Meat. It’s not something I take lightly.

I’ve been a vegetarian and, although I don’t see myself ever going back down that road, I do appreciate the time I spent there. We have at least two to three meals a week that do not involve the flesh of animals and I am proud of that. Not only can I say I am reducing my carbon footprint, but I am saving myself money in the process.

Have you seen Food, Inc. yet? Me neither, but I am reading the book and I have to say, although I am aware of most of the things they talk about, some of the information is appalling. Taking meat out of your meals for just one day a week can reduce your family’s carbon emissions by a lot. According to the UN, over the course of a year you could save the planet from 52kg of excess carbon emissions.

Reducing meat in your daily diet is not as hard as some people think. It just takes a little forethought and planning. If you are used to basing each nightly meal around a major protein source, consider reducing the protein to a footnote of the recipe. Meat doesn’t have to be the star. Here are some fabulous examples to start you out: Spring Asparagus and Pancetta Fettucine and Wor Wonton Soup. Once you have gotten used to reduced protein in your meal, you can make the move over to completely meatless meals, like these Vegetarian Meals.

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