By Shireen Qudosi

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and this year we have a few green additions to our family. With my newly turned eco leaf and with one of our family members going vegetarian, this year Thanksgiving presents a whole new set of challenges.

But the idea of a green or even a vegetarian Thanksgiving seems like blasphemy to die hard turkey stuffers. To ease them into what will inevitably be a culture shock, I already started dropping the idea of a green feast that goes beyond just an organic turkey. When asked how theyd “green” their Thanksgiving, I got all sorts of responses from “add more plants to the dinner table” to “use green dye on the turkey”.

If were to be literalists, then Id rather go cold turkey than sit across the table from a green turkey.

Rethinking the Main Course

The veggie kick brought with it the “Tofukey”, a tofu turkey that received grimaces from most non-vegetarians, including myself if only because of the horrid name for it. Another option is to try a soy-seitan turkey – (for a great recipe, check out Chef Bryanna Clark Grogan). Soy is an alternative to tofu, and for many it has a much more appealing taste.

Most people are immediately turned off when thinking of vegetarian alternatives to traditional meat dishes. But this isnt because of experience, (since mostly like theyve never even tried it), but rather because of conditioning. Were brought up being programmed to think fowl when imagining a Thanksgiving meal. Itll take a lot of deprogramming and a little willingness on peoples part to taste a soy turkey – but once they try it, theyll be one step closer to rethinking their attitude.

Your part in all this is to make sure you dont botch it up. Find a great recipe, and do quick pre turkey day test run. This way you can rest assured on the big day and know your feast will be a big hit, with some turkey somewhere thanking you for being spared the gauntlet.

DID YOU KNOW: Approximately 45 million turkeys are (killed) cooked and eaten in the U.S. on Thanksgiving? Thats about a sixth of all turkeys sold in the U.S. each year.

With facts like these, its all the more important that we do our part to bring this number down.

Why You Should Green Your “Meat”

Not to long ago, there was a bigger to-do about our carbon foot print. More recently, people started looking at the carbon foot print of cattle, or what they called a “cow emission”. According a 400 page report by the U.N.s Food and Agriculture Organizations report entitled “Livestocks Long Shadow”, the worlds 1.5 billion cattle are responsible for 18 percent of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, more than all other forms of transportation combined.

A great measure of how much awareness is spreading about this issue is to look outside of the green community. When my non eco friends started discussing it, I knew were starting to gain ground on the importance of the impact cattle has on our environment.

Its a more commonly known fact that cows produce a tremendous amount of methane a year, adding to an already increased global warming problem. As a natural part of a collective species, its a small and likely insignificant “contribution” – but when considering cattle is farmed to sustain a billion dollar beef industry, we can start seeing the compounded impact to our ecology.

Cows arent the only one. Any livestock that is farmed bears a similar burden on the environment. And if you recall the number of turkeys harvested and killed to cater to a Thanksgiving feast, you can start using your abacus to tally up the figures.

The Problem with Turkey

Turkey dinners have their own carbon foot print, or in this case a “wing print”, according to NPR, which did a piece on tracking the amount of resource it takes to raise a turkey and then transport it to its final destination. Each step along the way burns natural resources from farming turkey to the fuel it takes to transport them.

DID YOU KNOW: A landmark study at Cornell University revealed that turkey meat “production consumed energy in a 13:1 ratio to protein output.” The study goes on to add that:

Animal agriculture is a leading consumer of water resources in the United States.
Livestock are directly or indirectly responsible for much of the soil erosion in the United States
According to David Pimentel, Professor of Ecology at Cornell University, “More than half the U.S. grain and nearly 40 percent of the world grain is being fed to livestock rather than being consumed directly by humans.”

With these clear cut facts, we find ourselves hard pressed not to switch out turkey for soy even if just for one day. My recommendation is to email this article to your friends and family, particularly your guest list to get them thinking about the importance of an eco-friendly Thanksgiving feast.

At the end of the day, Thanksgiving is not about the food as much as it is about community – a gathering of loved ones over a feast regardless of what type of feast it is. And its hardly a celebration of gratitude if youve forced a turkey sacrifice for it, who Im sure isnt very grateful to have been included as an unwilling participant.

If youve got to get people to consider alternative lifestyle choices by hook and by crook, then so be it. Were on about 45 million turkeys here that will be very grateful to you for your efforts.

