Like all of us, I read many of the freshly pressed posts of the day. I want to see what people are writing about and find topics other than mine interesting. I also like to see what other people make in their kitchens or craft rooms. Some of it is very inspiring.
So today, I was looking at EcoWomen: Protectors of the Planet as they discuss green resolutions that can make a difference for our planet. This post resonated with me as the hubs and I do many of these things. We recycle and compost. Our water bottle usage is less as we re-use those bottles until they can no longer be used. We have a garden and use it well. We have re-useable bags that need to be used more.
The one thing I cannot do on this list is give up meat – even for one day.
I am willing to try to lessen my paper towel dependance and I do try to hit the local farmer’s market for produce. Our garden produces wonderful vegetables. We want to plant at least one more tree in our yard.
But the meat thing is a sticking point.
My family has a history of diabetes running through it like wildfire on both sides. One of the things I have noticed is how protein really helps keep my blood sugar from going crazy. My diet has become a balancing act of fresh produce and proteins so that I do not get dizzy while keeping the calories at a point where I continue to lose weight.
When I was college age, I did try the vegetarian diet. I went for less beef and more chicken. Slowly, I realized it was the grease that made me sick so I went for lean meats. I tried tofu but I didn’t like it all that much. I do some bean dishes but they are not my main source of protein. I learned how to cook what I like in a tasty manner which means there can be a lot of cheese. Many of our meals might be chicken as opposed to beef.
However, as I get older I find I want meat – especially beef. There is nothing like a real Italian Beef sandwich. A hamburger made well is a thing of glory. I do not need bacon on my burger but sharp cheddar or blue cheese takes that burger to another level. I feel better when I have an animal based protien. I would like to think this does not make me a bad person just one who needs certain foods to survive. I am sure there are plenty of vegans who will tell me differently, that a few minor adjustments will make life better for me.
The suggestions made by the Eco-Women are wonderful. I agree with most of what they say. While I am willing to give up using plastic bags, and our family will continue to compost and recycle the one thing we are not doing is giving up meat.
I wonder if planting a new tree will make up for my meat consumption.
Are you making any resolutions to help the planet?
Notes from Rumbly Cottage 
My husband is a carnivore. He loves his steaks and hamburgers. I can do without it. I’ll eat meat, but I don’t crave it. I love fish and chicken. I can eat fish every night. But I do recycle to a fault. We even scrap metal and aluminum. I have the garden and try to reuse what we can.
But I will not by a hybrid.
I am curious. Why not on the hybrid?
Going “veggie” isn’t for everybody. 🙂 I can’t give up meat too! 🙂
I participate in meatless Monday! It is one small way to help the planet 🙂
I’m vegan, and have been for 20+ years. It’s not as difficult as you might think. I used to love hamburgers, meatballs, chicken (oh, just typing this is getting me queasy). Now I build my meals around grains and veggies.
How do you balance the proteins?
My dad who grew up on a farm insisted that if you were “feelin poorly” you needed to eat red meat. ( along with lots of home grown veggie all the time) He developed diabetes late in life – but lived to almost 100 …Yea for lean meat (and less processed foods)
One note, researchers are cautioning parents of children who do not eat meat (but eat lots of soy and tofu) to keep an eye on the thyroid / thyroid levels which can be affected by those products in some people – they don’t know why yet but are studying it.
In any case, how about people just doing what they are comfortable doing? It all makes a difference.
A number of years ago, I went “vegetarian” — and lasted all of about 6 months. I just couldn’t do without meat and became obsessed with it. As for going green, I’m a firm believer in taking small steps to make big strides. No plastic bags, turn down the thermostat, turn off lights, 1 meatless day per week, recycle. Nothing earth shattering but these little things do add up.
I think when you eliminate something from your diet your really like, it becomes a focus point and you lose the benefits of giving it up. That is how I am about chocolate. But once I reduced my intake, life was better.
I struggle with the same issue (low blood sugar). I grew up on a ranch … Tofu makes me gag; I enjoy chicken, pork and beef. Simply put.
