In and effort to eat healthier, I am challenging myself to go meatless for the remainder of April.  In doing so, I borrowed Food is the Solution: What to Eat to Save the World from the library to learn more about the impact of a plant-based diet and to get some meal ideas.  I enjoyed this book and especially love being the first to check out a brand new book!

This book was insightful and while it shared some daunting facts about factory farming, green house gases and the energy used to produce meat and animal products it was written in a supportive manner.  The author did not preach what readers should do but encouraged individuals to reduce their meat intake.  He suggested participating in Meatless Mondays and incorporating more plant based foods into meals.

Growing up eating meals based around meat, it has been surprisingly easy to transition to beans for protein.  I enjoyed the vegetarian lentil tortilla soup tonight, bean and rice soft tacos yesterday and pesto chickpea pasta earlier this week.  It has been great to have leftovers to take for lunch and even the kids have been open to these meals (although my youngest was adverse to the meatless tacos).

The book starts off with a discussion on the impact of animal-based foods on the planet, divided into sections on the earth, water, air and fire.  It was shocking to read that chickens are bred to grow so fast that their bones cannot support them, that pigs are corralled in pens so tight that they cannot turn around and that these factory farms can hold thousands of animals destined for our plates.  It is gross to think about the waste of these thousands of animals and the damage to the land as more space is set aside for meat production.

“The power is on our plates – let’s use it”

I enjoyed reading through the recipes and am committed to eating more vegetables and buying local when I can.  I will try a few new recipes and look for some more vegetarian options for the instant pot.  Feel free to add comments below or email your favourite vegetarian options.  In the meantime, consider your purchases and find opportunities to be kind to the environment!