There are so many relatively easy ways to not only go green, but save money as well. It’s amazing how the two go together so well.
One tip that’s been making the circuit of the thrifty blogs I read is going vegetarian at least one night a week.
Not only can this be good for your health, but it can also be easy on your pocketbook and good for the environment.
According to the Wikipedia entry on Environmental vegetarianism, the livestock industry is one of the largest contributors to current environmental issues worldwide.
Basically, it’s a lot tougher on the environment to raise and feed livestock than it is to cultivate produce. Animals use and require more energy.
Meat also typically takes longer and requires more energy to prepare.
Many cuts are also a good bit more expensive than other protein options like tofu and legumes.
We had unintentionally been going meat-free at least once a week, so now I’m trying to do more.
Don’t think you have to subsist on salads one night a week. There are lots of other great options. Two of our favorite vegetarian dishes are pasta with spinach, tomato and garbanzo beans and black bean enchiladas.
Here’s a good list of easy vegetarian recipes.
Any good tofu recipes?
You make some excellent points here especially as it becomes increasingly evident with advocates from Michael Pollan to Paul McCartney supporting the movement of going meatless, specifically going meatless at least once a week. The non-profit Meatless Monday has a strong nutrition focus, as a project of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and provides a plethora of delicious and nutritious recipes (including some great tofu recipes, like this Tofu, Red Pepper, and Broccoli Quiche- a personal favourite- http://www.meatlessmonday.com/broccoli-red-pepper-tofu-quich/) on the website. For more on the campaign, check out the Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpnKeYmR1NM
Thanks! Ashwini
I like to fry up some tofu and dip it in peanut butter sauce.
The kids can’t wait to eat it.
Of course it’s fried in a vegetable oil and salted to taste.
I usually can’t keep up as the kids eat them before the next batch comes out.
Fried like this you can use it in a vegetable salad or as a meat substitute in stir-fried noodles.
Robert
I must say, I could not agree with you in 100%, but it