Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

I know it seems radical to some but I thought this was an interesting statistic.

Quote from Jen Boulden of IdealBite.com...

Go Veggie - one day a week...
Meat production is so resource-intensive, if 10,000 people gave up steak once every seven days, it'd conserve enough water to annualy fill 22,719 Olympic-size swimming pools.

Seems easy enough, no?

edited for spelling...

Message edited 1/16/2008 1:54:58 PM.

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

are they just talking red meat or any meat?

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

My understanding is beef...that's based on research I did years ago when I first went veg. Not only is the raising of cattle for food sucking up water resources it is depleting rainforests and grain crops.

Do you know what it takes to feed just one cow? Way more than that cow will feed once sliced & diced for human consumption.

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

It's a fine idea, but I think it may be too intangible for some people.

On the other hand, if you turn off the water while brushing your teeth, it's obvious that you're conserving water.

KWIM?

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

I'm not a vegan but I could go weeks without eating beef. Am I making up for someone who eats beef daily?

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

I am not a big beef eater in general...is that helpful?

though, funny you should mention it, I was going to make steak tonight LOL

can anyone give me an alternative to make with my sweet potato fries

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

Posted by greenfreak

I'm not a vegan but I could go weeks without eating beef. Am I making up for someone who eats beef daily?

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

Posted by KittyTheStray

Posted by greenfreak

I'm not a vegan but I could go weeks without eating beef. Am I making up for someone who eats beef daily?

Same. I eat a lot of chicken/turkey, but we rarely have red meat.

Message edited 1/16/2008 1:56:33 PM.

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

I don't know if it would constitute as making up for others (much like your bit in recycling doesn't necessarily make up for your neighbor's excess) it's more along the lines of "doing your part".

It isn't necessary to go vegan (cheese always prohibited me from taking the plunge) and I don't think that is what is being suggested. It's really as simple as eliminating it just 1 day a week. Seems easier (to me at least) than some other conservation methods. But that's coming from a pesce-vegetarian.

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

Cheese would be a big problem for me also. As would chicken.

Btw, thanks for the tip on P&G and animal testing. We searched our house for their products and sadly, found a lot. Even DH is on board with finding alternatives.

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

Posted by KittyTheStray

Posted by greenfreak

I'm not a vegan but I could go weeks without eating beef. Am I making up for someone who eats beef daily?

Same. I eat a lot of chicken/turkey, but we rarely have red meat.

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

so for clarity,

is it one less day in general (6 days out of seven)

or

if you already only eat it 2 days, knock it down to one?

and is this all dairy products? all cow based dairly products?

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

Posted by greenfreak
Btw, thanks for the tip on P&G and animal testing. We searched our house for their products and sadly, found a lot. Even DH is on board with finding alternatives.

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

I wish Georgians would do this. We have a HUGE water shortage here. I'm sure most of the rest of the states have no clue about our water crisis here. Sadly though I am surrounded by cattle farms

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

Re: Spinoff on Green Posts: Alternative to Conserving Water

I've heard from many sources that raising animals for food (not just cows, which are being raised for dairy as well as steak, and let's not forget that dairy cows create the supply for veal) uses an incredible amount of resources (water, land and energy). The amount of food it takes to feed a cow until it is big enough to slaughter for food would feed many times the amount of people that beef will.

I've also done some reading lately on the effect of animal proteins, saturated fat and cholesterol on our health - not just weight, heart disease, stroke and diabetes, but also on the development and growth of some cancers.

In a nutshell, I'm very glad to eat a very vegan diet.