“Your Green Guide to Surviving Thanksgiving” is written by Shireen Qudosi and brought to you by http://www.heater-home.com, where youll find an abundance of heater articles to help guide you through a cold chilly winter. Follow them on Twitter@HeaterHome.

With much green talk amongst industries and households, eco industry watchers are saying the world has officially entered an emerging green economy – a trend that will only continue to gain momentum, says eco-expert Kim Carlson.

“As the economy rebounds, more investment will pour into green start-ups of all kinds,” she says. “Businesses of all sizes will begin to go beyond greening their facilities and products focusing on greening their corporate cultures to insure that sustainability permeates every nook and cranny of their organization for lasting change.”

Kim says green products will expand into more consumer product categories hitting health and wellness first, including: baby and childrens clothing, personal care and toys, the pet category and home and garden.

“Despite the gloomy economy of the past year, green has been on an unprecedented upswing.”

Here, Kim shares some examples with The Green Dove:

Sustainable Business: The recession has seemed to help green rather than hurt it as businesses large and small are finding ways to do more with less during the recession. After all, wasted resources do have a hefty price tag and do-gooder corporate differentiation does have a revenue upside. According to a September McGraw Hill report 76% of firms in the U.S. have made significant commitments to sustainability. While 57% believe sustainability practices are either unaffected or aided by the down economy. Some big announcements from the biggest corporations on the planet: In March, Disney announced a company wide sustainability initiative that will cut their carbon emissions in half by 2012 and waste – much from construction – eventually to zero.

Green Tech: According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, nearly 40% of all tech investment in the U.S. went to green tech start ups in 2008. Even though venture capital dried up in early 2009, there are signs that money is flowing back into green tech start-ups once again as investors are placing big bets on the “next big thing” as governments work on legislation to clean up the environment. This category includes bio fuels, plant-based cleaning products, renewable energy technologies, transportation and green chemistry.

Green Food: On the green foodie scene, the farm-to-table movement has taken root all over the US. The reality is that the food is fresher and perhaps even more nutritious when it doesnt ride in a truck across the country. According to the National Restaurant Association, green is playing big with chefs and customers this year. There is a trend of reducing waste, energy and water use by restaurateurs and suppliers. Technology has now made it possible to convert used fryer oil into electricity for hot water or to keep the lights on. And maybe for the first time ever, the environment trumps service as chefs are feeling emboldened to say “no” to customers who want out of season produce or seafood that is over-fished. Editor’s Note: The best way for restaurateurs to reduce waste, energy and water is by limiting meat and dairy based on their menus, as meat and dairy production is the number one global polluter.

Green Lifestyles: Out of the 27.5% of the U.S. work force that telecommutes, the Millennials or Generation Y workers are the largest group influencing this work behavior trend. There are 14 million Millennials telecommuting in 2009 according to the Gartner Dataquest report. The reason is that Millennials are tech-savvy, multi-tasking, non-cube dwellers that dont want to be chained to a desk or spend time in an office. They have begun to change the way we live and work. As a result we are becoming more virtually than physically connected resulting in a lower carbon footprint. Millennials are not only changing the way that we work, they are also moving us toward green living with their eco-enthusiasm.

1. Clean out your refrigerator and kitchen cupboards. Read the labels of every product in your home that you deem edible. If you cant pronounce it, or it has more ingredients than words in the bible, chances are your body isnt meant to digest it. Are there foods in your cupboards you feel guilty just looking at? Guilt is the greatest destroyer of emotional energy-therefore you dont need it, or the Snickers bar in your life. Nature provides some of the most delectable treats you could ever imagine. Head to nutritional expert David Wolfes website www.davidwolfe.com, for the low-down on one of natures most incredible gifts: raw cacao. The cacao bean is natures number one weight loss and high-energy food.

2. Clean out toxins and old waste with a cleansing detox. According to nutritional expert and Tree of Life founder, Dr Gabriel Cousens, research shows when intestinal toxemia is removed, symptoms such as fatigue, nervousness, gastrointestinal conditions, impaired nutrition, skin manifestations, endocrine disturbances, headaches, sciatica, low back pain, allergy, eye, ear, nose and throat congestion-and even cardiac irregularities-have been healed in hundreds of cases. Find out more at www.treeoflife.nu.

