How I did it: I've tried to become vegetarian one time or another for the past 12 years, ever since I was in elementary school. Every time I failed, and every time I tried again my family would laugh at how much I lacked in self control. But it was still something I wanted to do. Growing up I've never liked meat. I was always the weird kid who no one had to worry about eating her vegetables. I hated beef and pork, only tolerated poultry, and always felt guilty about seafood, since many of the species of fish eaten are now over fished to the brink of extinction. And as I grew older, I learned more reasons why I meat consumption in general, not just fish, is unsustainable. A pound of beef requires over 2500 gallons of water to be produced. Over half of all the corn grown in the US goes to livestock consumption. The carbon footprint of a half pound beef patty is the same as a 10 mile car drive. All these things add up. And for someone who wants to make a difference in the world, not eating meat is the easiest step you can take to be more eco friendly.

I still eat eggs and drink milk, so to some, I'm not a true vegetarian. But to me those foods don't count. The cow didn't die to provide me with that milk, and the egg was never alive to begin with. And from an ecological standpoint, it's much more sustainable. One cow and one hen will nourish thousands more people in their lifetime from their eggs and milk then they would if they were slaughtered for just their meat.

Resources: Be sure to take multi vitamins to help augment your dietary needs. You don't need anything fancy, just something to help you fill your needed iron, zinc, and calcium requirements. I take one-a-day womens every day with a glass of milk. Works like a charm.

Jan 02, 2012, 12:15PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers