Reducing Consumption of Meat
Dr Manuel Noronha, associate master of the Moon Chun Memorial College, enjoys jogging, cycling, and exercising in the gym. But for last few years he had trouble controlling his weight, until he began changing his diet last June. While browsing through some old pictures, he noticed how much weight he had put on. So he decided to reduce his meat intake. On the day of our interview.
Dr Noronha prepared a colourful salad and explained to us about how healthy and nutritious it was. ‘This salad contains organic vegetables like lettuce, carrots, and spinach, as well as cheese, olive oil and fruits,’ he says.‘It contains lots of nutrients our body needs, such as minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. If you were a high- performance car , would you prefer high quality fuel or diesel? Vegetables and plant-based protein provide quality fuel for our body.’Dr Noronha teaches the importance of healthy living to students in his college. He says the college is planning a visit to an organic farm in Hong Kong, and will hold a workshop on how to make vegetarian cakes this November.
Less Burden on the Earth
Tee Boon Zhie, a second-year student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who is also a member of Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College, has been a vegetarian since childhood because of his parents’ influence.‘My parents believe sticking to a vegetarian diet is not only good for the health, but also helps to lessen the burden on the earth. For instance, it can reduce carbon emissions from raising cows,’he says. If you think a vegetarian diet might not provide enough energy to sustain an active lifestyle, worry not! Tee exercises two to three times a day, rain or shine. According to him, a vegetarian diet actually makes him feel more energetic. He says, ‘Many Olympic athletes are vegetarians, but they are very fit and strong. Every once in a while, I would take my friends to a vegetarian meal. If I can influence others, I would do it.’
Sio Sok U, a third-year student in the Department of Psychology and a member of Cheng Yu Tung College, goes one better in green living. Apart from being a vegetarian, she also makes a point of carrying her own water bottle and a reusable bag wherever she goes, because she believes environmentally-friendly practices are an important part of green living. She suggests that the coffee shops on campus offer a discount of MOP 5 for customers who use their own water bottles. She also hopes that UM will organise more activities to raise awareness about environmental protection.
Source: My UM
