Linda Sebring

There is a persistent myth that the environment is a separate "thing" but in reality humans are part of the environment we inhabit. We suffer as the environment is degraded by our collective actions. Community health is a smaller subset of our environment. The focus is on the people and ecosystems near us in space and time and the health of our communities impacts all of us in many ways. Community health starts with healthy natural ecosystems nearby such as forests, grasslands and even farms providing ecosystem services of clean air, clean water, storm water storage, infiltration and much more.  Human communities are support by healthy Animal and Plant communities. Examples that come to mind involved insects and birds that provide pollination and pest control. Animal communities, in balance and health are supported by Plant and Fungal communities which in turn are supported by healthy air, water and soil. Healthy soil depends upon organic matter and will sequester carbon and support diversity of beneficial microbes and fungi. All of this beautiful diversity directly contributes to my personal health both physical and mental.

People in richer countries eat more meat because it is available and not as expensive relative to income. It is part of the culture to eat meat, and lots of it. Many times it is cultural, all the recipes my mother has for dinners use meat! Going meatless is going into the unknown for many people. They don't understand how much protein is present in plant foods or that over consumption of meat causes chronic health issues.  Meat production uses more water than plant based diets. Land that could be used for local needs in poorer countries is instead devoted to producing feed for animals. Overgrazing exacerbates drought pressure on native plants and animals. High prices for meat, especially BEEF, has made it profitable to use AIR transport of live cattle to China from Australia. Think of it. Air travel for cows contributing to  CO2 emissions. Also animal cruelty. First they starve them and deny them water. Then they are crowded together standing in their own waste. http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-01-17/history-made-as-northern-cattle-shipped-to-china/9333900

Knowing my farmer means I can ask questions and learn about how they grow food. I often learn what obstacles they have to producing and selling. One major obstacles is public perception of appearance.  I take the produce that is cosmetically not perfect. I do this week after week and the farmers start giving me more than I am paying for because they know I will put it to good use. 

I have no good sunlight so I am going to plant an indoor Tower Garden using an aeroponic system. Planning to start that this week.

Over the past few years I keep reading articles and research that our choices have the largest impact on our health. Much more impact than our genes.

Just learned how to make dried lemon zest so I don't waste the lemon peels. Excited about using the zest to make lemon poppy seed muffins.