The point of this mini-series was to share some inexpensive, small steps we can all take to minimize our collective footprint—from carrying a reusable water bottle to choosing cold water for our next load of laundry.
These steps are not about making the biggest splash. They are merely simple changes on the long road toward a more sustainable future. To repeat the mantra with which I opened this series: I may only be creating a tiny dent in a very large problem, but it is better than contributing to that problem.
I’m wrapping up this series with a step that this family will be taking starting this week. It is likely to make the meat lovers out there cringe a bit. I’ll be gentle, I promise.
Step Five: A Meaty Impact
The smell of bacon in the morning. That first bite of a chicken that has been smoked low and slow in our backyard. The satisfaction of a big, juicy burger just off the grill.
Yes, we like our meat in this household.
To our credit, we have reached the point where virtually all of the meat we buy is from local farms—much of it raised organically. (We also eat a lot of fish, but I am not going to delve into the sustainability issues or the environmental impact of fishing here.)
And while this entire household is unlikely to go completely meatless anytime soon (if ever), we are committing to joining the Meatless Monday crowd*, and I am committing to at least one additional meatless day a week.
Here’s why:
- It’s good for you: Cutting out meat just one day a week reduces your risk of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular disease. This is particularly true for red meat and processed meats, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, among many others. But reducing all meat has plenty of benefits, too. Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say. And here is a study on Type 2 diabetes and vegetarian versus non-vegetarian diets.
- It’s good for the environment: From pesticides to fertilizers to fuel, our carnivorous ways are taking a toll on our planet. Livestock production accounts for 18 percent of global greenhouse emissions, according to the Livestock, Environment and Development Initiative.
- The meat we eat is also contributing to deforestation, water pollution and—thanks to the overuse of antibiotics—leading to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that can threaten human health.
If giving up meat one day a week is not for you, here are a few ways you can still help make that dent:
- Choose organic, locally-raised meat. (Of course, committing to organic and local meat will put a dent in your wallet, at which point you will be thankful for a meatless day or two.)
- Eat sustainably caught fish.
- And stick to poultry and pigs, which have been described as the most “climate-friendly” meats.
I would be remiss to advocate for a part-time vegetarian or “flexitarian” diet and not share a recipe. See below for a simple dish that provides a balanced, tasty meal.
That’s it for this series! Check out steps one, two, three and four.
-Jesse Nankin
###
* It was no small feat to convince my steak- and bacon-loving husband to drop the meat for one day a week. At first he thought I just meant for dinner. He also argued that fish is not a meat, and that fake bacon would not fly. It took lengthy negotiations and a few bribes before we finally reached an agreement and avoided a government-like shutdown.
Coconut Rice with Black Beans (adapted from the Wishful Chef)
Yields four servings; serve with a green vegetable, such as steamed broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts
Ingredients
½ cup dried black beans (how to prepare dried black beans) or one 15-ounce can
1 cup long grain brown rice
1 tbsp coconut oil
½ onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (optional)
2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
12 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
¾ cup coconut milk
1 cup water
1 tsp turmeric
pinch of ground nutmeg
Sea salt to taste
3 scallions, chopped
¼ cup cilantro
1 tbsp lime juice (optional)
Directions
Heat the coconut oil in a deep skillet or small dutch oven over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds (don’t let it burn).
Add the onion, red pepper and jalapeño and cook until softened (about three minutes), stirring occasionally.
Next add the rice and the turmeric and combine to coat the rice with the oil and spice.
Add the coconut milk, water, nutmeg and salt. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and simmer until about half of the liquid is absorbed.
Add the black beans and continue cooking until all of the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Stir in the scallions, tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice.
Note: Consider adding corn or okra. Also, the original recipe called for the rice dish to be served with Jamaican Jerk chicken. Substitute tofu for chicken and try this.
Eco-Maineia 