Your Favorite Products Are Probably Destroying The Planet

It's in food, hair, and beauty products, and it's something you never thought would have as big as an impact as it does because this product goes unnoticed for the most part:

The product I am talking about is palm oil. 

                                                                  Photo Credit

It may not look like anything too bad, but the effects of it on our environment are shocking and dangerous. It's an ingredient that is overlooked and needs our attention immediately because if we continue to consume it, our planet and its inhabitants are in trouble. So, what is palm oil you may be asking? Palm oil is an additive in many different products that we all use daily, and I'm about to tell you just how problematic it is.

It's not the product in itself that is unhealthy or harmful, but what the process entails to get it. Palm oil grows in Indonesia and can take up to 30 years to grow very long branches and when that happens, many animals, specifically orangutans end up living in the trees. Eventually, when its time to cut them down, many of the animals lose their homes and are killed in the process. Because palm oil is such a popular additive, according to research, in the past 16 years, over 100,000 orangutans have been killed. Orangutans are already endangered, so at this rate, we are close to them going extinct. But this isn't something that only dangers orangutans, but also other animals who live in the area as well. 

                                                                  Rainforest Rescue

I didn't learn about palm oil until a few years when I read that it was in Oreos, and was deeply upset because that was something I loved. I loved Oreos not only because they're delicious, but because they're vegan, and I was happy I could continue to eat them. When I found out they contained palm oil, I knew I couldn't eat them any more because of the destruction it is doing to our wildlife and rainforests. A major problem in the food industry is that many of these things aren't regulated, and this is one of them. Rainforests are being cleared over and over again in order to grow palm oil, so more species are dying. In particular, where palm oil is mostly grown, it is filled with diverse wildlife. So when we are growing the oil, it is directly impacting the wildlife who lives there, "The rainforests of Indonesia are among the most biodiverse on the planet, containing 10% of the world's plants, 12% of mammals, and 17% of all known bird species. The threat from deforestation is huge,  as only half of the country's original forests remain, with an estimated 2 million acres lost every year" says EcoWatch. In the 1990s, there were over 300k orangutans, now there is an only an estimated 50,000.  Obviously, that is a huge drop, and this is all because our consumers and producers keep pushing the product out.

                                                        
Palm oil is the most consumed oil because it is very cheap among other oils, it is also a healthier alternative with no trans fat. Not only is this an environmental problem as I described above, but also a human rights issue. Most of the workers are children who are operating heavy machinery. There has also been evidence that one of the largest producers of palm oil also has the largest history of abuse of its workers, "Singapore based agribusiness Wilmar controls more than 43% of the global palm oil trade. However, workers on the Wilmar's and its suppliers' plantations struggle to earn enough for their families to live on, in extreme cases earning as little as the US $2.50 a day" says The Amnesty International Investigation. 
                                             

Photo Credit

There is some hope, though. Because of the awareness that is being spread over this issue, many companies are ditching palm oil or using sustainable palm oil. One video I found very helpful in understanding the issue in an easy way was an advertisement video that was made by Greenpeace. This advertisement was actually banned because it apparently it did not follow BBC guidelines; that did not stop the video from going viral though. The video shows an orangutan in a little girl's room, destroying everything in sight; the little girl is yelling at him to stop but he will not listen. She eventually asks him why he's there and he answers by saying, "There's a human in my forest and I don't know what to do. You destroyed all of our trees for your food and your shampoo", the video goes to show what's happening in the Orangutans home and what humans are doing to it. 

If there's one thing you can do to help the 25 Orangutans who die every day, it would be to stop consuming/using palm oil altogether.  Although it's in so many products, it can also be easily avoided. If you aren't ready to give it up entirely, go for the options that are more sustainable. 

                                                                   "Rang Tan"

Palm oil is a topic I am very passionate about and I hope I was able to inform some of you who weren't aware or sure about it. Remember, everything we do has an impact on something, we should try our best to do the least harm possible. 

A Letter To My Meat Eating Friends

To my closest friends who eat meat,

I know you aren't a bad person. I know you would never hurt an animal intentionally, but it upsets me when you say how much you love animals (dogs) and then continue to eat them.

I know we all grow up coming from different backgrounds and traditions, but it's 2019, and the verdict is in: eating animal products is not good for the environment, or the animals.

What makes it especially hard is when I see you cuddling and taking care of your pets, and not realizing that the animals you consume are just like them, just look a little different. Just because we aren't taught that cows and pigs aren't affectionate doesn't mean they aren't.

I want you to think about this:

How would you feel if your beloved pup was taken from you, and put into a tiny crate?  If they were forced to constantly have babies, and live in their own feces. After doing this for years and years, they are no longer useful and are eventually sent off to become someone's dinner.

I know you wouldn't support that. I know that because every year the same people who consume pigs and cows protest the Yulin dog festival that happens in China. I see you saying how awful and wrong it is that they are consuming dogs and cats, but in our country, we kill 56 billion animals a year for food.

How is it any different?

