Veggie Planet

Stephen Hershey
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Trailing the popularity of Fast Food Nation, James E. McWilliam's Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly explains why mass vegetarianism could raise happiness and spirits, and significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

In the book, Williams brings environmental risks of meat production to the foreground. The livestock industry uses 70% of all water in the midwest, plus accounts for over 21% of global greenhouse-gas emissions--more than all transportation methods combined.

Criticizing green movements and the allure of "organic farming," Williams demands a stronger sacrifice be made for healthy eating habits; that, as vegetarians, we may adjust to thriving lifestyles without harming our resources.

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I sometimes wonder if,

Submitted by Five on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 17:24.

I sometimes wonder if, ancient human-kind were vegetarian, and much more consciously evolved because of it?

 Just the respect given to the animal kingdom, and to the Earth, shows a higher level of consciousness, perhaps.

New evolution

Submitted by Lightfiend on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 20:20.

Although I am not vegetarian, I have been trying to limit my consumption of animal protein for a variety of ethical and health reasons. I think eventually humans will evolve and raise their collective consciousness enough to adapt a completely plant-based diet.

http://www.theemotionmachine.com

Resisting Animal Liberation is Resisting Human Liberation

Submitted by satyagrahi on Sat, 12/12/2009 - 23:04.

“The most potent killers of humanity since the dawn of civilization have not been warfare, natural disaster, or starvation; they have been epidemics resulting directly from animal husbandry. The desire for meat, fish, fowl, eggs and dairy products has been one of humanity's most dangerous desires.” -p.49

“The major threats to human life since 8500 B.C. - microorganisms and viruses such as smallpox, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, plague, measles and cholera-... all have something of importance in common: each evolved from a disease in domesticated animals that then adapted to, and infected, human societies.” -p.46

“The real culprits in most modern-day health problems are excesses of cholesterol, fat and protein from animal products not deficiencies. It is the subtraction of these excesses that will solve most of the problems, not the addition of medications or supplements.” “Many cardiologists are fond of telling their patients with high cholesterol levels that they shall “need to take [pharmaceutical] medication for the rest of your life.” But an exhaustive review of the scientific evidence found that excesses of fat and protein, particularly of animal origin, together with excesses of refined carbohydrates and recreational drugs [mainly alcohol and tobacco], were at the root of the disease.” “Cholesterol is found in all foods of animal origin, including meat, fish, fowl, eggs, and dairy products. Plant based food contains zero cholesterol... Controlling dietary excesses [by adopting a vegan diet] is clearly the key to preventing cardiovascular disease... No medication or nutritional supplement additive has show even remotely equivalent success... errant solutions seem [to many people] more plausible than the truth – the fact that what we need to do is subtract meat, fish, fowl, eggs, dairy products, alcohol and tobacco from our diet.” -p.56

"Campbell [The China Study] and colleagues demonstrated that it is not protein per se that determines cancer development, but that it is animal protein that is the primary culprit... and to his surprise, Campbell has discovered that the primary protein of dairy products -- casein -- appears to be the most aggressive promoter of all." -p.134

 

These are all quotes from the excellent book “The Pleasure Trap” by Douglas Lisle, Ph.D. & Alan Goldhamer, D.C. which I highly recommend. This information is obviously very crucial for humanity, and I believe may be indicative of a karmic process operating as well on the personal and collective levels. Please share this with others and seriously consider going vegan, it's good for you, the planet and of course, the animals.

http://sites.google.com/a/veganmail.com/veganicrevolution/

What about the plants?

Submitted by Laura_Love on Sun, 12/13/2009 - 19:45.
I agree, there are many benefits to reducing the worlds meat intake. Many of the problems that come from it have been discussed here. My question is: If being a vegitarian is more respectful and harmonious to the earth, what about killing plants and eating them? They are living organisms. They are living and breathing beings. They have the same basic needs as any living things. They reproduce, they can adapt to their environment, they even respond to the energy you give off. Where do you draw the line? Are plants just not considered evolved enough of a life form to be respected? I've heard vegitarians say things like "I dont eat flesh." Well, you must be mistaken, because that beautiful salad you're eating is the flesh of a living being. I wonder if it ever crosses your minds that the juicy, red tomato you are about to eat could actually be considered some poor tomato plant's baby. As I said, there's no doubt that reducing the meat in your diet is enormously benificial, but we should understand thatas far as karma is concerned, it might not look too kindly on all the beautiful plant life you've devoured.