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February 8, 2008 – Evolving Appetites

Welcome to Evolving Appetites’ monthly newsletter. Short, informative and hopefully fun to read veggie bits. Let us know if we don’t deliver on this – we always love feedback from our readers. Contact info is at the bottom of the page.

In this issue:

• Head of IPCC says “Please eat less meat” to help the environment – The Globe and Mail
• Skinny Bitch – Book Review
• Heart Health Speaker available – yours truly
• Recipe of the month: Low-fat Vegan Chili
• EVENTS update

So says Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the United Nation's Nobel Prize-winning scientific panel on climate change.

Speaking at a January press conference in Paris, he said meat was a very carbon-intensive commodity, a fact established by UN research showing that livestock production creates more greenhouse gases than all forms of transport combined.

Unfortunately, Mr. Pachauri's plea will cause barely a ripple in political, media or environmental circles. Even being chair of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) doesn't guarantee many people will want to hear this particular inconvenient truth. It's interesting to note that he followed his statement by saying: "This is something that the IPCC was afraid to say earlier, but now we have said it."

What was the IPCC afraid of? This hasn't been reported, but one could speculate that the global livestock industry and others with a vested interest in meat production will not take kindly to Mr. Pachauri's remarks. Neither will the politicians they lobby, who also hate having to tell citizens they need to make lifestyle changes to save the planet.

Yet all the IPCC is asking for is a reduction in meat consumption. A recent study in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet called for a 10-per-cent cut in meat consumption, which it said would slow global warming considerably. It would also slow the growth of factory farming, which is alarming animal welfarists around the world. Global demand for meat is projected to double between 2001 and 2050, meaning billions more animals will be raised in intensive, inhumane conditions. While many animal activists are "abolitionists" and want a meat-free world, others would welcome anything that would put the brakes on a trend that is resulting in animal suffering on a mind-boggling scale. For example, the international farm-animal welfare organization Compassion in World Farming is calling for meat consumption and production in developed countries to be cut by a third by 2020. This would mean someone who eats meat every day would cut back to eating meat five days a week — not exactly a hardship.

Encouraging the public to cut back on meat would also have major health benefits. The World Cancer Research Fund recently urged consumers to limit consumption of red meat to 500 grams per week and to avoid processed meats completely. (Vegetarians and vegans figured out the health advantages of a meatless diet long ago. That's why they have lower rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, hypertension and other diseases.)

Cutting down or cutting out meat is a win-win-win policy. Not only does it help the fight against global warming, but it saves countless animals from factory-farm suffering and it's good for you.

It's just too bad so many people are afraid to talk about it.

Peter Fricker is the projects and communications director of the Vancouver Humane Society.

Skinny Bitch – worth reading

By Rory Freedman & Kim Barnouin

If you’re not offended by swear words and a slap-in-the-face approach to nutrition advice, this is a most entertaining and informative read. I laughed and chuckled all the way through. The research is sound, the nutrition information is well documented, and while there are no recipes in the book, they do include workable menu plans.

It truly is a no-nonsense guide – tells you about the realities of why we have an epidemic obesity crisis, amongst other diseases, and how to reverse this by taking charge of what goes down your gullet.

If you follow the Skinny Bitch plan, you will lose weight, if that’s your goal. But even if you’re not trying to lose weight, this book will give you the basics of good nutrition, and spells out the reality of factory farming and slaughterhouse practices.

The authors have also released their new book, “Skinny Bitch in the Kitch: Kick-Ass Solutions for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Eating Crap (and Start Looking Hot!) (Paperback)”. I haven’t read this one, but it’s the companion recipe book to the one above.

Heart Health Speaker available

Is your community group, place of worship, seniors' organization or other group looking for a speaker in the Greater Toronto Area? I’ve been recently qualified by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM – www.pcrm.org) to deliver a FREE talk to community groups on Heart Health. The presentation includes information based on the latest research on heart disease prevention and even reversal. The presentation can be as short as 20 minutes, or as long as you want it to be. Includes hand-outs and materials for further follow up on how to keep your heart healthy and ticking. Please contact me to schedule. Phone: 416-491-9904 or info@evolvingappetites.com

Vegan Chili (serves 6 – 8 – or can freeze leftovers)

Here’s a hearty recipe for cold winter nights. Full of fiber, protein, calcium, iron from the beans, and antioxidants from the veggies, it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Enjoy!

2 sticks celery, chopped

Heat water in a large pot – once near boiling add onions and sauté for about 2 mins. Add the rest of the veggies, soy sauce, mustard and chili powder. When carrots start to soften – about 10 mins. – add the beans and stir well to combine. Let cook for another 10 – 15 mins. Add tomatoes, garlic, lime juice and chili pepper flakes if using, and let simmer for at least another 10 – 15 mins. Serve over brown rice or quinoa.

Loblaws Events update:

February 2008

NOTE: For the month of February, Loblaws is doing a charity drive. Hence, “What’s for Dinner?” demos are $5 donation, and some evening events are $10 donations. Each specified below.

Learn how plant-based eating can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and other diseases. Easy to follow guidelines help you make permanent lifestyle changes rather than temporary "diet fixes" that ultimately fail. Nimisha Raja of Evolving Appetites has successfully adopted this way of eating and is passionate about teaching you how to do the same.

Next issue: March 1

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Tell us what you think – is the newsletter too long, too short, or just right? What would you like to see more of? Less of? Tell us your veggie success story, and we’ll publish it [we reserve the right to edit for space and clarity]. Contact us at info@evolvingappetites.com

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