Green Sexy

The Short, Tragic Lives of Farm Animals

I found this ultra-disturbing video on ChooseVeg.com about the ill-treatment of commercially-raised animals, from when they're born until they're led to slaughter.  In one portion of this ten-minute video, a cow is castrated, has its horns snipped off, and is repeatedly branded---all without any anesthesia.  In another part of the video, chickens are "debeaked" so that they won't peck at each other in their disturbingly-cramped cages. 

My wife and I eat vegetarian meals as often as we can, but more and more we find it difficult to reconcile our meat-eating ways.  We have taken measures in the past, such as buying meat from a farmer who specialized in organically-raised cows, and have looked into buying eggs from families who keep chickens in their backyards and sell the eggs from these free range chickens, but our guilt sometimes is hard to reconcile. 

This video may push us closer to vegetarianism---watch it and let me know what you think.

Set a Place for Mother Earth This Thanksgiving

My local newspaper, Rochester, New York's Democrat and Chronicle offers 10 environmentally-friendly tips for greening up your Thanksgiving:

1. Forgo disposable dishware. If you don't have enough plates, glasses and flatware to go around, borrow from guests or neighbors.

2. If you must do disposable, buy biodegradable and then compost it (otherwise, it just takes up space in the landfill, along with Styrofoam cups, paper plates and plastic forks).

3. Switch to cloth napkins. They feel better on the skin, absorb food mess better and don't take up much space in the washing machine and dryer. If this is a first-time investment, buy one set for special occasions, one set for everyday use. It won't be long until you wonder how you tolerated flimsy paper napkins for so long.

4. Use reusable food containers instead of wrapping leftovers in foil or plastic wrap or putting them in plastic bags. Want to send food home with your guests? Ask them to bring their own containers.

5. Yes, it's fun to have lots of food to serve and share. But don't overdo it to the point where you are throwing food out afterward. Plan, shop and cook carefully to avoid waste. Freeze whatever food you won't eat as soon as possible.

6. A 2006 study from the University of Washington found that driving several miles to the farmers market wiped out any savings in carbon emissions that might have been gained by purchasing locally grown food. Consolidate your trips to the farmers market and supermarket. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute runs to the store, and walk, bike, bus or carpool to shop whenever possible.

7. Decorate with what's on hand. Instead of flowers flown in from overseas, how about a lovely table centerpiece of locally grown gourds and squashes from the farmers market?

8. Buy local. Late fall is a great time of year to buy local: Potatoes, apples, winter squashes, greens, pears, onions and cabbages are abundant this time of year.

9. Buy a locally grown, organic and/or sustainably raised turkey. There are many area livestock farmers who now offer free-range, organic or sustainably raised birds. Supermarkets also offer organic turkey options, as do natural food stores. Be aware that in some cases, orders must be placed early, so if you can't eat organic this Thanksgiving, there's always next year.

10. From wine bottles to empty cans of broth, a holiday meal generates extra trash. Be sure all your recyclable waste goes to the recycling bin.

An additional tip, although probably too late for this Thanksgiving, is to look into purchasing a Heritage Turkey, which are turkeys that are genetically pure and whose ancestry can be traced back 100 years.  These turkeys take longer to raise than traditional, commercially-raised turkeys, but you won't be getting any antibiotics or hormones---just good 'ol 100% whole turkey goodness! 

However you celebrate this Thanksgiving, raise a glass in thanks to Mother Earth and all she has done for us!

Eat a Natural "Heritage Turkey" This Thanksgiving

Freezerfuls of turkeys show up in your local supermarket come November, many of which are disturbingly large, like they've been chowing down on potato chips and beer in front of the boob tube for the previous 11 months.  Well, we all know that the life of a commercially-raised turkey isn't so relaxing---it's actually quite disturbing and tragic.  According to an Encyclopedia Britannica Advocacy for Animals article entitled "Consider the Turkey", commercially-raised turkeys are often times subjected to overcrowding, genetic manipulation (for faster growth), and two disturbing practices called "debeaking" and "detoeing", in which the beaks and claws of turkeys are "clipped" to prevent injuries that overcrowded and overstressed turkeys inflict on one another.  Can't have the merchandise damaging the merchandise, can you? 

