planning.
Use local, seasonal produce. This will help cut down on shipping costs and decrease our dependence on oil. In addition, you can feel good about supporting local farmers, the local economy, and eating the freshest produce available. Local produce may cost a little more but it will last longer and be better for your family. Try a vegetable that you´ve never had before and ask for healthy cooking tips.
If you can´t find a big selection of locally grown produce, tell your grocery stores that you want to "Go Green" and ask them to carry more locally produced fruits and vegetables. Most are happy to oblige. Get a supply of easy to find reusable tote bags and keep them in your car for that spur of the moment stop at the grocery store or produce stand.
Be aware of packaging. Notice the plastic and cardboard that is used with your favorite products. Wal-Mart is one of the first chains to begin replacing their packaging with corn-based packaging for fruits, herbs, berries, and vegetables.
Plan vegetarian meals for your family twice a week. As they get used to the idea and see how delicious the meals can be, add more vegetarian days. The commercial meat industry plays a big part in our environmental problems. This industry requires a lot of energy and may be a factor in climate changes due to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the increased demand for meat, consider also the rising cost of shipping, production, and feeding the cattle. One study showed that it takes 4.8 pounds of grain to produce one pound of beef. Consider whether that grain should be used to feed hungry people instead of hungry cattle.
Plant protein tends to be cheaper than meat protein. Use beans to enhance your meals. There are many healthy recipes available.
Drink tap water. Purchase a reusable neoprene bottle and fill it up at home. Americans throw away 70 million plastic water bottles each day! A very small percentage is actually recycled. In most cases the bottled water isn´t any more pure than the tap water. If you don´t like the taste of tap water, purchase a filter such as Brita, or use fresh lemon or lime. Imagine the shipping costs for something as heavy as water. Turn on your faucet!
Eliminate or limit sodas, even the diet ones. You´ll save on aluminum and get healthier in the process.
Pack your lunch at home and take it to work with you. Buy a reusable lunch bag or box to save plastic and paper. Take silverware from home and replace it each night. You will save money and calories in addition to making an environmental impact. Research shows that 1.8 million tons of takeout containers and utensils end up in landfills. Avoid fast food restaurants for the same reasons.
Try out your farming skills. If you´ve never grown anything before, start small. Grow herbs to flavor your food while using less sodium. If you don´t have a big yard, plant in pots on your patio or deck. Cherry tomatoes, peppers, and even squash can be easily grown in pots and enjoyed all summer!
There are many more ways to "Go Green" with your diet and environment. We often become overwhelmed when we need to make changes, but start small and you´ll find it very easy to "Go Green." Small modifications to our daily routines really do add up to big changes in our environment!
The first thing you´ll want to do is plan ahead. To "Go Green" you need to shop carefully. Don´t get caught hungry or you´ll go for the "easy" meal instead of the healthy meal. Check out your weekly grocery ads and make your shopping list and menu at the same time. Incorporate quick and easy weight loss tips into your meal planning.
Use local, seasonal produce. This will help cut down on shipping costs and decrease our dependence on oil. In addition, you can feel good about supporting local farmers, the local economy, and eating the freshest produce available. Local produce may cost a little more but it will last longer and be better for your family. Try a vegetable that you´ve never had before and ask for healthy cooking tips.
If you can´t find a big selection of locally grown produce, tell your grocery stores that you want to "Go Green" and ask them to carry more locally produced fruits and vegetables. Most are happy to oblige. Get a supply of easy to find reusable tote bags and keep them in your car for that spur of the moment stop at the grocery store or produce stand.
Be aware of packaging. Notice the plastic and cardboard that is used with your favorite products. Wal-Mart is one of the first chains to begin replacing their packaging with corn-based packaging for fruits, herbs, berries, and vegetables.
Plan vegetarian meals for your family twice a week. As they get used to the idea and see how delicious the meals can be, add more vegetarian days. The commercial meat industry plays a big part in our environmental problems. This industry requires a lot of energy and may be a factor in climate changes due to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the increased demand for meat, consider also the rising cost of shipping, production, and feeding the cattle. One study showed that it takes 4.8 pounds of grain to produce one pound of beef. Consider whether that grain should be used to feed hungry people instead of hungry cattle.
Plant protein tends to be cheaper than meat protein. Use beans to enhance your meals. There are many healthy recipes available.
Drink tap water. Purchase a reusable neoprene bottle and fill it up at home. Americans throw away 70 million plastic water bottles each day! A very small percentage is actually recycled. In most cases the bottled water isn´t any more pure than the tap water. If you don´t like the taste of tap water, purchase a filter such as Brita, or use fresh lemon or lime. Imagine the shipping costs for something as heavy as water. Turn on your faucet!
Eliminate or limit sodas, even the diet ones. You´ll save on aluminum and get healthier in the process.
Pack your lunch at home and take it to work with you. Buy a reusable lunch bag or box to save plastic and paper. Take silverware from home and replace it each night. You will save money and calories in addition to making an environmental impact. Research shows that 1.8 million tons of takeout containers and utensils end up in landfills. Avoid fast food restaurants for the same reasons.
Try out your farming skills. If you´ve never grown anything before, start small. Grow herbs to flavor your food while using less sodium. If you don´t have a big yard, plant in pots on your patio or deck. Cherry tomatoes, peppers, and even squash can be easily grown in pots and enjoyed all summer!
There are many more ways to "Go Green" with your diet and environment. We often become overwhelmed when we need to make changes, but start small and you´ll find it very easy to "Go Green." Small modifications to our daily routines really do add up to big changes in our environment!
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