By JohnKessler

February 19, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

We go meatless at least three times a week now but, of course, the problem is keeping “meatless” from translating into a cheesy goo-fest. A vegetarian meal that involves 2 pounds of melted cheese is probably not doing my family any favors. I try to keep around items the kids enjoy like avocados, butternut squash, nuts, beans and nutty whole grains. Also pasta tossed with a whole lot of veggies and scrambled eggs seems to work.

By Brookwater

February 19, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

I just completed a fast where I gave up all (ok most) processed foods and all animal products. I guess you could say I was vegan for 21 days. Boy was it challenging! I do appreciate all of the soy (Boca, etc) based meatless meat out there, although some of it is quite nasty. It caused me to be a lot more thoughtful about my meals too. Soups, salads and veggie burgers were daily for me. I don’t know if I could ever totally go vegan, but it is something I am thinking about.

By Shamus Thacker

February 19, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Lets see, I believe Monday I’ll have the bacon smothered/slathered chops ala bacon-lard-glazed onions.

Meatless Mondays are for the wabbits!

By Scott

February 19, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

sure, i don’t think one meal a week is a big deal. my wife is a vegan, everyday. it wouldn’t be ahrd for me to do with out meat 1 day a week. oh, and you can’t include fish and call it meatless. hahaha.

By sondraroberts

February 19, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Great idea and I normally do it. However, no candy, no chocolate, or no soda would be a real hardship.

By mamacook

February 19, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

I think it’s a great idea. My kids’ lunches have been meatless for years, but only because they hate sandwich meat.

I think one day a week is a great start. Lots of stir fry dishes come to mind. But, do eggs count?

By Charon

February 19, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Not only is it healthier for you, but it’s sure healthier for the animal. Anyone who has watched this week’s video of the tasering of a sick cow laying on the ground—sticking it in the eye, etc.—and can still eat the meat of that poor animal needs some empathy classes. And some rethinking about what is food and what isn’t. PS—a pig has a higher IQ than a dog.

By hello

February 19, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Of course. I do not consider myself vegetarian but can and do occasionally go meatless. I sometimes have protein from yogurt, legumes (nuts, beans) and tofu. Last night (Monday, actually - wasn’t even premeditated!) we had veggie burgers with cheese and onions. The best way to do veggie burgers is with cheese (can be soy cheese) and grilled onions. Yum! What kills me are some folks who brag about about being vegetarian but consume endless cheesy pizzas and baked goods and are very heavy. Vegetarian isn’t necessarily healthy. Quantity counts as much as quality.

By Rebecca Velez

February 19, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

We have been meatless on Wednesday and Friday for years as part of our Eastern Orthodox practice. Usually on Wednesday I will include dairy, but try to be vegan on Friday. It works pretty well, with beans and rice, tofu, hummus,spaghetti with soy protein (fake meat, as my kids call it). Lunches can be a challenge, definitely, if you are a working mom packing for kids and getting everyone out the door!

By WTF

February 19, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Does a higher IQ mean that it is not supposed to be food?

By meatless rocks

February 19, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

In fact I’m getting tired of sliced deli meats and have lately been doing meatless wraps. The stores are offering so many pre-made hummus, guac etc. options it’s possible to put together an absolutely delicious meatless lunch - cheese (can be soy), hummus, guac, all sorts of veggies, spreads, dressings, etc.

By zennomad

February 19, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

We already do meatless monday - sunday!

Fish may be acceptable for a gimmick like “meatless monday’s”, but it is not acceptable for a vegetarian diet, which you seem to suggest above.

Don’t be fooled by the individuals that call themselves vegetarians, but eat fish, or seafood, or even chicken.

Simple rule: If it has a face - you cannot eat it and qualify as a vegetarian!

By elladee

February 19, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Why would you go meatless in order to be more healthy? Moderate servings of meat along with plenty of fruits and vegetables through out the day are just fine. If you want to be more healthy, cut down on your refined sugars and starches! Then try taking a walk.