3. Download the Honest Food Guide from Mike Adams Naturalnews.com. This indispensable free guide was developed with you in mind, not big business. Unlike the traditional food pyramid (which is sponsored by major food corporations) youll find honest nutritional information, “not watered-down information designed to boost the sale of milk, beef and grains,” says Adams. Print out and post to your refrigerator for easy referral (and email the link to all of your friends!).

4. Make weekly trips to your local farmers market. Buying local is a great way to ensure your food is fresh, organic and free from scientific tampering. That is, anything genetically modified (genetically modified food is not as nature intended, therefore does not contain adequate nutrients and is considered by some to be unstable). The American Academy of Environmental Medicine recently issued a warning urging the public to avoid genetically modified foods. They also called for a suspension on GMOs until long-term, independent studies can prove their safety. Shopping at your local farmers market is also a way to become more connected to the food you eat, as youre buying directly from the person who put their hard work, love and energy into growing the produce. Theres also an added bonus of upping your essential Vitamin D intake as you wander (without wearing chemical-laden sunscreen!) from stall to stall. See www.localharvest.org or www.farmersmarkets.org.au to find a market near you.

5. Decrease or cease your intake of meat and dairy. Despite being told drinking milk is good for our bones and eating meat is a superior form of protein, its actually not true. Besides the fact that dairy causes iron deficiency, bloating, diarrhoea, gas and intestinal pain in most people, its consumption transfers drugs that have been administered to the animal, such as antibiotics, into the system of the person drinking it. And when you think about it, where do cows get their calcium? From the grass they eat. Leafy greens such as kale, broccoli, collards and cabbage are excellent sources of calcium-and no animals are harmed in the process, either. The same goes for meat consumption. Protein and iron is in abundance in a pure vegetarian diet. Eating meat also means youre putting antibiotics and any dis-eases from the animal directly into your own system. If you plan to move from a meat and dairy-based diet, be sure to transition into it by reducing your consumption over time. If youre unsure, seek advice from an informed wholefood nutritionist.

6. Educate yourself. By learning about the types of foods that create a healthy mind and body, you put the power back into your hands instead of big food industries whose primary interest is in creating dollars not health. A good place to start is with Dr Gabriel Cousens Conscious Eating. Also check out Don and Tyler Tolmans Conscious Lifestyler website.

7. Take a whole food cooking or raw food preparation course with friends or family. Knowing where your food came from and exactly how its prepared can not only create peace of mind, but also bring families together through creating meals together. Its also a way to meet like-minded people who are on the same path. Get Googling to find the right class for you. We love Rod Rotondis raw food classes (see www.leaforganics.com) and chef Julianos “uncook” book RAW.

Photo: Robyn Gallagher Flickr Creative Commons

How much do we know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families? Though our food appears the same-a tomato still looks like a tomato-it has been radically transformed.

In Food, Inc., producer-director Robert Kenner and investigative authors Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivores Dilemma) lift the veil on the U.S. food industry – an industry that has often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihoods of American farmers, the safety of workers and our own environment.

While animal-lovers undoubtedly will have a hard time sitting through some scenes of this tell-all documentary, the message is one every person should watch in order to understand exactly where their food comes from, how it is grown and processed, as well as the risks associated with eating it.

Food, Inc. filmmakers take you behind the scenes (see the excerpts from the film below; and trailer at right) to witness practices they say are deliberately hidden from the American consumer. They also reveal how a handful of corporations control the nations food supply.

“Though the companies try to maintain the myth that our food still comes from farms with red barns and white picket fences, our food is actually raised on massive “factory farms” and processed in mega industrial plants,” say the filmmakers.

“The animals grow fatter faster and are designed to fit the machines that slaughter them. Tomatoes are bred to be shipped without bruising and to stay edible for months. The system is highly productive, and Americans are spending less on food than ever before. But at what cost?”

The film shows how cattle are given feed their bodies are not biologically designed to digest, resulting in new strains of the E. coli bacteria, which sicken roughly 73,000 Americans annually. And because of the high proliferation of processed foods derived from corn, Americans are facing epidemic levels of diabetes among adults and alarming increases in obesity, especially among children.

And, surprisingly, all of it is happening right under the noses of the governments regulatory agencies, the USDA and the FDA. The film exposes a “revolving door” of executives from giant food corporations in and out of Washington D.C. that has resulted in a lack of oversight and illuminates how this dysfunctional political system often operates at the expense of the American consumer.

