Meatless Monday: A Marvel in the Making

So many veggies...so many options

Are you a fan of the Meatless Monday movement that is sweeping the country, growing in popularity with each successive plate of food? It’s not too late to jump on the meat-free bandwagon.

The Meatless Monday campaign, launched in 2003, has gone global. Its healthy choice tentacles have reached an international level and show no signs of slowing down. From as near as Canada and Jamaica and as far away as Indonesia, Australia, Israel, Holland, Japan and beyond . . . thousands of mindful people are dropping meat from their normal Monday routines.

Going meatless one day a week not only offers health benefits, it’s also good for the planet by reducing your carbon footprint, minimizing water usage and fossil fuel.

While my true carnivorous counterparts may find the idea of going without meat a bit bizarre, I have no objection to this style of culinary consumption. In fact, there are times when I actually crave a splendid veggie-friendly dish over one laden with meat. One of my favorite restaurants in Stamford, Eos Greek Cuisine, makes the best Imam Bayaldi that I have ever tasted. Who knew that a merging of eggplant, onions, tomato, garlic and herbs could be so delicious? As a finishing touch, Eos tops their version with saganaki cheese—the very same cheese that they serve flambéed as an appetizer. Total yum.

Of course, there are a myriad of options to choose from when going meatless on a Monday (or any other day of the week, for that matter). And before you get nervous, begin to perspire and suffer from racing heart palpitations, going meatless doesn’t mean going flavorless.

The Meatless Monday website (a “nonprofit initiative of The Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health"), offers a recipe database to help you turn your Monday kitchen routine into a meatless one.

Of course, you’re not limited to what’s in your own kitchen. Don’t be afraid to venture out on a Monday night. You can still adopt a Meatless Monday.

Take a long, hard look at the menu of your favorite restaurant. Notice any healthy dishes that don’t contain meat? See? It’s simple.

Meatless Monday. One day a week. For your health. For the planet.