By Anne

February 19, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

If only we Americans actually practiced your advice about moderation. We eat far more meat than we need. And far more meat than the environment can support. Reducing your meat intake is good for your body and the planet. And this is only ONE day a week - not exactly a tall order!!

By Clay

February 19, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

As a Catholic during Lent, I am in the middle of meatless Fridays now. One day a week requires no effort.

To all the superior vegetarians out there: We are at the top of the food chain for a reason. We are animals and we require meat protein. There’s nothing more pasty and sickly looking as a vegetarian starving for protein. It’s all moderation. Why is a lion eating a gazelle nature and a human eating a cow inhumane?

By newcomer

February 19, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

I love a good cheeseburger — and I agree it’s survival of the fittest. But Americans don’t get moderation. The huge steaks available at steak houses across the U.S. are embarassing. (As our most of our restaurant portions.) No wonder we’re so fat.

Anne is right, we eat far more meat than we need — but I say, we eat FAR FAR more than we need in general. Across the board. Buy a waffle cake at Six Flags. Go to the buffet at Denny’s on a Friday night. People are huge and their kids are huge.

Any comments on that?

By Shamus Thacker

February 19, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

All this burger talk is killin me!

I’m going for a Big Mac.

Maybe, if I’m lucky, my fries will come from the bottom of the pile. Really soft and greasy that way!! Wish they still used trans fats.

MMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMM!!

By Shamus Thacker

February 19, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Maybe we should build mega-spacious buffets for the more hogesque derrieres…

Don’t punish them for being fat; provide comfort with loads of grub!

By Shamus Thacker

February 19, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

Sorry for saying “fat.”

Vertically challenged is what I meant to say.

On to Bic Mac Land!

Bye!

By Debbie

February 19, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Hmm. Without even knowing about this, I had no meat today. Cereal and banana for breakfast. Salad with boiled egg for protein for lunch. Tortellini with pasta sauce for dinner. Not too much of a cheese-fest either.

By Veggie in Athens

February 19, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Something to remember: the eat most of us consume daily isn’t what was grown on your grandpa’s farm. The animals are fed poor diets, not given enough exercise (the less muscles = better tasting and more tender) and, as we just witnessed in Cali, often tortured before slaughter.

I’m not saying being a vegetarian is right for everyone, but if we chose to eat meat we need to do it RESPONSIBLY and take care of the animals beneath us.

Try to go meatless once a week. And, when/if you do chose to eat meat, buy from local farmers who care about their animals, not mass slaughter houses who just want a few extra bucks.

By Jen

February 19, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

Morningstar Farms make meatless easy. Their corndogs are pretty awesome and I don’t even like corndogs!

They also make these “meat” crumbles that do well to take the place of ground beef.

But the corndogs are the bomb…

By Kyle

February 19, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

Meatless Mondays is a great idea. But I feel that most people are too lazy to think of or make a meal without meat. It’s easy, you can eat anything under the sun that doesn’t have meat in it. That’s most the food we eat, by the way.

Also, most omnivores, if following the Meatless Monday creed, would start to substitute large quantities of dairy instead of the meat they would’ve eaten before. Dairy is far more detrimental to your health as it contributes to certains cancers, type-2 diabetes, asthma, allergies, greater risk of heart disease, obesity, intestinal problems, etc.

Also the fake meat products are healthier but not the way to go as they are so over-processed. We need to get back to the fruits, veggies, and grains which form the base of the food guide pyramid!

By zennomad

February 20, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

Clay,

Do you think that animal flesh is the only place to obtain protein? Google famous vegetarians/vegans and you will find some pretty healthy looking people. Why do you think that vegetarians are superior? More enlightened maybe, but not superior!

By C.H.

February 20, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Being a vegan, not only are my Mondays meatfree, so are all the other days of the week!

I think this is a great idea and I wish that more people would give it a try. Leaving meat (or ALL animal products) off one’s plate is much easier than a person may realize.