It breaks my heart because I know we are all real animal lovers at heart, some of us are just disconnected. I wish you could see that the animals on your plate have feelings, and just want to be loved and live a life of freedom.

If they were born a dog, their life would be completely different. They are killed simply because of the species they were born into, something they have no control over.

I don't want to be a pushy vegan, I just want you to know where your food comes from, and it is not a happy place.

Although we are conditioned to eat meat, there is always room for improvement and change. Just because something is a tradition doesn't mean it is right.

I just ask you to think about your own pets. Think about how awful and sad you would be if they were in the same position.

Sincerely,
Your friend who just wants to help animals

Farm Sanctuaries to visit in NY/NJ

There are many farm sanctuaries in the New York area, and I recommend everyone going to visit at some point in their life. Just like you can make connections with dogs and cats, you can make beautiful connections with farm animals. They are in driving distance, but are a bit of a hike, but definitely worth visiting on the weekends!


1. Skylands Sanctuary & Animal Rescue 

This is the first farm sanctuary I have ever visited and truly changed my life. It is located in Wantage, NJ. The founder and owner of the farm, Mike Stura, is a popular animal rescuer in the Tristate area. He constantly drives all over in order to save animals from slaughter. At the farm, you get to interact with all the animals (as long as they want to as well!). My favorite is interacting with the cows because they are so gentle and loving just like big puppies. Not only do you get to see adorable animals, but after the tour, Mike has a huge vegan barbeque for all the visitors to eat.

Address: 50 Compton Road, Wantage NJ, 07461

2.  Woodstock Farm Sanctuary 

Woodstock is another magical place. Located near New Paltz, the farm is huge and you get a chance to feed some of the animals. The tours are guided, but in the end, you get the chance to walk around the farm yourself. They also offer lunch there. My favorite part of visiting Woodstock is that you get the chance to go into the pig's barn and give the pigs a belly rub!

Address: 2 Rescue Road, High Falls NY, 12440

3.  Farm Sanctuary- Watkins Glen 

I haven't been to this farm yet, but all I hear is positive experiences. It's a little farther than the other two, but Farm Sanctuary has done amazing things for animals. They also locations in California. They also have the option of staying for the weekend in one of their onsite cabins. 

Address: 3100 Aikens Road, Watkins Glen NY, 14891

      Photo Credit: Farm Sanctuary

Although this is a shortlist, these are some of the ones I've had great experiences with and heard wonderful things. I would highly suggest taking the time to go check these places out and connect with animals and the beautiful nature around them.

Narrative: My Vegan Story

Trigger Warning: Eating disorders 

Five years ago, I decided to go vegan. Going vegan was a huge life change for me; especially coming from a family where meat was in every meal we ate. I never thought I would make such a big lifestyle change. I vividly remember being in high school, talking to a girl who was a vegetarian. I said to her, "It's great what you're doing, but I could never do that. I love meat way too much."

Here I am, five years later, and I am a passionate vegan advocate. This is my story.

The summer going into my junior year of high school, I wanted to eat as healthy as possible. I struggled with an eating disorder all throughout high school and was on to my next way of staying thin, which was eating clean. 

I started watching all these vegan fitness YouTubers, and they were all so thin, and I wanted that. I saw them eating so much food, but still staying so skinny, and I was so surprised. 

I researched the vegan diet and found that because there were so much fewer calories in plant foods compared to meat, it was very easy to naturally stay thin. So that's where my journey started. 

I started eating so much fruit, beans, rice, and potatoes. I found that when I started eating these foods that I was so scared to eat before, I enjoyed them so much and didn't feel gross anymore. Once I stopped eating meat and animal products, everything changed for me. I had so much energy, I would go on runs every day (and I used to hate running!). The foods I was eating now truly fulfilled me and made me feel satisfied. 

The next time I went to the doctor, I had actually gained back all the weight I had lost when I was restricting, but I didn't feel bad because my body felt so good.

All the beautiful, colorful, foods I was eating were nourishing my body and giving me the energy to go and run, hike, bike, and more. 

I gained the weight back, but I also gained back so much happiness that my eating disorder robbed me of for so many years. Going vegan opened me up to so much more food than I wouldn't let myself eat before because society deemed carbs as the "enemy".

Initially, I did go vegan for the wrong reasons. But once I became vegan, I started educating myself more on the effects of animal products on our environment, and all the terrible things the animals go through. I watched the documentary Earthlings and my heart broke into pieces. 

I saw the way these beautiful animals were treated, and I knew I could never consume them again. I became an ethical vegan, and animals became the most important thing to me.

Becoming an ethical vegan gave me my life purpose. It might sound strange, but before animals, I never really knew what I wanted to do with my life. Once I realized all the horrible things that happened to them, I dedicated my life to saving them and advocating for them. 

Now, I want to be an investigative journalist and go undercover to expose the conditions they face. I also want to go to law school to become an animal rights lawyer.

As you can see, going vegan has done so much amazing things for me, and I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Interview With A Plant Based Dietitian!