Unfortunately, even "free-range" turkeys often times don't fare much better than turkeys raised in traditional mass-production farms.  In fact, there are no legal requirements for how much, if any access to the outdoors a free-range turkey gets.  The USDA does not regulate the size of free-range animal flocks, so overcrowding often occurs.  According to Farm Sanctuary, a farm-animal rescue and advocacy organization, “Thanksgiving shoppers buying an ‘organic’ or ‘free-range’ turkey have no way of knowing just how natural a life that turkey actually led. Compassionate consumers must remember that even on so-called ‘free-range’ farms, animals are subjected to inhumane treatment, and ultimately their lives are ended prematurely.” 

It seems like turkeys, like everything else in America, have become "Supersized" of late.  In fact, the average weight of a commercially-raised turkey has increased 20 percent between 1991 and 2000.  This is due to genetic manipulation, which causes all manner of health issues for the turkey, from heart disease, hip problems and bowed legs.  These turkeys can't even enjoy a roll in the hay because their massive and unnatural body size has caused fertility problems, so farmers "hand milk" males and artificially inseminate the females.  Romantic, isn't it?

That's why you should consider eating a "Heritage Turkey", which are the ancestors of the turkeys raised and sold on a mass level in stores today.  In an NPR interview, Heritage Foods, USA co-founder Patrick Martins says that these turkeys are genetically pure and their ancestry can be traced back 100 years.  These turkeys were identified in the American Poultry Association's turkey Standard of Perfection of 1874 and are prized for their flavor and biological diversity.  According to the Heritage Turkey Foundation, "Raising Heritage Breeds is more costly and time consuming than raising White Breasted Toms. While supermarket turkeys grow to an average of 32 pounds over 18 weeks, Heritage birds take anywhere from 24-30 to reach their market weight."  That means that farmers allow Heritage Turkeys to grow to their full size naturally, without hormones or steroids, in a natural frame of time.  In fact, the Pennsylvania farming magazine Lancaster Farming says that “If a seven pound [human] baby grew at the same rate that today’s turkey grows, when the baby reaches 18 weeks of age, it would weigh 1,500 pounds.”  Whoa, baby! 

You can purchase a Heritage Turkey from Local Harvest, Mary's Turkeys, or Heritage Foods, USA, though the word is that supplies will be scarce this year, as these farms raise a much smaller number of turkeys, and those that were market-ready have been largely snatched up by eager buyers.  Also understand that a typical Heritage Turkey can cost you up to $200, but that accounts for the true cost of raising a turkey for 2 years, or about $5-$8 per pound, as opposed to the unnatural 69 cents per pound for a commercially-mass-produced turkey. 

If you don't have any luck, and have been turned off altogether from eating a turkey this year, then PETA recommends carving up a good 'ol Tofurky this Thanksgiving.  Yum.     

Nature-Friendly Grilling

Despite the joys of grilling, you may still be wondering what effects your outdoor grilling may be having on the environment.  Just grilling occasionally on your own does not have a huge effect, but multiply your own grilling by the estimated 60 million barbecues on the Fourth of July, and you can see how all of these fired up grills can have an effect.  Using the Fourth of July example, Sierra Club has estimated that those 60 million barbecues "consume enough energy—in the form of charcoal, lighter fluid, gas, and electricity—to power 20,000 households for a year. That one day of fun, food, and celebration...burns the equivalent of 2,300 acres of forest and releases 225,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide."  Also, grilling with charcoal releases carbon monoxide, particulates and soot; and the use of lighter fluid "contribute more to ground-level ozone, which is produced when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic chemicals [VOCs] combine in hot weather conditions." 

