VeggieTalk

I truly believe that global warming is one of the most critical issues of our time. Generally, I don’t use this blog for such commentary, but this morning, as I was driving back home on the last leg of my trip to France, I heard an interview with the president of the Ad Council on the radio. This is the organization that brings important issues to the public eye with simple slogans like “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” Their latest campaign is on global warming.

Curious, I went to that subsection of their web site, Fight Global Warming. While their suggestions to reduce energy consumption in the home and on the road won’t hurt, I am continually perplexed as to why mainstream environmental organizations ignore the one thing people can do to help reduce global warming: Cut down on, or give up, meat and other animal products.

Since you are here at my blog, I am assuming that you already have given up or cut down on meat, and in effect, you are doing more for the earth than most. Good for you, and pass along the message!

I quote from EarthSave: “By far the most important non-CO2 greenhouse gas is methane, and the number one source of methane worldwide is animal agriculture.

Methane is responsible for nearly as much global warming as all other non-CO2 greenhouse gases put together. Methane is 21 times more powerful a greenhouse gas than CO2 … arguably the best way to reduce global warming in our lifetimes is to reduce or eliminate our consumption of animal products. Simply by going vegetarian (or, strictly speaking, vegan), we can eliminate one of the major sources of emissions of methane, the greenhouse gas responsible for almost half of the global warming impacting the planet today.”

Read the entire report at Earthsave.

Recently, I discovered a fantastic brand of pickles called Real Pickles in my local health food store. These pickles are closest to what might be described as “half sour.” Gently but distinctively flavored, these pickles are organic, made without vinegar, and crafted in a traditional method.

This winter, as I’ve mentioned before on this blog, I’ve been very interested in eating a lot of cleansing, detoxifying foods, and these pickles fit right in. Filled with active cultures and enzymes, these as well as other naturally fermented foods aid in digestion and nutrient absorption and are generally great for the gut. In American culture, there is little in the way of fermented foods, as there are in many Asian cultures.

I will be writing more about Real Pickles in the September issue of the Vegetarian Kitchen newsletter (please subscribe, on any page of Vegetarian Kitchen!). Please be aware, though, that Real Pickles only ships throughout the Northeast (part of their mission is to promote the viability of local food systems), and that the shipping season for the pickles ends in April.