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.

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. 

Get To Know The Animals You Eat: Esther The Wonder Pig

In one of my previous posts, I discussed my day where I got to hang out with Esther The Wonder Pig and her friends! (You can read that here)

In this post, I am going to tell you all about Esther and her story, and how she changed my life. I touched on her story a little bit in the previous post but will go into more depth about her here. 

Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter were living in Canada when Steve got a call from an old college friend. The friend knew that Steve loved animals, and she had a "mini-pig" she was trying to rehome. 

Steve knew that was a big commitment, but when she reached out again saying if he didn't answer soon, she had someone else who would take the little pig, he jumped on the opportunity and little did he know his life would never be the same. 

He went to pick up the little pig he would call Esther:

                                     Photo Credit: EstherTheWonderPig.com

Steve was under the impression that Esther would grow to be the size of a large dog, but boy was he in for a surprise. 

After telling his partner Derek, Derek was not pleased and did not want to keep her because they already had two other dogs and two cats. But eventually, as Derek saw Esther's personality and how intelligent she was, he couldn't help but fall in love with her.

When they took Esther to the vet, they were in for the news of a lifetime: Esther was not a mini pig (fun fact: mini pigs do not actually exist!) but a full-sized, commercial pig who was born on a farm that would eventually turn her into food. The vet said she could grow up to 600 pounds, and she did just that (Esther currently weighs somewhere around 500-600 lbs).

When they found out she would keep growing, they knew they could not stay in their house in the city where there was no room for a pig. Steve started posted pictures of Esther on her own Facebook page and saw that she was gaining many supporters. He would eventually start a fundraiser to raise money to buy a farm where they could live, and take in other abandoned animals who needed a home.

They reached this goal and ended up raising almost half a million dollars, and bought a farm in Campbellville, Ontario. Now, Happily Ever Esther is home to so many different animals who get to live the rest of their lives with no worries of pain or sorrow.

Esther, because she is the queen of the farm, lives inside the home with Steve and Derek, and her dog and turkey brother, Phil and Cornelius. Esther actually has two beds, one in the living room, and one in her own room. Esther has millions of Facebook fans who come to see her over the tour season. 

                         Esther, Phil, and Cornelius: Photo Credit: Esther The Wonder Pig Facebook Page

I, myself, travel up to Canada every summer to go see Esther because she has impacted my life greatly. During a time where I was struggling with severe anxiety and depression, I would watch Esther all day and smile. I loved watching her get into trouble and seeing how smart she was. She would open the door with her snout, knock things over to get food to fall on the floor, and more. She also loved going swimming in her pool and getting belly rubs.

Many people might see Esther and think she is different, and one of a kind of a pig, but she is not. All pigs have feelings and want to live. Getting to visit many farm sanctuaries, pigs are incredibly affectionate and have many traits similar to dogs. 

If there is any reason why you would leave pigs off your plate, do it for all the pigs who never got the chance to experience a life like Esther. If you want to follow Esther's daily happenings, follow her on Instagram at Esther The Wonder Pig, or visit her facebook page.

"8 Proven Reasons Why Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Ruin Your Body" Response

As I searched for blogs relating to veganism and health, I came across one that really angered me, with the blog post titled, "8 Proven Reasons Why Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Ruin Your Body" You can read here Blogpost.

The creator of this blog is a man named Alex Fergus, whose bio says he's passionate about health and wellness. While it's great that he's running a blog to share his advice, there's a difference between not wanting to follow a diet as a personal choice rather than saying the diet is not healthy as a whole.

In his blog posts, the first thing he says is that it is not possible to get the needed amount of protein on a vegan diet. It's 2019 Alex, and this is simply not the case.

It is more than possible to get enough protein as long as you are consuming enough food as a whole. When I went vegan, I tracked my nutrients on a great website called "cronometer" where it breaks down all the food you're eating, and I never had a problem getting enough protein. There are so many plant-based foods that are protein-rich like nuts, legumes, plant-based meats, and more. Also, some of the biggest and strongest animals on our planet are actually plant-based, such as elephants, gorillas, and rhinos. Would you ask them if they're getting enough protein? Probably not.

Another thing he mentions is that it's hard to consume enough healthy fats. Also wrong. 

I myself, and my vegan friends have never had a problem getting enough fats. As mentioned, it's 2019 and there are so many options to choose from: flax, chia, hemp seeds are a great source of healthy fats. There's also almonds, cashews, and other nuts. There are also so many vegan cheeses and "plant-based dairy" items to pick from that contain all the nutrients and are free from all the added hormones in real dairy products. 

The last thing Alex mentions is that being vegan only feels good in the beginning, but fades as your journey continues.

I have been vegan for over five years, and have felt great in the beginning, and to this very day. If you do it right, you shouldn't have a problem eating a vegan diet, unless you have an underlying health problem. It is also very unfair of him to make such a large generalization because I can guarantee there are so many people who have been vegan for a long time who still feel great. 

Overall, I felt his post was really just a way to get people to not go vegan. He's provided outdated information that can easily be solved now due to the demand of veganism. He, of course, can choose not to be vegan, but it is not right of him to put down the diet as a whole.

How To Go Vegan

I promise going vegan isn't as hard as it seems, but hopefully, I can give you some tips/ instructions if you're looking to transition to living a plant-based lifestyle. 

