Over the past few years there has been increased talk about where exactly all our state's water has gone. California is the #1 agricultural producer in the United States (USDA) thanks to our warm Mediterranean-like climate and fertile soil. With this responsibility comes a great drain on our states diverse land resources - especially water. In fact, 80% of the water used by humans in California goes to agriculture. 

So how does what you eat impact our water supply?

Well, just as some plants need more water to grow than others, certain foods require more than others too. And since we are the #1 agricultural producer, what we eat in California, and in the rest of the country too, has a huge impact on the water use in our state. In 2011, the UNESCO Institute for Water Education did an in-depth analysis of the average water use in food production. Unsurprisingly, meats were at the top of the list. This is due to the fact that aside from the water that these animals have to drink to stay hydrated like the rest of us, there is also the combined amount of water that has to go into growing their food. The analysis found beef to be the "most water intensive meat, requiring roughly 1,900 gallons of water per pound," (Ecology).

To put it in terms that are a little easier to understand, this means that the quarter pound burger that you enjoyed for lunch took about as much water to produce as if you had left your faucet on and the water running for four hours, as explained by Ian Creelman of the Ecology Global Network. In comparison, to produce one pound of chicken takes about 290 gallons of water. This is still a lot, but eating a chicken sandwich instead of a quarter pounder could save eight bathtubs of water.

Now, I know that many people love their meat. I myself was raised eating large amounts of it, and I love it! But this is a lot of water being used to produce such little sustenance. So if you are a vegetarian or vegan, I truly commend you. You have more will power than I myself. 

I am not here to say that the answer to our drought is for everyone to go vegetarian. Even if everyone in California did, farmers probably wouldn't slow production and would continue the sale of their meat internationally. But that doesn't mean that you should disregard the water footprint that your meals make. In the end, eating less "water-intensive" products are important to lower demand and effect the production of more water needy food. 

It might seem like a lot to give up some meat, but it's really not that difficult. You don't need to cut it out of your diet completely even! Instead, you can make changes to your diet such as only having meat with one or two meals a day compared to all three.. or even just a few times a week! Or if you're reluctant to give up your juicy steak but still want to reduce your water consumption, you can substitute lower-water-use foods for more thirsty ones. Vegetables, particularly root veggies, use the least amount of water to grow, while grains and nuts require much more.

What changes will you make to your diet? Share with us below!

Use a broom instead of the hose to clean your sidewalks and driveways

When building new pathways or patios, use a porous material to prevent wastefull runoff and keep water in the yard

Do away with your lawn! Re-landscape with rocks, bark, native plants (they're generally much more drought tolerant, and they're not invasive!) or a drought tolerant garden.

Only water your garden at night! This will allow the maximum amount of water to be taken up by your plants before the sun comes up and kick starts the evaporation process. Water right after the sun has gone down for maximum effect.

Get into xeriscaping! This awesome landscaping method uses low-water- and drought tolerant plants to limit water use. There's a phenomenal variety of options to add beautiful plants to your yard for less water. Included below are a few of my favorite plants that require less upkeep, but don't stop there! Do your research to find more, and share with us below what drought tolerant plants you have in your yard!

First and foremost.. anyone who knows me knows well that my ultimate favorite plants are succulents! Succulents are amazing plants that have evolved leaves that are usually thick and fleshy in order to better hold onto water in dry climates such as deserts. These plants may store water in various parts of themselves such as their stems, leaves, or even roots. Not only are they drought tolerant, but they are gorgeous! Their unusual and striking appearances make for a perfect addition to any yard or home. I typically water my succulents about once a week, and they're completely happy with it! The variety to these plants is seemingly endless. And they're so easy to grow, it's insane! Even if you don't have a green thumb - it might take you a few tries to get used to caring for them, but they're one of the easiest plants to keep around... as long as your home receives ample sunlight! They root really easily, and you can even get some of them to propagate from a single leaf!

There are plenty of sources that you can find for caring for succulents, but here's a nice one to start with.

Nestlé is everywhere. They have over 2000 brands, so it can get a bit hard to keep track of them all. 

Click the link above for an extensive list of their brands, but here's a few of the most popular ones in the U.S. to stop buying:

Cereal: Cheerios, Nestlé Corn Flakes, 

Coffee and other drinks: Taster's Choice, Nesquik, Nescafé, Ovaltine, Sweet Leaf Tea, Coffee-Mate, Nestea

Water: Aqua D'Or, Arrowhead, Calistoga, Deep Spring, Ice Mountain, Ozarka, Poland Spring

Ice Cream: Dibs, Dreyers, Drumstick, Häagen-Dazs, Savory, Skinny Cow

Chocolate, sweets, and baked goods: 100 Grand Bar, Baby Ruth, Butterfingers, Kit Kat (although it's distributed by Hershey in the U.S.), Milky Way, Raisinets, Smarties, Toll House, Wonka brands (Nerds, Laffy Taffy, etc.), Yorkie

Petcare: Fancy Feast, Friskies, Purina

Frozen food: Buitoni, California Pizza Kitchen Frozen, DiGiorno Pizza, Hot Pockets, Lean Cusine, Stouffer's, Tombstone Pizza