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I'm Not a Vegetarian…

I just eat like one. For the most part, I don't cook meat (chicken, raised sustainably, on occasion), but I do order it. I'm your average animal lover who feels guilty about eating 'em, but just can't help herself when faced with delicious menu choices like these. Just this week, two peeps told me they were flexitarians (they eat meat/fish only when there are no good veggie options). I envy the vegans I know, but I can't imagine life without Cowgirl Creamery's Parmigiano Reggiano Organico or Petit Blu (grilled and spread with chutney = divine). It helps knowing, tho', that these dairy cows weren't raised on U.S. factory farms (90% of animals raised for food are) and I still get my calcium/strong bones (haven't broken one yet, knock...). 

-Senior Editor Theresa, off to step outside to scarf up some vitamin D...

Posted by: ddiprima on 01/28/2009
25 Comments 
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Kassy  on January 28, 2009 at 08:10 AM 1
This is in regards to the sticks and stones tip. I'm highly disappointed in the suggestion to get calcium from dairy. You didn't even mention leafy greens for one. Dairy is less green than veggies for 2 and most importantly, dairy is a TERRIBLE source for calcium. It's less absorbable than the kind in veggies and can actually CAUSE osteoporosis vs prevent it. In Skinny Bitch, they talked about the only countries in Africa with osteoporosis are the ones who drink milk.
Kassy  on January 28, 2009 at 08:15 AM 2
PS, people think they can't give up meat and dairy etc... because they crave it, but the funny thing about cravings is that they are more in the mind for things like this. My cravings are more about sugar foods and if I see it, I think I can't live without it, but am slowly but surely training my brain, to say "was it really that good?" and I'm finally starting to say no. It wasn't worth eating it. So next time I see it, the cravings are weaker and I'm more likely to pass it up, or if I do partake, make sure I find it not as good as I hoped and I've been able to dramatically reduce my sugar intake by retraining my brain (and telling it I like veggies more too)
Shelly  on January 28, 2009 at 09:59 AM 3
I was prepared to leave a comment about how disappointed I was to read today's Sticks and Stones tips but I see somebody beat me to it. Kassy is right on! Refer to "The China Study" for cold, hard, scientific facts. Additionally, these are supposed to be "green" tips right? There is nothing remotely green about dairy or any animal foods period. Production and consumption of animal foods is contributing to the destruction of this planet more than anything else.
Erica  on January 28, 2009 at 10:03 AM 4
So a friend of mine told me a should tke vitamin D supplements, since I wear sunscreen daily year round. Is it true that sunscreen blocks vit D absorption? Are there less artificial ways of upping my dietary intake? (since most of what I've ever heard is supplements--either in pill form or in enrichment of other foods form) Thanks!
Shelly  on January 28, 2009 at 10:33 AM 5
sunscreen is laden with carcinogenic ingredients so despite what "they" tell you, it's not a good idea. The best plan is to get 15 minutes of sun daily (don't worry, it won't age you or give you skin cancer which, by the way, is caused by poor diet and lifestyle not the sun....back in the day there was no such thing as sunscreen and people worked outdoors even more than today...no skin cancer), when possible, which should provide enough Vit D. Supplemtation should always be a last resort. We are meant to get nutrients from a healthy diet, not from man-made vitamins.
Jo Ann  on January 28, 2009 at 10:52 AM 6
We eat a lot of yogurt in our house and I'm a little disappointed you didn't mention anything about making your own yogurt. It is incredibly easy, less expensive and healthier. The reason we started making our own is that yogurt containers are not recyclable!
Erica  on January 28, 2009 at 10:54 AM 7
So I'm pretty careful about the sunscreens I use (researching all of the on EWG's skindeep database), but limiting my sun exposure to 15 minutes is not possible and in the summer I've been known to get sunburns from even short exposures. If nothing else I want to avoid the pain of sunburn. Totally appreciate the thoughtful feedback and totally feel you on the natural solutions, but...other ideas??
Danielle  on January 28, 2009 at 12:43 PM 8
Contrary to popular brainwashing by the dairy industry,eating dairy IS NOT a good way to get calcium. Dark greens are,soy is,certain nuts,get everything organic. Eating dairy is a good way for women with growths like fibroid tumors,and cysts,and endometriosis to be hormonally imbalanced! My child is 4,vegan,and has never had an ear infection or the like,because she doesn't get fed dairy. I used to get them growing up,and so does every other child I know. Dairy is a major culprit in ear infections and all those colds from excess mucous,from wrong eating choices. Educate yourselves,think for yourselves,dairy is for animals. Cows milk for baby cows,goats milk for baby goats period. Though if you have to goats milk is always a better choice than cows milk.
Danielle  on January 28, 2009 at 01:04 PM 9
For Erica: http://www.solumbra.com/ They carry protective clothing for sun sensitive people. But don't forget to get your sun,it is awesome for your skin,contrary to popular brainwashing. Go to http://www.mercola.com for important vitamin D info,the latest as a matter of fact,just put out last wk. To everyone else,I'm glad to see some intelligent thoughtful posts here,gives me hope people are growing and not so massively brainwashed and manipulated.
Shelly  on January 28, 2009 at 01:19 PM 10
Danielle is right on the money! Erica, the reason you burn easily is becuz your skin isn't used to exposure since you always use block. Train your skin with 15 minutes daily of unprotected sunlight, eat greens and nuts, and your D intake should be sufficient. As Danielle said, the healthiest way to protect your skin during lots of outdoor time is clothing and hats, not sunscreen.
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