The Meaty Truth by Shushana Castle, Amy-Lee Goodman Read Free Book Online Page B

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    Luckily, the pressing food, health, and environmental problems facing us today are interconnected and therefore have a combined solution. Who doesn’t love simple solutions? As we have said, never before have we consumed such high volumes of meat and dairy, and we have never been such an unhealthy and disease-ridden society. As our consumption of meat and dairy increases, so have our environmental problems. This is not a coincidence. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Americans ate 120 pounds of meat per year. Now we are eating nearly double that amount. 1 Our dairy consumption has quadrupled! It all comes down to rethinking how we eat and cutting through propaganda to realize the truth about our food. We have the power to change not only our own lives, but also industry practices that are wreaking havoc on our health and homes. Already we are implementing the positive changes of renewable energy, recycling, and new technologies. Making dietary and lifestyle changes is the same as changing a lightbulb. It really is that easy.

    Life Is About Tasting the Rainbow
    The key to a healthier you is healthier food. We understand that learning about our health and food-safety problems can feel overwhelming and, quite frankly, mind-blowing. We also had the experience of sitting back and thinking, “Great, now what?!” Most of us have no idea where to start, how to shop, or what to eat. But friends, don’t despair! We have been in your exact position, and we know how easy it is to make simple, daily changes.
    For some, this is a big step and completely life altering. But isn’t that the point? We want a healthier, happier life, which means dropping the food that just doesn’t make the cut. Do yourself (and the animals) a favor by saying goodbye to feces-filled meat, chemical-laced processed foods,and pus-filled dairy products. So now what do we indulge in? The entire rainbow is at our fingertips! From veggies to fruit, legumes, grains, and nuts (as well as soy-based dairy and meat products), the opportunities are endless. We should be experiencing the tastiest (and healthiest flavors) food has to offer. Meat and dairy are not them.
    A great place to begin is to familiarize yourself with the vegetable section at the grocery store. As most Americans eat significantly fewer vegetables than they should, it will be a useful and exciting new experience for many of you. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Kale might be one of the newest (and best) fads, but it really does have an enormous amount of benefits to offer. Love kale? Also try chard, bok choy, mustard greens, collard greens, and cauliflower. These cruciferous vegetables are some of the healthiest, cancer-fighting foods around. Try to eat as many different colors as possible. All the colors of fruits and vegetables offer different phytonutrients that restore our DNA, fight off free radicals, and bolster our bodies’ immune systems. One of the most comprehensive studies to date on antioxidants in food found that plant foods have sixty-four times the number of antioxidants than animal-based foods do, including meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. 2 Food really is medicine for the mind, body, and soul.
    A common misconception is that vegetables are boring. Yet they are some of the tastiest foods around. Giving up meat and dairy does not mean living on salads either; we just don’t realize it, because we don’t focus on cooking vegetables. It’s not complicated. Just like you used to marinate meat to eat it, you can dress up vegetables with an array of herbs and spices that bring out their delicious taste. The best part? Most herbs and spices are an amazing source of antioxidants and phytochemicals that promote health at every meal. For instance, some of our favorite spices, such as cinnamon, can help keep sugar in check for diabetics, and turmeric, a key ingredient in curry, is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that works to keep cancer at bay. Additionally