Vegetarian Full Meal - Essay Example

Vegetarian Full Meal Introduction Macpherson (2007) is of the opinion that majority of individuals place more focus onother aspects of life such as money, homes, children, education as well as health but places less focus on their food and the individuals involved in the production of these foods. Macpherson further attests that globalization has made it difficult for people to understand the basic knowledge regarding the source of their food as well as how to take care of their stomachs. Macpherson observes that there is a considerable disconnect between individuals and their food. Cosier (2007) asserts that reason why individuals follow the 100-mile diet is attributed to the fact that they have a great desire to assist the planet as well as their desire for fresh meals. When food is bought locally, it implies that little fuel is utilized in the process of transporting the food. Besides, environment pollution is minimized. Majority of the local farmers, according to Cosier, uses environmental friendly technique when producing foods or simply keep free-range livestock. However, Cosier (2007) laments that majority of the local groceries that sell food make it difficult for people to find out the source of their products. In another development, Roosevelt (2006) argues that for those individuals living in Athens town (Southeastern Ohio), they can explain why they do not prefer having California strawberry as part of their meal. This is attributed to the fact that the transportation of the California strawberry causes global warming as well as considerable environmental pollution. Other reasons as to why Athens’ people may not prefer California strawberry include nutrients loss because of long duration in which the product is transported from the farm up to the supermarket before customers could purchase the product. Roosevelt is of the opinion that people prefer locally produced products because of the freshness and taste. This paper will explore vegetarian full meal. In particular, the study will focus on meal comprising of rice and dry beans. Methods of produced this meal will be examine as well as the environmental effects associated with the production of this meal. Both economic and ecological benefits of buying locally produced foods as opposed to buying foreign foods will be discussed. Vegetarian Full Meal As defined by Spitler and Yoakam (2006), the vegetarian diet is comprised of only plant foods and does not contain seafood, poultry or meat. A good number of vegetarians do not include dairy products in addition to eggs but others do. Spitler and Yoakam further contends that vegans are vegetarians who desist from taking any meal that comprises animal products while lacto-ovo vegetarian takes eggs and dairy products as part of their meals but excludes poultry, seafood as well as meat. On the other hand, ovo-vegetarian takes eggs as part of their meal but excludes poultry, seafood, meat and dairy products. Lastly, lacto-vegetarian eats dairy products but excludes poultry, seafood, meat as well as eggs. Various studies have revealed that vegetarian full meal has the potential to minimize various health concerns such as cardiac disorder, some cancers as well as health problems associated with intestines. A vegetarian meal coupled with non-smoking habit and regular training exercise can play a critical role in reducing the diseases as the ones stipulated above. Methods of Producing Rice and Dry Beans In the United States, rice is largely grown in two different areas. These areas include along Mississippi River, northeastern Louisiana, and Gulf coast of southwestern Louisiana and down to Gulf Coast of Texas State. North California is also a major rice producing area (United States Department of Agriculture, 2004). Some of the farming techniques employed to produce rice in the U.S. include flood irrigation, fertilizers as well as fungicide application. These farming techniques have the capacity to cause environmental pollution if appropriate measures are not taken. For instance, individuals living along the rice growing areas may suffer from Bilharzias as well as other health issues associated with floodwater. Majority of the fertilizers applied in the process of growing the crop might be drained to rivers, lakes and seas and hence threatening the lives of those creatures living in these areas. Various studies have revealed that application of fertilizers can lead to generation of airborne particulate matter, enhanced environmental haze, forest and crop injury induced by ozone, high rate of green house emissions, invasion of fertilizer loving weeds, eutrophication as well as acidification of water and soil resources (Motovalli, Goyne & Udawatta, 2008). After the rice has been harvested from the farms, it is milled and then packed. Rice can be consumed directly or processed into beer, pet food, package mixes, rice cakes as well as breakfast cereal. Dry beans according to Siddiq and Uebersax (2012, are crop that are short-seasoned and which takes about 85 to 100 days before they could mature. The farming technique utilized to grow dry beans includes irrigation systems. In particular, furrow irrigation is employed. Insecticides are also utilized to control a various insects such as tarnished plant bugs, western bean cut worms, been beetles, thrips, spider mites, as well as potato leaf hoppers. Besides, fungicides are utilized with an objective of managing Sclerotinia. After harvesting dry beans, they are processed and packed. Dry bean can be packaged into bean flour, brine-packed whole dry beans, and canned beans as well as for home use. Figure1. States that produces dry beans in United States. Source: Siddiq & Uebersax (2012). Economic and Ecological Benefits of Local food Purchase As already stipulated in this paper, there are various benefits associated with purchasing food that is locally produced. Roosevelt (2006) argues the reason why people who are living in Athens would prefer to purchase food from their local market is attributed to the fact that the transportation of the California strawberry causes global warming as well as considerable environmental pollution. Other reasons as to why Athens’ people may not prefer California strawberry include nutrients loss because of long duration in which the product is transported from the farm up to the supermarket before customers could purchase the product. Besides, when food is bought locally, it implies that little fuel is utilized in the process of transporting the food. Majority of the local farmers uses environmental friendly technique when producing foods or simply keep free-range livestock and as such, environmental pollution is greatly minimized (Cosier, 2007). Conclusion It is evident in the paper that majority of individuals have the tendency to concentrate more on other aspects of life such as money, homes, children, education as well as health rather on their food and the individuals involved in the production of these foods. As discovered in this paper, vegetarians’ diet is comprised of only plant foods and does not contain seafood, poultry or meat. Some of the farming techniques employed to produce rice in United Sates include flood irrigation, fertilizers as well as fungicide application. With respect to dry beans, furrow irrigation is employed. Besides Insecticides are used to control a various insects such as tarnished plant bugs, western bean cut worms, been beetles, thrips, spider mites, as well as potato leafhoppers. Moreover, fungicides are utilized with an objective of managing Sclerotinia. The ecological and economic benefits associated with purchasing food that are locally produced include minimized environmental pollution, low nutrient loss, low fuel used when transporting produce from farms to the market and freshness of the product. References Cooper, C. (2007). 100 miles and counting. Food in Canada, 67(3), 7. Cosier, S. (2007). The 100-Mile Diet. The Environmental Magazine, 18(5), 42 Macpherson, C. (2007). You are where you eat. Ascent Magazine, (33), 46. Motavalli, P.P., Goyne, K.W., & Udawatta, R.P. (2008). Environmental Impacts of Enhanced- Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizer. Crop Management, 2008, 1-11 Roosevelt, M. (2006). The Lure of the 100-Mile Diet. Time, 167(24), 78. Siddiq, M., & Uebersax, M.A. (2012). Dry Beans and Pulses: Production, Processing and Nutrition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Spitler, S., & Yoakam, L.R. (2006). 1001 Low-Fat Vegetarian Recipes: Delicious, Easy-to-make Healthy Meals for Everyone. New Delhi: Surrey Books Read More