On Modified Diets

By now, you've probably either watched or heart about the new-ish Netflix series, Our Planet. Similar in vein to the original Planet Earth but with a focus on the effects of climate change and how that has impacted the world's flora and fauna - this scene in particular was the one that has generated the most media attention. So what's a conscientious constituent of the Earth to do? 

While yes, just around 100 companies are mainly responsible for more than 70% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, that doesn't mean we as consumers play no part in destroying Mother Nature. 

They're definitely not off the hook. But it'll take a concentrated effort from everybody to really make a difference. One way to do so is through modifying one's diet.

While I've always tried to rise above the preachy vegans (or worse, freegans!) by maintaining an open mind to people's eating habits, there's actually been research that proves a low red meat and low sugar diet has more benefits than just positively impacting climate change.

We all know refined sugar is the devil and causes Type II diabetes if your love of it goes unchecked. However, red meat contains high levels of methionine, an amino acid that when restricted, helps chemotherapy perform better in certain types of cancer. 

​That's pretty great, if you ask me. Food as therapy has its popularity throughout time, and with good reason. If anything, decreasing one's intake of red meat can only help with finances - and take it from me, it definitely cuts down on cooking time.

One of my favourite vegetarian recipes that doesn't feel vegetarian at all is a creamy pasta dish with five ingredients: pasta, seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, whatever vegetables you can get your hands on, and the main star: avocado. The mashed avocado serves as a pasta sauce when obtained at peak season. Add some seasoning to it for flavour and vegetables (carrots, broccoli, leafy greens), thin out the avocado with some olive oil and you've got a bowl of guilt-free goodness.