summer veggie reading, part 2

A book that got even deeper under my skin was MAD COWBOY: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat by Howard F. Lyman and Glen Merzer. Howard Lyman was a fourth-generation cattle rancher, who took over his family's farm in the 1970s when the scope of ranching and farming was changing with the introduction of chemicals, hormones, and feedlots. The book is full of first-person accounts and facts of where our beef comes from, and it's very disturbing and powerful. Lyman's own deteriorating health led him to question the cattle-for-food industry, and ultimately leave that world behind. He's a full fledged vegetarian. Lyman was on the Oprah show in the late 90's where she questioned the beef industry's practices when Mad Cow Disease was on the rise. The book covers not just the beef industry but also the dairy industry.


When you look at a meat-eating diet from the perspective of 1. killing other living beings for food and 2. prior to killing the animals, pumping them full of chemicals and hormones to speed their growth and kill the diseases they get from being penned in unhealthy environments, which remains in the cellular makeup of the food, well, those are pretty compelling arguments for avoiding the beef altogether.


Last summer, I read Skinny Bitch, which i felt was more sensationalist, and it was the first-person account of a "Mad Cowboy" that really made the most powerful argument for going fully veggie.

ready for a change?

just read a book this weekend: Changing Your Course: The 5-step Guide to Getting the Life You Want, by Bob and Melinda Blanchard. Recently I know many people, unemployed or underemployed, or just disillusioned with their chosen career path, and are exploring new options for a more fulfilling life. The Blanchards have successfully launched several small companies, always aligned with their passions and reflecting their priorities in life. This book is a quick read and contains practical motivation for pursuing your passion.

I'd like to share their 10 powerful promises to make to yourself every day:

1. i will do something i care about today, even if it's just for a short period of time.

2. i will be enthusiastic and full of energy.

3. i will find something i can do today to bring me closer to my goal.

4. i will follow my dream, no matter what. i will not let anyone discourage me.

5. i will accept what i cannot change.

6. i will make someone smile unexpectedly today.

7. i will make myself smile today.

8. i will give everything i do my best effort.

9. i will trust my instincts and follow my heart.

10. i will live what i love.

the book is available at booksellers anywhere, also check out the dynamic duo's website at livewhatyoulove.com