MEATLESS MONDAY: Health and Environmental Concerns

One Step At a Time...

You Can Go Meatless 

One Day For All Three Meals

PQ, follower of LQ Wellness shared the article below that originally appeared in the New York Daily News.

Los Angeles City Council calls for ‘Meatless Mondays,’ citing health and environmental concerns. The body voted unanimously to adopt a resolution encouraging residents to go vegetarian on the first day of the week.

The drive-thru capital of the world has declared Mondays meatless.

In a unanimous vote, the Los Angeles City Council adopted a resolution encouraging residents to go vegetarian on the first day of the work week as part of an international movement aimed at reducing the planet’s meat consumption.

"Eating less meat can prevent and even reverse some of our nation's most common illnesses," Councilwoman Jan Perry said. "We've become disconnected in some ways from the simple truth that our health is directly affected by the foods we eat."

The councilwoman noted that meat-rich diets can play a part in the development of heart disease and cancers of the kidney, prostate, breast and colon.

  

"We can reduce saturated fats and reduce the risk of heart disease by 19 percent," Perry said.

Environmentally, reducing meat consumption can shrink a community’s carbon footprint and help slow global warming.

Still, the city’s anti-meat motion doesn’t really have teeth: It is not backed by force of law and is merely a recommendation, but council members hope it will encourage residents to take a few small steps to improve their health and the environment.

This move aligns the city with a larger meatless campaign launched in 2003 by affiliates of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. It has since been backed by 30 public health schools. 

Healthy Meatless Recipe:

Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche

(Courtesy of Weight Watchers)

Who says real men don't eat quiche? It's really just an omelet in a piecrust. Make it for the whole family along with a salad.

INGREDIENTS

·      9 inch refrigerated pie crust

·      2 tsp olive oil

·      1/2 cup red onion chopped

·      1 1/4 cups part skim ricotta cheese

·      1 large egg

·      2 large egg whites

·      1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

·      1 tsp oregano

·      1/2 tsp salt

·      1/4 tsp black pepper or more if you like pepper

·      10 oz frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well drained

·      1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

·      Preheat oven to 375ºF.

·      Press pie crust into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch, removable-bottom tart pan or a 9-inch pie pan; refrigerate until ready to use.

·      To make filling, heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes.

·      Transfer onion to a large bowl and add ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese, egg, egg whites, mustard, oregano, salt and pepper; mix well and fold in broccoli.

·      Spoon mixture into prepared crust and level surface with a wooden spoon; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

·      Bake until a knife inserted near center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.

Note: Not a broccoli fan? Substitute spinach in its place.

Enjoy and Bon Appetit! 

Healthy Weekly Motivator:

Deter Diabetes

Diabetes is becoming an increasingly deadly problem for adults and youth alike. You can reduce your risk for diabetes by being physically active, eating more fiber (vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds), consuming 100% whole grains over refined grains, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Make at least one small goal for each day this week that incorporates the above guidelines. For example, schedule in a 30-minute exercise session, or make a whole grain, fiber-rich meal. By focusing on your health earlier, you can prevent the negative consequences of diabetes.

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

lisaquinnwc@embarqmail.com

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