Would you eat a lab-grown hamburger?

I would. As a clean-eater I enjoy the occasional grass-fed beef dish, but inevitably I find myself at a barbecue or restaurant that serves factory-farmed beef. And as to not be a pain in the butt, I eat it. One day in the future we may have they choice of ordering a hamburger made from either conventional beef or lab-grown beef, I’d choose the latter hands down every time and here’s why.

Benefits and possibilities of lab-grown beef:

• Hormone free and antibiotic free
• No pesticides, tranquilizers, or de-wormers needed
• Cruelty free
• Decreased factory farms = less environmental impact
• Competition with conventional beef may make room for more sustainable livestock farms
• and more land for sustainable fruit and vegetable farms!
• Safer in terms of food borne illness
• Less water used…
• less energy required…
• and more ethical compared to conventional beef production
• Healthier in terms of fats

So how does this cultured meat grow? It’s actually quite simple really. Using stem cell technology, a muscle cell originating from a real cow is programmed to divide over and over again in vitro ultimately producing a meat patty. This cutting edge technology has the opportunity not only to succeed but also to transform the way we feed the world. Did you know what ~70% of antibiotics used in the US are for cattle? How about ~20% of greenhouse gasses coming from cattle farms? It’s time to quit ignoring these issues and start solving the environmental and societal problem of factory farming – lab-grown beef could do just that.

Until cultured beef becomes mainstream – which could take decades – it’s important to weight the potential benefits. There’s a lot of people to feed on this earth and the population is only getting larger.

By Liz Schneider, guest blogger

Growing your own food

Have you ever sunk your teeth into a freshly picked tomato right from your very own garden? If not, you’re missing out. Growing your own food offers many benefits such as delicious taste, cost savings, healthfulness, and the peace of mind by controlling your own growing conditions.

Don’t know where to begin? Start with tomatoes, peppers, or herbs – they are the most forgiving even for a novice gardener.  Try growing from seeds and watch your veggies sprout up from the soil or buy starter plants that have already been established. Ask your local gardening center for tips, they are the experts.

No land? No problem. Today, gardeners are using all kinds of places to grow food like containers, windowsills, rooftops, and balconies. Collect your own water with a rain barrel and create your own plant food by composting. Gardening opens the door to sustainability.

The more I grow my own food, the more I realize what it actually takes to get food onto the table. For me, gardening has become a gateway to leading a more healthy life. Growing foods in my backyard gives me the power to choose how I will fuel my body. Plus, it makes way for discovering new cuisines through cooking at home. Lastly, growing your own food is an excellent source of exercise. It takes perseverance but it is totally worth it.

Backyard gardens have the power to increase access to healthy foods for everyone. With the 4th of July approaching, why not tap into our American heritage and start planting some food this summer!

I hope this inspires you to plant your own edible garden – you’ll be rewarded with what good soil can provide if you just give it a seed.

By Liz Schneider