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Saturday, September 25, 2010

(still) T-minus twelve days.

Researching this raw food diet has gotten me thinking a lot about respecting the planet through our dietary choices. The Standard American Diet (aptly abbreviated SAD), is responsible for more environmental damage than all of our transportation emissions combined. Meat eating is one of the worst things we can do for the planet. I say "we" because right now, I am a meat eater. Granted, that will change in a few days, but right now I'm just as responsible (or irresponsible, as the case may be) as anyone else.

Through all this research, I've come to associate eating meat with a vast disrespect for our fellow sentient beings and the planet. How arrogant are we that we know we can have a perfectly, vibrantly healthy plant-based diet and choose to pollute the planet and cause pain to beings that have, in essence, the same neurological system and pathways as we do? It's ridiculous that there are people offering to attend my vegan, raw food-induced funeral right now when it's their dietary choices that are doing the most harm.

I thought I was changing my diet selfishly, and just for me. Really, though, this has turned out to be a foray into how much our human choices affect not just other humans, but the rest of the world. It's amazing how much we can change through the choices we make with our fork.

I think the Symphony of Science provides a good soundtrack for meditation on the interconnectedness of the planet.



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You think its arrogant that people eat meat?

it's an odd concept ... just curious.

Erin said...

Yeah, I do. I suppose it's more ignorance in most cases -- I know I had no idea how much environmental damage meat eating causes until just recently. I don't blame people who eat meat at all. I think that if anything, it's advertisement and media's fault, but I'm really hesitant to use the word "fault." I think we're all just wrapped up in this protein myth that dictates meat eating to be the only healthy way to live, and while we're all trying to do what's best for us and the planet, without the whole story, we end up doing more harm than good.

I would recommend Robbins' Diet for a New America for more on the subject. He's about a million times more eloquent than I am!

I don't know if that made any sense, but there you go!

Sarah said...

I guess that makes sense. Personally, i tried the vegetarian thing - it was hard on my body. It made me severely enemic because i wasn't getting "animal protein" that the doctors told me I "needed". That part is debatable.
Also ... some people with severe conditions (such as Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis) cannot tolerate huge amounts of fiber and greens. If I eat too many salads in a week, then i start bleeding out of my colon. So instead, i have to stick with bland meats, white breads, and really soft or dehydrated, skinless fruits & veggies.

I'm not trying to start any arguments or anything - it's just a personal problem i'm dealing with. It's hard to get my body to tolerate the nutrient-filled veggies i need!