By mamacook

February 20, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

So how about a meatless, dairy-free Monday?

By Elise Redmond

February 20, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

There are different levels of vegetarianism. People who eat fish are called Pescatarians. People who eat dairy and eggs are called Lacto-ovo vegetarians.

By Southern Bella

February 20, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

How about going permanently beef-free and reaping the benefits of better health?

I know professing the idea got Oprah in trouble with the cattle industry some years ago! Too bad you outspoken PETA and Vegan folks couldn’t have made a loud enough stink to help her out! She took quite a beating for it!

By Tracy

February 20, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why fish would be allowed, as it’s not vegetarian. But I do support reducing one’s meat consumption. I went vegetarian “cold turkey,” and it’s one of the best choices I’ve ever made! Now I’m vegan and loving it. Eating compassionately is so empowering!

By zennomad

February 20, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Elise, Vegetarianism does not have “levels”. Over time certain “labels” have been attached to describe what a person is allowed to eat as a vegetarian. I am sorry to disappoint you, but as a pescetarian you are not a vegetarian. Please research US and European vegetarian/vegan societies, if you have any doubts (or check wikipedia). Eggs and some dairy products are permissible in a vegetarian diet. Again, a simple rule: If it has a face - you can not eat it and qualify as a vegetarian!

By Talon

February 20, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Been a Vegetarian for 5 months now, and I’ve never looked back.

By Shamus Thacker

February 20, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

I was once a vegan for 5-minutes…

By Eric

February 20, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

This is the first I’d heard that fish is allowed on Meatless Mondays! How bizarre. What we call “fish” is the meat (muscle tissue) of fish. Might as well allow the meat of chickens while you’re at it. Ah, forget it. Why even bother?

Seriously, though. If a person can’t make it through a whole day eating only vegan foods, much less vegetarian, there’s not much hope for him/her anyway.

By Franny

February 20, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

If it can walk, swim, fly, or move - then I don’t want to eat it. I just don’t want to be a part of anything that would kill another being on this earth. For me it has nothing to do with how good meat tastes or if it’s healthy. It has to do with my feeling that taking another life to support my life is wrong. Just another viewpoint - but that is how I feel.

By jmare

February 21, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this

Meatless Mondays? As a Catholic we go meatless on Fridays in Lent and most go meatless on Fridays all year long. One thing I make on Fridays is Pasta F*, tomato sauce, with oregano, basil, garlic,spices pasta and beans. With some good crusty bread and a salad, this is a wonderful meal.

I worry about the meat products since the government says it is ok to put “cloned” meat products in the market. You may have to wonder about the veggies, that are genetically engineered with animal genes. I wonder about the tomatoes, the strawberries, etc.

I guess we will have to plant the “heritage” variety of veggies as they have not been genetically altered.

Does anyone remember the movie Soylent Green? Shades of the future to come?

By jmare

February 21, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

ok, why did f* not print, I guess it is because of the first three letters, my goodness folks

F* is the word I meant to type in, so I can’t spell.

Computers need to go meatless!

By jmare

February 21, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

the recipe is for PASTA FAZOOLI, since the computer will not take the correct spelling and thinks I am wrilting a bad word.

You got to be P.C. with the AJC!

By TC

February 21, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Vegetarianism - veganism in particular - is little more than the dietary equivalent of Scientology.

Eat some meat and like it. That’s why we were made with canine teeth.

By marie

February 21, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

So I am intrigued by this notion of vegetarians excluding eating anything with a face. I have never heard it put that way before. Is that the conventional thinking?

So, fish is out; eggs are ok. But what about shrimp, oysters and clams? Shrimp have eyes but … do they have a face?

