Description

Artificial insemination. Vegetarian choices. The Oscars. STDs. Greenhouse gas emissions. Baby calves. Nursing. Starbucks. Nutrient density of food. Personal choices. 

If those topics don't add up to a civil conversation in your mind, listen in for a model on how to have a discussion around food and the environment that's respectful and informative with someone different than you. Yes, you can still laugh together. College student and vegetarian Grace Greene- and Eliz's daughter – joins the Food Bullying podcast to ask questions Joaquin Phoenix's comments about dairy cattle and Starbucks new plant-based "strategy", while sharing her journey as a vegetarian. It's Michele & Eliz's candid, monthly behind-the-scenes look at how food bullying hurt a variety of people.

Key points

• A vegetarian's perspective on Joaquin Phoenix's offensive Oscar remarks
• Farmer suicide rates are double the national average and have jumped 34% in six years. How do brand and celebrity statements about farming practices contribute?
• Farmers connection to the natural world and care for animals
• Artificial insemination is done for a purpose, it's a medical procedure
• Reproductive physiology in cattle and humans
• Why bulls can hurt cattle, people and biosecurity
• Unhappy cows do not make milk
• Why do dairy farmers "take babies away from their mamas"? Safety and nutrition are critical for both the cow and calf.
• The environmental impact of food choices for both vegetarians and carnivores
• Why Grace became a vegetarian and the connection she was seeking
• Greenhouse gas emissions and how farmers have significantly reduced the environmental impact for one gallon of milk
• The unintentional negative consequences of statements from companies and celebrities on farmers
• Nutrient Density to Climate Impact (NDCI) index and the importance of considering the nutrition in food while looking at environmental impact

Fab quotes

"Humans are the direct beneficiary of reproductive research done in cattle."

"It's important to arm ourselves with reliable science to make smart choices."

"Electricity production accounts for 26% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S."

"If every American eliminated ALL animal protein, it would only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.6%."

"Across the entire world, 70% of the world's land can't be used for anything besides grazing ruminants. There is not an option to grow crops on that land."

"We all need to be aware of where our food is coming from and how to be environmentally conscientious."

"The unintended consequences of sensational statements by celebrities and brands turns people away from milk, which hurts dairy farmers. It's deeply personal and does impact that mental health of farmers."

Links

• Like the new Food Bullying Podcast Page on Facebook!
• Twitter: @mpaynspeaker @elizgreene
• Starbucks, are you contributing to farmer suicides?
• Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene
• Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn