Meatless Mondays: Why Eat Veggie?

There seems to be a veggie revolution going on. More and more people are learning about the meat industry, and are choosing to go veggie for either the environment, their health, or for ethical reasons. {check out www.peta.com for more info on how meat effects the ecosystem, and you're health} HANG ON! Before you leave, not wanting to be lectured for what you eat, let me say this: I have nothing against anyone who eats meat.  I simply want people to educate themselves about what they put into their bodies, and where their food comes from. For example, did you know that: the grain it takes to feed a cow for one day could feed 16 people for a day instead? That eggs are essentially a chicken's period? Or that it takes 2,400 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat-enough for a person to show for about 6 months. Educate yourself!!!!!!

Want to know what REALLY happens in the Meat industry? go to www.meat.org
Warning! this video is heartbreaking and very graphic. 

Don't want to go veggie full time? Or do you want to ease into it? Try starting with Meatless Mondays! By not eating meat just one day a week, you can save animal lives, improve you're health, and cut down you're carbon footprint. The idea of Meatless Mondays is to not eat meat for one day. It doesn't have to be Monday, obviously, it can be whatever day you choose. You may think this will restrict you're diet, but you can make a veggie version of nearly anything. I hope you try this out! It's really easy and does a lot of good.

Don't know what to eat on Meatless Mondays? Or are you a new veggie? Here are some ideas to get you started:

Grilled cheese: (experiment with different cheeses and try adding oregano.)

Healthy nachos: (whole grain chips, canned beans, cheese, avocado, salsa, onion, etc.)

Mac & Cheese with veggies: (frozen peas and carrots/ broccoli and cauliflower are best.)

Tomato or Veggie soup: (get low sodium of using canned, or make some and freeze it.)

Tacos: (refried beans and rice instead of meat. Also add garlic and parsley!)

Egg Omelet: (with cheese and spinach, or whatever else you can stuff it with.)

Dippy eggs: (with toast!)

3-minute eggs: (boiled for 3 minutes and cracked over toast with salt and pepper.)

Deviled eggs: (use mayo, mustard, celery, salt, pepper and old bay seasoning.)

Egg salad: (hard boiled eggs, mayo and seasoning. Only use half the yolks.)

French toast with fruit or syrup: (try with banana and melted PB.)

Waffles: (with fruit or syrup.)

Tomato sandwich: (tomatoes, dried basil, salt and pepper, or add mozzarella and grill.)

Quesadilla: (two tortillas filled with cheese and veggies. Grill in a Pam sprayed pan.)

Egg and Peas: (sauté peas and onions until hot, serve with one dippy egg.)

Pasta Salad: (whole grain noodles, cucumber, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing.)

Anything salad: (add anything you have. Add boiled eggs to add protein.)

Stuffed peppers/ tomatoes: (stuff with rice, beans, tomato sauce, seasonings and onions)

Veggie Lasagna: (make as usual, but substitute hamburger for spinach.)

Veggie Pie: (make it like Shepard’s pie but substitute meat for peas, carrots and onions.)

Corn Fritters: (A can of creamed corn with flour and fried until brown.)

Krab Cakes: (2 c. shredded Zucchini, 1 c. breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1½ t. old bay, 1 T. mayo.)

Garlic Bread: (serve it hot with salad or pasta.)

Pizza: (make your own/ buy it frozen. Top with lots of veggies.)

Spaghetti: (add lots of garlic and basil, and a hint of sugar to make perfect tomato sauce.)

Veggie Alfredo: (Best with whole grain pasta, julienne carrots and broccoli.)

Hash browns: (grate potatoes or cube them.)

Buttered pasta: (really good with some garlic too.)

Plain pasta: (quick, easy, and hot.)

Grilled PB& Banana: (Made like a grilled cheese.)

Pancakes for dinner: (any kind of pre-mixed or make from scratch.)

Peas and Pasta: (Sauté cooked pasta with peas, garlic, and a little Alfredo sauce.)

Cereal and milk: (adding fruit works too. Add hot milk for hot cereal.)

Green bean casserole: (4 cans green beans, 1 can mushroom soup, milk, and onions.)   

Stuffed shells: (large shells stuffed with spinach and cheese baked in tomato sauce.)

Potato salad: (It’s best with Old Bay seasoning or warm on bread.)

Potato cakes: (mashed potatoes mixed with bread crumbs and eggs cook in a pan.)

Stuffed potatoes: (bake a potato, hallow and stuff it with potato, sour cream, cheese, etc.)

Grilled/roasted veggies: (on skewers or in the oven.)

Roasted Potatoes and Onions: (tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and parsley.)

Corn on the cob: (Boil until hot and drown in old bay seasoning.)

Muffins: (pre-made makes it a lot easier.)

Fried veggies: (battered veggies fried and hot for special occasions.)

Fried apples: (canned or cooked in a skillet with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.)

Cream of Wheat: (hot with sugar and fruit. Do not make with water!)

Bread and cream of mushroom soup: (use the soup for dipping. Great for cold days.)  

Canned veggie chili: (hot or mild, it’s great with crusty bread.)

Veggie stir-fry: (best with extra broccoli and carrots, and less noodles.)

Quick fix pasta: (any of the frozen steamer veggie bags that have a sauce them. Mix with pasta.)

Chickpea Salad: (made like tuna salad but with chickpeas instead.)

Corn salsa and chips: (1 can corn, 1 can black beans, tomatoes, cucumber, and salt.)

Sprout sandwich: (thin toasted bread, fresh sprouts, tomatoes, and mashed black beans.)

Home made veggie burgers: (refried beans, rice, diced onion, an egg, and bread crumbs.)

Southern cornbread mush: (mashed up corn bread topped with hot milk, honey, and cinnamon.)

Pizza: (topped with veggies! Best veggies are onions, black olives, and spinach.)

Veggie Stew: (with big chunks of carrots, potatoes, veggie broth, onions, and other veggies.)

Bean soup: (veggie broth, black eyed peas, corn, carrots, rice, peas, onions, and stewed tomatoes.)

New Spring rolls: (with shredded carrots, cucumber, and whatever else you have and want.)

Ramen: (the oriental delight flavor! Add shaved carrots, black beans, and other veggies.)

Pot pies: (used veggie broth and flour for gravy and tons of veggies. Use a flaky crust.)

Toast and gravy: (or use bread. Make milk gravy and top with a poached egg.)

Chocolate and fruit panini: (chop chocolate to help melting, add fruit and press in sprayed pan.)

ATS: (sliced avocado, tomatoes, and sprouts, on toast, with a bit of mayo or other dressing.)