Everyone thinks that sustainable and not sustainable are two very black and white categories. It’s either yes, it’s green. Or no, stopping buying it. While some things are very obvious, others fall into a gray area. I wanted to address a couple of the more controversial topics in society and my life.

But first, I want to preface this post with this statement:

Because I turned towards a plant-based diet due to sustainability, a lot of my actions are propelled by the green factor (also health), rather than animal rights. While  I have come to appreciate the animal cruelty argument, sustainability is my top priority in my lifestyle choices. I also applaud others changing their thought towards a sustainable mind over a vegan stance. Those are my personal beliefs (and would I love to hear others thoughts!), and I have outlined my opinions below.

So with that, I would like to dive into the third topic in my three part series:

Honey

Honey is an item that technically comes from an animal, so can be seen as a harsh “no” for Vegans. However, one of my friends (who is one of the most devout plant-based eaters I know) still indulges in local honey. It’s definitely a great sweetener. And because I suffer from seasonal allergies, local honey has been recommended as a remedy.

But what about honey as an impact on the environment? To be totally honest, I haven’t done a lot of research. According to an article I read, sugar (the most popular sweetener and the vegan alternative to honey) has a great environmental impact due to mass production.  In a blog article by Clara Wisner, she mentions that other sugar substitutes like high fructose corn syrup and Splenda are very highly processed and are not ideal for your body. So honey could be a great natural solution.

It is also common knowledge that bees are crucial to Earth’s ecosystem, so doesn’t that mean that local beekeepers who harvest bees are helping these important species stay alive and thriving? Does buying this local honey help stimulate community economy?  Doesn’t buying local products helps keep down the environmental impact of transportation?

I do not remember the last time I bought honey, as my parents usually supply it, but that doesn’t mean I won’t eat it. I still believe that it’s a very valid sweetener, but will definitely lean towards other alternatives like maple syrup and agave. Maple syrup has been a main ingredient in my oatmeal breakfasts, as well as my hot drinks. Agave is also available in bulk at my local grocery store, so it has been a viable option as far as sweeteners.

Final stance: I won’t say no to honey, but I prefer purchasing it from local companies, like Zatural’s CBD Honey. I also tend to go for sweetener selections like maple syrup (in a glass bottle or local) and bulk agave. 

Your full-time plant-eater, and honey, maple syrup, and agave lover,

AJ