I appreciate this post as always, Jim. I just put Atomic Habits (the audio book version) on my Libby "holds" list... only a 19 week wait! ;) I don't have cravings for beef or pork, but do for dairy. What are your thoughts on goat cheese?
Atomic Habits is a popular book... Hope you enjoy it when it comes up.
Regarding cheese from goat milk instead of cow milk: Both cows and goats are ruminants, so they both emit extra methane from their rumen. A quick review suggests goats emit less methane than cows, but also that goats produce less milk than cows - so it's about a wash in terms of methane emissions.
Sheep (lamb), goats and buffalos are all ruminants - so when they are raised for meat (or milk) we are adding extra methane emissions.
I will suggest a bit of a different spin on deer meat when the dear is culled from the wild heard during a hunting season: this deer meat is taken from the wild herd and is not being "raised" for meat consumption, so I give venison a much better ranking for greenhouse gas emissions when it was hunted from a wild herd. But that's getting into the small details on "accounting practices" I'd use to calculate personal emissions.
Long term habits won’t change overnight. Don’t be discouraged if your progress takes longer than you expected. It’s worth the effort in the end. Repetition of an action is key. Before you know it, that action becomes a habit, like exercise, positive thinking or any other behavior that you want in your life.
Well, if we are going back to Roman times, I have a fondness for Epictetus when talking about personal habits and living according to our values: "Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running... Therefore, if you want to do something make a habit of it, if you don't want to do that, don't; but make a habit of something else instead." (Discourses. 2.18.1-4)
Can’t go wrong with Moosewood Cooks At Home. But now days so many great recipes online. Rainbow Plant Life is a great online source and her vegan Instant Pot cookbook is great too. One can find any favorite recipe “veganized”. Simply search vegan chili recipe or vegan shepherds pie…remember to check out the frozen section for a variety meatball selections for quick meals like spaghetti with flavors and textures similar to what you’re accustomed to.
Thanks for sharing rainbowplantlife.com ! I had never been on that site. I'm planning to add some of their meals to my list of the next few weeks - maybe starting with the Lentil Bolognese.
Her recipes are great. If you remember the “breakfast” cookies I brought to one of your talks at Skyland Methodist, they are on her site. With those, however, I found most people prefer when I sub extra oats for the coconut and use peanut butter instead of almond butter. The flavors are more familiar and thus more popular.
I love that you share your personal journey. Seems to me anyone serious about shifting their diet will be inspired by this information. My journey to becoming vegan started by reading John Robbins book Diet For A New America. His book spoke to the health aspects, the environmental degradation and the ethics of eating a meat and dairy heavy diet. I continue to be hopeful that a shift is at hand because many people are much more receptive to plant-based meals than they were 30 years ago.
Thanks for sharing Diet For A New America by John Robbins. Do you have any favorite vegan cook books to share? Did any resources help you learn how to cook vegan?
I appreciate this post as always, Jim. I just put Atomic Habits (the audio book version) on my Libby "holds" list... only a 19 week wait! ;) I don't have cravings for beef or pork, but do for dairy. What are your thoughts on goat cheese?
Atomic Habits is a popular book... Hope you enjoy it when it comes up.
Regarding cheese from goat milk instead of cow milk: Both cows and goats are ruminants, so they both emit extra methane from their rumen. A quick review suggests goats emit less methane than cows, but also that goats produce less milk than cows - so it's about a wash in terms of methane emissions.
Sheep (lamb), goats and buffalos are all ruminants - so when they are raised for meat (or milk) we are adding extra methane emissions.
I will suggest a bit of a different spin on deer meat when the dear is culled from the wild heard during a hunting season: this deer meat is taken from the wild herd and is not being "raised" for meat consumption, so I give venison a much better ranking for greenhouse gas emissions when it was hunted from a wild herd. But that's getting into the small details on "accounting practices" I'd use to calculate personal emissions.
Long term habits won’t change overnight. Don’t be discouraged if your progress takes longer than you expected. It’s worth the effort in the end. Repetition of an action is key. Before you know it, that action becomes a habit, like exercise, positive thinking or any other behavior that you want in your life.
Well said!
Super practical pathway for us to pursue. Rome wasn't built in a day, but you've got to make a plan and start with the foundation!!
Well, if we are going back to Roman times, I have a fondness for Epictetus when talking about personal habits and living according to our values: "Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running... Therefore, if you want to do something make a habit of it, if you don't want to do that, don't; but make a habit of something else instead." (Discourses. 2.18.1-4)
Can’t go wrong with Moosewood Cooks At Home. But now days so many great recipes online. Rainbow Plant Life is a great online source and her vegan Instant Pot cookbook is great too. One can find any favorite recipe “veganized”. Simply search vegan chili recipe or vegan shepherds pie…remember to check out the frozen section for a variety meatball selections for quick meals like spaghetti with flavors and textures similar to what you’re accustomed to.
Thanks for sharing rainbowplantlife.com ! I had never been on that site. I'm planning to add some of their meals to my list of the next few weeks - maybe starting with the Lentil Bolognese.
Her recipes are great. If you remember the “breakfast” cookies I brought to one of your talks at Skyland Methodist, they are on her site. With those, however, I found most people prefer when I sub extra oats for the coconut and use peanut butter instead of almond butter. The flavors are more familiar and thus more popular.
https://rainbowplantlife.com/healthy-vegan-breakfast-cookies/#wprm-recipe-container-5684
I love that you share your personal journey. Seems to me anyone serious about shifting their diet will be inspired by this information. My journey to becoming vegan started by reading John Robbins book Diet For A New America. His book spoke to the health aspects, the environmental degradation and the ethics of eating a meat and dairy heavy diet. I continue to be hopeful that a shift is at hand because many people are much more receptive to plant-based meals than they were 30 years ago.
Thanks for sharing Diet For A New America by John Robbins. Do you have any favorite vegan cook books to share? Did any resources help you learn how to cook vegan?