“The animals grow fatter faster and are designed to fit the machines that slaughter them. Tomatoes are bred to be shipped without bruising and to stay edible for months. The system is highly productive, and Americans are spending less on food than ever before. But at what cost?”

Food Inc. takes you to the nations heartland, speaking to farmers who have been silenced – afraid to talk about whats happening to the nations food supply for fear of retaliation and lawsuits from giant corporations.

The documentary describes how today’s laws are such that corporations are allowed to patent seeds for crops. As a result, Monsanto, the former chemical company that manufactured Agent Orange and DDT – in a span of 10 years – has landed its patented gene in 90% of the nations soybean seeds. Farmers are now forbidden to save and reuse these seeds and must instead buy new seed from Monsanto each season. Armed with a team of employees dedicated to enforcing their seed patents, Monsanto spends millions every year to investigate, intimidate and sue farmers — many of whom are financially unable to fight the corporation.

Food, Inc. also introduces us to courageous people who refuse to helplessly stand by and do nothing. Some, such as Stonyfield Farms Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms Joel Salatin, are finding ways to work inside and outside the system to improve the quality of our food. Others are men and women who have chosen to speak out, such as chicken farmer Carole Morison, seed cleaner Moe Parr and food safety advocate Barbara Kowalcyk. Their heartbreaking and heroic stories demonstrate the level of humanity and commitment it takes to fight the corporations that control the food industry.

While the filmmakers attempted to interview representatives from Monsanto, Tyson, Perdue and Smithfield, they all declined.

Despite the bleakness of the current situation, Food Inc’s message is a positive one: every single person has the power to change the status quo, by voting every time they visit the supermarket.

Wal-Mart, for example, is one conglomerate that is listening to customers by introducing organic products produced by companies that care. While their strong interest is undoubtedly in profits, their change is an example of how customers vote with their dollars every time an item they choose is scanned. The key is educating ourselves so we know exactly what it is we’re buying. Watching Food Inc. is a good place to start, as it reveals how complicated and compromised the once simple process of growing crops and raising livestock to feed ourselves and our families has become.

For further information head to www.foodincmovie.com

To take part in a Q&A with director Robert Kenner get involved in the live Twitter chat tomorrow at 10am PT (USA). To submit a question, all you have to do is include the #foodinc tag.

By Shannon Dunn

As I settled in for the evening to watch a preview copy of Sundance Channels soon-to-be-aired The Lazy Environmentalist, I was looking forward to learning how its easy to be green-that we can all do it, once equipped with the know how.

My excitement turned to disappointment part way through the first episode, which is set to air on June 16, as the shows host, environmental entrepreneur Josh Dorfman, forgot to mention an important fact to the family he had gone to help: their excessive meat consumption is one of the major reasons our planet is being destroyed.

Instead, the Martinez family were encouraged to think about heading to the butcher instead of their local supermarket in order to reduce the amount of packaging their meat comes in.

Fair enough I thought. Small steps are very important when it comes to lifestyle changes. Small steps lead to more small steps, which add up to be bigger steps. One person can absolutely make a difference to the world. Still, the vegan in me squirmed as it became obvious there would be no mention of how meat is the number one industrial polluter; how half of the worlds rainforests have been razed for cattle grazing for beef; how it takes 14 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat but it takes 441 gallons to produce one pound of beef.

Regardless, what Dorfman was doing was helping to educate on recycling and reusing, so he had my vote-at least until he too chowed down on ribs, straight from the hot plate of the Martinezs barbecue.

Now there was something wrong with the picture. Really wrong. And it wasnt with my television. As I sat there contemplating the positives of The Lazy Environmentalist, my heart sank as I realized Dorfman wasnt an environmentalist at all — rather an entrepreneur who recognizes the value in the green movement.

I have a solid understanding that changing from a meat eating lifestyle to a vegetarian way of life overnight is rare (nor recommended-reducing meat consumption should be done over a period of time). Its also important not to preach: no one likes a bible basher. Leading by example is by far the most effective way to show others what works. My concern lies with those we look up to as environmentalists, yet arent fulfilling the job description.

