This year, I will eat MORE!

Eating less meat is a very important step in greening your lifestyle. But, too often, "eating less" of something seems like a deprivation and makes you want to eat more of it in the end! Don't let that happen to your sustainable eating intentions.

Reword your new diet commitment into positive terms. Replace "I will eat less meat" with "I will eat at least five servings of vegetables a day." This is a small linguistic trick with huge psychological benefits. I, for one, get nowhere attempting to cut down on junk food in my diet. When I set a goal of eating n servings of fruit a day though, I automatically eat better. I am replacing the bad with the good. After all, a lifestyle, like nature, abhors a vacuum.

You don't have to make this change all at once. Try a progressive goal. This week, eat at least one fruit or vegetable serving a day. It's a reachable goal and will help you start a habit. Next week, make the goal of eating at least two servings a day. At this rate, in a couple of months, you'll probably be eating pretty healthy without effort! Alternatively, change your goal each month. By next winter, you'll be golden!