| Going meatless once a week has been gaining in | | | | In terms of money, meat is far more expensive |
| popularity. But why is this a good thing to do? | | | | than many vegetarian ingredients. Cook beans of |
| Meat has a fairly high environmental price. It takes | | | | one sort or another and serve them with your |
| a lot of resources to feed whichever kinds of | | | | favorite vegetables and grains. You can have a |
| animals. Huge amounts of water, crops and land | | | | meal that looks and tastes amazing, and have |
| go to it, and the animals aren't even always | | | | spent less than on a simpler meal that included |
| treated very well. | | | | meat. |
| Add in antibiotics use in animals and the pesticides | | | | Make your meatless days fun. Have chopped |
| they consume from their feed, and meat gets | | | | fresh vegetables ready for when you want a |
| less and less appetizing. Now add in the amount of | | | | snack, as well as for a great addition to any meal. |
| fossil fuels used for producing meat. | | | | Cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, snap peas and |
| You can buy organically produced, free range | | | | others are wonderful, and you may not even |
| meat if you like, but there are still problems with | | | | need a dip to make them interesting. |
| that. Free range means they take more land. The | | | | It's also great for parents who want to expose |
| meat itself will likely be better for you, but still | | | | their children to a greater variety of foods. |
| consumes quite a bit of land. | | | | Meatless meals can be challenging with picky |
| Even if you aren't ready to go vegetarian or | | | | eaters, but you can work with them to make it |
| vegan yet, you can cut down on how much meat | | | | more fun. Have them help you pick the |
| your family eats. Simply start going without meat | | | | ingredients. Have them help you prepare the |
| one day a week. | | | | foods. Talk about where food comes from, and |
| Eating less meat isn't just eco friendly. Done right, | | | | why you sometimes go meatless. |
| it's also good for your health and your wallet. | | | | All this doesn't mean you shouldn't consider a |
| Vegetarian meals cooked with a focus on being | | | | vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. You can. It takes |
| healthy help you to lower cholesterol and reduce | | | | some time to adjust, but if that's a step you're |
| your chances of a heart attack, strokes, cancer | | | | ready for, go for it. If not, try working up to it! |
| and more. It doesn't mean these will never | | | | Another alternative is to simply cut down on how |
| happen to you, but lowering your odds is a good | | | | much meat you include in meals when you use it. |
| thing. | | | | Don't have it be the main dish. Have it be a small |
| There's nothing boring about vegetarian fare. | | | | part of a side dish. You can satisfy that urge to |
| People who say that haven't done much searching | | | | have meat while eating a meal that is overall |
| for interesting recipes, of which there are plenty | | | | better for you. |
| online. | | | | |