Short video on women coffee growers in Rwanda

Another reason why we care where our coffee comes from.

Thomas Berry interview

I've encountered Thomas Berry before but more as a major influence on cosmologists, theologians and other influential thinkers. I recently discovered a video about him on Free Speech TV - Thomas Berry: The Great Story and was bowled over by him in his own right. Here's an interview with him from You Tube.

Confessions of a Semi-Vegetarian

I may not be Catholic, but I have a confession to make: I am a meat-eating environmentalist. And I used to be a vegetarian, for 4 years in the early 80’s during college. I am educated about my decision to eat meat and how it affects the environment, world hunger and peace. So how do I marry the idea of being a meat eater with protecting the environment, being an animal lover and putting into practice our 7th principle? I’d be lying if I told you that I have it all figured out, and never feel a pang of guilt. But following is what works for me.

- Eat less meat, and only the stuff you really love.
- Buy and eat only antibiotic and hormone-free, locally produced organic meat. Know where your meat comes from.
-Do the same for eggs and dairy products, if possible.
-Get away from a meat centered diet. It’s good for the planet and good for your health.

Let’s take a look at all of these a little more in depth and where they overlap.

I recently read in the Sept./Oct. 2008 issue of Weight Watchers magazine that the current recommendation for red meat is “to eat a 3-ounce serving . . . less than twice a week”. That’s about the size of a deck of cards. Huh. That’s not very much! But the evidence has been mounting that eating meat, especially red meat, isn’t all that good for you. We humans need a lot less protein than we think for good nutrition - 2 oz. a day. What I’ve decided to do is follow this recommendation and eat only the cuts of meat I love. Grass-fed beef. Bacon. Chicken thighs. Duck. Italian sausage. Salmon. Tongol Tuna. Trout. And do it a maximum of 5 times a week. That means that less than 25% of my meals have meat in them. The rest are vegetarian and vegan.

We are so lucky in Billings! We get so much locally grown, organic meat here at reasonable prices. I buy the majority of my meat through the Good Earth Market on 2nd Street, downtown. They have done the research and provide a variety of high-quality, organic meats. The list is amazing: turkey, chicken, duck, goose, grass-fed beef, pork, and lamb. I get my canned tongol tuna there. Why tongol tuna? It is one of the tunas that isn’t endangered and the porpoise’s don’t swim with them. And they are line caught, not in nets, which kills a lot of other sea animals.

Buying locally produced milk and eggs is easy too. There are local ranchers that have cows and chickens that sell their milk, butter, cheese and eggs through a co-op network or through stores such as the Good Earth Market. Lifeline cheese is great tasting, organic and locally produced in Victor, MT.

Getting away from a meat centered diet is one of the easier things to do. Chili, soups, and stews are an easy way to stretch out the meat, and include some healthier items such as beans, grains, and vegetables. Stir-fry vegetables with a small amount of meat and serve over a grain. Make a salad with grilled steak, chicken or fish on top. So many options. After a while, you won’t even miss all that meat! The less meat you eat, the better it is all around for the environment (and your heart, or so says my internist!).

Getting to this point wasn’t an overnight change. I’ve been making small changes for years, and continue to do so. For a while, I was eating a lot more cheese to satisfy me as I ate less meat. Knowing that wasn’t good for me either, I now monitor how much cheese I eat. I’ve been making these changes because I do care about the environment, animal living conditions, and my health. The more I learn, the more changes I’m making, slowly but surely. I am living breathing proof that it can be done!! You can do it too!

Here are some reading suggestions, if you’re interested in learning more:

Diet for a Small Planet by Francis Moore Lappe. A classic! Excellent information on the ecological production of the food supply.

The New Laurel’s Kitchen: A Handbook for Vegetarian Cookery and Nutrition by Laurel Robertson. Great easy recipes for everyday, and a good discussion on nutrition plus nutrition tables.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollen. I’ve only read the former. It is a current look at how our food supply is manipulated by corn and soy producers, CEO’s of major food companies, and how this is being marketed to you as “good for you”.

Diet for a New America by John Robbin. A well-documented expose of America’s “factory farms”. Not for the faint of heart.

The Food Revolution: How your Diet can help save your life & our world by John Robbin. I haven’t read this one, but it is on my reading list.

Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease by Dr. Ornish. First published in 1990, it is one of the better books on the effects of saturated fat, stress and lack of intimacy on the heart. Dr. Ornish is a heart specialist and his methods have been time tested. I recommend this book as well as all the others he has written.

John Perkins at Chicago Green Festival

John Perkins gives a great overview of how our consumer choices can make a better world.