One Step At a Time...
You Can Go Meatless
For All Three Meals
Eating
less meat is not only good for your health and the health of the
planet but it could also save you serious cash.What's
the most expensive item on your grocery list? Meat, any type of meat,
and that's why planning a few meatless meals can give your grocery
budget a huge boost! It is also a way to decrease your cholesterol
and saturated fat intake, giving your heart a much needed break.
Monday
is a great day to start your meatless meal project. Why? For us,
Monday is the busiest day of the week. We just came off a two day
weekend and now it's time to go back to work, do laundry, clean
house, and whatever else seems to need attention. Monday is just not
a really good day for us to do a lot of cooking, and that's why we
are now having Meatless Monday.
Whether
at home, in supermarkets, or in restaurants, starting the week by
going meatless can really boost your budget and you can feel better.
If
you're looking for a quick and easy way to knock $20, $30, or even
$40 off your grocery bill each week, then consider cutting out meat.
Cutting out just one or two meaty meals a week could save you some
serious cash. If you're concerned about the taste and quality of
meatless meals, don't worry. There are countless recipes online that
taste good, are good for you, and cost very little to make.
For
those of you on the fence about eating meatless meals, my advice is
just to give it a try. Eating one or two meatless meals a week
doesn't mean you'll become a vegetarian (we still eat meat), nor does
it mean you have to commit to it every night. If you decide you don't
like it, then no big deal-just go back to eating meat. However, you
may find that meatless meals are a smart and tasty way to save some
money, just like we did.
While
meat is a great source of protein, there are also many great meatless
protein sources to keep your muscles fueled.
If
you have a husband like mine, who can't imagine life without meat,
then each week in this blog there are great meatless meal suggestions
that even my meat-lover husband admits he likes. My husband was very
skeptical but agreed to at least Try and TASTE. To his surprise, the
meatless meals tasted delicious and he feels healthier.
Healthy
Meatless Recipe:
Eggplant
Polenta Lasagna
(Adapted
from Joy Bauer)
This
healthy spin on traditional lasagna is loaded with veggies and
bursting with flavor. Polenta is used in place of noodles and goat or
feta cheese in place of ricotta in this layered one dish wonder.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 cup cornmeal
- a little nonstick cooking spray, for preparing the pans
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 large eggplant, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 3 ounces soft goat cheese or feta cheese, divided
Directions:
Prepare
an oven to 375 degrees. Bring 4 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of the
salt to a boil in a medium pot over medium-high heat.
Slowly
pour the cornmeal into the pot, whisking constantly. Bring the
mixture back up to a boil and reduce heat to a low as soon as it
boils. Simmer, whisking intermittently, for about 20 minutes, or
until the polenta is thick, but maintains a spreadable consistency.
Prepare
a grill pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place the grill pan over
medium high heat and grill the zucchini slices and eggplant rounds
for about 4 minutes per side, or until softened and charred on both
sides. Sprinkle the veggie slices with another 1/4 teaspoon salt and
black pepper as they cook on the grill pan. Transfer to a plate and
set aside.
Prepare
a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish with more nonstick cooking spray. Spread
half the marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish. Pour half the
polenta over the marinara and spread it in an even layer using a
spatula. Place half the grilled zucchini and eggplant on the polenta
with half of the cheese and top the veggies with the remaining
polenta. Layer the remaining zucchini and eggplant on top of the
polenta and pour marinara sauce over everything.
Crumble
the remaining goat or feta cheese to top the lasagna. Cover with
aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, cook 10
minutes more. Serves 4.
Enjoy
and Bon Appetit!
Healthy
Weekly Motivator:
Dare
To Walk Alone
While
the buddy system works for some, others are more comfortable
exercising or being active alone.
Solo time at the gym, during
yoga or while walking may be a great way to clear your mind, release
stress and get the most from your workout.
Think
about your workout sociability this week. Are you cut out to go solo
or do you prefer a fitness friend? Plan an activity that suits your
style.
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
Make
sure to follow me on Twitter @lq_wellness
Like
me on Facebook
Follow
me on Pinterest
“As
I see it, every day you do one of two things:
build
health or produce disease in yourself.”
~Adelle
Davis~
No comments:
Post a Comment