Sustainability Made Simple Series: Part 2
Posted by Michelle Moquin on October 6th, 2009
Good morning. I’m hoping that you’re participating in helping to sustain our place here on our beloved Earth, by making a habit of at least a few of the sustainable steps from yesterday’s post. Want more? You’re gonna get more.
Here we go with Part 2 of the series. It is called On The Menu: What you choose to eat and drink affects your health and the environment. Sustainable food choices may seem complicated, but by following some of these suggestions, you’ll lead a healthier, greener life. Again, In each of the series there are several categories and each has three steps, progressing from the simplest to the most complex.
Meat and Dairy
Industrial farming of livestock is very energy-intensive, and is responsible for more global warming emissions than the entire transportation industry.
- Look for free-range, grass-fed beef and organic dairy products.
- Eat less beef by substituting chicken or seafood – It’s the easiest and fastest way to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
- Eat more vegetarian meals.
I have to say a little bit about the above because I have been a vegetarian a few times in my life. As much as I love veggies and wish I could be a full time vegetarian , we are carnivores, and simply put, my body needs meat. However, I do not eat meat every day. And the free-range, grass-fed meat that we do eat, is bought directly from a farm. Now I know that there are probably people out there that can not buy from a farm or at least think they can’t. It is a little bit pricier but not by much, and worth investigating for your health and the planet.
If buying directly from a farm is just not possible, you can buy free-range grass-fed at the market. If you’re used to eating meat a few times a week, can you reduce your intake to once a week and buy free-range grass-fed? You can do the same with chicken and seafood if you’re not a big beef eater. Purchase seafood that has been harvested sustainably from the ocean. (A good resource is the Seafood Made Simple card. I will be blogging about this at the end of the series) We’re talking quality over quantity here. Better for you; better for the environment.
As far eating more vegetarian meals, Health info has been posting some great info in terms of vegetarian meals and ZL has been so kind to give out her recipes too. Doug started an organic garden this past summer and most of the veggies we eat are from our garden. Plant your own organic garden. Or buy CSA. (more about this below) It is is simpler than you think and much less expensive than buying organic at the grocery store. Once again, better for you and better for the environment.
Baby steps. If everyone does a little we can have a huge impact. That’s all I’m asking.
Shopping
- Cut down on processed foods.
- Look for local, seasonal, organic foods.
- Subscribe to a community supported agricultural program (CSA program) – CSA members receive regular baskets of organic produce from a local farmer, in return for helping to fund the farm.
Again, I have a bit more to say here. I know processed foods are quick and easier but they certainly are not better for you, or less expensive in the big picture. For those of you on a tight budget, in the long run you are paying way more than just making something yourself from fresh ingredients. Try to get into the habit of experimenting with your cooking instead of opening a box or a can.
And remember, buying local, organic veggies is not much more money especially if you’re cutting down in the meat department. And if money is still an issue, as I mentioned above, try planting a small organic garden. Seeds and small starters are cheap. You don’t need much space for a few seasonal veggies.
It is not only fun to pick and eat veggies that you have grown, but they are so much more delicious than store bought. The entire process is very relaxing and stress relieving. Ask Doug; he is always tinkering in the garden, and it is so rewarding to see him bringing in all of these colorful, delicious, fresh, and yes, basically FREE food.
Eating Out
- Choose local restaurants over chains. They are more likely to operate sustainably.
- Patronize those local restaurants which source local, seasonal and organic ingredients.
- Bring your own reusable take-out containers from home.
I know the above is not talking about fast food chains as to me it is a given not to support those types of establishments. However, I have to say something here, even if CAS doesn’t. I know fast food is cheap, but readers the affects that these types of food chains have not only on the environment but on our bodies is just not worth the drive-thru. Please stay clear of the biggies – you know who they are in your neighborhood.
In California finding good restaurants that practice sustainable methods is pretty easy if one does a little research. In other states it may be more difficult, but it is worth you asking questions. I think tip number 3 is easy to do where ever you are. We always keep reusable grocery bags and take-out containers from home in the trunk of our car. If everyone did this it would be amazing just how much we would reduce paper and those horrible styrofoam containers from polluting our planet.
In Oakland styrofoam take-out containers were banned about a year ago, but we still bring our own take-out containers even though what they hand out is recycled paper take-outs. It still helps by bringing your own no matter what. All I can add here is reuse, reuse, reuse. Pretend you’re on a deserted island. If all you had was a few things, you would not throw them out after one use; you would reuse them over and over again until they could be used no more. Simple.
