Save a Cow: Save the Planet! (BOCA Balanced Living Challenge Entry)

My fellow Earthlings, I am as “out of balance” as our planet.

I’m turning 60 this year (gasp), and already have high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and a heart abnormality. I’m also very concerned about global warming. Maybe it’s time for a change.

The “Happy Cow” website states:

~Every second, one football field of rainforest is destroyed in order to produce 257 hamburgers;

~Eating one pound of hamburger does the same damage as driving your car for three weeks;

~Up to 5000 gallons of water for is required to raise one pound of beef; and

~All the grains grown to feed cattle could feed all the starving people in the world!

Mohandas Gandhi said that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Translation: Non-violence begins with what we eat. Our current “meat culture” demands the slaughter of more than 25 billionanimals every year – the manner in which horrifies not only me, but likely also most compassionate individuals.

Eating convenient, healthy Boca Burgers, Chik’n and other meatless, low-fat, soy products, maybe I can save myself(from excess pounds, heart disease, and countless other maladies). Moreover, I’ll not only save a cow or two ~~ but maybe, just maybe, if thousands, or hundreds of thousands, follow suit ~~an entire planet! After all, change starts with one person.

*And what would I do with the $5,000 prize? Finance an “educational, nutritional intervention” (bribe) for my meat-lovin’ husband.