Implement some or all of the following suggestions to help protect the environment and improve your health:

Buy Organic:  Organic produce may not be more nutritious; but it is, I believe,   healthier for you.  How can it not be?  "Certified Organic" means a product is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, GMO seeds, or irradiation.  Synthetic pesticides are toxic just look at the label on a bottle of roundup.  By consuming conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed with these chemicals you're ingesting poison.  These compounds not only harm you but also the environment by polluting the soil and our drinking water.  Protect yourself and our natural resources by purchasing as many organic varieties of produce as possible and at the very least the ones that appear on the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) dirty dozen list:  http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php 

  

See what Dr. Alex Lu from Harvard School of Public Health has to say about ingesting pesticides:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkRqaRQRZyo 

Adopt Meatless Mondays:  Diets high in cheese and meat are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers.  Reduce your risk of chronic disease by committing to go meatless one day a week.  What impact will this decision have on the environment?  According to EWG, the amount of energy saved by a family of four removing meat and cheese from their diet one day a week for a year is comparable to this family taking a car off the road for 5 weeks. 

 
Buy Local, Shop at Farmers' Markets:  The vitamin and mineral content of fresh  produce starts to diminish once harvested. Purchasing local fruits and veggies at a farmer's market ensures you're maximizing the nutrient value of your produce while using significantly less fuel to transport these gems to your table. 

Eat Less Processed Foods:  Okay, this is a no brainer and a change I've been preaching for years.  The more refined a product, the more resources and energy it requires to produce and the less nutritious it is.  Eat food in the form that it exists in nature or as close to it as possible and see the positive effects these changes have on your energy, weight, mood, cravings and overall health.  In a nutshell  - limit foods that contain flour or added sugar. 

Eat More Quinoa and Other Whole Intact Grains, Less Rice - Brown or White:  According to Oxfam, rice production uses up as much as 1/3 of the world's fresh water supply.  While brown rice is more nutritious and slightly better for the environment because it requires less refining, grains like quinoa, barley, and buckwheat require much less water to grow and have less of an impact on your blood glucose levels (which is a good thing!)

Switch to Grass-Fed and Pasture-Raised Meat:  According to EWG, animal  products affect our environment differently.  Conventionally raised lamb, beef, cheese, and pork generate the most greenhouse gases and use more resources than chicken, wild fish, eggs, vegetables, beans, and lentils mainly due to the amount of feed, chemical fertilizers, fuel, pesticides, and water they require.  Furthermore, studies continue to show, diets high in processed and red meat (lamb, beef and pork) are associated with higher risk of obesity and chronic disease.  When choosing meats, choose grass-fed and pasture-raised varieties that are typically lower in unhealthy fat, pesticides and growth hormones and require far fewer natural resources to raise then your factory-farmed alternatives.  Better yet, when eating meat and dairy products, choose organic varieties when possible.  

Plant a Garden No Matter Where You Live:  Produce and herbs can be grown in a backyard garden or in pots on your deck, patio, windowsill, or rooftop.  Growing any vegetables will reduce your carbon footprint and pesticide load while encouraging you to eat more nutrient dense, low calorie foods.  Try greens, tomatoes, green beans, and herbs to start. 

Walk or Bike to Work, to Complete Errands or Just Visit With a Friend:  Kill two birds with one stone - Keeping your car off the road, helps the environment and exercising improves your health.  Walking or biking for just 30-45 minutes a day can reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, help stabilize blood sugar, improve cognitive function and reduce your risk of certain cancers.