Who decided which animals we could eat?

In my previous post, I mentioned that one of the reasons why I chose a more vegetarian diet was for animal welfare. Here's why?

Before you continue reading this post, I strongly recommend that you watch the following trailer for the book: Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows by Melanie Joy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOCPDXvlGOQ).

So, what do you think? Isn't interesting how our minds work and how we inherited decisions and assumptions made by previous generations.

What I appreciate the most about this book is how the author presents the elements in a way to make you think about your actions. Just like becoming a vegetarian was a choice, I think that eating meat should also be viewed as a choice as opposed to the default option.

We should all fully appreciate where our food comes from and how it is prepared. If it is being prepared in a way that goes against our values, is it really okay to still be eating it? I am not saying that everyone should become vegetarian. In some cases, it might be a question of finding a better food source that produces meat in a way that is more aligned with our values

Animals are sentient beings, and if we eat them for "our survival" then this should be done with more respect. Animals are not just moving robots where their decisions are solely based on instincts. If you have ever interacted with a dog, you will know that this last statement is true. Oh!, but dogs are different you say because they are our friends. Well apparently, pigs make great pets too, but we also like them on the BBQ! Why?

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is open for a good debate. This book will definitely challenge how you think... but it will also require some courage. Get the information, and make decisions according to your values.

Becoming Vegetarian - The Transition

Since my last post on nutrition and the myths of becoming vegetarian, I have slowly been working on becoming a vegetarian myself. Why? There are so many reasons... but here are a few.

1. My Health. While I was studying in University, I gradually noticed that I was having difficulty digesting certain foods more than others. As I started paying attention to my digestive system, I noticed that I would often experience issues when eating red meat. Also, I started to notice that there is more and more research indicating that vegetarianism is the all-around healthiest diet possible.
2. The Environment. It is well known that the meat-industry causes additional pressures on our environment as more land, water and resources are required to produce meat in comparison to vegetables. Simply put, we would not be able to feed everybody on this planet if everyone ate as much meat as we do in Canada. So, why not reduce my consumption?
   
3. The Welfare of Animals. This topic I will cover in greater details in my next post.
   

How I did it?

Those who know me know that I never do anything half-way. So, in order to make this diet change stick, I had to prepare myself in so many different ways.

1. Knowledge. First, when I became intrigued by the idea that becoming vegetarian might be a better option for me, I decided to read a book about "Becoming Vegetarian" (see previous post). This book has definitely helped me better understand how to become a "good vegetarian", and how to ensure that I could still get all the nutrients I needed in a vegetarian diet (without having to compromise much other than stopping to eat meat).
2. Experimenting with Recipes. To change my cooking habits, I purchased a few vegetarian recipe books and started changing my buying habits at the grocery store. During this phase, I discovered that becoming vegetarian would only make me discover an infinite number of wonderful recipes.
3. Saying Goodbye to the Old Habit. Over the summer period, I wanted to make sure that I had an opportunity to taste once again all of my favourite meat dishes. This included my husband's amazing ribs, lamb chops cooked in a Port sauce, my mother's spaghetti and many more. During our summer holidays, I ended this phase with an amazing steak in Calgary (where else could I have done this?).
4. Starting the Transition. Since September, I have significantly reduced the amount of meat I consume. At this time, I only eat fish once a week, and I had a little bit of turkey for Thanksgiving (just to please my mom and mother-in-law). It is only the beginning... so we'll see how it goes.

The Results

Although it has only been a few months, I have to say that becoming vegetarian has been a good decision so far. My level of energy has increased which is a good indication that this diet is working better for my system.

Thank you to my family and friends who have been very supportive of this decision.

Nutrition and the Myths about Becoming Vegetarian

Like many non-vegetarians, I have always been a little curious about vegetarian diets. Is being vegetarian really better? Why do we hear so many stories about anemic vegetarians, their lack of B12 vitamins, etc.?

Because I tend to be curious and never satisfied by the myths we hear, I wanted to learn more about vegetarian diets, so I bought this book called "Becoming Vegetarian". This is probably one of the best nutrition books I have ever read. The book is divided into four main sections:
- the benefits of being vegetarian (for your health, the environment and the animals)
- nutritional information that would be useful for any human being including non-vegetarians (i.e., how to balance proteins, carbohydrates and fats in your diets, what minerals and vitamins do you need and how you can get them)
- how to become vegetarian (i.e. changing how you do groceries, designing menus and the proper etiquette for being vegetarian in a "meat eaters" world).

What I enjoy the most about this book is that the authors are not preachy. They simply present the facts and let you make more informed decisions about your diet. In other words, being vegetarians does not imply that you are eating healthy; especially if you diet is based on fries and pasta.

The book also makes the point that becoming vegetarian can be easy. Eating healthy as a vegetarian does not require tracking everything you eat and making sure that you are obtaining all your vitamins and minerals. In fact, as long as you vary the food you eat, you are likely getting all the nutrients you need. In a sense, this is also true for non-vegetarians.

Do I want to become vegetarian?
At this point, I am not sure whether or not I will become a vegetarian; but I will surely be adopting more vegetarian habits. More to follow on this topic for sure!

Une bonne alternative aux sacs en plastique.

Il y a déjà un an que San Francisco a banni l'utilisation des sacs en plastiques fait à base de pétrole. Ceci a forcé les commerçants à trouver des alternatives pour servir leurs clients, comme offrir des sacs biodégradables. Il serait idéal que d’autres municipalités imposent également cette restriction, mais malheureusement je doute que ça se produise sous peu. Comme je l’ai mentionné dans une de mes histoires précédentes, je crois profondément que les consommateurs ont le pouvoir de changer le marché.

