If you haven’t heard, the plant-based life is becoming a THING. According to the Portland Press Herald, 2016 was the year the meatless trend really hit the mainstream. Is the plant life really only for the people who drink Kombucha and sing hummuna hummuna on a yoga mat? Nah.
You might suprised that some of your favorite stars are moving toward the plant-based life in some way:
- Arnold Schwarznegger says “I will be back” but he might not be coming back to meat or dairy again. Schwarznegger made the switch and says, “less meat, less heat, more life.” Schwarzneggar and James Cameron, director of some of The Terminator series, have created Public Service Announcements in hopes of inspiring people to make the switch.
2. Ariana Grande made the switch in 2013 saying, “I love animals more than I love most people, not kidding.” I think we can all relate to that on some level…
3. It’s always the documentary that will make you question everything that makes you, well you. For Ellen DeGeneres, the documentary Earthlings directed by Shaun Monson did her in. Although, she has come under some heat for her affiliation with cosmetic organizations which support animal testing, she has promoted an animal-free diet.
4. Even Queen Beyoncé has tried a 22-day vegan experiment, but still eats meat. She spoke out after some criticism that, “22 Days is about allowing people to define plant-based living the way that best works for them.”
Many are venturing into this new age of animal-free. But, it is a topic so multi-faceted. Is animal free a dietary choice? A clothing choice? A political choice? Maybe all of the above.
One reason many are making the switch from animal protein to the literal fruits of the Earth is in the name of sustainability. Cows alone produce more greenhouse gas than all forms of transportation combined. Growing these big guys to produce our beef and milk requires water. Actually 990 liters of water produces just one liter of milk. That’s about 15 showers!
Some are turning away from meat and dairy in defense against big business. The dairy industry’s lobby holds great power in promoting the use of dairy products in food. Spending by dairy lobbyists comprised of the big five: The Dairy Farmers of America, Dean Foods, California Dairies Inc., Land O’Lakes Butter and the International Dairy Foods Association have doubled its expenditures from $4 million to $8 million from 2003 to 2013. Read here for more.
There are many reasons people are making the switch, with endless reasons for why, we are entering a plant-based revolution!
Image Source: AP Images