So as you may or may not have heard from my Give It 100 video blog post that today I will be touching on Meatless Monday! So it is very simple … you just commit to not eating meat on Mondays ! Why Monday? well the organization that invented this a DECADE AGO found that people are motivated at the beginning of the week.  The movement obviously came up with the catchy title and went from there….  laugh out loud… but why not just start your week off meat free. EVEN OPRAH has dedicated her life and the lives of her employees to meatless Monday. The chef and crew at the OWN network prepare all of the Monday meals with out meat ! Schools across the nation and some international countries have caught on as well !

In the video I’m eating my lunch, a Cesar salad sans chicken. The movement for Meatless Monday is pledging to make the world a little bit better of a place & give your body a better life as well ! By no means would I swear off meat forever !!!! One day a week could make all the difference in your overall wellness & health.

I am going to include 2 recipes per week that you may want to try out in your own kitchen !

Join me on my journey on Meatless Mondays ! 😀

To learn a little bit more on how this benefits your health & the environment check out the information below …I have taken this directly from the website www.meatlessmonday.com ”

Health Benefits

• LIMIT CANCER RISK: Hundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Both red and processed meat consumption are associated with colon cancer.
• REDUCE HEART DISEASE: Recent data from a Harvard University study found that replacing saturated fat-rich foods (for example, meat and full fat dairy) with foods that are rich in polyunsaturated fat (for example, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds) reduces the risk of heart disease by 19%
• FIGHT DIABETES: Research suggests that higher consumption of red and processed meat increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• CURB OBESITY: People on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A recent study from Imperial College London also found that reducing overall meat consumption can prevent long-term weight gain.
• LIVE LONGER: Red and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.
• IMPROVE YOUR DIET. Consuming beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.

Environmental Benefits

• REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation. And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.
• MINIMIZE WATER USAGE. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.
• HELP REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein. Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand. “

Recipe 1 : Avocado Toast

This is a simple and yummy breakfast food, Avocado Toast ! I try to use Ancient Grain ( ie. with spelt) , Whole Grain, or Seeduction Bread ( Found at your local Whole Foods) as the base for this breakfast delight ! It is important that you know what you are putting into your body and how it will affect you. the whole point of meatless Monday is to be more aware of how the foods you eat effect yourself and the environment! So YES go with a bread that will benefit you !

* sometimes as a special treat I will add White Truffle Oil *

Toast your bread & pick out a fabulous ripe avocado spread it onto the bread & sprinkle Red Pepper Chili Flakes ! sometimes I will also add a little bit of fresh ground pepper as well for a kick !

Recipe 2: BBQ Cauliflower Salad Recipe

Lunch or Dinner #MeatlessMonday

This I found on Pintrest you can find it on my PinBoard I have created for #MeatlessMonday !! This recipe also happens to be Vegan & Gluten-Free.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1/2 c. BBQ sauce
• 1/2 c. black beans
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 ear of corn, cooked and sliced
• 1/4 of a red onion, diced
• shredded carrots
• 3 c. lettuce
• non-dairy ranch dressing (add some BBQ sauce to spice it up if you desire)
• crushed torilla chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil.
2. Place cauliflower florets on the sheet and bake 5-7 minutes.
3. Brush the BBQ sauce onto the cauliflower. Bake another 2-3 minutes.
4. Assemble all of the ingredients together for the salad.

So think about it …. whether you are at home, work, a restaurant, or at school you can easily make Meatless Monday happen !! Not only are you saving money by not eating meat but you are helping yourself & the environment !!  Just take a second look at the menu while you are out and find something else yummy without meat or chicken !!

Suzie: Omg what a deal we can go to Charley’s and get a HALF LB BURGER & HALF LB OF FRIES for like $5 !!

Jon: EW !! $5 ticket to the hospital for clogged arteries and diabetes …. ! I’m sticking to the salad !

If you have fabulous recipes you’d like to be shared on the blog let me know ! Keep Livin Like Lindsey !!