Food for Thought (3/17/16)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

We don’t usually think of St. Patrick’s Day as a time to celebrate the green planet we live on. St. Patrick’s Day is associated with parades and parties, noise makers and green necklaces, so why not have a party for this wonderful green world? On a day to celebrate all that is green (although that was not the original intention of St. Patty’s Day) let us also celebrate the earth.

So as I was trying to come up with ideas for going green on St. Patty’s Day I started a Google search and all I could find were posts about making greener decisions when purchasing beer…not exactly what I was hoping for. I stumbled across a PETA post and I have modified their rather extreme ideas to some easy, fun, “go green” activities for today.

  1. Wear green! Be conscious of your clothing decisions. Does the brand you’re wearing have sweatshops overseas? Are children in factories producing your clothes? Do some research on your favorite brands (Nike, Victoria’s Secret, and Disney have all been accused of having sweatshops). If you find that there are reports of sweatshops and forced labor get together with some friends and write letters to that company explaining that you don’t agree with their sweatshop practices. Why should you do that? Because sweatshops deny workers basic rights, like breaks and a fair working wage and they rob children of an education and a childhood. For more information visit, http://www.laborrights.org/industries/apparel.
  2.  Eat green! This has been a topics in previous posts, but that is because it is so critical to be aware of what you’re eating and where it is coming from. I think I speak for everyone when I say a good meal can really brighten your day. So today, try a hearty spinach and artichoke dip with organic veggies and some Kerrygold grass fed cheese! (Kerrygold is an Irish dairy company). For more information check out Kerrygold’s website at http://www.kerrygold.com/timeline/ and PETA’s website at http://www.peta.org/living/food/green-meal-ideas-st-patricks-day-photos/.
  3. Appreciate the green! Go for a walk and spend some time with God in nature today. We’ve been blessed with such a beautiful world so make sure to spend some time relishing the beauty that is our green planet. And while you’re out and about make sure to pick up any litter you find and dispose of it in the appropriate trash receptacle.

Have a wonderful day and remember, don’t just wear green, BE green!

This photo was taken in scenic San Diego, CA when I visited last summer. I think it's a great reminder of just how stunning our environment is.

This photo was taken in scenic San Diego, CA when I visited last summer. I think it’s a great reminder of just how stunning our environment is.

 

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