Long after I’d greened up my energy and transportation emissions I resisted making a commitment to eating less meat. My grandfather was a cattle rancher and I felt a kind of sentimental tie to the idea of eating meat – even though I often opted for vegetarian choices. Then I participated in a workshop with the marvelous Renee Lertzman where she helped attendees explore the emotional aspects of making sustainable changes. I realized that I could commit to eating less meat without repudiating my family story (after all, there are lots of other ways my beliefs and practices differ from theirs and there are various other ways I can celebrate my family sans a hamburger). Now I’m someone who’s mostly vegetarian and I’m comfortable with that label. And I think I’m more empathetic when others express complicated feelings associated with making changes in their own lives.
—Kathy Kuntz