Six years ago, I ate like most Americans.  I had meat every day, every meal.

Then I started learning about factory farming and its detrimental impact on the animals, the environment and our health.  A United Nations report in 2006 stated that cattle-rearing is one of the major generators of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.  It also didn’t feel right that chickens are crammed into cages and injected with hormones just so I can have scrambled eggs in the morning.

I made significant changes to my diet.  Instead of eating meat every day, I eat it about twice a month.  Small, organic farms cannot produce as much as factory farms.  For there to be enough humanely-raised meat to go around, we all have to cut down.

I started seeing my eating habits as political choices that can change the food industry.  I buy meat that’s labeled Certified Humane , dairy that’s organic and seafood that’s recommended by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.  When I don’t find them, I have lots of fun cooking with vegetables, grains and beans.

If you want to learn more, here are some books that got me started thinking about these issues.  Maybe you will find them helpful too.

“The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan

“Food Politics” by Marion Nestle

“The Way We Eat” by Peter Singer and Jim Mason

“The Art of Simple Food” by Alice Waters

“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver

“Slaughterhouse” by Gail A. Eisnitz

“The Food Revolution” by John Robbins