Addressing the Climate Crisis Through Our Eating Habits [VLOG #117]

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Transcript:

Note: The following is the output of transcribing from an audio recording. Although the transcription is largely accurate, in some cases it is incomplete or inaccurate. This is due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.

Hi Beauties,

Welcome back to our weekly blog where our topic today is Addressing the Climate Crisis Through Our Eating Habits. This is an important topic that affects all of us. I think maybe especially because I’m pregnant and I think about the future generations, our children, the environment and the animals in the world.

It’s so important that we have this conversation and we keep this conversation ongoing to see how we can come together to really help support Mother Earth.

There is a saying in Ayurvedic medicine that says, “As is the micro, as is the macro.” And when we start to really clean up our lifestyle and take a much more holistic approach in our lives, it really does affect the greater whole, the greater community, nature and the world.

Understanding How Small Changes Can Impact the World at Large

I want to start off by saying that these problems are so big and huge, that we may think, what can I do? What kind of impact can I have? And actually, the more of us that take these small daily steps, it makes a big difference in how we look and how we feel and in our beauty.

It’s the same thing when we make changes, each of us as individuals and we start to make these little steps in our lives, it adds up in any enormous way. Never doubt for a moment how powerful you are.

Your part in addressing climate change and environmental issues is essential and important. Remember you are super important in this. Now how we eat dictates our energy, it dictates the choices that we make and how we vote essentially.

Eating Sustainably by Going Plant-Based

Again, as is the micro, as in the macro. And the one of the most beneficial things we can do for the environment is to become plant-based, or to become more plant-based. Because I always say it’s not all or nothing.

And sometimes people are really put off by this all or nothing philosophy because they can’t imagine giving up all their meat right now. And I totally understand that. I have family members myself that eat some meat, including my husband. But he has cut back a lot.

It’s a very powerful vote for the environment. Even if you have Meatless Mondays or even if you trade some of your meat-based meals to being lentil based alternatives or you have some of the beyond meat products or impossible burgers or all the alternative meat products.

Deforestation

The reason this is so important is deforestation. You see what’s going on with the Amazon rainforest. This highlights how grass fed, pasture raised meat, which is in demand a lot because you know, education has gotten out about steroids and antibiotics.

However, the problem is they have to clear forests to make room for these cows and the cattle to graze, and this is destroying forests all around the world. Destroying trees, the natural habitat and environment for these ecosystems and the rain forests.

Cutting Back on Meat

Anytime you can cut back on meat, it’s going to help with deforestation. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations said that red meat and dairy consumption uses a third of all global crop land and contributes 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. So, cutting back on meat is also going to help. It’s going to greatly help every time we have a plant based meal. It’s not all or nothing, versus an animal based meal. It’s going to be enormously helpful.

Cutting Back on Fish

Now let’s talk about fish for a moment and this really breaks my heart. I live pretty close to the ocean. We know that the oceans are getting over fished. We know that we may come to a place in time where there’s no fish left in the ocean and all of the non fish catch, like sharks and turtles and dolphins, are being destroyed and killed at astronomical rates.

I urge you to trade in a sushi meal or fish meal, again, for a plant based meal, based around vegetables, quinoa, sweet potatoes and lentils. It’s very easy to get protein from plant based sources. And if you’re looking for support, we have blogs, vlogs and podcasts around this topic. Take a look if you’re interested in learning more.

Buy Local & Organic

Another great thing to do for the environment is to think about buying local. This cuts back on transportation costs. Local and organic is even more ideal because organic doesn’t put pesticides and heavy herbicides back into the earth, which could be detrimental and get into the water supply and affect soil quality.

Try to buy local and organic as well. You could even try growing some of your own food, your own herbs, easy to grow foods like tomatoes. And that’s a great way to cut back on all the shipping back and forth and the carbon footprint as well.

In Closing

In conclusion, I just want to remind you how powerful and amazing you are. And every day, every decision you make affects not only yourself, but the greater whole. We’re all in this together. This is our one planet, our one world.

Local, organic, plant-based as much as possible is going to heal Mother Earth. There’s so much to say about this. You could check out the research of Paul Hawken who’s a big environmentalist who talks about plant-based. You can check out the documentary Cowspiracy.

In general, I just want you to not get overwhelmed and just to think meal by meal or week by week. Where can I work in more plant based meals for me and my family?

Thank you so much for listening. Thank you so much for being part of our community. I send you so much love.

We’ve got lots of support for you here. Lots of plant-based recipes and our feel good podcast which covers a ton of different topics and social, @_KimberlySnyder. I will see you next week for our next vlog as well. Until then take care and so much love.