Happy Monday Everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend!
Thanks again to all those participating in the challenge. To rack up bonus points. don't forget to login to the Rafflecopter widget via the blog here or on the RMOG Facebook Page Giveaway section here. Also note the new hashtag for the challenge that you can see and search for on Twitter and Pinterest: #btcecochallenge.
Today's Be the Change (BTC) Eco-Challenge is Meatless Monday's - an oldie but a goodie! This challenge will be easy for some and very difficult for others. We don't expect everyone to be a vegetarian or a vegan, just like we don't expect everyone to sell their car and only ride their bike. Modern sustainability is more about moderation than being a devout "hippy." Once again, with this challenge, we are simply encouraging everyone to take baby steps toward sustainability - 1) to show you how easy it to incorporate GREEN practices in your life, and 2) to show you the impacts that these small changes will make in your life, throughout your community, and for the planet.
So, yes, we all need our protein and many turn to meat for this sustenance. I know for many, that meat is a staple at every meal. Our challenge to you is just for one day a week, on Monday, skip the meat and get your protein from alternative sources. We want you to see how easy and tasty it can be to try some vegetarian dishes, rather than relying on meat.
Reducing your meat intake is not only good for your health, but it imperative for a healthy planet.
Eating meat in excess has been known to cause cardiovascular disease (due to saturated fat & cholesterol), some types of processed meats (think: deli meats & bacon) have been known to cause cancer, and even type 2 Diabetes. The use of antibiotics in meat is also a growing concern for many, as our resistance to antibiotics when we become ill is increasing year by year.
The way most meat is produced today and the rates and demands that humans (predominantly American's - who consume an average of 200lbs of meat every year) have on this food source is harming our planet in a multitude of ways. Unsustainable and excessive meat production can increase the effects of global warming (18-51% of greenhouse gas emissions), water and soil pollution, water shortages, land degradation, and deforestation.
Many have turned away from eating red meat, poultry, and pork to other sources of meat protein, namely fish. There are pros and cons on both sides of the coin. Overfishing is becoming a severe issue for our ecosystem as well, which I will discuss more next Monday. So, for today, we simply encourage you to skip all meat. Eggs are okay, but stay away from beef, pork, chicken, lamb, game, fish,
shellfish, etc. (think: if it was once walking or swimming, skip it)
If we could get all 313 million American's to do this, just once per day, can you imagine the impact on the environment?!? Plus, we will all be a little bit healthier in the process.
Tell us, in the comments section below, what you are eating or cooking without the use of meat today, for your chance to WIN the Conscious Box at the end of the BTC Eco-Challenge! I hope we all can learn a few great vegetarian recipes from this challenge, while protecting the Earth!
Thank you all for your support and participation!
~Kristin & Kelsey
References
Aubrey, A. (2012, March 12). Death by bacon? Study finds eating meat is risky. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/03/12/148457233/death-by-bacon-study-finds-eating-meat-is-risky
Brooks, C. (n.d.). Consequences of increased global meat consumption on the global environment - trade in virtual water, energy & nutrients. Retrieved from http://woods.stanford.edu/environmental-venture-projects/consequences-increased-global-meat-consumption-global-environment
Englebert, A. (2012, January 24). Eating less meat can help save the environment. Retrieved from http://www.cereplast.com/eating-less-meat-can-help-save-the-environment/
Lee, E. (n.d.). The truth about red meat. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/the-truth-about-red-meat
Frontline PBS. (2013). Antibiotic debate overview. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/meat/safe/overview.html
Huff Post (2013, March 7). Processed meat raises rick of dying from cancers and heart disease, study finds. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/07/processed-meat-cancer-heart-disease-death-risk_n_2829092.html
Sirota, D. (2013, May 3). Would you give up eating hamburgers to stop climate change? Retrieved from http://www.alternet.org/environment/would-you-give-eating-hamburgers-stop-climate-change
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