3 Simple Ways to Go From Dairy-Free to Awesome Activist

So, we’ve been talking a lot about the dairy industry here on One Green Planet. The industry has put out some pretty crazy stuff in the form of its marketing campaigns for years and years. But we know that dairy really just isn’t all that great. And with so many substitutes out there that are so much better for our health, animals, and the planet as a whole, why do we even turn to dairy anymore at all? The fact of the matter is that dairy has become so ingrained in our society that for some a world without it seems unfathomable. And that’s understandable — I mean, the dairy industry has really made us think we absolutely need dairy for countless years. Why would we think any other way?

But, times they are a changin’, Green Monsters, and skepticism of the dairy industry is at a high. Substitutes for dairy milk are booming.  And people all over — of all ages and backgrounds — are doing more and more to share the word that dairy consumption, in most cases, not only isn’t necessary, but can also be really harmful for everyone and everything involved.

If you’re ready to make the move from simply abstaining from dairy to helping to eradicate the system of unhealthy foods, tormented animals, and terrible outcomes for our Earth, then consider taking on some of these easy ways to take yourself from dairy-free Green Monster to awesome activist:

1. Share Articles, Research, and Recipes

And share some more. Now, there’s no need to interject the cruelties of the dairy industry into every single conversation or every social media post you make, but, if you’re not already, share what you know with people you care about. Share relevant One Green Planet articles. Print them and give them to any friends saying “Well, I’d love to be a vegan eater, but just can’t give up milk/cheese/eggs.” Show them recipes and mouth-watering images of amazing dairy-free desserts and vegan cheeses that will help anyone quit dairy forever! Help others make the push forward, and you’ll be doing amazing things to help free our country from the grips of the dairy industry. And these ideas are simple and don’t require much time — meaning you can put your activist hat on but not alter your entire life!

2. Join in the Fight for Kids

Getting dairy off the menu for kids is a prime place to start in the fight against dairy, because it’s these kids who can help make changes in the future. Help by sharing or creating new  petitions to remove milk as a required part of school lunches. Encourage local schools to offer alternatives to dairy milk to students.  Contact the USDA and encourage them to modify guidelines and help schools make better nutrition choices that will lead to dairy-free meals in schools on a more frequent basis.

3. Have a Dairy-Free Dinner Party

Sometimes, change starts small. But if you can plant a seed in others that dairy-free deliciousness is possible, then that may make even the most adverse more open to the idea of cheese-less meals and dairy milk substitutes. Invite friends and family over for typical dairy-filled staples like mac and “cheese” (made with nut cheese) and creamy sauces and desserts. Once they try it, they may not make the switch immediately, but your delicious dinner parties will at least inspire them to think that there can be life without dairy!

Change happens one small step at a time. Make your move from knowing and living an awesome dairy-free life to helping others to make changes by sharing information, starting the movement in schools, and showing others just how delicious dairy-free can be. Before long, you’ll have others joining you in your fight to help the world realize we don’t need dairy to thrive!

Image source: Babbi Bassa / Flickr