By Lucky Yankee

February 21, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

“Meatless Mondays” and “Wheatless Wednesdays” were concocted by Herbert Hoover and the Food Administration during WWI, supposedly to help the war effort. Many grandmothers passed this idea on to subsequent generations - I know this is true in my family. For more interesting facts and some interesting recipes from the era, check out (http://exhibits.mannlib.cornell.edu/meatlesswheatless/meatless-wheatless.php?content=ten)

By jody

February 21, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

You can do anything for only ONE DAY a week, really, especially with all the benefits it will bring and the many products that make it EASY not to eat meat. I hope this movement will become hugely successful.

Meatless every day is an even better choice. Not just for our individual health, but the health of the planet. the environmental impact of mass meat production is staggering - deforestation, methane production, water pollution, etc. Most notable is the amount of resources - thousands of gallons of water and seven pounds of grain - that it takes to produce just one pound of meat. So, from an environmental point of view, if America gave up one day a week of meat - especially our school lunchrooms - then we could make a huge impact in rolling back some of the damage we have done/are doing to our Earth. My family has gone mostly meatless and don’t miss it at all.

By jody

February 21, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

You can do anything for only ONE DAY a week, really, especially with all the benefits it will bring and the many products that make it EASY not to eat meat. I hope this movement will become hugely successful.

Meatless every day is an even better choice. Not just for our individual health, but the health of the planet. the environmental impact of mass meat production is staggering - deforestation, methane production, water pollution, etc. Most notable is the amount of resources - thousands of gallons of water and seven pounds of grain - that it takes to produce just one pound of meat. So, from an environmental point of view, if America gave up one day a week of meat - especially our school lunchrooms - then we could make a huge impact in rolling back some of the damage we have done/are doing to our Earth. My family has gone mostly meatless and don’t miss it at all.

By RastaMon

February 21, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

MEAT it’s what’s for dinner. Silly Vegan! Humans need MEAT. Silly story!

By RastaMon

February 21, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

GIVE DEATH A CHANCE!

By claudia

February 21, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

The human body was never designed for the eating of meat why do you think people have all of these health problems “read genesis 9 of the bible” I am vegan and not sick haven’t been sick and I feel great, meat makes your breath smell. The body has trouble processing it so it lingers in the body for weeks before digesting.

By claudia

February 21, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

The human body was never designed for the eating of meat why do you think people have all of these health problems “read genesis 9 of the bible” I am vegan and not sick haven’t been sick and I feel great, meat makes your breath smell. The body has trouble processing it so it lingers in the body for weeks before digesting.

By Steve

February 21, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

I will support Meatless Monday as soon as all Vegans eat meat one day a week!

By robo

February 22, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

Claudia,

Your Genesis 9 justification for being vegan is like your moronic belief that “The human body was never designed for the eating of meat”. Wrong mis-informed crap.

Human beings were “designed” to be omnivorous. I am sure you don’t have a clue what that means or how it fits into the development of homosapiens, specifically their large, protein hungry brains. Let me try to spell it out in moron speak.

Our ancestors thought dominating the food supply was somewhat beter than BEING the food supply, so good, bad, indifferent…here we are.

Now, I really don’t care if you (or anyone else) are vegan. You should at least be accurate in what a human really is: OMNIVOROUS! WE CAN EAT MEAT AND PLANT MATTER! Use that big brain more effectively.

By Diner

February 22, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Robo, no need for anybody to get personal. This is a discussion about eating, with no need for name-calling.

By robo

February 22, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Diner, So, it’s OK to preach insane nonsense in this “eating discussion”, but it’s bad to name it for what it is?????

At least you are not disputing the substance of the post.

By blurb-o-mat

February 22, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Franny, your reason for vegetarianism is misplaced. You state that you “just don’t want to be a part of anything that would kill another being on this earth.” What about all of the animals, such as field mice, and insects that are killed when grain is reaped? Not only soybeans died to make your tofu.

By Franny

February 24, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

Blurb O Mat everything dies. I’m sure you are right. Worms die when they turn the earth over to till the soil and people step on ants when they walk down the street. That doesn’t make it right to keep animals and then kill them for meat. I don’t want to contribute to that! I don’t want my money to support that! People have to do what they feel is right - this is right for me.