So what can you do to green up your barbecue? Well, you may be a grilling purist, but you may want to consider trading out your charcoal grill for a cleaner-burning propane or electric grill.  You could also invest in a solar stove, which uses the sun's rays as a source of fuel, though it will take you much longer to cook your food, and it will not work on a cloudy day or at night.

If it sounds like sacrilege to you to give up your charcoal grill, then there are many ways to make your charcoal grill more environmentally-friendly:

• Keep your grill clean by using hot water and soap.  That way, you'll produce less smoke and carcinogens.
• Use chemical-free charcoal or wood chips, such as natural lump charcoal or natural briquettes.  Paul McRandle, deputy editor of National Geographic Green Guide recommends "to use use wood chip products that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, meaning the forests from which they are harvested are maintained in an environmentally sound way."
• Use an appropriate amount of charcoal---that is, if you're only going to cook one burger, don't light up a grill full of charcoal, stick with a much smaller amount. 
• Use a "charcoal chimney" or a "chimney starter" instead of lighter fluid.  This device is basically a canister that you fill with charcoal and then light a piece of newspaper beneath to warm up your charcoal faster than it would in your grill. 
• Buy a well-made grill that you'll have forever.  That way, you'll keep it out of a landfill that's probably littered with cheapo grills.  Some grills have good warranties, so make sure to look for that too when purchasing.
• Choose a grill without a chemical non-stick finish.  McRandle warns that these chemicals may be human carcinogens and that "They're not in the product when it arrives at your home, but they're used in the manufacturing process and wind up in waterways."
• Reduce your preheating time to five to ten minutes.  Ted Reader, author of Napoleon's Everyday Gourmet Grilling says that "When people preheat for 20 or 30 minutes, it wastes fuel.  And you're going to wear out your grill faster."
• Ash can be used as fertilizer, as long as you apply it properly and sparely. 

You may also want to consider that your food choices can have an environmental impact as well.  First of all, you will want to consider grilling local foods to help out local farmers and to reduce the wastefulness of transporting foods long distances by truck.  Another good grilling practice would be to make kebabs because it will reduce the amount of meat you would typically use for steaks, and it will make you eat more vegetables---anyways, I think they're also a lot of fun to make!

Well, happy grilling and don't call me late for dinner!

Rise In Corn Prices Make Corn As Good As Gold!

Now that corn prices have hit $6 a bushel, golden corn has really begun to earn its namesake.  Corn prices have increased 30 percent this year as we struggle to provide feed grain for livestock and supply grain for ethanol, amidst shortages in corn stockpiles.  To make matters even more grave, the U.S. government estimates that farmers will plant less corn in 2008 in favor of more profitable crops such as soybeans or wheat.

So, what's that mean for the average consumer?  Higher prices for meat (because of feed grain costs); higher prices for soda and candy (because of corn syrup); higher prices for other corn-related products (and corn itself); and higher prices at the pump (as ethanol prices rise).

So, if you're going to indulge in corn-on-the-cob this summer, first ask yourself:  "Is gold edible?"

Bloated Myths About Water Consumption

A lot of what we've been told about water consumption no longer holds water.

In a National Public Radio report entitled "Five Myths About Drinking Water", it states that "Scientists say there's no clear health benefit to chugging or even sipping water all day."  In fact, Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a kidney expert at the University of Pennsylvania, says that "Nobody really knows" where the 8 glasses of water a day advice originated from. 

Another myth is that water helps flush toxins from the body, but it's actually the kidneys' job to do this.  In fact, drinking too much water will actually reduce the kidney's ability to act as a filter!

In addition, some believe that drinking water makes for beautiful skin.  With the body already being composed of 60% water, Goldfarb says that that the additional water consumed has little benefit for the skin.

