Let's Paint the Town [Green]

First of all, allow me to apologize in advance. This is a rather long post, but it's mostly pictures, so that's not so bad, right? Also, there is no tasty recipe at the end (but there are pictures! lots of pictures!). 

Let me explain. 

In case you were unaware, today is Earth Day! And I thought it would only be appropriate to talk about this planet of ours.

Big Sur, California

 It is not my goal today to shove my beliefs in other people's faces. Nor is it my goal to spew out a bunch of facts. I care about this planet and I'm continually learning how to take better care of it. I just want to share that in celebration of today.

Bamboo Forest, Maui

I eat the way I do for many different reasons and one of those reasons is because it is so much better for the earth. When people think about vegans and vegetarians they tend to focus on the animal rights aspect of it, which is very important, but not the whole story. 

Kangamangus Highway, New Hampshire

The consumption of animal products has a major global effect. Many of the world's crops, approximately one-third, are fed to livestock. It takes thousands of gallons of water to produce just one pound of meat. Not to mention the fuel used to transfer livestock from ranch to slaughterhouse to packaging plant to distributor to grocery store causes major pollution.

Kohala Mountain Road, Island of Hawaii

 Okay, so maybe I'll spout off a couple facts, but that's it, I promise. If you are interested in learning more about the global effects of meat consumption, check out this post by Sarah from The Sweet Life. She explains it much more eloquently than I ever could. You can also check out this article by The New York Times, Rethinking the Meat Guzzler, it's a few years old, but still very informative.

Colorado

Seriously, guys, look at the world around you! Is it not gorgeous?

Haleakala Summit -Maui

And breath-taking?

Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii

I want to leave behind a beautiful world for my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren to experience and discover.

Elephant Seals -California Coast

I want to hear them laugh at the funny creatures we share this space with.

Manta Ray -Island of Hawaii

I want them to be able to explore the ocean and it's inhabitants the way I have. People often ask me if I'm scared of sharks when I go diving, but the sad truth is that out of the countless times I have gone diving, I have only seen one shark. Some people may view this as a good thing, but I assure you it is not. To put it simply, we will all be in trouble if sharks disappear from our oceans. They are a vital part of our ecosystem and are a huge factor in keeping our oceans clean and balanced. For more information, check out the Shark Savers website.

Hawiian Monk Seal (critically endangered) -Island of Hawaii

There are many species that I would love for my children to be able to see and experience in person, not read about in books because they have disappeared.

Aerial View of Utah

Our world is so diverse. I'd like it to stay that way.

Pololu Valley Lookout -Island of Hawaii

I don't want our trees to disappear or our oceans to die.

Jamestown, Rhode Island

I want to pay attention to the little details and the subtle beauty in nature. 

Island of Hawaii

I just want to remember to not take this world for granted. To remember that it is up to us to take care of it. That unless we do something, the world as we know it will no longer exist.

Mahana Beach- Island of Hawaii

Thank you for allowing me to rant today today (believe me, it could have been oh, so much worse, just ask my family). Now I want to hear from you. 

What are some ways you help protect and conserve our planet?

What are you passionate about when it comes to being green?

I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday.

Happy Earth Day!

*These are my personal photos. I would love it if you didn't take them and use them as your own. Thanks.