Okay, that’s it for Part 2 of the series. What do ya think? Doable yes? Now…go out and do what you can. Thanks :)
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Zen Lill: Thank you. I wish I could walk to the store as you suggest. I would if it wasn’t far, but I really enjoy biking. Especially with my bike. If I can find a pic I will post my bike - It is a fun ride.
Ruth: Happy that you liked my post. You posted a great article too – thanks. I don’t buy many packaged foods but I am a big label reader when I do buy something in a box or can. I really try to avoid sugar in foods because I have sweet tooth for ice cream and *Bakesale Betty Ginger cookies. So I save myself from eating sugars in food that I don’t want, so that I can indulge in the sweets with sugar that I do love. It’s all a matter of being aware and balancing.
Happy to hear that your big influence, over low or no sugar in the girls diets, is working. Give them all a big hug and a hello.
*FYI: According to the FTC, new guidelines will go into effect on December 1st. Bloggers now need to let their readers know how they are connected to any product or service that they tout. If they have received any product or services from a business for free, they must state this in their article. So that being said, no Bakesale Betty have not sent me any free cookies for a mention on my blog. I love the cookies from Bakesale Betty. I buy them quite frequently and yes I do get a free cookie every now and then, but then so does everyone else waiting in line to purchase their treats.
Anna: Hafa Adai. It’s nice to step away from dire news and have a little fun. You know what they say, “All work and no play….” The concert sounded like fun – were you able to attend?
Readers: I was just informed that there is not a place to add a comment. I am not sure what is going on, but I am on it to fix it. Sorry for the glitch.
Got to run….
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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October 6th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Hi Mischa, all’s quiet in blogsville today…
I have to admit that time is not expanding to fit my needs at all this week so I will do the review and add some ass kicking exercises next week, you’re all doing fine for now, just keep up the pace and fit the exercise in your schedule no matter what. The sooner you schedule time for exercise and keep it in the schedule, the better, and people will soon stop asking you to do things for them on M/W/F am’s (or whatever your chosen days/times are) bc you’ll have explained that it’s ME time.
Your health is something you have control over to a great degree, use the resources here as in health info, Ruth’s posts, my posts and any other contributors post…they follow a trend towards good eating, exercise and keeping your mental, emotional and spiritual houses in order : ) and bag the suggs (sugar) and process foods is right…!
I kicked my ass along with all of you over the weekend, 45 minutes and I added a hill and 20 minutes in the sand, oh can you say OUCH?! My butt was aching Mon am and I went and worked out, I’ll say that pain = not good, ache as in feeling worked over = good, you can stretch through it, ten minutes into your next walk/workoout it’s all good, your building muscle.
Let’s talk about what you’re wearing these days…hee hee…a simple first ‘I’m emerging and evolving’ outward step: purge your closets of anything that sags in the ass, do it now! Even ‘around the house’ saggy baggy ass pants, out! you know you end up jumping in your car and running to the store in them, stop now. : ) I am LOL-ing while I’m writing bc I cannot tell you how many ‘mothers’ of my kids pals I run into that are good looking women but they’ve got that lifestyle idea that ‘who cares what I look like’? well, for one, you should…it’s a sign of self respect to look at least presentable (or at best: fabulous darling, take your pick)…
That’s my two for today, Zen Lill
PS I don’t and won’t comment on politics anymore, I am very frustrated with our American two party system that never works FOR the people, I’m feeling very un-patriotic lately and none of the comments here help that, not that they should…I feel for President Obama, he’s between a rock and a hard place and all we care about is that he’s ‘black’ oh please, and the mere mention of SP as a 2012 possibility is enough to send the Zen over the edge, that she’s even in the news and writing books, etc…is beyond irksome to me.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Zenn Lill.
I’m sick of politics myself and I know that you can’t get the thruth from the media about anything anymore. I’m still backing Obama, but am bummed about all the racisim, and unethical journalism.
I am going to live my life, survive as best I can, and pray for the best possible outcome, whatever that might be, while trying to do my best to help a few others.
This whole fucking world has gone mad. People seem to have just lost their minds, and it doesn’t make much sense to let these facts get one upset. It is what it is, and likely to get a whole lot worse before it gets any better.