Premièrement, la solution est simple, «refuser d’emporter sa marchandise dans des sacs en plastiques». Avant j’acceptais les sacs en me disant que je pouvais les réutiliser, mais j’ai vite réalisé que je collectionnais plus de sacs que j’en avais besoins; surtout en ayant le tiers d’un garde-robe pleins de sacs. J’ai donc acheté des sacs réutilisables que je garde dans ma bourse et dans la voiture. De nos jours, la plupart des magasins en vendent donc ce n’est pas difficile à trouver, mais certains modèles sont plus écologiques que d’autres (par ex.; modèle fait à base de chanvre ou jute).

Lorsque j’ai adopté un petit chiot il y a quelques mois, je me suis demandé si je devais recommencer d’accepter les sacs en plastique à l’épicerie pour pouvoir ramasser les petits besoins de mon nouvel ami. Heureusement, avec un peu de recherche, j’ai trouvé une meilleure alternative; les sacs biodégradables « bio bags » (http://www.biobag.ca/). Ces sacs à base d’amidon de mais sont parfaits pour ce genre de truc. Visitez leur site web pour trouver où en acheter. Si vous habitez à Ottawa, je sais qu’on peut les retrouver au magasin Le grain de blé (The Wheat Berry).

Alors c’est ça, je vous lance au défi. Si vous ne l’avez pas déjà fait, commencer à refuser les sacs en plastiques aux magasins. Idéalement, laissez-le savoir au caissier ou à la caissière avant qu’il.elle place vos items dans les sacs. Vous allez voir comment ça devient rapidement une nouvelle habitude.

Bullfrog Powered!

My house is now officially "Bullfrog Powered", and I don't mean that I have a family of bullfrogs running on treadmills in my crawlspace. Bullfrog Power is "a leading provider of 100% green electricity, with service available to Ontario and Alberta residents and businesses" (http://www.bullfrogpower.com/)

You might wonder if this is cheaper than regular electricity. Well, it's not, but at least I know that my electricity is environmentally friendly (and supported by the World Wildlife Fund of Canada). The price is a little higher and my electricity bill should increase by about $25/month... another incentive to reduce the amount of electricity I use. Once you switch you will get charged for the amount of electricity you use. Now, this doesn't mean that the actual electricity reaching your house comes from these green sources, but Bullfrog Power will add the energy you use on the grid. In other words, more green energy becomes available on the electricity grid.

If you live in Ontario or Alberta, I strongly recommend that you check out their website and make the switch. It's quite easy. There is an online form you need to fill out and it takes about 10 minutes to do. They will contact your local utility provider and make the change.

This is where consumers can make a different. If a lot of people start subscribing to Bullfrog Power (or other similar services), this sends a message to the utility companies and the government. WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! (pun intended!)

e-Cloth - Chiffon universel à usage classique

The e-Cloth is "perfect for cleaning with just water"!

When I used to clean glass, mirrors or stainless steel, I always needed Paper Towel to properly dry the surface without leaving any streaks. In my quest to reduce the number of disposable products I consume, I found this amazing product called the e-Cloth. As the packaging states, the e-Cloth cleans perfectly with just water... but you can also use it dry for dusting. The best part is that you don't even need to use any other products with it. (Visit http://www.e-cloth.com/for more information.)

This product can be found at Domus Houseware ( 85 Murray St.) in the Ottawa market. It's about 10$/sheet. This may sound pricy, but the e-Cloth could easily replace a good number of paper towel rolls. So in the end, I'm saving money and reducing the amount of paper towel I consume. (I'm waiting for a tree to hug me any time now!)

If you plan on buying an e-cloth, here are some tips:

• Only use a little bit of water to clean glass.
• The cloth works better after it's been used a few times.
• Buy 2 cloths: (1) to clean (2) to dry.
• If you are cleaning an area that is really dirty, start by cleaning it with a non-chemical product and use the e-Cloth to dry it without leaving any smears.
  

Let me know if you buy one!

Ways to save with your A/C

Over the weekend, I was working in my garden and appreciating the heat from the sun. I immediately noticed how many A/C units were buzzing around in my neighbourhood. It might have been a little warm, but not hot enough to turn on my A/C. I wonder if people have just become accustomed to A/C and no longer try to tolerate a little heat. Climate change has been an important topic in the media these days, and I wonder if people are thinking they can contribute to mitigating the effects of global warming by keeping their homes cool. Yikes!

This will be my first summer with A/C (EVER!), and I am looking forward to using it... but I am not planning to turn my house into a freezer. And, since I'm paying hydro, I was thinking it might be good to find some tricks on saving energy and keeping a cool home. I found a good article: http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cooling.html.

Check it out and let me know what you think. Mr. Electricity clarifies some of the myths we hear on A/C. According this his math, you will save a lot more energy if you turn off your A/C when no one is home. In addition, Central A/C is not a replacement for ceiling fans... they actually go hand in hand. Read the article and let me know if you've increased your thermostat ... even by one degree or if you bought an additional ceiling fan.

In my opinion, if you wear a t-shirt and shorts, leaving your house around 78F or 26C is cold enough. I also believe their should never be more than 20 degrees difference between your house and outside (well, maybe in the winter...).