When Did you First Hear the Term, Go Green?
I never heard of the term go green until I got to college. I grew up in a Polish Catholic family in central Wisconsin. My parents had 10 kids and we had a hobby farm, growing 3 vegetable gardens and raising our own meat from cows, pigs, chickens, and goats, and hunting local wildlife such as white-tailed deer and squirrels. Life was wonderful and I am so thankful to my parents for giving me such a wonderful life!
What Does it Mean to “Go Green”?
According to Fruits and Veggies.org, “going green” is a term used today to explain healthy eating, sustainable agriculture, organic, and sound environmental practices. While in college, I didn’t give the going green movement much thought except to buy organic whenever possible. Since we raised our own meat and didn’t use pesticides, herbicides, or antibiotics, I thought I was doing my part.
When the term “Go Green” became personal
After my first baby, I watched the documentary, Forks Over Knives and learned how my many health issues could benefit from a plant-based lifestyle. Thankfully, the headaches, high blood pressure, diabetes, fatigue., low libido, poor concentration, skin rashes, GI upset, constipation, obesity, painful menstrual cycle, depression, anxiety, heart arrhythmia, and sinus congestion all resolved when I made the choice to go green! (To read my full story of why I went plant-based, click here).
How did your diet change affect the environment?
I have been privileged to travel to 34 states and 3 countries (The most memorable was the Amazon rainforest!) The evidence of climate change there was very noticeable and sobering. The deforestation of the jungle has been in part to creating room for cattle grazing…cattle we continue to consume in large quantities. Seeing how my lust for meat was affecting this beautiful world, made me sick to my stomach.
Don’t get me wrong! I love the smell of cheese curds and ice cream, a crispy chicken sandwich, and someone firing up the grill. I loved my food but it didn’t love me. My body and soul were telling me that something wasn’t right. I had to do something!
How do we save the planet by Going Green?
Since going green and switching to a plant-based lifestyle, I feel the best I have ever felt! When I’m in my garden, I feel such peace because I know THIS is what we are all meant to do: take care of the earth! Work the soil, plant seeds, watch them grow, and collect a delicious harvest! I love seeing the animals enjoy their life too!
There is much cruelty in the meat and dairy industry that happens needlessly all for the sake of money and I don’t mean to speak ill of our small town dairy farmers: I was one of them and we loved our cows and they all had names and we played with them. I am talking of the factory dairy farms. These aforementioned factories are a huge contributing factor in regards to deforestation, increase in the earth’s temperature, and pollution of our water supply. For a better understanding, you can reference this site.
Conclusion
To summarize, by reducing or eliminating our dependence on animal products, we reduce harmful emissions, keep our water clean, and provide a better tomorrow for our kids! As a Christian, my faith compels me to be a good steward or caretaker of what I have been given which is why I choose to follow a plant-based diet.
You can live how you want to. My mission is not to convince you to stop eating animal products: my mission is to help people get well, and STAY well! I’ve seen this lifestyle change not only my life but thousands of others! I hope you join us 🙂 Until next time, I’ll see you in the kitchen!
Daniel W says
Love this!
Benjamin Van Goor says
Thank you so much! We all can make a difference!