Food

Food is such a personal thing. We enjoy it and we reward
ourselves with it. But if your intention is to live green, there are
some easy ways to go about changing some of your eating
habits. First, here are some startling statistics you might want
to be aware of:

1. If Americans reduce their meat intake by just 10%, the grains
and soybeans saved would feed 60 million people each year.
2. To produce 1 pound of beef we need 16 pounds grain and
soybeans, 2500 gallons of water, and the energy equal to 1
gallon of gasoline.
3. Livestock production accounts for more than half of all
water consumed in the United States.
4. One third of the surface of North America is devoted to
grazing.
5. Growing grains, vegetables, and fruits uses less than 5% as
much raw materials as meat production.

Some simple things you can do right now:
• Even if you're a confirmed meat eater, it is possible to cut
down on the amount of beef you eat.
• Try some vegetarian meals. You'd be surprised at how
tasty they are, and you'll never know if you never try.
• Support your local farmers markets. Locally grown
products generally have fewer pesticide residues than
products shipped from long distances.

Most foods on grocery store shelves have artificial additives
and preservatives. You can avoid these by reading labels
and choosing products with natural ingredients or by eating
foods fresh from the earth, both fruits and vegetables.

Eating more vegetables and less meat has a significant
impact on the planet because it reduces the amount of fossil
fuel needed to produce meat and it reduces the amount of
animal waste being produced.