Cindy
Photo courtesy of Monday Campaigns.org
Talk about making a complex idea simple: start your “meatless journey” LITERALLY one-day-at-a-time…starting with Monday…made easier with these 5 ideas to start your “Meatless Monday” with a round of table applause!
For some quick background, Meatless Monday is a 40+ country movement started in 2003 by Sid Lerner, the Founder of The Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future.
It turns out (according to the Association of Psychological Science,), Monday is the day most folks are open to making positive life changes (check out the very cool article)! This, combined with the program’s simple message to “skip meat once a week” works perfectly!
Research also proves starting each week practicing Meatless Monday can lead people to eat more fruits, vegetables and plant-based meals throughout the rest of the week.
What’s all the hoopla about eating less meat?
An article from www.pcrm.org titled “5 Ways a Vegan Diet Helps the Planet” tells us that meatless diets were connected with the largest reductions in greenhouse-gas releases.
One report found that agriculture takes up 40% of the planet Earth’s cropland. Food production causes up to 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Animal products make up three quarters of that percentage. Animal products leave a huge environmental footprint on Mother Earth’s cropland. By just eating more beans and less beef we could lower our greenhouse gas emissions significantly and free up 42% of cropland!
Water conservation is also a reason to go meatless. Meat and dairy products require the most agricultural water usage. If we slash meat consumption in half, then our food production could require 37% less water!
So, here are 5 tasty ideas for Meatless Monday!
Photo and concept courtesy of COOKIE + kate.com
#1. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Avacado-Pepita Dip
Like many of us, I grew up believing sweet potatoes were always in a casserole, smothered in roasted marshmallows! As the immensely talented, recipe-creating-mouth-watering-food-photographer, Kate (of COOKIE + kate.com) continually demonstrates, sweet potatoes can be a welcome contributor to all kinds of meals!
Here is a COOKIE + kate link to one of my Meatless Monday favs: a roasted sweet potato, black beans, avocados, and pepitas (pumpkin seeds)! Each ingredient works together to star in this mouth-watering meatless meal.
Photo and concept courtesy of COOKIE + kate.com
#2. Meatless Monday Spinach Artichoke Lasagna
Who doesn’t love lasagna? Yet another incredible recipe (and, yes, succulent photo) from the creative Kate (of COOKIE + kate.com)!
Kate’s recipe uses DeLallo Foods’ no-cook whole wheat lasagna noodles (which are very tasty, and – as their name implies – keep a cool kitchen by being “no-cook”)…but if you want to go the gluten free route (which my family requires), consider substituting Tinkyada Brown Rice Lasagna noodles . You will never even miss the gluten!
Photo and concept courtesy of The Modern Proper.com
#3. Meatless Monday Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Ok…I have to admit a weakness for Thai food…but it is hard to find exceptional tasting Thai that hits the big three: gluten-free, vegan AND diary free! Well, thanks to Holly and Natalie of The Modern Proper.com we have a BINGO!
These flavor-filled lettuce wraps can be ready in 30 minutes. Romaine or butter lettuce work best for wraps. Imagine fresh, crisp lettuce filled with chunks of steaming tofu, sautéed shallots, fresh herbs, and sprinkled with an extra special sauce. This dish could very well become one of your go-to favorites (even beyond Meatless Monday)!
Our friends at the Modern Proper have simplified the recipe beautifully (and include their made-in-a-blink “wrap sauce” that is second to none)!
Delish and quick to prepare!
Photo and concept courtesy of Food with Feeling.com
#4. Meatless Monday with BBQ Jackfruit
More full disclosure: when walking around the produce section of my favorite Sprouts Market, I cannot help but be a bit “intimidated” by the jackfruits staring at me…their size (they can weigh up to 25 pounds) color (greenish yellow) and their skin (covered in soft “spikes”?) …BUT their nutritional qualities always made me stop…
Finally an incredible solution…using CANNED Jackfruit…brought to us by the brilliant Brita, the talented writer, photographer, videographer and chef from Food with Feeling.com…a Vegan Barbeque bursting with flavor!
It is made with two cans of jackfruit (we prefer soaked in brine), heated and stirred until soft and mixed with your favorite BBQ sauce to be loaded onto a warm bun (gluten free buns work great)!
This yummy food combo can be layered over a salad, or even stuffed in a wrap or a baked potato. Ooooohhh La La!!!
Photo and concept courtesy of Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen.com
#5. A One-Pot Creamy Spinach Pasta for your Meatless Monday pleasure!
Who can resist pasta? …or better yet, an entire meal cooked in only ONE easy-to-clean POT?
Our master chef and creator of this delectable dish is none other than Karissa, of Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen (featured in Buzzfeed, MSN.com, Finding Vegan, LiveKindly, Prevention, Veg News, Delish, Healthline, Care2, Woman’s Day, Runner’s World, Shape, Redbook, PETA, Dr. Axe, and more)!
In addition to the incredible taste (and easy clean up), the only ingredients in this comforting pasta dish are vegan cream cheese, vegan pasta, spinach, and your favorite seasonings…I like to occasionally add peas or another vegan protein just to keep my table mates guessing!
Hey! If you would like to learn more about easing into the “vegan life,” check out my post designed to introduce your table to the wonders of vegan eating: “5 Taste Samples of the Vegan Life.”
I hope you and yours enjoy many Meatless Mondays with these scrumptious meals…and congratulations for working toward both a healthier you and a healthier planet!
With warmest regards and the kindest thoughts,
Cindy
