In The Omnivore’s Dilemma (Penguin 2006), Michael Pollan condensed it best, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” But he’s not the first to say what’s good for the body is good for the planet. Gaylord Hauser, 1895-1984, (Look Younger, Live Longer, Sorry, out of print.), nutritionist to the stars, discouraged eating sugar, white flour and the excess consumption of meat. (1) As did Frances Moore Lappe, www.smallplanet.org (Diet for a Small Planet, 1971; Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity & Courage in a World Gone Mad, 2007) and John Robbins, www.foodrevolution.org (Diet for a New America, Stillpoint 1987, Healthy at 100, 2007). And for a pop culture take, Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman www.skinnybitch.net, echo a healthier way to eat in their international and New York Times, John Robbins endorsed bestseller, Skinny Bitch (Running Press, 2005). With evidence this compelling, it is no wonder that even professional athletes, encouraged to scarf mega doses of animal protein, would take notice, potentially jeopardize their careers, yet be willing to do the hard work to eat lean and green. A true story:

“Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Tony Gonzalez, had never heard of the vegan diet when he boarded a flight from New York to Los Angeles last spring, about a month before preseason training. The 6-foot, 5-inch, 247 pound all-star, National Football League player [watched] his seatmate turn down most of the food offered in first class, and Gonzalez finally asked why. The man told [him] about The China Study (Benbella), a 2006 book by Cornell professor and nutrition researcher, T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II that claims people who eat mostly plants have fewer deadly diseases than those who eat mostly animals. The evidence was drawn from diet surveys and blood samples of 6,500 men and women from across China.” (2)

“Teammates nicknamed him China Study and razzed Gonzalez if he missed a block. But [he] managed to stick to his diet and hold onto the football. He broke the touchdown record before midseason and was within reach of the career reception record. Gonzalez entered the final game against the New York Jets needing four catches to surpass the record held by former tight-end Shannon Sharpe. The contest turned into a sluggish defensive struggle with the Chiefs trailing the Jets 7 to 3. Still, [he] made three receptions. With 2 minutes and 29 seconds left in the third quarter, Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle was fleeing defenders when he threw a 9-yard pass to Gonzalez, who scampered for a first down and a spot in the NFL record book.” (2)

(1) www.wikipedia.com
(2) The 247 lb. Vegan, NFL star Tony Gonzales is out to answer a question: Can a football player live entirely on plants? by Reed Albergotti, reed.albergotti@wsj.com4, The Wall Street Journal, January 25, 2008
 

Kermit’s lament, now mine, (obviously for different reasons). I was recently put to shame by a student in front of my class. She pointed to my plastic water bottle then accused me of wasting money, as well as, damaging the planet. What could I say? Guilty on all counts! This is where, along with my paid-for-gas-guzzling-car, Mother Nature and I clash; none of my other green acts can absolve these transgressions. So much for my carbon footprint!

• “Americans drink more bottled water than anything else except carbonated soft drinks.
• 74 percent of Americans drink bottled water, and one in five drinks only bottled water.
• Each year, more than 4 billion pounds of plastic bottles end up in landfills or as litter in the U.S.
• Worldwide, consumers spent $100 billion on bottled water in 2005.
• The total energy needed to make, transport and dispose of one bottle of water is equivalent to filling the same bottle one-quarter full of oil. (Source: Think Outside the Bottle, Beverage Marketing Corp., Natural Resources Defense Council)” (1) 

What’s my action plan? Eventually I’ll replace the car with a more earth friendly one. More immediately, a home water filtration system is within reach. I’ve done research and my must have is the Japanese product, Kangen. To learn more contact LouAnn Savage, 800.685.2644 or  www.hexgonalwaterblog.com
 

(1) Bottled Water’s Problems Surfacing by Pamela LeBlanc, American-Statesman Staff, April 20, 2008, www.statesman.com