Welcome!

  • The little community radio show that assumes we all want to change our lives for the planet, and aren't sure where to start, and can't afford expensive alternatives.

  • For twelve weeks, I'll take something you think you may never give up and weigh the alternatives. They are easier than you realise!

  • If maybe at the end of the show, you think more seriously about your next purchase, my job is done.

  • Whether humanity is on the verge of self destruction or not, trying new things is a great experiment! You'll learn about yourself, a process that never ends.

  • Theres a lot to say for knowing that at the end of the day, you'll be a little less reliant on an unstable economy/world/etc. and a little more reliant on yourself. Even if you don't get as far into sustainable living as others, every option presented today stimulates your local economy, keeping more money here where it's needed.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Bad media! *slap on wrist*

So we all know I was totally off on the meat-free protein sources.
Now THATS an embarrassing reminder to check your sources.
Luckily I'm still green here in radio land and hope to be forgiven.

I will go over all the real facts on protein this week, and move onto Travel and vacationing.

Also an update on those soap nuts I was talking about.

Monday, May 19, 2008

May 20th: STEAK

The second tentatively confident week of your sustainable life...

You can't walk two steps in this town without coming across someone who swears by their beef, worships their beef, or even swears that they need it to survive, and therefore assumes every vegetarian is some crazed member of PETA out to take their precious steak away forever.

Grocery List Math:
What's at our Farmer's Market anyway?
Don't forget the one at Victoriaville Fridays and Tuesdays.
And the one at Wilson Park Wednesdays and Saturdays!

Why steak is not so good:
  • The meat industry is the worst polluter that is easiest to ignore, because we eat it!
  • Cattle production puts out more Green House Gas Emissions than all forms of transportation combined! (LINK) This means, eating less meat is better for the environment than giving up the car.
  • Growing demand for red meat directly affects the cost of grain. (LINK)
  • Commercial cattle are not healthy animals when slaughtered. see: The Omnivore's Dilemma. Even if it's grain finished, and that grain is usually corn which is fine for poultry but wreaks havoc on a cow's digestive tract. A lot of the greenhouse gases released from cattle farming, are because corn makes them gassy and sick.
  • We all hear about cattle being pumped full of antibiotics, which lowers the effectiveness of antibiotics for us. The only reason they need it is because they are so bloated and sick from eating corn.
  • "Livestock's Long Shadow" = A LOT of info on the total environmental impact of the meat industry. Easy to read, low on jargon.
Moose Steak
Elk Steak
  • Also locally available. See: Rainy River Elk
  • Happy, healthy animals make for healthier meat (if you must go red).
  • About as organic as it gets. No antibiotics or growth hormones.
  • This is only a money saving alternative if you reduce your meat intake.
  • Also not an option if you don't live around any elk farms.
No Steak/Less Steak
  • Less Steak is often the easiest choice for most people. If steak was our only intake of protein, we only need 3-4oz of it.
  • Saves you money!
  • Want to go to sleep after a big meal? Our bodies are working hard to digest our meals. Eating more fruits and veggies makes digestion easier, and that means we will have more energy for other things!
  • Eating less steak or beef, by even a small amount (like 150g. or 5oz.) per week saves enough energy to power the average house for a short month. (Link)
Other Sources of Protein
  • You have to get protein from somewhere. Most North Americans get more protein than they need. The average person needs around 90-100grams, except for athletes which still only need 105g.
  • Protein is everywhere! Here are some of my favourites...
    • One Cup of these meets your daily protein requirement:
    • Avocado
    • Peanuts
    • Almonds
    • Cashews
    • Tofu (all tofu is different but the average is 100g per cup)
    • Roasted soybeans (snackable! 172g per cup)
    • Sunflower seeds (raw, shelled)
    • Egg (cooked)
    • Milk (yes milk! one cup will do it)
    • ANY kind of bean
    • One large baked potato
  • Tofu is not comparable to steak and it never will be, but GOOD TOFU DOES EXIST. If you haven't liked it before, try it at new restaurants until you do. Try Waterfront Restaurant or Fort William Curling Club for the thai tofu sizzler. You may never see tofu in the same way again.
    • made by coagulating soy milk, and then pressing the resulting curds into blocks.
    • can be made into your favourite dessert!
Artist Links