And that is about as optimistic as it gets here today, don’t expect to much, you are less likely to be disappointed.
Al
Heard any good jokes lately?
October 6th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I belong to a right wing group that has been busy rewriting the bible to make it more right wing and white friendly. We got the idea from some of our Mormon members who laugh when they point out how easy it was to sell white america on their version of the bible.
So they said why don’t we rewrite the one our lunatics worship. We thought about it for a minute or two and the rest is history. We will be launching the preliminary version to see if it is met with much resistance. If not, we will proceed with rewriting the entire book.
Laura
October 6th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Cheers, Al a mode’ – that’s exactly where i’m at, I have an opinion but it’s clear that the world has gone awry (site above comment by Laura, the Christians and the Mormons…hoo boy, again – no comment) – and I’m just trying to make it through the day everyday, it’s all good but how can I get whipped up about all these things that i have very little control over…
on that note, Al, I am going to tell you my very favorite joke : ) and I know i will be laughing out loud by the time I’m done, I can’t even tell it in person bc I start to laugh and tear up – here goes, hope you enjoy it…a woman walks by a store, it says ‘erotic pet store’ on the sign, she thinks hmmm and goes on in. The man behond the counter says ‘may I help you?’ she says, ‘what type of erotic animals do you have?’ he leads her to a cage with a frog in it and says, ‘this frog eats pussy’ she smiles and says, ‘I’ll take it!’ he’s ringing it up and telling her that when she gets home she should get underessed, lay on the bed, take the frog out of the box and put him in between her legs and voila’ the frog will take care of her. She goes home, does as told and the frog sits between her legs and does – nothing.
She puts the frog back in the box and heads to the store, she tells the man whatn happended, he takes her to a back room and says, ‘ok, go in here, get undressed and lie down on the sofa, put the frog between your legs and I’ll be back’ she does that and the man walks in – (hahahaha…) picks up the frog and says ‘now I’m going to show you this one more time’ ahahhahaha…oh LOL I just love that joke…ok I’m going to go now, hahaha…
G’night, Zen Lill
October 7th, 2009 at 2:55 am
We have been discovered setting up a base deep beneath the surface of the moon. The earth will be shooting towards it. They are trying to make the statement that they have some control over their satellite.
You will hear various excuses as to why they are firing rockets into the surface of the moon.
We may or may not retaliate. If we do it will be via weather so that we can teach the primitives that we control even their earthquakes.
Mai Ling
October 7th, 2009 at 3:12 am
I put my brother’s girlfriend in touch with a woman who is a lesbian. She said that if I didn’t tell him she would blow me. Am I a creep?
It’s just that I have been in love with her for four years. My brother is not. He told me that he just loves the way she gives head.
She has not had sex with a man because she has this medical problem that makes it impossible for her to be penetrated.
I really don’t care. I love her and I would marry her tomorrow if she would have me. I haven’t told her as much because of my brother.
Michelle, what should I do. She is 23 I am 21. Oh, my brother is 36.
Help
Cecil
October 7th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Mischa, did u watch that YouTube link I sent u? It’s about moon bases. Busy AM so caio for now, ZL
October 7th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Zen Lill,
Your joke was so funny that I didn’t even get it. What the frog eats pussy, but needs new batteries, the frog needs foreplay or has a head ache. I really don’t get it. Hahahaha, Wanna buy a gerbil?
Now I’ve got to go and get an earthquake protection kit. Primitives! If you are an “Earthlings” Mia Ling, it hasn’t been very long since you were primitive yourself.
No Cecil, you are not a creep.
Al
October 7th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Laura,
And that would mean that the bible comes from and is the word of god…give me a fucking break!
October 7th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Doug, Take a break.
Laura, your idea is lame.
Al
October 7th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Zen Lill, would not a frogs tongue be a little to fast and lack the proper pressure variables and finness necessary to get the job done properly? Go and get your money back! Hahaha
October 7th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Hafa adai
Everybody should know this who has Hotmail. But you islanders here’s the peep.
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Tuesday, 06 October 2009 16:55
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org
Over 10,000 Email Accounts In Jeopardy
GUAM – For those island residents that currently use Microsoft Hotmail, your user account details may have been compromised. Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald cited the Technology blog neowin.net that “more than 10,000 stolen account details had been posted at pastebin.com.”
