It's June, people!
What is happening to this year? Were you aware that this 2014 of ours has been 5/12s relegated to the history books? We're into a summer-sounding month now and the school year is almost over. For Stella, that is her grade five year and next year she and her classmates will be kings and queens of the school, as it only goes to Grade Six. Such fast this time is going! Ack!
But for MM, the passing of time simply means that the movement keeps rolling along and gaining new converts. For instance, were you aware...
- the Wyandanch school district in Long Island, NY has embraced MM? School lunch manager Pamela Usher said there is a high rate of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure within the community and the district is trying to teach students the health benefits of a more plant-based diet. “Going meatless was a good way to start teaching our students how to do several things like reducing the carbon footprint, saving the precious resources — like our water and our fossil fuel, and the health and the environmental benefits of this whole process.”
- the Mayo Clinic is a proponent of MM? "A plant-based diet, which emphasizes fruits and vegetables, grains, beans and legumes, and nuts, is rich in fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. And people who eat only plant-based foods — aka vegetarians — generally eat fewer calories and less fat, weigh less, and have a lower risk of heart disease than non-vegetarians do."
- that nutritionists in Mexico are promoting an 11th commandment: “Thou shalt not eat meat… at least one day a week.” The reason for this is that the country is facing a health crisis. "Mexico, with a population of over 118 million, is now one of the most obese countries in the world, surpassing even the United States...The campaign advocates eating less red meat as a way to lower the risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as reducing the environmental impacts of intensive livestock farming." Rock on, Mexico!
For this Monday, I recommend that you reflect on the above while enjoying a zen meal worthy of the Buddha himself. Ohhhmmmm. :)