3 Things to do for Earth Week
“By changing up our food choices, we have the power to shorten up that food journey and lighten the load for the environment.”
‘August & the 100-mile Diet’ was a post I wrote a few summers ago on the local approach to eating. From a sustainability perspective, the David Suzuki Foundation informs us that eating as locally as possible is one of the most effective ways to reduce global impact. But for Earth Week, I challenge you to do more. Here are 3 things you can do for Earth Week to lighten the load for the environment.
1. Eat less meat or start by trying the Meatless Monday Movement for Earth Week.
According to the Environmental Working Group, if every American skipped meat or cheese just once a week for one year it would equal taking 7.6 million cars off the road. Along with helping the environment, you’ll also be doing your body a favor. Cutting back on animal proteins lowers the risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
2. Doing away with food waste.
Canadians alone dispose of about $13 billion dollars worth of food annually. What a waste of food and the resources used to grow those foods.
Start composting! For apartment dwellers: farmer’s markets often have food scrap drop centers or checkout foodscrapsdropspot.ca to find a location near you.
Loving those leftovers! I remember learning this from my grandfather during our cooking lessons years ago with leftover roast beef – it hit a chord then and is something I am still passionate about. Lovefoodhatewaste.com has some great tips about how to use leftovers and how to store food so it won’t spoil.
3. Beyond food.
The air in our homes and buildings can be more polluted than the air outdoors in major metropolitan cities due to the overuse of household chemicals. These cleaning products can actually cause a mess of chronic health issues and have harmful effects on the environment. Choose a manufacturer that is creating products that are biodegradable, non-toxic and not tested on animals. White vinegar has been a huge life-saver!
Happy Earth Day and throw away a piece of garbage for me on the 22nd!
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