A holistic life... It probably means something a little different to everyone.  To me, to live holistically means making conscious choices every day about everything  with which we come into contact.  Living both in the moment and with one eye in the future.  How does this choice affect me / my body / the environment / others now and how will it a day from now, a month from now, a year from now, a generation from now, etc.  This goes for what we put in our body, use on our body,  use in our home, use in general, etc..... It sounds a bit heavy and challenging if you see it as a "black and white" issue.  But when you start to look at it as all our choices are on a spectrum, and daily choices can just be ranked as more and less ideal in any given moment, then it might start to feel somewhat more manageable.

Take how we eat for example.  Now there is certainly ample evidence to suggest that it is most ideal  to abstain from animal products.  There is so much research out there showing that if farm land were to be used for raising plants for consumption, rather than so much dedicated to feeding the millions of animals that are themselves consuming the plants and being raised for consumption, there would be an abundance of food, less water would be used, and less green house gases produced.  Clear cutting of the Amazon would be a thing of the past...

For some this is enough to make them "go vegan."  But for many, this does not feel realistic  or practical.  Does this mean they should stop reading this (because no one wants to start the day feeling guilty about their choices...)?  I hope we all would agree definitely not.

If you still are consuming meat and can't see yourself stopping, then consider setting a goal...  Start where you are at and consider changing the amount of meat (or dairy) you eat when you eat it, loading up on vegetables and lessening the amount of animal products at a meal.  Intentionally plan a meal free of animal products... order a hummus sandwich at a restaurant... or a veggie burger.... Observe how you feel.... Notice do you feel more energy?  Less "weighed down" after little changes?

 If you cook, consider going on line and getting some great vegetarian / vegan recipe.   There is an incredible data base of vegan recipes maintained by the International Vegetarian Union and can be accessed at ivu.org (click on Vegan Recipes Around the World  http://ivu.org/recipes/index.html.  The recipes are incredible, everything from appetizers to desserts and all in between!  And they are generally restaurant quality - we planned and executed some fabulous international dinners at our cafe and patrons loved the food (inspired by the recipes on this site!)

But it is not all food.  Sometimes people abstain from animal products, but use products on their bodies or in their homes that, though free of animal products, are laden with chemicals.... and often environmentally destructive ones at that....  What we put on and use in our home, eventually returns to the earth we love, and the less than natural components can do some unfortunate destruction, destroying the homes and habitats of the animals that are so near and dear to many of our hearts.

So commend yourself for whatever you do towards the goal of living a more natural, holistic life, but challenge yourself, to one up yourself.... how can you do better?  What are you not doing and how could you at least take a step, however small, to improving?  We all have room to grow!