Finally, some believe that drinking water leads to weight loss.  Water itself does not in any way drain calories from the body, as some may believe.  Rather, according to Madeline Fernstrom of the University of Pittsburgh, "Water is a great strategy for dieters because it has no calories.  So you can keep your mouth busy without food and get the sense of satisfaction."  She also advocates the drinking of diet sodas as another zero calorie option (although potential negative health-effects of consuming diet sodas have been revealed with recent research).

I am someone who always has a reusable bottle of water on hand and I definitely believe that drinking water helps stave off headaches and keeps my mouth from feeling dry or pasty.  However, I'm not sure if even I, who drinks like a fish, meets the "8 glasses of water a day".  I'm sure most of us don't.  Thankfully, due to the latest research, the new guideline is to simply drink whenever you're thirsty.

Pharmaceuticals With a Twist of Lemon, Please!

That's what I usually ask my waitress for when I order a water when dining out, don't you?

In a disturbing report, an Associated Press probe found traces of various pharmaceuticals in the drinking water of at least 41 million Americans!  These pharmaceuticals range from common drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to more serious fare like antibiotics, mood-stabilizers and sex hormones! The human body cannot assimilate all of the medicine it intakes, so the rest gets flushed away and into reservoirs,rivers and lakes, and after being treated and filtered, down the hatch and into our bodies!  Other ways these drugs get into our drinking water is through people flushing outdated prescription and over-the-counter drugs and through the waste products of livestock, who are often times injected with a form of anabolic steroids intended to "pump them up" for the market.  These livestock waste products seep into the earth and into the groundwater. 

No one knows for sure what effect long term exposure to small traces of pharmaceuticals will have on the human body, but some studies have found "that small amounts of medication have affected human embryonic kidney cells, human blood cells and human breast cancer cells. The cancer cells proliferated too quickly; the kidney cells grew too slowly; and the blood cells showed biological activity associated with inflammation."  Furthermore, studies on wildlife have discovered that pharmaceuticals can feminize male fish and negatively affect vital creatures like earthworms and zooplankton.

Now understand, the amounts found were measured in parts per billion or trillion, so it's not like you have to go on some crazy bottled-water binge or anything.  In fact, bottled water is often times just tap water wrapped up all nice and pretty in a wasteful little plastic package.  Well, how about water filtration systems?  Sorry, Charlie---they do not filter out pharmaceuticals. 

As usual, we are the cause of our own problems.  According to IMS Health and The Nielson Co., "Over the past five years, the number of U.S. prescriptions rose 12 percent to a record 3.7 billion, while nonprescription drug purchases held steady around 3.3 billion..."  Y'know all those snazzy commercials we see on television that promote drugs that will have a euphoric effect on our lives and cure all our problems and ailments---I think they have a lot to do with this recent trend.  They always seem to end with some actor stating "I'll ask my doctor."  Ah, the power of suggestion: "Hey doc, what exactly does Cialis do again?  Oh, really?  Um...heh...no thanks." 

It is also an undeniable fact that people are, very much thanks to pharmaceuticals, living much longer than they used to.  With a huge ever-aging baby-boomer population comes huge prescription drug sales.   

Now, we can't exactly tell grandma to lay off the drugs, so what can we all do to try to reduce the drugs in our drinking water?  Here's some food for thought:

1.  Eat livestock products from animals that were fed only organic feed and were not injected with hormones or antibiotics.  The more profitable it becomes for livestock farmers to go organic, the less drug-riddled runoff we'll have polluting our water.

2.  Try (gasp) homeopathic remedies or at least take a less conventional route when treating simple ailments.  Every sniffle doesn't require antibiotics.  Try drinking more fluids and relaxing a bit.  Every muscle ache doesn't require acetaminophen or ibuprofen---get a massage, either from the one you love or from a licensed massage therapist.  Etc, etc, etc.

3.  Be a rabble-rouser and get in the ears of your local Water Authority and question them regarding their filtration and purification practices to know exactly what's in your local drinking water.  Treatment plants that add chlorine to clean the water often times make some pharmaceuticals more toxic.  Does your local treatment plant use chlorine?  Heck---call Erin Brockovich!

