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The power of choice is amazing. Every day, through every little thing we do or say, we are making a difference on our Earth and her animal and human dwellers. What (or if) we drive and how we support industries with our consumer dollars has either a positive or negative impact on the earth. Sound like a lot of pressure? According to a
recent University of Chicago study, what we choose to put on our plates can have as much impact on our earth as what we drive. These scientific types used a formula based on average American calorie consumption, average American driving habits, and energy used for food production and determined switching to an all-plant diet (also known as vegan) would reduce as much greenhouse gas as would a person’s choice to switch from a sport utility vehicle to a sedan. Is this surprising news to you, dear reader? It was for me. I believed a plant diet was more earth friendly because of the massive amounts of land and clean water used to raise cattle for meat and dairy. In addition to burning fossil fuel, livestock production emits large amounts of methane and nitrous oxide. This is nasty stuff, far worse than carbon dioxide. In fact, one pound of methane has the same greenhouse effect as 50 pounds of carbon dioxide. To read the complete study, check out the University of Chicago’s website at http://geosci.uchicago.edu/~gidon/papers/nutri/nutriEI.pdf I am grateful for the awareness this study has brought to me, awareness that gives me the gift of honoring the earth in new ways, through each food choice I make for myself and for my family. It has met my need for inspiration on my path toward an all-plant diet! For those of us who do not wish to become total veggie heads, cutting back on meat or dairy a few times a week can still make a positive impact on the environment. What is a good way to do this? By focusing on the plant foods you love and adding more to each meal when you are moved to do so, or by experimenting with different ways to prepare your favorite grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. If you have a strong preference for convenience or an aversion to your kitchen there are many vegan convenience foods available. A psychologist friend of mine once told me that it is much easier for people to add a new habit than to try to break one. So it would be reasonable to assume that one could add a new habit that would cancel out the opposite, undesirable habit. This is how I am able to enjoy some of my favorite, less traditionally vegan foods. I didn’t give up pastry, cakes and sweet breads, I experimented and learned how to bake vegan goodies. I don’t feel deprived because I didn’t give up anything, I gained new and equally yummy ways to eat while living my values. The following recipe is an altered version of a bread I like to make during the Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”) season. This version has coconut milk that makes this bread super moist. It is a fun recipe to make with kids, and they can eat the dough because it is delicious and eggless. I find eating this bread with a schmear of peanut butter is a delicious way to honor the earth! Caitlin Cole is going as herself this Halloween. Samhain Bread 3 ½ cups flour 2 teaspoons your choice of spice (cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice) 2 cups packed brown sugar 2 cups pumpkin puree 2/3 cups white sugar 1 cup canola oil (or try apple sauce for a lower fat version) 2 teaspoons baking soda 2/3 cup coconut milk (one small can) 2 tablespoons hemp seed 2/3 cup unsweetened flaked coconut 1 cup walnuts or currants Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two loaf pans using Spectrum or grease of your choice. In large bowl, stir together flour, sugars, baking soda hemp seed, and spices. Add the pumpkin puree, oil, and coconut milk; mix until all of the flour is absorbed. Fold in coconut and nuts. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, using the toothpick test. Remove from oven and cover loaves tightly with foil to steam for 10 minutes. Turn onto cooling rack. |