1. Do your research

This is a very important step. Many people who go vegan on a whim and don't do their research end up falling back into their previous diets. It is important to learn about all the foods that are out there, and how to do it right. I know many people who have tried to go vegan, but then complained about how about lethargic they felt, and when I asked what they were eating, it was clear they were not eating enough. Eating enough on a vegan diet is so important because you're cutting a big amount of calories out of your daily calories. One thing that I felt has helped me eat enough is eating every couple of hours. I also will eat more calorie-dense foods like peanut butter, pasta, and rice.

2. Eat what makes YOU feel good, not what you see other vegans eating.

A common mistake I made when going vegan was following what the Instagram famous vegans ate. Many of them only ate fruit and other "healthy" food. I even made the mistake of cutting peanut butter of my diet because a popular vegan YouTuber said fats would make you fat, even the healthy ones. I ended up losing my period and felt miserable. As soon I introduced it back into my diet, it was a huge difference and I felt much better. I can't stress enough to eat what makes you feel good. If eating pasta and potatoes makes you feel great, do it. Don't try to emulate other vegan diets. You will thrive off of what makes you feel good, and it will help you stay vegan. 


3. Watch documentaries.

There are so many educational and informative documentaries about planted based lifestyles on Netflix that could help you go vegan. Some of the ones I watched were Forks Over Knives and What The Health. Both of these gave me a lot of food ideas and also break down more of the facts of why a vegan diet is healthier than the standard American diet.

4. Go at your own pace.

If you're a meat-eater, or a vegetarian and are trying to transition to a plant-based diet, I would recommend going at your own pace. If you do things too fast, it may be harder to sustain the vegan diet. A lot of people go vegan overnight and end up returning back to eating meat because they found they craved so many things. If you transition slower, it will help with those cravings and also get your body accustomed to the lifestyle easier.

5. Figure out why you want to go vegan.

If you figure out why you want to go vegan, you can take the following steps that will help you stay vegan. For example, if you are going vegan for the ethical reasons involving animals, I would suggest watching the documentary Earthlings. Although this documentary is heartbreaking, if this won't keep you vegan, I don't know what will. It goes deep into the animal agriculture business and everything you don't see as a consumer. It's very graphic, but as mentioned, will remind you why you want to go vegan and help you stay vegan.

6. Don't become a judgy vegan.

A lot of new vegans go through the phase of judging other vegans and meat-eaters. They give their input when no one asked, and it becomes hard to be around them. If someone is trying to go vegan and isn't as far along as you, don't judge them. Everyone is trying their best given the situation they are in. It also does not help the movement to be judgemental of other people's diets because it's not exactly the same as yours. 

I hope these tips helped on your journey to becoming vegetarian or vegan. If you have any other questions or tips, leave me a comment and I'll be sure to discuss with anyone who is interested!

Get To Know The Animals You Eat

Since most people aren't aware of the personalities farm animals display, I decided to make a list of different personalities traits and things about farm animals you may not know about that may change how you look at the animals you eat.

PIGS: 

Pigs are considered the fourth most intelligent animals, behind elephants, monkeys, and dolphins. Many studies show that they can learn to play video games, operating the controller with their snout. They are also smarter than dogs. Pigs are incredibly loyal to their herd, and very social animals. When piglets are born, a mother will actually "sing" their piglets to sleep. Pigs also enjoy belly rubs just as much as your dog does! 

COWS: 

According to studies, cows have an amazing memory and can actually remember information for a long period of time! They also are known to hang out with the same cows they "get along with" and form a clique, and avoid hanging out with the cows who have hurt them or they simply don't like. Many cows have even been seen to be crying with real tears when they are in pain or separated from a family member. They also will continue to make noises searching for their loved ones. They love cuddles and despite their large size, are very gentle animals.
(source)

TURKEYS: 

One of the most eaten animals, turkeys are also very intelligent and form very strong bonds with their families. Another super cool fact is that a turkeys head can change based on their mood. Turkeys are pack animals, and as mentioned before, have very strong familial bonds! They sometimes travel in the wild with up to 200 other turkeys. Like many animals, turkeys also can form strong bonds with their owners. This turkey named Cornelius demands attention from his dad all the time! (source)

CHICKENS:

Scientific studies have shown that chickens can actually show empathy for each other. Chickens also have a great memory and can remember up to 100 different faces, including humans! An experiment showed that chickens can realize that just because something that was taken away from their view and is not there, the object still exists. This is something 3 years old cannot comprehend. 
(source)

I hope you learned something new about the animals we don't think so much about. Regardless of the species, all animals have different personalities just like we do.

Introduction to Living Compassionately

We love and care so deeply for our pet dogs and cats. We would do anything for them, and to get them a life full of happiness and love. But as soon as the dog becomes a pig or a cow, they become food. Even though they feel the same pain and emotions as our beloved pets, we draw the line and ignore their will to live, because our society has deemed them as food, not a companion animal. My hope for anyone who comes across this blog is to just think about where their food comes from more. I just want people to see that it doesn't matter what animal it is - whether it's a puppy or a piglet, they all feel pain and want to live, regardless of their species. In no way is this me trying to force my opinion or lifestyle on others, just to inform people. I hope this blog helps you on your way to living more compassionately.