Lower Your Family's Carbon footprint, 1 Monday at a time

Ok, so you probably read that title and went, "huh?".  Let me explain. Meat Free Monday is a movement that was originally started Stella, Mary  &Paul McCartney (yes, thats right, of The Beatles fame.)  Many people are unaware that livestock production is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than the entire transport sector.  Simply by removing meat from your diet for just one day a week, (it doesn't have to be Monday), can make a huge environmental impact. Check out these facts:

• About 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef, as opposed to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy which goes into producing one calorie of plant-based protein.

• The estimated 634 gallons of fresh water required to produce one 5.2 ounce (147g) beef burger would be enough for a four-hour shower.5 For comparison, the same quantity of tofu requires 143 gallons of water to produce.6

• A low meat diet (defined as 70g of beef and 325g of chicken and eggs per week), as recommended by Harvard Medical School, can reduce how much we need to spend in tackling climate change – estimated to be around $40 trillion globally by 2050 – by 54%. Cutting out meat altogether or avoiding or avoiding ruminant meat (cows, sheep, goats) would cut the cost by 70%, and a vegan diet by 80%.

 I'm not suggesting you all radically change your diets and become tofu addicts overnight or switch to a completely raw food diet. In fact, a lot of people don't like the taste and texture of tofu, my better half is included in that population.  Eating meatless one day per week is easier than you think. When was the last time you had a good seasonal veggie stir fry or a veggie powerhouse sandwich (which especially good if you get some yummy dill havarti rice cheese on it)? 

You can enjoy an international night at home with yummy middle eastern inspired  items such as hummus with raw veggies, a Tagine &  falafel. Go Greek with stuffed grape leaves and spanikopita. Or how about some vegetable sushi & summer rolls? They're chock full of good for you fiber & grains such as avacado, brown rice, carrots & cucumbers. You can accompany them with some sweet n spicy chili sauce or pickled ginger.  The possibilities really are endless. Want something more conventional? How about a homemade pizza topped with some grilled vegetables  or pasta primavera?

The point is that enjoying meatless meal options doesn't have you eating food without flavor or leave you hungry, once you understand all the choices that are out there and available to you. Give Meat Free Monday a try, I'm sure you'll be surprised at how good it can be, both for you & the planet.  On that note, I'm going to go munch on a spicy black bean burger with some homemade guac & fresh salsa.......