Hot Pink Coconut

Each year, more and more people shift to a vegetarian diet. Vegetarianism, a belief that is manifested in the avoidance of animal products in diet and lifestyle, has been adopted by people all over the world. Many scientific studies prove that a shift to a vegetarian diet can have various beneficial results, not only for humans, but to the environment as well.

Vegetarianism is something that should not be taken lightly. There are many reasons cited as to why millions of people all over the world choose to become vegetarians. Some do primarily for health reasons, while others cite environmental concerns. Ethics is another consideration why many shift to a vegetarian diet.

If you are a vegetarian, you already know the benefits it can bring to your life. If you are a meat-eater but you’re reading this article, you are probably looking for reasons to shift to a vegetarian diet. Fret not, as the list below provides the top ten reasons why you should shift to a vegetarian diet.

1. Lower Your Disease Risk!

Many studies show that a vegetarian diet is healthier than a meat-based diet in most cases. Vegetarians do not eat animal-derived foods that tend to be higher in saturated fats and cholesterol, and lacking in fiber. Plant-based foods, on the other hand, are high in fiber, antioxidants, and a variety of phytochemicals. As such, they do not contract various diseases, and can prevent diseases from developing. Cardiovascular diseases, many forms of cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes, are just some of the diseases and health risks that many vegetarians do not experience.

2. Be Compassionate!

Animal rights are one of the primary concerns of many vegetarians. Often, the choice involves ethics that question the production and slaughtering of animals to be used as food, which are done in conditions that have little, if no, regard for the quality of life of animals. Animals for food are often raised in cramped, overcrowded spaces that make their lives miserable. They are also separated from their parents or their young, and are denied the conditions necessary for a healthy animal life—all before being killed and served on the dinner table. As such, turning to a vegetarian diet also means that you will no longer be supporting the meat industry.

3. Save The Wilderness!

Raising animals for food requires huge amounts of resources—land, energy and water. Because of the huge demands for these resources, the environment suffers hard-to-repair damage. Examples of the many environmental problems that result from meat production throughout the world include: habitat loss for animals, soil erosion, water depletion, and grave pollution from pesticides and animal waste.

4. Take Care Of The Oceans And Seas!

Increasing demands for fish and seafood (due to numerous advertisements that espouse eating fish for a healthier body), have caused great damage to the oceans and seas. All over the world, the oceans are being overfished, resulting in a decline in fish species. Aside from this, coral reefs, which serve as habitats for ocean life, are being destroyed, leaving many fish and sea animals homeless. Sea floors are also raked with drag nets, dragging underdeveloped marine life to the surface and to their death.

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Happy 100th Birthday, UP!

You know how badly I want to be there to celebrate with you, but certain circumstances cannot allow me to do so.

To those who will be able to go or are currently there right now, enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

One Hundred Years of Gratitude: Sama-samang Awitan Ngayong Sentenyal

(UP Diliman Information Office)—Obviously, the title alludes to a great García Marquez novel. Of course he wasn’t thinking of UP when he wrote it. But June 18 is set out to be just that: a slice of magic realism.

Imagine this: 100 live Oblation wannabes in the flesh posing for a photo op; 100 significant personalities of the university sending off 100 balloons carrying the UP flag to the heavens; 100 fireworks lighting up the sky. Three marching bands, choirs of children and adults, a mass of undulating UP flags like billows eagerly racing to the shore. And there’s more.

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Happy monthsary, hon.

It’s been exactly ten months since we got together. We’ve been through a lot, especially the bumpy first months, but we both know that we’ll be going though a lot more in the future and we’re ready for it. I may have not have exhausted every means to tell you how much I love you, but I know that you are perfectly aware that I do love you.

In a few months, we’ll be celebrating a year of being together. It feels good to be looking forward to something (especially at a time when my professional life is currently messed up). It also feels gratifying to look back on the good and bad days we’ve spent together. It gives me a sense of purpose and self-worth (yes, I value our relationship like I value my family, and surprisingly more than my career).

I am happy and thankful that I grew and matured with you. I have learned the importance of accepting apologies, forgetting the past, and moving on, which helped me to become a better partner. I have learned to give my best without losing myself, which is the most important thing you can learn from any relationship. If there are things we need to work on, I know we can do it. We may not have the most perfect relationship, but I know in my heart that we are getting there.

I love you, hon.

* My dear readers, I’m sorry if you’re all sick of this, but I made a promise to myself to do this every month, so you just have to deal with it. Thanks. Haha.

A few days ago, I posted a blog in my Multiply site asking my friends for help. That blog was concerning my career and my current job at that time (which is now, sad to say, an ex-job after only two days). The blog went like this:

HELP!

I am in a difficult situation right now. I need your advice, friends. Thank you.

As you may have heard from me or read from my blog, I am already working as a Risk Analyst for SGS Philippines. The job is good, the company is very stable, and the work environment is relaxed. However, the pay is really low, but the benefits are more than those given by other companies. I like the job already, though I have another problem with it: I don’t feel challenged.

To add more crap to the dilemma, I will be having my FINAL FINAL FINAL interview tomorrow (after three months of processing) before I get accepted at Accenture. Well, it’s not a secret that Accenture is one of the highest paying BPOs in the Philippines. If I get accepted there, I’ll be able to reaaallyyyyy pay for my luho and my utang. (Hehehe.)

AND… To add even more crap to the dilemma, I will be having my final interview tomorrow (yes, same day!) before I become part of Chiz Escudero’s office. I feel sure of the job already, and I’d like to believe the interview is just for formality. The starting pay is good, excluding the bonuses and allowances that the Senate is known to be galante of. And yeah, I really want to work in Senate. *sigh*

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