One of the new things I’ve found in the past year (thanks to Herding Cats in Hammond River) is a Canadian made high protein, vegan, gluten free breakfast cereal called Holy Crap. I mix 2 tbsp in with fat free Vanilla yogurt, let it sit about 40 min and eat it for breakfast – every day. I have NO blood sugar issues when I do that. You can only order it online (free shipping) at http://www.holycrap.ca.
It’s a struggle to maintain good sugar levels — so I also always keep raw almonds with me at all times. Good luck!!
MJ
Hmmm. that sounds like an interesting product.
I’ve added a button on my website. You can click there to check them out – free shipping! I just rec’d 6 more bags last night 🙂 MJ
I love the red meat too. Not often, but sometimes there is nothing else that will satisfy that craving. I never crave vegetables — while I eat plenty, I never fantasize about Brussels sprouts.
For the planet, I eat less. It will take the Earth less energy to spin on its axis. And I turn off water and lights. Drive less. Cook my red meat to medium rare instead of medium :).
You’re a good recycler and a good person who likes meat. Don’t obsess over it. Hmm, got to check out that Holy Crap.
I know. that Holy Crap sounds very interesting.
I tried giving up meat. Managed to do that for a couple of years, too. But nothing compares to well-browned sausages and onions on a wet, cold day. Off went my resolution, and I don’t see it coming back any soon.
Maybe planting trees will just help planet, regardless. That’s good enough, no?
That is what I am hoping for, especially when that fruit tree goes in my back yard.
I believe humans are omnivores. I don’t eat near as much meat as I used to, I try to mix up my protein delivery modes. I have heard that the average woman my age needs no more than 4 oz of protein per day to be healthy. That’s not much. For me, portion control and keeping sugar at bay are the really difficult issues. I believe that a well rounded diet moderated by common sense is the best way to live. Have you read Michael Pollon’s “The Omnivore’s Dilema?” I think you would appreciate his level-headed approach to human needs and responsibilities.
I am going to put that book on my reading list right now.
We try our best to eat healthy and not be wasteful. I will not however give up meat. I’m a natural born carnivore!
One thing that gets under my skin more than anything is seeing people flick their cig butts out their car windows. I will make a point to call you on it if I see you.
I’d also like to mention something that many folks are not aware of. I once owned a company in Atlanta called ProClean Services. My company specialized in serious clean up, i.e crime scenes etc. We also did some basic cleaning services for small office buildings. Here is what folks don’t realize. When most contract cleaning services empty your recyclable garbage in your office building it almost always gets dumped in with all the other garbage outside in the dumpster. This is because there is usually not a separate container to dump it in. Most businesses have one or two large dumpsters that everything goes into.That little blue trash can marked “paper only” means nothing to most services. For the most part, companies are relying on their private contractors to keep the trash separated.This is a common practice. Sure, it’s separated until it goes outside to the dumpster where it all goes into the same container because there is only one. Rarely is the garbage separated into categories once outside. The private contractors don’t take the trash with them. They use whatever dumpster you have out back of your office. I just thought you’d like know the truth behind some of the artificial politically correct save the earth stuff that goes on in some of the companies out there. Of course this is based on my own personal experience being an owner of a private service. Most of my work was bio hazard and is held under very strict guidelines established by the state and sometimes federal govt. This is not true with your usual contract cleaning services. They merely dump it all together into one container to be hauled away. Sad but true.
Although I’m not one of those “save the earth” kooks, I do however expect people to not litter and use common sense when it comes to our environment. The earth can take care of itself, it’s up to society to take care of it’s own mess.
I think you have probably figured out I am one of those save the earth kooks but I have been one for 30 years. And litter still burns me. Can not stand going to the beach and the water is filled with juice bags, chip bags and other food container garbage. Most beaches have garbage cans, use them.
You’re not a kook, you’re a responsible member of society. Unless of course you’ve tied yourself to a tree lately.
I knew there was something I forgot to do this weekend.
The key to eating meat and staying green is to eat locally and buy meat from farmers that use sustainable practices that protect our lakes, rivers, streams, and wildlife habitat. Avoid industrial factory farmed meat, the kind that you can most easily find at the big chains. They are starting to carry more of the eco-friendly products though. We shop at a food coop or order directly from the farmer in bulk.
I had have heard of the food coops but I did not know you could order directly from a farmer. I am going to have to look into that.