Welcome to a new week ... and a new daily challenge:
Don't eat any meat today, and see if you can cut down on the amount of meat you eat each week. Meat production has a large carbon footprint, with 2.2 pounds of beef producing the equivalent amount of CO2 as an average European car driving 155 miles. It takes 2500 gallons of water and many pounds of grain to make one pound of beef for your table. It's been estimated that if Americans were to reduce our meat consumption by 20%, it would be the equivalent of all Americans switching from a standard sedan to a Prius. (See "Re-Thinking the Meat Guzzler" by Mark Bittman, New York Times, 1/27/08.) For hundreds of free vegetarian recipes, visit http://www.bestveg.com/. Also, see Anna Lappé's Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do about It.
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!
I find my challenge is not at the grocery store (meat is expensive and there's plenty of things I make without even thinking about putting meat in it), but rather when I'm at the cafeteria at work or out to eat with friends because for me it's a 'treat'...it's an interesting thing to focus on, just like how we don't think of the source of our food as much when we are out, it's good to think about enjoying vegetarian items even more when we're out.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! We don't eat a lot of meat in our house, but I am going to make sure that at least once a week we have a day that both of us eat NOT meat. I love the challenge and who knows maybe it will become two, three or four times a week. Thank you for the idea!
ReplyDeleteMelanie
givebacktoday.blogspot.com
While we don't set aside a specific day to not eat meat, we have gotten in a routine of having at least one day with no meat. It's slow going though..as I admit to being a picky eater, it's hard for me to venture into vegetarian meals even though it's something I want to do.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just saw this after having pepperoni on my pizza tonight! It was otherwise a meat-free day, though I'd say that's fairly typical to how we eat now...with meat usually only in small quantities, as a side or addition to a meal rather than the focus.
ReplyDeleteI did want to let you know that since I started reading your blog, I've become more interested in eating vegan meals. I used to be overwhelmed at the thought of it, but I've found plenty of fun and easy recipes (not to mention discovering that many of my recipes were vegan, anyway, especially if I would stop using honey so often :). I don't think we'll ever be vegan, but we definitely enjoy vegan meals quite often!
What A Card ... you made my day! I'm so glad that you are investigating vegan food options. And you know ... every meatless meal you enjoy is helping the planet! So congrats on that!!
ReplyDeleteI think that when people hear the word "vegan" it's a little scary. When I first became vegetarian, I was sure that I couldn't "do it" but promised to give it a 30 day test. I never turned back. You bring up an excellent point ... many of the foods we already enjoy don't necessarily have meat in them (ie spaghetti with marinara sauce). It's really just a mind-set ... not thinking about doing without but rather enjoying good food. Thanks for your comments!
This is one of the top reasons why my husband and I don't eat meat! The environment and the treatment of animals! And of course our diet! My husband hasn't eaten meat in 10 years and for me it has been 6 now! YAY! But with that said....we do eat fish. But we always eat sustainably caught fish. In fact...if you read my latest blog it talks about eating sustainable fish and what websites you can use to make sure your fish is sustainable. Followed with a delicious meal.
ReplyDeleteEvery week, I also post my weekly menu. All of recipes are meatless. About 20% have fish!
We are very passionate about not eating meat. Have you read the book "Diet for a Small Planet?" by Frances Moore Lappé. Great book about living a vegetarian lifestyle.
-Alyson www.peacefulmamma.blogspot.com
Also, here is my blog post about being pregnant and eating a vegetarian/pescatarian diet. For all you expecting mamas out there who are looking to get more protein into their diet while pregnant.
ReplyDeletehttp://peacefulmamma.blogspot.com/2011/01/menus-and-nutrition-for-mama.html
-Alyson www.peacefulmamma.blogspot.com
So glad to make your day...I've been meaning to tell you for ages. I know I've been quiet--not blogging or commenting much, but you're still helping me make small changes :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not giving up meat that is a problem for me. I've been a vegetarian on numerous occasions in my life. It's dairy and honey that would be the big struggle for me to go vegan. So now I just try to make more thoughtful choices. Like I just switched to buying my dairy from a local farm. I've met the farmers, I know how they treat their animals and land.
And I'm slowly starting to realize I don't have to melt cheese on top of every meal to make it delicious :)