Truly green lamb goes beyond the garnish.

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Lamb is a traditional dish served at a lot of Easter and other holiday tables (and it's pretty good other times, too). The small ruminant can be a delicious alternative to red meat, but if you aren't careful about where it comes from, it can have a larger contribution to global warming, and a pretty horrible life to boot. If lamb is on your menu over the holidays, be sure that you know where yours came from, and arm yourself with the right info to make a green choice.

Before we get too far, let's get the caveat out of the way. The production (and eventually consumption of) lamb, like any other meat, has a not insignificant impact on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. While not quite as high as beef, this means that, like all things, lamb should be enjoyed in moderation, if you choose to eat it at all; often, that means it should be reserved for pretty special occasions, when you can take the time to properly source and honor the animal.

So, that said, here are the labels to look for when it comes time to find the lamb for your upcoming event.