The way I see it, this is just one more piece of evidence that we're not slowly making a descent to hell---we're hurtling there with ever-increasing speed.  Ironic, isn't it---the very drugs that we use to enhance our quality of life, are, in small and nearly undetectable doses, a factor that is potentially destroying our quality of life at the same time.

Well... on that note, raise a glass and say "Cheers!"

Bison Begets Better Beef!

I am a Grade-A omnivore---that's right veggies and beef.  Sometimes I actually feel guilty that I eat animals, and somehow the veggie to meat ratio never seems to fully negate that tinge of guilt.  I understand that the amount of grain that goes towards feeding cattle could be put to much better use.  For instance, according to David Pimentel, professor of ecology from Cornell University,"If all the grain currently fed to livestock in the United States were consumed directly by people, the number of people who could be fed would be nearly 800 million."  He also estimates that "if those grains were exported, it would boost the U.S. trade balance by $80 billion a year."  And with the way grain prices are skyrocketing these days, adopting a vegetarian diet would certainly seem to make sense.

Still, I eat meat...and I love it.  Sooo...how can one reconcile any misgivings about their current carnivorous diet?  In the March 2008 edition of Outside Magazine, I found out about two ranchers whose practices I can certainly live with! 

First of all, the Full Circle Bison Ranch is a family-owned and operated ranch that raises free-range, organic-grass-fed bison.  You can purchase steaks, roasts, ribs, sausages and other choice parts of the bison (nothing goes to waste here) for very reasonable prices. 

Then there's also the InterTribal Bison Cooperative, which is a nonprofit organization from South Dakota's Black Hills whose mission is to restore bison herds for participating Native-American tribes such as the Comanche, Cheyenne, River Sioux, Modoc, Gros Ventre and Assiniboine.  Meat prices are based on availability, and may not be readily available depending on where you live.  However, you can purchase Native-American artwork from the site  as one way to fund their cause.  You also have the option of donating money directly towards their efforts.

Any way you cut it, buying meat from these two organizations will leave a very good taste in your mouth!

Organic Beer---Here! Here!

I first heard of Wolaver's certified organic India Pale Ale in a Men's Health article and I was intrigued.  Hey, it only seems natural (no pun intended) that we be able to find organic beer if we can get seemingly everything else organic nowadays.  Finally, health-conscious beer drinkers (no, it's not an oxymoron) can drink to their heart's delight knowing that their tailgate beverage of choice is good tasting and good for them! 

Some other organic brews referenced in the article were:  Butte Creek Brewing Pilsner, Peak Organic Amber, Dupont Foret, Old Plowshare Stout, Orlio India Pale Ale and Samuel Smith's Organic Ale.  And since organic beer sales have grown from $9 million in 2003 to $19 million in 2003 2005, even industry giants like Anheuser-Busch are trying to push some of their own organic beers out on the market!

I myself have not had the pleasure of trying any of these beers, but if you have sipped these organic brews, then please leave a comment with your review!

Hey Honey!

No, I'm not hitting on you---I'm here to extol the virtues of honey!  Turns out this ooey gooey golden goodness is good for more than just sweetening your tea.  I've known quite a few singers who will not only drink honey-sweetened tea before performing, but some who will actually chug honey straight to give their throats a good coating.   Honey is also great for a sore throat because of its antimicrobial properties, and it can even kill the bacteria that caused the infection.  With its anti-bacterial properties, honey can be an aid in digestion.  Last, but not least (and certainly not the last benefit of honey), honey is great for treating burns.  According to Men's Health magazine, "New Zealand researchers found that burned skin covered with honey healed as much as 4 days faster than skin treated with antibiotic creams or sterile wound dressings". That's due to honey's anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Well, I'm going to have some tea and crumpets with a good dollop of honey!