One Step At a Time...
You Can Go Meatless
One Day For All Three Meals
Over the past few years, there has been an explosion of interest in reducing meat intake in favor of more plant-based proteins. Most likely, this is happening because of the numerous health, environmental, and animal welfare benefits that this simple lifestyle change can put into place. From the continuous release of new books, reports, and infographics regarding meat consumption, to the increasing awareness of the Meatless Monday campaign, (CLF serves as a scientific resource for the campaign) more and more Americans are embracing the movement for meat moderation.
Yet, despite its progress, we still have a long way to go to ensuring a viable, sustainable, and humane global food system. While meat consumption in the U.S. has slightly declined over the last few years, Americans still eat about twice the global average. And meat consumption worldwide is increasing rapidly, due to population growth and the trend toward high-meat diets in developing countries as incomes rise. Considering the human health toll from too much dietary saturated fat and cholesterol, along with the harmful public health and ecological impacts of industrial animal production… we have ourselves in the midst of a disaster.
In High Steaks: Why and How to Eat Less Meat, author Eleanor Boyle addresses these reasons and many more for why America should steer away from industrial meat production in both its policy priorities and consumption habits.
From the beginning, Boyle emphasizes that she is not advocating for complete elimination of animal products from the diet. She thinks they can serve an important role in human diets, and that responsible, small-scale production can be beneficial to ecological systems. The problem, she notes, is that the current levels at which these products are consumed, and the ways in which they are produced, are not sustainable (in all senses of the word).
Thus, Boyle presents a compelling argument for both bottom-up and top-down approaches that will be needed to address the problem of our current unsustainable meat economy. She calls on individuals to consume less meat, and when they do consume it, to commit to paying more for animal products from good quality sources.
On the government side, she urges policymakers to address the true costs of our current food system by removing the unfair advantage large-scale factory farms have been receiving in the forms of price subsidies, overly lenient or non-existent regulations, and corporate influence. Instead, she says, we should support policies that promote truly healthy eating and farming practices.
She also discusses why current producers (she interviewed someone from the industry side itself) should be part of the solution. This is an often overlooked, yet important angle we need to explore if we hope to find a truly comprehensive and attainable solution.
Healthy Meatless Recipe:
Red Lentil Curry
(Submitted by Briana Quinn)
Serves 4
Hands-On Time: 10m| Total Time: 30m
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 8 scallions, sliced, white and green parts separated
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 4 medium carrots (about 8 ounces), chopped
- 1 large russet potato (about 10 ounces), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup red lentils
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- kosher salt and black pepper
- naan bread or toasted flat bread and lime wedges, for serving
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, and scallion whites and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the curry powder. Add the carrots, potato, lentils, broth, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils and vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle the curry with the scallion greens and serve with the naan and lime wedges.
Enjoy and Bon Appetit!
Healthy Weekly Motivator:
Build Your Battle Plan
It's easy to fall off the wagon when you aren't prepared for a tough road! Avoid setbacks by identifying tricky situations and planning ahead. Have a back up exercise plan to fit your busy schedule or accommodate bad weather. Think about how you will handle tempting foods or drinks at family gatherings. Remember, a bit of mental rehearsing can go a long way!
Look at your schedule this week and identify any upcoming challenges to your routine. Brainstorm some effective solutions or consider how you will balance indulgences with smarter choices throughout the week. If you have a misstep, use it to determine strategies for next time.
Have a great week everyone and remember a better tomorrow starts with what you eat today! Do you have a favorite meatless recipe you would like to share with us? Send it my way!
Wishing you health and wellness from the inside out,
Lisa
LQ WELLNESS
Professional Wellness Coach
973-383-0955
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