Perhaps Howard Lynn, a former fourth-generation Montana cattle rancher, who is now a vegan, says it best: “To consider yourself an environmentalist and still eat meat is like saying youre a philanthropist who doesnt give to charity.”

But Dorfman isnt the only environmentalist whose diet comes before the planet. As hypnotherapist, spiritual teacher and The Green Dove contributor Cynthia Morgan wrote recently about Al Gore: “The King of Green gave us The Inconvenient Truth, a documentary about a planet on the verge of self-destructing from global warming; yet as a carnivore, he partakes in the very act that creates more greenhouse gases than cars!”

Dorfman told me he became The Lazy Environmentalist when he realized most people wanted to solve environmental challenges such as global warming, air and water pollution and food quality.

“We often arent willing to change our personal habits or be inconvenienced just to help contribute to the solutions,” he said.

So what gives? Why hasnt Dorfman changed his meat-eating habit to lead by example and become a true environmentalist? We wanted to know.

“As Ive become more educated on this issue over the past few years I have chosen to limit my consumption of meat,” he explained.

But Mr Dorfman, your name is up there in lights as an environmentalist. Environmentalists dont eat less meat. They choose not to eat it at all. An environmentalist doesnt become “more educated on the issue” they are educated on the issue. And this folks, is where the problem lies.

Dorfman says “its reality that few people will change their eating habits just to save the earth”. Rather, “millions of people might want to change their eating habits if they understood all of the benefits that would accrue to them”.

“And since saving money and being healthier is usually in most peoples immediate self-interest, I think we have an opportunity to spread environmental information in ways that people can really relate to and will be willing to act upon,” he added. “We are a meat eating nation (the United States), so we have to think deeply about how we work with that reality and attempt to change it.”

Well save you some time, Mr Dorfman. Put the ribs down. Stop eating meat. Show your audience how its done.

So, according to The Lazy Environmentalist television series, it seems its a case of why bother telling people about earth-damaging meat production at all if the environmentalist host believes its a lost cause, even before he begins?

As a member of Newsweeks Global Environment and Leadership Advisory Committee; the Wolf Trap Foundations National Advisory Council for the Arts and Environment; and as someone who, as an environmentalist, has addressed corporations such as Google, MTV Networks, Pepsico and Bristol Myers Squibb, Dorfman is in the perfect position to make a difference and truly lead by example.

We at The Green Dove, would like to offer up that challenge to The Lazy Environmentalist, to stop being lazy and show the world-through leading by example-how everyone will benefit from a flesh-free diet.

See The Green Doves full interview with The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman, below. To read more about how eating meat affects the world we live in, head to www.chooseveg.com/environment.asp

THE GREEN DOVE: How did you become The Lazy Environmentalist?

JOSH DORFMAN: I realized that people while most people want to solve environmental challenges like global warming, air and water pollution, and food quality issues, we often arent willing to change our personal habits or be inconvenienced just to help contribute to the solutions. So I started the lazy environmentalist to help lazy, resistant-to-change Americans reduce their environmental impact and begin to bring their lifestyles into greater balance with nature.

TGD: In your opinion what could every household do that they currently may not be doing to ensure a greener planet?

JD: Every household could easily switch to low-flow showerheads, which is one of the best ways to reduce the use of water and energy (to heat the water) and save money by lowering utility bills. I personally like the Roadrunner showerhead from Evolve because it reduces the flow of water from 2.5 gallons per minute for typical showerheads to 1.5 gallons per minute and also includes other water-saving features. So someone taking a typical 10-minute shower everyday could save over 10 gallons of water per day and over 3600 gallons of water over the course of year. The Roadrunner still provides strong pressure so lazy environmentalist wont even notice the difference yet theyll be doing something really good for the planet. It costs $39.95 and pays for itself in terms of lower utility bills pretty quickly. www.evolveshowerheads.com/roadrunner_showerhead.html

TGD: Please view this link www.thegreendove.com/2009/05/eco-celebs-paler-shade-of-green. Before reading the story above, were you aware of the impact meat-eaters have on the planet?

JD: Yes, Im aware of meat eaters impact on the planet.

TGD: Do you think it’s something you would consider giving up, considering your public role as an environmentalist?