Microsoft encourages all users to immediately change their password and account details. The breach appears to be a result of a phishing scheme that sends a Trojan horse of an email into your account that “dupes people into revealing passwords and security information,” according the Sunday Morning Herald.
Read the Sydney Morning Herald article “Hot mail: Stolen Email Passwords Appear Online” from October 6, 2009.
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Anna, why haven’t you answered my calls?
Peter
October 7th, 2009 at 9:27 am
I am so into articles involving kids again. Now my kids are sending them to me. Thanks Evelyn. But where’s your article to Michelle’s blog?
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Poisoning our kids with meds
I’ve never been able to figure out why ADHD drugs are prescribed so frequently, much less forced on millions of children — it doesn’t take much to see how bad these meds are, and nearly all the research only highlights those dangers.
So when I read in the August issue of Pediatrics that phone calls to poison control centers due to ADHD drugs are up 76 percent over the past eight years, I was outraged.
Who keeps telling parents that these drugs are safe and effective? I’ve had a lot of debates over those two points, and I haven’t lost one yet — the science just isn’t there.
Yet doctors are giving out these dangerous and addictive drugs like candy at Halloween, and now we’re paying the price, as the frantic calls to poison control centers highlight.
I’ve told you about the many problems with these things before. (Read “The cocaine of the playground.”) ADHD drugs are dangerous meds that stimulate the brain’s reward center much in the same was as drugs like cocaine. Anyone who’ll argue otherwise hasn’t seen the kids on the playground trading and selling their meds.
The Drug Enforcement Agency has even had to issue a warning over ADHD drugs — and I don’t think they did it because they needed practice issuing warnings.
These meds have terrible side effects, including hallucinations, restlessness, high blood pressure, uneven heartbeats, hives, rash, fever, nausea, vomiting, sleeplessness, dizziness, numbness and more.
But the worst part of the whole thing is that these drugs just don’t work. A massive study done a few years back by Oregon State University found little scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these drugs.
Like I said, the science just isn’t there. ADHD drugs raise a whole lot of questions, but answer none.
The symptoms that make up the typical ADHD diagnosis can be caused by any number of problems — none of which are solved by these meds.
In many cases, ADHD symptoms are caused by allergies, thyroid hormone resistance and nutritional deficiencies. In other cases, children who act out or are difficult to control lack an essential digestive enzyme, which allows toxins into the bloodstream.
The key to treating the child is understanding the cause, and a doctor can’t do that by simply filling out a prescription. Have your child tested thoroughly, and by someone who truly understands — and cares about — what those tests means.
Then, once you understand the deficiency or allergy, you can work on healing your child naturally.
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And no I am not getting any freebies from him.
Ruth
October 7th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Hafa adai
I forgot to mention that you here on the island need to take a more pro active stance when it comes to informing on those who practice crime for a living. It is not Rating to tell on a criminal. It is your civic duty. Get a clue. These criminals are running rampant because of that stupid promoted Howlie axiom.
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Crime Wave On The Rise In Guam?
Guam- With a recent death outside Club 7 Deuce and a string of robberies around the island, it would seem Guam has hit a rising crime wave. While Guam Police encourage the community to call in tips , others encourage island residents to take a more proactive approach in preventing the rise of any criminal activity.
With the most recent robbery at Kalena’s Chamorro Food stand on Monday, GPD spokesman officer Allan Guzman says Guam’s perceived rise in crime has to do with a lot of factors. Guzman says the holiday season is fast approaching and individuals are more prone to committing crimes to make quick money. However, he says police are trying to stay prepared and encourage island residents to do the same.
Securitech is a perfect example of how a rise in crime is affecting the island community. Sentinel Security Manager John Herrero says he’s seen an increase in security system sales not just for homes, but also for businesses. As a former police officer, Herrero has also noticed the homes that are broken into the most are those with no safety measures.
Since working for a company with over 50 years of security experience, Herrero recommends that residents take a proactive approach and invest in some sort of security system to protect themselves and their belongings. Officer Allan Guzman also continues to ask the community to help GPD solve or report crimes because individuals can be rewarded up to $1,000. He says that is the right way to make some quick money.
Anyone with information on any criminal activity can call Guam Crime Stoppers at 671-477-HELP.
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Get involved in saving the property of your friends and neighbors and the next robbery you prevent could be your own.
Peter