Becoming a vegetarian is a big decision and one that families must make together. I would love to be a vegetarian totally, but my husband doesn't want to give up meat. We have compromised and joined the "Meatless Mondays" movement where I can cook vegetarian one day a week at least. I'm hoping that over time, he will quit noticing that there isn't a piece of chicken or beef on his plate.
The Meatless Mondays movement is spreading to other countries and was named one of the top 10 food trends of 2010 by Epicurious Magazine, the Huffington Post and Self Magazine. The idea is to commit to going meatless just one day a week so you can try out the idea of vegetarian cooking and meals.
Why would I want to go meatless? Over time, my diet has moved to more of a raw, plant based diet because I believe it's healthier for me. We drink Green Smoothies for breakfast and lunch, big salads for dinner and I make raw snacks, using lots of nuts.
Researchers now think that most of the illness and diseases our body acquires over time are caused by inflammation. A plant based, raw food diet helps give your body the nutrients it needs to decrease the inflammatory response in our bodies so we suffer less joint pain, weight gain, digestive problems allergies and more can be traced to inflammation.
Other reasons to go Meatless have to do with concern for animals. I was raised on a farm and we raised our own chickens, cows and pigs, which were butchered for our dinner. However, these animals had big pastures to live a clean, healthy life in and they were treated humanely while they lived, unlike today's factory farms where animals live horrible, short lives in confined spaces, never seeing the sunshine, let alone are able to have free access to a field or outdoors.
Worried about getting enough protein? Don't be. Studies show that most people eat about 8 oz of protein per day, getting about 40% more than the USDA guidelines call for. Besides, foods such as beans and nuts contain high amounts of protein and is in a healthier form than meat protein. Try these delicious bean salad recipes to see what I mean.
Whatever your reasons, if you can manage Meatless Mondays, you may notice you feel and look better, you may drop some weight. You might even convert a meat-loving husband to the cause.
Read more about chronic inflammation, it's causes and natural remedies.
Read more about Meatless Mondays, get recipes and take the pledge.
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