It only takes one person to initiate earth shattering changes

 

Published April 17, 2004 in the North Island Weekender

 

It is the 24^th International Earth Day on April 22^nd 2004 and like Christmas, it is best celebrated every day of the year, not just one day. When I travel to the United States and abroad, I am reminded how large the world is, and how many people there are driving cars at any given one moment 24 hours per day! The sky may not be quite as blue with the number of jet trails in the sky affecting weather systems and air pollution is best noticed from 7000 feet above any city, including ours!

Have you heard of The Hundredth Monkey by Ken Keyes Jr.? Thirty years ago scientists observed a single female Japanese monkey on an island begin washing the raw sweet potatoes they gave them in the river because they tasted better without dirt and sand on them. Within a period of time the other monkeys on the island began copying her and they were all washing their food. The amazing part of the story is that after there were 99 monkeys on the island washing their food (which took about six years), on an entire different island the monkeys there started to wash their food as well! The added energy of that one hundredth monkey somehow created an ideological breakthrough and this new awareness became the conscious property of all individuals and was communicated mind to mind.

So too with any change we want to see in our world it takes one person to do one project to begin to see change instituted. There are some simple changes to consider when thinking about how to pollute the world less: walk more, buy organic, eat less meat and conserve energy through home appliances and lighting. Another is to take your lunch to work. Executives can save upwards of $21,000.00 per year if they take their lunch to work! It is healthier and will contribute to a longer more enjoyable life, it is also patriotic if you can shorten or avoid hospital stays and you will create less garbage especially if you are eating at fast food restaurants.

I just recently returned from San Diego and a grocery store there, as part of their education program for children, asks them to decorate their paper grocery bags with an Earth Day theme and then gives them a nickel for every bag returned by April 22^nd.  It is all part of the movement around the world to take responsibility for our surroundings by learning how to care for and improve the environment. Ironically in the same store take out food is packaged in plastic containers! Oh well.

What are some easy lunch ideas for you to take with you to work. A novel idea is the lettuce wrap. Butter lettuce is the best to use and you can wrap anything in it you like. Rice noodles take about 5 minutes to cook up and can keep in the fridge for a few days, chopped up vegetables such as green onions and peppers, grated carrots and/or beets and a protein such as canned salmon, tofu, chicken or turkey. Consider dipping sauces such as sugar free salad dressing made with olive oil and balsamic vinegar or hot sauces. They are very filling. Pete’s 2 Go tofu dipping meals are also tasty and very filling and can be eaten hot or cold. Chicken or salmon salads that can be put together at work, homemade hearty soups such as bean soups along with rye crackers or rye bread and veggies will also fill you up. If you choose to eat out, try to avoid the fast food places and try to choose wheat free lunches. Wheat can make you sleepy and less productive in the afternoon. Perhaps your coworkers will start to notice that you are losing weight, looking healthier and more energetic and they will start to copy you!

Make Earth Day every day!

 

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com