JD: As Ive become more educated on this issue over the past few years I have chose to limit my consumption of meat. When I was hosting my daily radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio we implemented Lazy Environmentalist Meatless Tuesdays. The idea was to consistently reduce meat consumption every week in a way that made it a fun challenge and non-threatening for our listeners. The point here is that you can have all the environmental statistics and data on your side, but unless youre willing to give serious thought to how you present that information to people who really dont want to change their habits and dont want to stop eating meat, you will continue to come up against a wall of resistance and change will only happen on the periphery. We are a meat eating nation, so we have to think deeply about how we work with that reality and attempt to change it. I tell audiences that eating less meat will save them money and make them healthier and also be beneficial to the planet. For better or worse, Ive found from my experience that most Americans are only willing to change their habits when they perceive doing so to be in their self-interest. And since saving money and being healthier is usually in most peoples immediate self-interest, I think we have an opportunity to spread environmental information in ways that people can really relate to and will be willing to act upon. The reality is that few people will change their eating habits just to save the earth, but millions of people might change their eating habits if they understood all of the benefits that would accrue to them. Oh, and there also has to be lazy and delicious ways to eat less meat. Id like to see the emergence of more roadside vegetarian fast food joints that serve really tasty food.

TGD: What do you hope the program will achieve?

JD: I hope the TV program is really entertaining so that people who arent environmentalists will want to watch. There are lots green TV shows these days. I think our show stands apart because were testing environmental alternatives in the real-world with regular Americans to see if theyd be realistically willing to adopt them. The show doesnt preach or moralize about the state of the planet. Instead it attempts to show that environmental alternatives really can stand up in the marketplace and that they can truly improve the quality of our lives. Ultimately, if we can attract people to the show who dont self-identify as environmentalists then I think will be succeeding because well be helping to expand the movement.

By Cynthia Morgan

I glanced at the latest cover of Vogue with Cameron Diaz and next to her name was the headline “Queen of Green.” Heres what I dont get: how can a woman who goes on national talk shows telling us plebeians how to change our light bulbs to be more “green” not understand that by consuming meat (she is quoted as saying she “loves” hamburgers-they are her “weakness”) that she is contributing to the single greatest cause of environmental destruction on the planet?

Meat production-the number one industrial polluter. I mean, how can I, a nobody, know that and a woman who teams up with Al Gore for environmental initiatives not know this? Clearly shes done her homework, right? How does the Vogue-dubbed reigning Queen of Green feel about leaving a carbon footprint the size of Big Foot each time she walks out of a burger joint?

Forgive me Cameron Diaz, I am just trying to make sense of this. Im sure you are a lovely well-meaning person and maybe youre just feeling your way through becoming more conscious in the public eye. That cant be easy. Perhaps you really dont understand the extent to which you hinder the progress of your own environmental efforts each time you declare your love for hamburgers in the press to all those devoted fans following in your ecological footsteps. Youre not the only one.

Jennifer Aniston wants us to take five-minute showers; yet as a meat eater does she not know that one hamburger requires the water equivalent of 40 showers? She is adding to not only the biggest waste of water on earth by consuming meat but she’s also contributing to the greatest source of water pollution!

Sheryl Crow asks us to use one square of toilet paper per bathroom visit; yet she dines on steak-talk about a waste of natural resources. Julia Roberts is also “Green,” apparently she drives a bio-diesel car; yet I turn on the television and see her grilling hamburgers with George Clooney. And I ask myself, “Do they just not know?” Is that possible?

And Al Gore! Cmon. Seriously? The King of Green gave us The Inconvenient Truth, a documentary about a planet on the verge of self-destructing from global warming; yet as a carnivore, he partakes in the very act that creates more greenhouse gases than cars! I couldnt bear to see his movie. (And I still havent). I was certain there wouldnt be a whisper of whistle blowing on meat production as the PRIMARY cause of global warming due to de-forestation, gas emissions, land degradation and air pollution. What the heck, man?

How could this inclusive documentary be so shortsighted? He needs to make another one and get it right this time and call it The Really Inconvenient Truth: What I Didnt Want to Tell You Because I Would Have to Fundamentally Change and I Would Have an Up in Arms Meat Industry Breathing Down My Neck. I cant imagine its because these people are not educated in their cause of choice. So what is it? Is it fear that no one will see their movies if they really speak the truth? I get that. Im pretty sure at least one of my three blog readers wont be back. Or is it because its just a little too inconvenient for them to relinquish hot dogs?

