When we started eating a more plant-based diet a few years ago, it was because we wanted to improve our health and manage weight. We also had some concern for the planet as well and as we approach Earth Day 2021, we thought we would take a look at tips from our friends, Jake and Joy Kelly.
My friends generously gave permission to use the following information to share with you.
They said, “I think that most people who adopt a plant-based diet do it either for health concerns or because they are animal lovers. You don’t hear a lot about the benefits to our environment nor the amazing amount of damage caused by the way we raise most of the animals used for food.
I was reading on the British Greenpeace site that the largest meat processing company in the world is also one of the leading producers of carbon emissions AND is driving deforestation in the Amazon! So, not only are they putting the very thing into the air for that we need the trees to process (the trees use CO2 and output oxygen…is that cool, or what?) but they are then indiscriminately and deliberately, destroying the rain forest so they can raise more cattle and grow more animal feed!
The Amazon is approaching what’s called “the tipping point” right now. Something I did not know is that trees in the rain forest actually produce the rain and allow the entire habitat to live. As they are cut down, this ability is threatened. The tipping point will be when there aren’t enough trees to support the ability to create rain.
So many intricate relationships between so many life forms. This biodiversity is important to all life so when species become under threat of extinction, we all are in danger.
According to Greenpeace the effect on climate change that this activity is creating is on par with every plane, car and truck on the planet operating at the same time! I’ve heard it said that just going one day a week without animal products is equal to not driving your car…ever…, in terms of the impact on global warming.
Unfortunately, when there is a profit to be turned, often we see governments turn a blind eye to human rights abuses and the land grabs that are happening on indigenous lands…which is exactly what is happening around the Amazon now.
From a dramatic health perspective, as we continue to raise animals in crowded and stressful settings, we hinder their immune systems making them more susceptible to disease and in turn, spreading diseases to humans that OUR immune systems don’t recognize…can anyone say “future pandemics”?
Lastly, growing animals for food is incredibly inefficient! According to scientists at John Hopkins University, we take 2.5 pounds of feed to produce a pound of chicken, 5 for a pound of pork and 7 pounds for a pound of beef! Why not just feed people?
And the water necessary to grow 1 pound of beef? An unbelievable 1799 gallons! Compare that to growing soybeans? 216…hmm. Which do we think we should choose as we approach yet another summer drought?
I’m not suggesting that the world become vegan overnight, but I do know that if we can take a serious look at our eating habits and make choices based on what’s right for our health and for the health of our world, we will help to correct the direction we are headed in.
For many people, (I was one of them) it’s hard to imagine meals not centered around meat…that’s why I’m so happy for all the resources out there!” (Thanks Jake and Joy for your contribution!)
One of the resources our team is offering is a monthly zoom call focused on learning how to grow fresh chemical-free produce easily inside and outside our homes in a small space. It’s free but you need to register: Virtual Tower Garden Party.
Another practice we’ve adopted is getting our tastebuds to start craving more plants. The plant powers that we’ve been using for over 15 years will help you to start craving more fruits and veggies. And the great thing is the product is backed by more than 40 studies.
And, once you start craving more fruits and veggies, you just might want to grow your own. But if you’ve ever started a vegetable garden or have one now, you know just how much work it can be and I don’t know about you, but as I grew older, the digging and pulling weeds got to be really old!
Here’s where our vertical, aeroponic tower garden comes in. We’ve been growing this way for over 10 years now and love it. You can grow from 20 to 52 plants per system, indoors or outdoors in any climate and actually SAVE more money than you spend. Discover how you can grow 30 percent more produce, 35 percent faster and use only 10 percent of the water of a traditional garden. And no previous gardening experience is needed — YES — that’s how easy it is!
If you are looking to choose more plants in your diet, want to save money by growing some of your own food, or perhaps you want to engage your family in some really fun activities, reach out and find out how easy it can be.
Submitted by Gwen O’Neill.
Gwen O’Neill has been a gardener for over 40 years and has always been a passionate cook. Her own health challenges led her to experiencing a variety of healing modalities. After finding that her health improved with eating more whole food and improving her nutrition using a real, whole food based supplement called Juice Plus, she committed to sharing this experience with others. The aeroponic Tower Garden by Juice Plus makes it easy to grow produce right outside your kitchen door.
Juice Plus real food!
facebook.com/gwenoneillstowergarden
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