By Alliance Communications Coordinator Amy Durr
I’ve been reading for years about why we should all consider becoming pescetarian, flexitarian, vegetarian, beegan, vegan and who knows how many other predominantly plant-based -isms I’ve run across. For the past 3 years, I’ve been experimenting with increasing the amount of plants in my diet and even going vegan.
However, like so many people, I’ve encountered many hurdles, from laziness, meat-based extended family living in a meat-based town, fatigue, lack of options (the main grocery store in my town carries 1 type of tofu – Firm) and cooking for one.
Why do I persist? Three reasons. First, I care about animals and all living things and their dignity and beinghood. Second, this is the best way I know to overcome my family history of various serious health problems so that I can live a long, healthy and vibrant life for myself and my kids. Finally, Project Drawdown cites plant-rich diets as the second most impactful action we can take, after food waste reduction, to reverse climate change.
None of my hurdles is insurmountable, but the switch to totally plant-based hasn’t been simple. I now consider myself a flexitarian and haven’t gotten my Plant-Based Merit Badge yet. And you know what? I’m okay with that.
There’s No Such Thing as Perfect
I am reminded of John Steinbeck’s famous quote, “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” What a comfort. Because, as YouTube sensation Madeleine Olivia says, “Nobody can be a perfect vegan, as we live in a very non-vegan world.” She thinks what matters most is “doing your best to avoid animal products and animal cruelty”.
And I would take that idea a step further and say that while many of us aren’t ready to become full-fledged vegans, we can still take steps which will help the beleaguered planet. One of those steps is eating a more-plant-based diet.
How to Have Fun and Not Get Obsessive When Trying Something New
In her new book Tiny Experiments, Anne-Laure Le Cunff advises us to investigate change with curiosity, and to start with the smallest, easiest version of the experiment you want to run. How could we use Le Cunff’s advice to move forward with dipping our toes into plant-based eating?
One fun and practical way to make a change or begin a new habit is to join a challenge. With a challenge you get purpose, helpful prompts, co-adventurers, a manageable timeline, the ability to track your progress and a new community of caring people.
Becoming Imperfect Herbivores with Playfulness and Curiosity
The Rotary Club’s Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) offers an ALL NEW Plant Rich Challenge which begins on Earth Day and lasts just over two weeks. Sounds like a perfect tiny experiment to me!
When you sign up for the challenge, ESRAG provides a cookbook and pantry list, access to pre-recorded cooking demonstrations and presentations from experts. You’ll also receive group challenge support (if you want to do this with friends), and 16 days of emails that are chock full of recipes, practical tips, information, and plenty of inspiration.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey of my messy, meaningful attempt to change the world — one meal at a time. I don’t know if I’ll ever earn my Merit Badge, but I do know that I can still be impactful by both altering my diet to be increasingly plant-based and asking people to come along for the ride with me.
By being curious and embracing fun, I’ve found I can convert an action from a “task” to a rollicking adventure with friends. Let me know if you’re game, and what your experience is like.