“To consider yourself an environmentalist and still eat meat is like saying you’re a philanthropist who doesn’t give to charity.” Howard Lyman, former fourth-generation Montana cattle rancher and now vegan activist.

It isnt an easy choice to give up meat. Weve been hard-wired to believe we need it. And weve been duped by a meat industry heavily invested in programming us to remain under its spell. Its easy to recycle water bottles and forgo plastic bags. No one really needs plastic bags. That isnt that inconvenient.

This isnt about expecting everyone to be a vegan. My friends will vouch for my peep-less acceptance of their carnivorous ways. But if you are speaking from a celebrity platform of knowledge meant to enlighten us ignorant masses, then we expect you to know what youre talking about. We can handle the truth. What we (and the environment) dont need are half-truths and easy truths. Sure, driving eco-friendly cars and recycling are helpful, but they side step the hard choice. The far-reaching decision that challenges our lives from a very deep soul residing place and asks us to think way outside ourselves and rethink how we live on this planet.

When we do make that decision what we find is that the once derived “pleasure” of eating a hamburger dismally pales in comparison to the fulfillment of knowing we are making the single greatest impact a human being can have on the healing of the environment.

Not every celebrity activist can be Thom Yorke. Im coming to accept that. Thats my lesson. But I believe in time, well all catch up to him.

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” Albert Einstein.

A few facts worth chewing on:

1. 500,000 animals are slaughtered in the United States every HOUR for meat.
2. 100 acres of land produce enough beef for only 20 people, whereas those same 100 acres can produce enough wheat to feed 200 people.
3. 440 million tons of grain are fed to cattle each year, while 500 million people starve to death in poor countries.
4. One child dies of malnutrition every 2.3 seconds. If Americans reduced their meat consumption by 10%, one hundred million people could be fed using that freed up land.
5. Half of the worlds rainforests have been razed for cattle grazing for beef. Most of these rainforests are in poor countries, and the meat is exported to wealthy countries like the United States. Half of Central Americas rainforests have been deforested to provide the U.S. with meat.
6. 90% of the plant and animal species on earth live in the tropics, some of which have yet to be identified. Every day more of these species are brought to extinction as a result of Americans eating meat.
7. High levels of pesticides, tranquilizers and antibiotics commonly used in livestock enter your bloodstream when you consume meat. Of all the antibiotics used in the U.S., 55% are given to livestock.
8. It takes 14 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat but it takes 441 gallons to produce ONE pound of beef. (Some say that figure is way off and it takes 2,500 gallons!) If taxpayers did not subsidize these water costs, beef would cost $35.00 a pound.
9. 85% of the four million acres of topsoil lost each year is due to raising livestock. In order to make up for this loss, we destroy forests. Since 1967, the rate of deforestation in the United States has been one acre every five seconds. For each acre cleared in urbanization, seven are cleared for grazing or growing livestock feed.
10. Each time you replace a meat meal with a vegetarian one, you save at least 2.5 pounds of greenhouse gases.

To learn more check out www.chooseveg.com

About Cynthia Morgan

An accredited and sought-after Los Angeles-based board certified hypnotherapist, Cynthia Morgan is known as a spiritual teacher by her extensive clientele. Not only has Morgan improved the lives of her clients, but her unique philosophy that “we dont need to do anything to heal-rather we need to undo the thoughts that stand in the way of healing” applies to issues with weight, addictions, illness, pain, phobias, depression, and whatever else one deems as a “problem”. Her philosophy and techniques have proven to be highly successful, establishing her as true leader in her field.

Find out more at: www.cynthiamorgan.us
Read Cynthia’s blog here: www.cynthiamorganblog.blogspot.com

Why it’s great: Earthlings exposes the human race’s reliance on other living beings as pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research. It illustrates the disrespect people show for “non-human” providers and conveys the strong message that all living things on earth are not separate, rather we are all earthlings.

Who’s watching it: Vegetarians Alicia Silverstone, Forest Whitaker, Natalie Portman, Clint Eastwood, Casey Affleck, and people who want to know what is really happening behind the scenes, as the human race continues to rely on animals for profit.

What you’ll learn: How meat makes it to the table, the cruelty administered at puppy mills and animal shelters, factory farms as well as the bloodbath of the leather and fur trades.

Want to know more? See www.earthlings.com