Month: August 2023

In a recent article in Inside Climate News, three authors stated that the largest methane producer in the state of California is a large industrial, livestock farm with 139,000 cattle.  The estimated 9,167 metric tons of methane annually, with methane being much worse for the environment than carbon dioxide is the equivalent of the impact 165,000 automobiles.  In fact, the estimated total for all California cattle is worse than all oil or gas fields other than the Permian Basin.

The EPA does not measure or regulate agriculture’s emissions, so there is no incentive to make any changes, while California has some bold climate policies, without the ability to measure individual agriculture operations.

In absence of real incentives to reduce emissions and no method of enforcement, the only thing I can think of is to eat more plant based foods and put pressure on politicians to eliminate meat and dairy subsidies and to start taking more urgent action on climate change.

Read the article below to get more detail:

California’s Top Methane Emitter is a Vast Cattle Feedlot. For Now, Federal and State Greenhouse Gas Regulators Are Giving It a Pass.

Trader Joe’s or TJ’s is is a great place to shop if you happen to live or work near one, especially with the increase in food prices over the last couple of years. Here are some plant based foods that may help your menu planning:

Gluten Free Battered Plant-Based Fish Fillets:

Made with a mix of king oyster mushrooms and jackfruit, and coated in a light, crunchy, gluten-free batter, these totally vegan and gluten free.

Buffalo Style Chickenless Wings:

Made with a mix of soy and pea protein, these vegan Wings have a remarkably meaty texture that’s crisp on the outside and satisfying juicy on the inside.

Meatless Ground Plant-Based Crumbles:

Made with dried, textured pea protein and a mix of savory seasonings and spices. Each 3.3-ounce pouch can be stored at room temperature, and takes only about ten minutes of cooking with water to rehydrate into the equivalent of approximately one pound of ground meat. 

Italian Vegan Bolognese Ravioli:

Each one is filled with a rich and hearty Bolognese-style tomato sauce, with just the right ratio of mushrooms and lentils mixed in to evoke the same toothsome texture and savory, umami flavor you’d find from a meat-based Bolognese. There is also a Vegan Bolognese Pasta bowl, Spinach and Cashew Ravioli and also Vegan Bolognese sauce.

Vegan Enchilada Casserole:

Layer upon layer of soft corn tortillas with a medley of roasted veggies including yams, zucchini, onions, and zesty poblano peppers, smothered in a toasty red chile sauce and topped off with a mix of mozzarella and cheddar-style shredded vegan cheese. 

The website mentions a Vegan Meatless Meat Eater’s Pizza, but I only see a Vegetarian Meatless Cheeseburger Pizza, which has dairy, so better but not great.

Of course, TJ’s still have Impossible ground beef alternative, chicken and sausages.

There are also, a number of plant based/vegan dips, desserts and sauces, but as always, read the ingredients to see what additives that you can’t pronounce are in there.