Recipes

Spice is the Key to Eating Less Meat

~ Becky Ross Michael ~ 52 Comments

From Maria Godoy’s Life Kit at NPR

“Trying to eat less meat? Make sure your meat-free meals are just as satisfying by seasoning your vegetables with the same spices you use to cook meat. It will carry some of that flavor over.

Keep your cupboard stocked with spices like cumin, paprika and ginger that enhance any meal. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and basil can also add a nice touch.

‘If you love Thai, if you love Ethiopian, if you love Caribbean [food] — keep those spices on hand as well,’ says Tracye McQuirter, a public health nutritionist and author.

It turns out you don’t need to become vegetarian or vegan to make an impact on your health or the environment. Just cutting back on your meat consumption can go a long way. You could also try plant-based proteins to fill out a meal, like tofu, cashews, almonds, mushrooms or edamame.

It also helps to think about what your meals are gaining, instead of what they’re lacking.”

Check out the short podcast and link for recipe ideas! ~Becky

Something for Everyone: Plant-Based Holiday Recipes

~ Becky Ross Michael ~ 66 Comments

If you have friends or family over during the holidays, chances are that someone in your group prefers to follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. You’ll want to be sure that there are choices to please everyone. Check out Meatless Monday for some great recipe options! I can personally vouch for the “No-Meat Meatloaf” as being very tasty, and I’m eager to try a few more of these offerings, as well. Of course, fresh fruits/veggies and regular or non-dairy cheeses are always easy additions to the table. Enjoy!

Fight Climate Change with Your Fork: Meatless Monday

~ Becky Ross Michael ~ 43 Comments
Source: Pixabay

Extreme weather, rising sea levels, and species extinctions are all signs of climate change. Many scientists agree that greenhouse gases are a major threat. What can we each do to make a difference? Fight climate change with your fork! The livestock industry contributes about 14.5% of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans, which is even more than those brought about by transportation. Tweaking our diets away from animal products and towards plant-based eating is one way we can each help!

Source: Pixabay

Check out Meatless Monday for more details about the following:

*Adopting Meatless Monday

*Eating more plant-based meals

*Reducing food waste

*Composting

*Eating sustainable foods

And make sure to use the links for great recipe ideas!

5 Ways to Eat a Rose

~ Becky Ross Michael ~ 49 Comments

roses

I’ve seen the beautiful photos and know many of you have roses in your gardens or areas nearby! If they aren’t sprayed with any chemicals, then they’re healthy and safe to use in salads, butters, beverages, honey, and vinegars. Check out the following article from Yes! A Better World Today for the details!

Source: 5 Ways to Eat a Rose

What Is a Plant-Based Diet?

~ Becky Ross Michael ~ 62 Comments

Source – Meatless Monday: What Is a Plant-Based Diet?

Becky’s Easy Microwave Eggplant

Sometimes I want something fast, without turning on the oven to heat up the apartment or suck all the moisture from the air. I love eggplant and have come up with this easy dish!

In a round, covered casserole, layer/arrange the following:

Portions of your favorite plant-based sauce in the bottom & then between layers

Raw spinach

Eggplant, sliced into rounds (additional option: zucchini, sliced the long way)

Portobello mushroom slices

Peppers, sweet red or green, sliced

Onion and/or garlic, chopped

Top with plant-based cheese (my current fave is Miyoko’s) or sliced tofu dusted with cayenne red pepper (I love the dry texture of Hodo tofu). Optional topping: sliced black olives, drained.

Cover and cook in the microwave for 15 minutes. So easy and yummy!

Natural Egg Dyes and Seasonal Children’s Books: Secular and Spiritual

~ Becky Ross Michael ~ 70 Comments

Imperfect Foods is my new favorite source to buy produce that is less-than-perfect or in surplus at a reasonable cost, in efforts to help reduce food waste. Boxes are delivered to the door according to the schedule you choose. On the company site, I found this article about natural egg dyes. I’ve used the turmeric and red cabbage methods in the past and know they work! ~Becky

And from Publishers Weekly,

One year into the pandemic, the holidays have not yet returned to their full festive scope, but there’s still cause to celebrate the coming season. The arrival of spring brings a parade of Easter and Passover titles, as well as books on baby animals. In addition, Margaret Wise Brown’s classic Runaway Bunny, illustrated by Clement Hurd, is hopping over to HBO Max in a musical adaptation. We’ve gathered a selection of new and noteworthy springtime picture books for young readers, both secular and spiritual.

21 Ways You Can Eat More Plant-based Foods in 2021!

~ Becky Ross Michael ~ 42 Comments

Check out 21 tips for incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet in 2021. Arm yourself with this toolbelt of techniques, pantry staples, swaps, gadgets, and apps!

Source: 21 Ways You Can Eat More Plant-based Foods in 2021

Many bloggers have mentioned this as a goal for the coming months. Hopefully these ideas will help!     ~Becky

Meatless Monday: Flavorful Fall Recipes

~ Becky Ross Michael ~ 20 Comments

FROM MEATLESS MONDAY: “It’s officially fall! And the perfect time for apple picking, visiting the pumpkin patch and exploring the local farmers’ markets for seasonal vegetables, like broccoli and eggplant. Trying new meatless recipes is a great way to utilize all of the ripe fruits and vegetables coming into season. We’ve gathered delicious plant-based recipes from our Meatless Monday bloggers and influencers featuring fall produce. Enjoy the hearty tastes of fall!”

Hope you find something here that appeals, even if it’s not autumn where you live!                  ~Becky