Well, here’s our menu, with an unusual amount of commentary this week. Find other menus at Menu Plan Monday, which has a guest host this week.

Monday: KFC (Using our free grilled chicken meal coupons that are about to expire)

Tuesday: Whole-wheat waffles, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit (we didn’t have this meal last week; we used up some leftovers on Sunday)

Wednesday: Oven-baked salmon, baked sweet potatoes, sugar snap peas

Thursday: (guests for dinner) Brown rice w/ mushrooms, sautéed green beans, carrots, rolls

Friday: Out for David’s birthday! Birthday cake: Carrot cake w/ cream cheese frosting

Saturday: (guests for dinner) Chicken tacos (with black beans as a meatless option), Mexican rice, fruit salad

Sunday: Leftovers if there are some; if not, then mac & cheese, sautéed green beans, carrots, rolls

Comments(3)

As I mentioned in my last Menu Plan Monday, I would like to cut back our meat consumption. There are a few reasons for this:

1. Environmental/societal impact. Meat production uses HUGE amounts of fossil fuels, water, etc. It pollutes the ground and water supplies. It is responsible for more greenhouse gases than driving cars. It’s an inefficient use of land and resources; a hamburger patty serves one person, but the amount of grain that went into that hamburger patty could feed a bunch of people. And there are lot of hungry people in the world.

2. Health. We have been brainwashed into thinking that we need meat every day, a couple of times a day, to get enough protein and stay healthy. We don’t. A plant-based diet consisting largely of whole grains, beans, legumes, and vegetables can provide all the protein we need, without all the saturated fat that has dire health consequences.

3. Animal welfare. This is what originally got me looking into this. As I’ve contemplated our emerging passion for companion animal rescue and the formation of a philosophy about how we should view and treat animals, I’ve realized that philosophy should really extend to all animals. And, currently, the animals used to produce the cheap meat (as well as eggs and dairy) that we find in supermarkets are… well… not treated like they should be, to put it mildly. Do some Googling if you want to know more.

So should we all be vegans? I don’t think that’s the answer (more…)

Comments(14)

There seems to exist a contradiction in the world of food and the money people spend on it. Sometimes you hear that you’ll save a lot of money by switching to a healthier diet; other times you wonder why the healthy option has to cost so much more. I think it all depends on what exactly you’re comparing. Are you comparing similar products? Food preparation methods? Lifestyle?

Now, I could do a lot of research and provide actual statistics and site my sources, but I really don’t have time for that at this stage in my life. So here are my thoughts; do what you want with them (more…)

Comments(1)