But there is a serious side – Peanut butter is usually loaded with palm oil. Palm oil is plant-based, yes, but plantations are the single biggest factor in loss of orangutan habitat in Malaysia and Indonesia.

If you are going to eat peanut butter, please check out the labels. Palm oil, despite best efforts, is not yet sustainable, so best avoided – peanut butter with palm oil content is contributing to the extinction of one of the great ape species.

Now, in the UK, I *think* the leading brand Sun-Pat is OK, and most other brands are not. Don’t be fooled by green labels such as “organic” or “Whole Earth”

Enjoy peanut butter but enjoy it palm oil free. As singer songwriter Billy Bragg said – “Life is hard, sometimes you have to take the crunchy with the smooth”

My 2009 goal was to reduce my family’s meat intake. When I tell you that I wrote a post last year called “Beans are Better Than Steak”, prompted by my teenage son who didn’t like beans before 2009, you’ll see how much of a success the change was for my family.

I know some have had success with Meatless Monday. I chose to reduce meat intake to once per day or less – most of our meals are home-prepared so this works for us. I also made sure we had 4oz or less in a portion and the majority of our meat comes direct from a local farm.

Going vegetarian, as you say, can be too daunting, but cutting meat down is a great way to learn to love alternatives. I hope your meat-eating readers will try it.
.-= Alison Kerr´s last blog ..2009 Best of Loving Nature’s Garden =-.

I know there are people with peanut allergies who shouldn’t use it, but rather eat the Sunbutter or almond butter instead. For those who aren’t allergic, a basic natural peanut butter – with nothing but ground peanuts as the ‘ingredient’ – is affordable and versatile. I await the day when I can have fresh-ground right in my house. I would love a source for a quality manual peanut grinder, because it really is so much better when fresh.

Mmm… peanut butter.

I’m in agreement with you – we can’t just buy a Prius or give money to Sierra Club or GreenPeace and expect to see lasting change. It has to come from our habits.

Cheers

i (a lifelong vegetarian) completely agree with your approach regarding vegetarianism — it is something people have to come to, i think.

but with the new findings popping up about the environmental effects of eating meat and dairy products, i think people who are really interested in a greener world have to start taking diet into account more.

great post. fun and informational all at the same time!…. typical naturalpapa