Little Bit of Green

Using reusable shopping bags rather than plastic and/or paper bags is a good first step in the effort to live a green life, but what about the items you fill those bags with? Are you eating foods that promote a healthier planet?

Carlos Mencia (comedian) joked that he was greener than vegans because he eats cows (the methane gas from cows contributes to global warming) and vegans were eating the plants that help the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. Funny, but not really true.

The problem is that we have a rather excessive demand for meat in this country. This contributes to the overwhelming number of cattle producing methane gas. Also, an enormous amount of land is needed to feed the cattle which results in over-farmed land that is stripped of vital nutrients. Eventually, the land becomes useless.

I’m not saying that one has to become vegetarian or vegan in order to be green, but avoiding gluttonous behavior is key in being green. Most people don’t realize that a proper portion of meat is generally around 3 ounces, which is about the size of a deck of cards. This is a far cry from a giant T-bone steak or other hunk of meat that we tend to enjoy on our dinner plates.

Eating organic is beneficial to your health as well. Organic farming takes a proactive approach to pest control and soil health. Instead of polluting the planet (and our food) with chemicals that are harmful, other types of bugs that eat the harmful bugs are incorporated into their farming methods. When you shop in the produce section and bulk grain section, you avoid heavily packaged convenience foods that add a lot of waste to our landfills. You can also purchase a reusable bag or two made for produce that will help reduce your consumption of plastic bags.

Thus, eating green is beneficial for you and the planet. It’s probably the best “diet” and living advice ever to simply, go green by eating organic foods and shopping with tote bags!

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