I am often asked by people why it is that I don’t eat meat. It’s a hard question to answer in short fashion as there are so many interrelated reasons.  However, I recently saw this video from Paul McCartney entitled “If Slaughterhouses had Glass Walls Everyone Would be Vegetarian” which gives a pretty good idea of why it is that I simply can’t and won’t eat meat. Fair warning the video is quite disturbing, but that’s because commercial meat production itself is quite disturbing. To my mind though, if you’re going to eat meat, you should know where your meat comes from and how it gets to your plate. (Be patient, the video may take a few seconds to load)

Find out more at Meat.org.

I walk to my bus stop very early in the morning and, so, on garbage day I get to see what everyone puts out before it is whisked away to garbage mountain. I find it kind of fascinating actually. You can learn a lot about your neighbours by what they throw out (yes, I am talking about you oh neighbour of mine with the two foot pile of pizza boxes every week…every week!).

Anyway, I have one neighbour who I have been ranting and raving about for the past year to anyone who will listen (my usual modus operandi). He puts out 6 or 7 full bags of garbage each week (!) and never a bit of recycling to be seen. None. I often can see cans, glass and cardboard in his bags of garbage and, yet, no recycling. And it makes me angry. Seriously angry. Let’s face it – it takes no time to recycle. None. There are just no more good excuses for failing to push your blue box out to your curb once a week.

So I’ve been thinking of maybe writing him an anonymous note asking if he please wouldn’t consider recycling for the good of the planet – well, this is the plan when I’m in a good mood. When I’m in a less good mood I have bandied around the idea of volunteering him as an oil boom to be used in the Gulf (he looks like he’d be incredibly absorbent). But, I think my prayers have been answered. For, as I cruised Mean Cards the other day, what did I chance across, but this inspired greeting. Clearly I am not the only one plotting against their non-green neighbour and Mean Cards has sensed our need.  So if you receive this card anonymously in the next few days – please don’t egg my house. And, if you do, for goodness sake at least recycle the egg cartons.

My new discovery of the week – Hurraw Lip Balm. I know, I know – it’s lip balm, how exciting can that be? But, it’s REALLY good.  Nice and moisturizing without being waxy or sticky AND best of all it’s all natural, raw, vegan, organic and comes in yummy flavours like root beer, licorice and a great tinted cinnamon. Hurraw is packaged in a cute little recyclable container that fits handily in a pocket and the whole thing comes in a food-safe pouch that serves double duty as a reusable tea bag.  Love it!