Going meatless for one meal a week is perhaps the most important way my family cares for creation. It takes a lot of resources to raise animals--and the corn/soybeans to feed those animals. Intentionally going meatless for one meal a week (or 15% of your weekly food consumption) minimizes water usage, reduces greenhouse gases, and reduces our fuel dependence. Meatless meals also reduce heart disease and stroke risks, limit cancer risks, fight diabetes, curb obesity, decrease overall healthcare spending, improve the nutritional quality of your diet, and even cut your weekly grocery budget. This is one way I live out the Faith in Place mission to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities.
Here is a round-up of my family's favorite meatless meals. I hope you find quick and easy meatless inspiration here. And please share your family's favorite meatless meals in the comments below!
1. Grilled Cheese and Soup or Salad: Our favorite"fancy" grilled cheese recipes are Sweet and Spicy Carmelized Onion BBQ Grilled Cheese, Tomato, Mozzarella, and Pesto Grilled Cheese, and Cucumber and Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese.
2. Mac & Cheese: We have two favorites, Gnocchi Mac & Cheese and Crock Pot Mac & Cheese.
3. Pad Thai: Easy to throw together and always a hit with the kids: Easy Pad Thai
4. Pasta: We especially like to make these cheese ravioli dishes: Ravioli with Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Sauce and Easy Ravioli Bake (I add a layer of frozen spinach to mine).
5. Meatless "Mexican" meals: Lots of variation here, but our favorites are Cheesy Enchilada Rice Skillet, Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas, and Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Burritos.
Yum!! Our green team put on a Meatless Meal during Lent and had a guest speaker. He said the single most impactful thing we can do to reduce global warming is reduce our meat consumption. I knew it was important, just didn't realize it was that important. So I'm cutting back. Thanks for the recipes and ideas!
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