Mark Bittman tells it all in the New York Times (5-15-12)
Beginning with the ethics of eating meat, he moves on to global warming, our own health, and sustainability issues like the availability of water, land, fossil fuels and phosphorous.
Mark does a magnificent job of sounding the alarm in this very well-done piece. As he sums it up near the end of the article (see link to complete article below):
It’s seldom that such enormous problems have such simple solutions, but this is one that does.
Mark Bittman is clear about what he enjoys eating. But he is consistently confusing when it comes to helping his readers learn about healthy eating.
Of course the simple solution for indeed the entire world is to make an aggressive move back to what Nature intended for us to eat in the first place. By doing that, we can solve our own healthcare crisis, reduce global warming, and preserve finite resources like water and fossil fuels. And finally we can end the barbaric practice of raising over 60 billion animals a year for our dinner tables.
But, what about Mark Bittman himself? Does he think the enormous benefits at stake are worth him making those simple changes in his own diet? Is it possible that he might actually “take a stand” for the first time? One of his readers on Long Island asks the same question—and actually inspired me to write this blog. Karen writes:
As a long time follower of yours, I must comment here. By treading on “both sides” of the fence—Vegan & meat eater— you open yourself up to controversy, and more importantly, weaken your very correct recommendations on both our planet’s health, and our own.
It’s time you “practiced what you preach”, and brought your “big name” into the new way of healthful cooking and shopping. The world of plant-based needs someone with your experience to convince “holdouts” like my husband that seriously GOOD food need not be animal based!
J. Morris Hicks
Bravo Karen, for telling it like it is. Dear Karen, Your advice to Mr. Bittman to “practice what you preach” was a breath of fresh air for me. I have been blogging about his wishy-washy approach to nutrition for the past 18 months and am dismayed that, although he probably knows more than 99% of the population about what we should be eating, he doesn’t use that “big name” of his to promote clarity.
Rather, he just adds to the confusion on this crucial topic—and as a result, has been more a part of the problem than the solution. America needs for at least one prominent leader to take a stand. So far, it’s not Mark, but he does have flashes of brilliance from time to time. Sincerely, J. Morris Hicks
The Bottom Line. You should read his entire article. I have a great deal of respect for Mark Bittman and continue to learn from him. In this article, talking about sustainability, he reported that in 1978, China was consuming almost 70 percent less animal foods than the USA. It is now producing twice as much and once they match our per capita consumption, they will be consuming four times as much as we’re consuming. He also reports that raising livestock accounts for at least 35% more global warming than ALL of transportation—and says it could be almost four times as much.
Click here to read Less Meat, Less Global Warming – NYTimes.com
And if that article or this blog inspires you to learn more about this powerful topic, you may wish to find out exactly what you can do for yourself and your family. All for less than $36 at Amazon—and start enjoying some “seriously good” plant-based food while you take charge of your health:
Handy 3-piece take-charge-of-your-health kit—from Amazon.com
- The movie that’s changing the lives of millions: Forks Over Knives DVD
- Our book: Healthy Eating, Healthy World by yours truly & son
- An essential nutrition resource: The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell
Want to find out how healthy your family is eating? Take our free 4Leaf Diagnostic Survey. It takes less than five minutes and you can score it yourself. After taking the survey, please give me your feedback as it will be helpful in the development of our future 4Leaf app for smartphones. Send feedback to jmorrishicks@me.com
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J. Morris Hicks, working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.
For help in your own quest to take charge of your health, you might find some useful information at our 4Leaf page or some great recipes at Lisa’s 4Leaf Kitchen.
Got a question? Let me hear from you at jmorrishicks@me.com. Or give me a call on my cell at 917-399-9700.
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Blogging daily at hpjmh.com…from the seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.
—J. Morris Hicks, board member, T. Colin Campbell Foundation
