Now that we know that meat consumption is harmful to the environment, let’s talk about reducing our meat consumption.
I am a vegetarian. When I first told my parents this a few months ago, they laughed at me. We are an average family who usually eats meat twice a day; this has been our routine throughout my life. So why did I make the change?
In all honesty, it’s because I was tired of eating the same few meals that my parents made. I decided that I would meal prep each week and cook all of our family dinners. My parents thought this was a good idea and allowed me to go grocery shopping for the week. I started with simple meals, partly because I wasn’t very good at cooking, but also because they were quick and easy. I began by eating meat only twice a week for two weeks, and then I reduced it to once a week for two weeks. After that, I completely cut meat out of my diet.
When I first became vegetarian, I noticed that my once oily and pimply skin became clear and glowing. My hair got shinier, and my nails got stronger from all the vitamin E in the vegetables I ate. The YouTube video below explains someone else’s journey and the improvements they saw.
I physically felt healthier and even noticed that my pH was more balanced. Our bodies are electric, so it is crucial to put foods that are also electric in our bodies. In other words, when we eat fruits and vegetables, we are eating foods that also have protons that nourish us.
Having an alkaline diet is extremely important to our bodies. Aoi et. al. did a study in 2019 called Body Fluid pH Balance in Metabolic Health and Possible Benefits of Dietary Alkaline Foods. They also found that when our bodies are more acidic, we are prone to metabolic diseases. Alkaline foods increase our overall physical health. Some examples of alkaline foods are watermelon, pineapple, lemon, cucumbers, kale, kiwi, and cantaloupe. Below is a site that talks about alkaline foods more in depth.
https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/8-alkaline-foods-you-should-include-in-your-daily-diet-1460436
Some doctors and scientists claim that our bodies don’t need as much protein as we think it does. Many vegetables are high in protein that can nourish us in the same way meat does. Here is a video that explains more about it:
I’m not here to try to convince you to become a vegetarian. The transition can be challenging, expensive, and sometimes we just want to eat a burger. In my case, it was well worth it, and I am glad I did it, but I understand that it may not be for everyone. It is still worth trying, and I think everyone should experiment by first starting to do one vegetarian meal a week. Here are some of my favorite vegetarian recipes:
- BBQ cauliflower wings https://realhousemoms.com/bbq-cauliflower-bites/
- Avocado toast
- Coconut curry vegetables https://thekitchengirl.com/vegan-thai-coconut-vegetable-curry/
- Chili https://frommybowl.com/easy-vegan-chili/
- A rice bowl with roasted vegetables!
Give them a try. Who knows? Maybe you will want to be a vegetarian too.
Sources:
Aoi, W., Zou, X., Xiao, J. B., & Marunaka, Y. (2019). Body Fluid pH Balance in Metabolic Health and Possible Benefits of Dietary Alkaline Foods. EFood, 1(1), 12. doi:10.2991/efood.k.190924.001 https://www.atlantis-press.com/journals/efood/125918568
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