Meatless Mondays

Endorsed by everyone from health practitioners and mom bloggers to celebrities, Meatless Monday is a campaign that encourages us to cut back on saturated fat intake by eating three meatless meals on—you guessed it—Mondays.

The nonprofit organization behind the campaign has recruited big names in the culinary world, like Mario Batali and Wolfgang Puck, to help spread the message. Paul McCartney is even promoting Meat Free Monday in England.

One of the goals of Meatless Mondays is to raise awareness of our eating habits. Sixty years ago, people tended to eat less than three pounds of meat a week. Today, more than four pounds a week is average. By eating vegetarian one day out of seven, you can help reduce the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes.

Going meatless on occasion is affordable. Beans, for example, are a less expensive form of protein. The ecosystem benefits too: raising beef requires large quantities of water and grain.

Start your own Meatless Monday tradition by trying some of the recipes featured here. Flavorful and easy to make, these dishes won’t leave you missing the meat.

Mixed Medley Tofu Stir-Fry

Betty's Eggplant Parmesan

Warm Quinoa Salad