Supplement your Current Lifestyle with Vegetarian Staples

Vegetarian living doesn't have to be boring.

It doesn't have to be bland or unappetizing either.                                 

In fact, to have a great impact on the world, you don't even need to stop eating meat, you just have to learn how to make wise choices about what you consume and how many resources it takes to make your delicious hamburger. 


So, you've had your breakfast for the day. Probably some cereal or some eggs (all of which is considered alright to consume when responsibly raised and cared for under a vegetarian diet) but later on you decide you want something to snack on. Well, P.E.T.A. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has a vested interest in finding as many types of food as possible that help you help animals and the environment, so they made a vegan shopping guide!

In this guide you can find baking goods, baked goods, beverages, snacks, staple foods and more. With foods on the snacks such as Oreos and Monster Energy Drinks on the list, you don't have to worry about never being able to enjoy your splurges -- all they're attempting to do is replace your protein needs with sustainable and non-harmful alternatives.

Personally, the way I choose to live, isn't completely vegetarian either. I don't believe that I should eat meat that was abused in its life -- I don't believe I should thrive on something that's inefficiency is killing the land around it -- I believe I need to make smart choices as to what I consume and not assume an all or nothing attitude when it comes to whether or not I will eat lasagna or vegetarian lasagna.
 

photo credit: Sergiu Bacioiu via photopin cc

Self-Sustainability

In order for humanity to save itself, it must adapt or die, like any other species.

 This ability to adapt, unfortunately, is a little more challenging for our species. You see, we can rationalize, and convince ourselves of ideas deemed too demented for animal-kind. We have been known to clear-cut whole forests in the name of progress, unwittingly killing thousands of species in the process. We tell ourselves that everything is okay, because the system works, because people care, but what happens when people stop caring and start profiting?

As a species, we've found ways to live cleanly through science. We now can harness wind and solar energy, given freely, straight from the planet itself, yet we still choose to drill into the ground to bring oil to our surface. In fact, Germany, which isn't known for its record-breaking days of sunlight, has now been able to produce half of the necessary energy to power its entire country, for a single day. In fact, according to AWEA (American Wind Energy Association) Kansas has the second highest wind potential in the whole United States. 

Yet, we still live with only one lonely windmill in our town of Topeka, Kansas.While this marks a progressive effort, why did it take us so long to start realizing our potential? Were we worried about the birds? The up front cost? Or do we really just not like looking at them?

Whatever our reasons, we can't forget the inevitable conclusions that most scientists agree on: Global warming is happening.

If we don't change our habits and take things seriously, the consequences for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren could be significant. Even more water shortages, causing even more wildfires, more super-storms and flooding, even down to furthering our already miserable summers with more allergies, insect bites, and worse air quality.


As with any topic, it is important to verify this information for yourself. You have the power to inform yourself when it comes to environmental issues and what we can do as a nation to sustain ourselves. The best way to do that is not to sweep this under the rug, but to keep the discussion going. The consequences are too dire to ignore this issue any longer.

If we all do our part, we can save the world.

Photo sources:

photo credit: Sigfrid Lundberg via photopin cc

photo credit: Ed Suominen via photopin cc

photo credit: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center via photopin cc

When the levees break

When the levees break, where will I go?

The cool breeze that buffets my Kansas porch, twice a year,  will no longer exist

When the levees break, who will I turn to?

No one can cope any better or worse than  another, as long as they survive.

When the levees break, who will I become?

The hero or the villain?

No one can tell us these answers. This is something we experience ourselves, learning how to wade in the murky depths where all colors are shades of grey, but there is hope -- do the levees have to break?

 I sit here in my comfy chair, in my comfy childhood house, pondering life, even as its experiences are so far away. I watch the news, wondering to myself, is there anything Stephanie can do? Then I click the remote and press my head against my pillow, falling into a deep, restful sleep -- those answers can wait until tomorrow.

But, they can't.

If we don't start coming up with the answers today then nothing will ever change, because it will always be put off until tomorrow.

So let's do that! Let's start a conversation, stop glossing over the important matters or letting our personal bias cloud us from the overarching themes in this world.

If we all try, we can save the world together.

photo credit: OmahaUSACE via photopin cc