Meat Free Mondays

Originally launched in the US in 2003, ‘Meatless Monday’ began as a as a healthy eating initiative to raise awareness and encourage the population to improve their heath by reducing their meat intake one day a week. Today, the campaign continues with greater focus on not only the health benefits of reducing meat in take once a week but also the environmental benefits.

This year we have been making an effort to review what we’re doing for the environment at home as well as on the farm. Robert and Laura’s family eat meat but are making a conscious effort to reduce their intake.

You don’t have to go cold turkey. Instead, try easing into meatless meals. Consider going meatless one day a week. That said, if you don’t like the idea of a whole day without meat, start with a couple of meatless lunches or dinners each week.

Meat production typically requires more resources, leads to more greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to deforestation and pollution to a larger extent than producing fruits, vegetables, and other minimally processed plant foods

Reducing meat consumption has many benefits; it is the single most significant action you can take to help our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and soil degradation. Reduction of meat consumption will also save an enormous amount of land, water use and will increase biodiversity.

Did you know…

Skipping meat for one day a week can reduce your annual carbon footprint by as much as not driving your car for a whole month!
Only a fraction of soy is consumed by humans. Over 80% of the world’s soybeans are turned into feed for farmed animals!
It can take 30 bathtubs of water to produce just one beefburger.
An area of rainforest the size of a hundred football pitches is cut down every hour to create room for grazing cattle.
Almost a third of all land on Earth is used for livestock production.

To inspire you to give Meat Free Mondays a try, we have put together a collection of our favourite meat free recipes that we think will be a great place to start.

Potato Skewers

These Potato skewers are a tasty and colourful meat free alternative. Use up any left-over veg such as peppers, carrots, tomatoes, onions and of course potatoes by stacking them on a skewer!

Patatas Bravas

Reduce your meat intake and get a taste of Spain from home with this delicious patatas bravas recipe. These crispy golden potatoes with garlic, paprika and tomatoes are even more tasty when paired with some Garlic Mayonnaise.

Mashed Potato Cakes

Ever find that you always make too much mashed potato? Say goodbye to waste as you incorporate your leftover mash into a perfect meat free Monday’s dinner idea. These crispy Mash Potato Cakes are perfect served with some veg or as an accompaniment to your evening meal.