As the plant-based diet trend continues to grow, so do the number of dietitians who promote this lifestyle. When I became vegan, I turned to Youtube to find other vegans to get ideas and inspiration for my own vegan life. One of the Youtubers I watched was a girl named Amanda Sevilla, also know as Applesandamandas on Youtube. 

1. How long have you been vegan?
I have been vegan for 4.5 years.

2. As a dietitian, what have you learned most about a plant-based diet and the way it affects the body?

A plant-based diet has a profound impact on the arteries, kidneys, blood circulation, brain health, and most importantly, digestion. It is naturally lower in fat, void of exogenous cholesterol, low in saturated fat, and high in antioxidants, water, and fiber. Of the 10 leading causes of death, 7 of them (heart disease, cancer, lower respiratory disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, kidney disease, and diabetes) are diet-related and a plant-based diet has been shown to remarkably improve the state of health with those who suffer from these illnesses.

3.  Since becoming a dietitian, have you found more evidence that a vegan diet is the healthiest diet to be on?

Absolutely. I am exposed to HUNDREDS of people at the hospital who all come for- what I have learned-problems related to their current condition which is usually preventable such as heart disease, diabetes type 2, and kidney disease. Being a dietitian has also primed my brain for reading studies and articles, and I've only found good things about a plant-based diet whereas there are good and bad things about other ways of eating i.e. keto, low carb high protein, etc.

4. What would you recommend to people who want to become vegan but are having doubts about the health aspects?

Do your research! Read The China Study, Whole, Proteinaholic, How Not To Die, and more. But don't just stop there. Research the claims made in these books and your own oppositions. Find out how to read studies and see which studies/information is funded and by who. It might blow your mind how much-biased information is out there. Pretty much all studies I've found that support plant-based eating is not funded by The Vegetable Industry or The Fiber Department. Make sure you use your own judgment to come to your own conclusions.

5. Would you recommend veganism to all your patients?

I definitely would. However, it is not appropriate at the hospital/acute care level to suggest to someone to change their whole diet at home while they are laying in bed. I offer information and let them know that they can speak with me if they want information. Usually, the plant-based print outs I leave are from the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

6. How has becoming a vegan changed your life personally?

It has taught me so much about patience when talking to people, about how to navigate social situations, how to be friendly but not a pushover when it comes to my beliefs. It has given me a reason to stand up for something, to spread something. Being vegan solidified my childhood dreams of becoming a physician and now I'm actually working my way to achieving them. Before I wanted to save people but I didn't know how to. Now I do know how to, and it starts on the plate.

If you want to follow Amanda on social media, you can find her on Instagram or subscribe to her on Youtube. 

Favorite Vegan Spots In NYC

I am incredibly lucky to have attended school in New York City. Being a vegan in New York is so easy, and so fun. There are so many options, and below I will give you a list of some of my favorite places to eat out in New York as a vegan/vegetarian (in no particular order).

1. Juice Generation
This really isn't a restaurant, but it is my favorite place to get an acai bowl in New York. I have tried countless places, but none of them come close to Juice Generation. They have locations all over the city and do not disappoint. My go-to order is the PB Acai. All of their ingredients are natural and healthy. Especially in the summer, it is a great treat to cool off too.

2. Champs Diner
Possibly one of my favorite restaurants in New York. Champs Diner is located in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It is almost always jam-packed on weekends, but the food is worth the wait. All the food you loved before you went vegan, you will find at Champs Diner. It is known to be vegan comfort food, and it is just that. My favorite dish at Champs is the cookie dough pancakes.

3. Screamers Pizza 
Another amazing spot in Brooklyn. They have a huge selection of pizza, and the cheese is incredible. Definitely check this out if you are ever in Brooklyn.

4. The Cinnamon Snail
The Cinnamon Snail not only has great food but amazing desserts. They have endless amounts of pastries to pick from, that not only look delicious but taste amazing.

5. by Chloe
by Chloe is pretty well known in the city, and also has many locations. They have great healthy food, and my go-to is the Quinoa Taco Salad. 

Are Humans Carnivores or Herbivores? part 2.

In a previous post, (https://alixbehar.blogspot.com/2019/07/are-humans-carnivores-or-herbivores.html) I discussed how I changed part of a  Wikipedia post due to misleading information. The previous information said that humans are natural-born omnivores, but after doing my own research, and finding the science to back up that we are actually herbivores, I put the correct information in there. Unfortunately, somebody changed what I put in to what it was before,

"Humans are omnivorous, capable of consuming diverse plant and animal foods. Fossil evidence from wear patterns on teeth indicates the possibility that early hominids like robust australopitthecines and Homo habilis were opportunistic omnivores, generally subsisting on plant based diet but supplementing with meat when possible"

I still think this information is not correct, especially since it says that humans are capable of eating meat, which doesn't mean that it is not natural. I also would like to highlight the fact that it says that early humans were herbivores, only eating meat when it was available, meaning that we could survive fine on a plant-based diet.