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food for thought

>> Monday, July 6, 2009

I'm back in St. Thomas and got some computer time (WOOT!), but I will keep this short and sweet. It's all about agriculture.

There are sheep shrinking on a Scottish isle. Since 1985, the weight and stature of sheep on the isle of Hirta has declined 5%. What is causing this? Surprisingly, it's mild temperatures. Normally, with a grazing season longer than norm, one would assume that the sheep would be bigger and fatter, so what is the issue? Well, milder weather means the weaker and smaller sheep are surviving more, mixing in their genes. Also, with more surviving sheep, the smaller sheep are at an advantage if there is a food shortage since they won't have to eat as much. They are going through a period of natural selection.

Dairy is getting a lot of grief. I understand it. Mass dairy farming practices are a little gross, and the ammount of hormones used is outrageous. A lot of people think that dairy is bad for you. However, despite big farms' bad reputations, dairy itself is actually a healthy and cost effective way to get 9 super essential vitamins. You can find out more here.

The ADA (American Dietetic Association) did a study stating that if properly approached, a vegetarian diet can be healthy at any stage in life.


"Vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids and other phytochemicals. These nutritional differences may explain some of the health advantages of those following a varied, balanced vegetarian diet."


You can find out more on the ADA website.

Sorry this was short. Be back later!


1 comments:

Guest July 6, 2009 at 1:31 PM  

I watched this item about sheep on the tv the other night.....makes you thinkdoesn't it.

I have been a vegetarian for 25 years now..........there is no going back for me......

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