What Is Sustainable?
· Food or resources able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed
· involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources
· able to last or continue for a long time
Problems we face
· Water availability
· Land space for farming
· Increased Toxic Load from pesticides, fertilizers and animal wastes
Double Burden: The World Health Organization
There are now over a billion people in the world who go hungry and about the same number of people who are overweight. The WHO calls this "the double burden" and they are both linked through inequality.
"Cheap" food ignores health and the environment. 'Sustainable' food takes into account environmental, health and social concerns.
Facts and Figures
1. It takes 2500 gallons of water to produce 1 b of steak, and 25 to product 1lb of wheat. (John Robbins)
2. It takes 1 gallon of water to produce 1 almond, and almost 5 to produce 1 walnut (John Robbins)
3. Sustainable Table –
What we can DO to live more sustainable:
1. Eat less meat – meat production requires large amounts of water and produces huge amounts of toxic waste
2. Buy pasture raised meats and eggs – animals raised in pastures are able to eat naturally and have less disease than those in traditional agriculture conditions.
3. Use less nuts – nuts require large amounts of water
4. Buy locally grown – reduces the use of transportation costs
5. Buy from small farms (crop rotation and intercropping
CDC’s Suggestions that we choose food that
- Does not harm the environment
- Supports and preserves rural communities
- Is healthy and nutritious to eat
- Respects farm animals
- Provides farmers with a fair wage
- Is free of added toxins
- Is grown in the local community
- Does not harm the health of farm workers
Here are 5 Shopping tips to help you SHOP more sustainable!
1. Buy Wild Caught fish, grass fed beef, pasture raised chicken and eggs.
2. Buy organically grown produce
3. Buy local foods including (raw) milks when available.
4. Shop at your farmers market for as many items as possible.
5. STOP buying foods produced in other countries.
Nicole Carter
The Wellness Experience
No comments:
Post a Comment