We have really extreme policing of gender roles in the United States, in some ways more so than other Western countries. As a result we equate a lot of random things to masculinity--meat consumption is one example, there is this very gendered notion that "Real men eat steak." Think every Hungry Man or canned soup commercial you've ever seen geared towards men. In a society that is patriarchal where masculinity carries such a strong value it's no wonder we see more examples of how to add meat to things rather than to take it away. 

I think in order shift from a meat-focused culture people need to be more connected to the food that they are eating. We go to a grocery store and pick out something on a shelf. We never think about how it got there and the toll packaging it and getting it there had on the environment, let alone the animals that died for it. 

I noticed, I miss some things going on among friends, but I also feel a lot more present because my notifications are not distracting me from other tasks. 

My family needs to really start watching the amount of energy we use in our home.  Turning out lights or only using the minimal amount of lighting would be a huge step to saving on our electric bill and saving the environment.  We already use energy efficient bulbs, but they only do so much when the lights are left blazing all night long.   

This is difficult for me as I enjoying buying.  I have gotten better about purchasing items and really asking myself if I need it or want it and is it good for our family finances.