Although I've already done my first post, I thought I would take the time to explain the purpose of this blog.
My description includes three adjectives - thrifty, healthy, and eco-friendly - that are distinct yet intrinsically related. For example, to save money a person might opt to ride their bike to work rather than spend money on a car and gas, and as a result their health improves from an increase in exercise and they're decreasing their impact on the environment by not releasing fumes into the air. With this blog, I'll be giving more examples on how we can each gradually simplify our lives (e.g. replacing a car with a bike), as well as offer information on the latest studies related to personal health, finances, and the environment, and give reviews on books and documentaries that are informative/inspiring/eye-opening.
Our current world is designed around convenience, instant gratification, and consumption, but with this blog I aim to promote a simpler life that shows that much of what we perceive to be necessities are simply excesses that hinder our own personal health and well-being as well as that of our planet and the other creatures we share it with.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Reasons to be a Vegetarian
There are three main reasons why you should either become a vegetarian or begin to eat less meat and other animal products:
1) Increasing personal health
Meat (as well as eggs and dairy) are high in fat and cholesterol, which can lead to excess weight and heart problems. By replacing at least a portion of your normal meat and dairy intake with a variety of vegetables, beans, and whole grains, you're body will receive more of the vitamins and nutrients it requires to be healthy. All of the nutrients me need (excluding vitamin b12 which is often fortified in cereals and plant milks) can be found in plant-based products. Also, by placing restrictions on your diet, more thought and care must be put into what you eat, leading to healthier choices.
2) Reducing environmental impact
Meat production uses significantly more energy than the production of any other type of food, leads to deforestation and desertification, threatens species diversity, and contributes to the depletion of the ozone through its use of fossil fuels.
3) Promoting animal rights
The meat and dairy industry is out to make money, not to care for the animals. Animals are raised to be slaughtered and exploited, while their own health and well-being is entirely neglected.
If you do choose to eat meat and other animal products, I recommend that you first do your research and buy free range eggs from the farmers market and local organic meat and dairy. This will be healthier for your body because of the lack of possibly dangerous chemicals, good for the environment because of the nature of small-scale organic farms, and good for the animals who are treated with respect and gratitude. Not everyone will become vegetarian or vegan, but if anyone who cares about at least one of the three reasons above chooses to eat less meat, they are doing their small part to make the world better.
Reasons to be a Vegetarian
1) Increasing personal health
Meat (as well as eggs and dairy) are high in fat and cholesterol, which can lead to excess weight and heart problems. By replacing at least a portion of your normal meat and dairy intake with a variety of vegetables, beans, and whole grains, you're body will receive more of the vitamins and nutrients it requires to be healthy. All of the nutrients me need (excluding vitamin b12 which is often fortified in cereals and plant milks) can be found in plant-based products. Also, by placing restrictions on your diet, more thought and care must be put into what you eat, leading to healthier choices.
2) Reducing environmental impact
Meat production uses significantly more energy than the production of any other type of food, leads to deforestation and desertification, threatens species diversity, and contributes to the depletion of the ozone through its use of fossil fuels.
3) Promoting animal rights
The meat and dairy industry is out to make money, not to care for the animals. Animals are raised to be slaughtered and exploited, while their own health and well-being is entirely neglected.
If you do choose to eat meat and other animal products, I recommend that you first do your research and buy free range eggs from the farmers market and local organic meat and dairy. This will be healthier for your body because of the lack of possibly dangerous chemicals, good for the environment because of the nature of small-scale organic farms, and good for the animals who are treated with respect and gratitude. Not everyone will become vegetarian or vegan, but if anyone who cares about at least one of the three reasons above chooses to eat less meat, they are doing their small part to make the world better.
Reasons to be a Vegetarian
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