by April H.
Member since:
December 22, 2005

Living Green, Frugally - Meatless Monday!

July 12, 2010 12:22 PM UTC
views: 0 | 6 people recommend this | comments: 26

An easy way to give your budget a break and help the environment is by eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat.

A simple way to start doing this is by incorporating "Meatless Mondays" into your routine. It's just what it sounds like - on Mondays, refrain from eating any meat products.  This has become a very popular trend, and has shown people how easy it can be to have delicious meals without and meat.

I have lots of posts for meals that do not include any meat, and there are many recipe sites that allow you to search for meatless meals.

Little Miss and I recently made these child-friendly vegetable pancakes, which can serve as a great side or snack on Meatless monday!  Additionally, they are a great way to get your child involved in the cooking process.

Vegetable Pancakes

Make mix according to directions.  Add 2-4 cups of shredded veggies.  Cook and eat!

We used shredded carrots and corn kernels in ours.  Serve with ketchup, salsa, or any other dipping sauce your child likes.

These also freeze really well.


 

Comments: 26

Debbie T. Jul 12, 2010, 12:35pm UTC
Those pancakes sound yummy. During the summer there is so much fruit and veggies that are in season, it's easy to eat lots of fruit.
April H. Jul 12, 2010, 6:23pm UTC
So true! Plus when it's hot fruits and veggies are the only things that really appeal to me.
Dianna Doles-Petry Jul 12, 2010, 1:11pm UTC
I've have to try the pancakes. I made baked pancakes with fruit cocktail when my children were younger and they loved them. I have already given up a lot of meat eating.
Larry H. Jul 12, 2010, 4:35pm UTC
too late already had meat.
Carla B. Jul 12, 2010, 9:43pm UTC
We don't ever do whole meatless days, since my doctor advises against it due to vitamin deficiencies I have anyway. We do have several meals each week that we don't eat any meat, though.
April H. Jul 15, 2010, 9:39pm UTC
From everything I've read it sounds as though you cook very healthy meals!
Kat W. Jul 12, 2010, 10:45pm UTC
I made vegetable ragu and pasta for dinner tonight using red bell peppers and zucchini from our garden. It was quite delicious.
April H. Jul 13, 2010, 9:29am UTC
That sounds wonderful - nothing better than veggies straight out of the garden!
Heather M. Jul 13, 2010, 7:44am UTC
Just about every meal for me is a meatless one. I only break that for the rare bit of seafood or poultry. Just can't give up my shrimp or sushi! (At least, not until we manage to make that so toxic that it is no longer safe to eat at all.)
April H. Jul 13, 2010, 9:30am UTC
I agree! I occasionally have seafood, but most of the time I go meatless.
Cathie M. Jul 13, 2010, 8:22pm UTC
We have cut way down on our meat consumption and are eating way more fruits and veggies and other foods that are better for us. Thanks for the post.
April H. Jul 15, 2010, 9:39pm UTC
That's wonderful Cathie!
Carrie Marie P. Jul 14, 2010, 1:09am UTC
that is awesome! We often eat a huge salad once a week and fish on Fridays to save some money. I don't like carbs so I avoid supplimenting missing meat with that though.
April H. Jul 15, 2010, 9:44pm UTC
Beans make a great substitution for meat. Black bean tacos are one of my favorite meals! It would also be really great on a salad.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Jul 15, 2010, 8:27pm UTC
Top with sour cream, and it's a full meal! Nicely done April. So simple, and kid friendly.

FYI: This idea is now featured at my Frugal Eats group here on Gather. Thank you so much April for the submission.
April H. Jul 15, 2010, 9:48pm UTC
Thanks for featuring this idea! I know I'm always looking for ways to get my daughter to eat more veggies, so I'm sure that other parents are too.
☃ Shannon K. Wendt Jul 15, 2010, 9:48pm UTC
We had vegetarian tonite, a garbanzo bean salad. Deeeeeeelish!
April H. Jul 15, 2010, 9:49pm UTC
I love garbanzos!!
DIANE D. Jul 20, 2010, 10:14am UTC
I go 3 days a week without meat. Great post!
April H. Aug 17, 2010, 9:24am UTC
That's great Diane!
Kathy D. Aug 1, 2010, 9:48pm UTC
That's a really great idea! I never thought of that!
April H. Aug 17, 2010, 9:24am UTC
Thanks!
Sam Carana Aug 17, 2010, 2:38am UTC
How about imposing fees on livestock products? I discussed this in more detail in this post.
April H. Aug 17, 2010, 9:27am UTC
I think it's a good idea, but we have a long way to go before that will happen. Too many strong lobbies against it. I wish America had taxes that made us pay the "true cost" of things (so junk food would be more expensive than fresh local goods), but I think we have a ways to go before Americans jump on board.
Sam Carana Aug 17, 2010, 10:13pm UTC
You've got a point, April. People don't like paying taxes, yet they do expect government to pay for many things, which can make a country end up with national debts that are hard to repay.

This is why I advocate feebates, i.e. imposing fees on products that are to be discouraged, while using the revenues exclusively to fund rebates on good local alternatives. Such feebates can be budget-neutral and help those who want to do the right thing.

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