September 3rd, 2018
This Monday, Meatless Monday celebrates with a tour of notable and upcoming vegetarian and plant-based festivals across the U.S., Canada, and Europe
To celebrate President’s Day, Meatless Monday is thrilled to share a recent interview with Speaker Anthony Rendon, who represents the 63rd Assembly District in the California State Assembly.
California’s state capital, Sacramento, is known for its Farm to Fork Festival and its support of sustainable food policy, including a Meatless Monday resolution passed in 2016.
Keeping with this tradition, the capitol cafeterias — managed by Statehouse Restaurant — recently launched Meatless Monday for the employees of the California State Capitol.
If you’re like Anthony Rendon and interested in bringing Meatless Monday to your community or government office, join the growing list of communities and city leaders who support Meatless Monday as a simple change that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the risk of chronic preventable diseases. See our Community Guide with simple steps to get it going now.
We asked Speaker Rendon to share his thoughts and enthusiasm for Meatless Monday with us.
Sacramento has a great history of sustainability, including passing a Meatless Monday resolution in 2016 – how has this benefited the community?
The thing I like best about Meatless Monday is that it reminds us to think about what we eat and to make choices that are good for our health and good for our environment. Meat production is extremely costly to our environment. In general, it uses more water and has greater environmental costs, including production of gases that accelerate climate change. I think we can make California a better place for all of its residents if we can give people healthy, tasty, plant-based food options wherever they go. This should include going into communities that have been underserved, like some in my district, and making sure they have access to healthy foods that are also affordable.
Why are you supportive of Meatless Monday in the Capitol?
There are a lot of things about Meatless Monday that are worth supporting. In a classic essay titled, The Pleasures of Eating, Wendell Berry wrote, “Eating is an agricultural act.” Most of us who have time-consuming jobs buy a lot of our food ready to eat, and forget how it gets to the table. Everything we eat starts out on a farm or ranch somewhere. Meatless Monday is a good way for all of us to be reminded of the work it takes to grow and prepare our meals.
What recommendations do you have for other communities and politicians who want to include Meatless Monday as part of their sustainability strategy?
There are very small things we can all do. For instance, I’ve added a reminder to my calendar, so when I check my schedule on my phone every Monday morning, I’m reminded that it’s Meatless Monday! It helps me plan out my meals for the day.
Are there plans to expand Meatless Monday to other areas of your community and Capitol?
Statehouse Restaurant, the cafeteria located in the Capitol, has rolled out a Meatless Monday menu that they will make available every Monday. Included on that menu are vegan and vegetarian pizzas that I had the opportunity to try – they’re quite delicious!
What’s your favorite meatless meal?
I love all types of Indian food. I’m lucky to live close to the Little India neighborhood in Artesia, California – the largest Indian-American enclave in Southern California, so my wife and I often find ourselves at restaurants there.
Use Mondays to make positive change that will do a world of good. Meatless Monday is a global movement followed by millions who choose not to eat meat one day a week for their health and the health of the planet.
This week is Valentine’s Day, a good time to express your love for your heart and all it does for you. Celebrate by cooking up a heart-friendly meal for Meatless Monday.
By choosing not to eat or serve meat just one day a week, you are giving a valentine to your loved ones every Monday, or 52 times a year.
This simple gesture of adding more plant-based foods to your diet can have profound health benefits for your heart. Research has found meals rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes contain natural antioxidants that actually benefit cardio-health.
Add some wow factor to Valentine’s Day, and every Monday, with plant-based dishes for the people you love. To everyone around the world, Happy Valentine’s Day!
My Heart Beets Salad by Apron Strings
Winter Harvest Citrus Pasta by Healthy. Happy. Life.
Quinoa Kale Risotto with Pistachios by Sharon Palmer, the Plant-Powered Dietitian
Meatless Monday is a global movement, followed by millions, with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for personal health and the health of the planet. To find out more, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!
Happy Year of the Pig to everyone who celebrates the Chinese New Year around the world. We invite you to include Meatless Monday dishes in your celebratory feast and wish you good fortune and great prosperity for the coming year.
According to myth, the Jade Emperor called a meeting of all the animals in the zodiac. On the way, the pig stopped to eat but then fell asleep– that’s why the pig is the last sign in the 12-year cycle. A Pig Year is considered favorable and brings good luck and wealth.
This vibrant annual celebration takes place not only in Mainland China and South East Asia, but also in areas with significant Chinese populations such as the U.S., the U.K., and Australia.
In addition to setting off firecrackers and honoring your ancestors, eating is a big part of the celebrations. Historically eaten by Chinese royalty, wonton soup is a perfect hot starter. Dumplings are a favorite and can be easily made with vegetables. A pretty jicama-stuffed bao surrounded by steamy dough is the perfect New Year’s treat. And for dessert, “good fortune fruit” can be served, such as oranges and tangerines.
Celebrate the Year of the Pig with a Meatless Monday feast!
Homemade Dumplings/Potstickers
This recipe, including ‘how to’ video, comes to us from Madeline Lu. Check out her food and travel blog for culinary and wanderlust inspiration.
This recipe comes to us from Tina Jui of The Worktop. Find the original Vegetable Congee Recipe and additional photos on The Worktop.
This recipe comes from Ashley at Eat Figs, Not Pigs. Check out her blog for more delicious recipes.
This recipe comes to us from WoonHeng. Follow her on Instagram for more great plant-based recipes.
Pan-Fried Vegetarian Dumplings/Potstickers
Try this incredible two-tone veggie dumpling recipe from Red House Spice. Her blog is a great resource for dumpling making techniques and tips.
Fried Brown Rice with Vegetables
This recipe was developed by Alexandra Shytsman of The New Baguette and is featured in her free Weeknight Cooking E-book.
This recipe comes to us from Karen of The Tasty Bite.
Meatless Monday is a global movement, followed by millions, with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for personal health and the health of the planet. To find out more, look for us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!
Start smart eating habits on Mondays for a happier and healthier you! February is American Heart Month. Take a moment on Monday to focus on behaviors that may help you live a longer and healthier life.
This is the third article in this month’s Healthier You Series. We’ve discussed making good dietary choices for kidney health and type 2 diabetes. This week, we look at heart health.
The American Heart Association recommends making simple changes to your diet to improve heart health, such as limiting red meat.
Meatless Monday is an easy and enjoyable way to make smart food choices for your heart.
Consuming less red and processed meat and more plant-based foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes can benefit cardio-health.
Bonnie Taub-Dix is a nutrition consultant, author, and Meatless Monday advocate. We asked her to share some heart-friendly advice.
1. Meatless Monday encourages people to cut out meat one day a week for their health and to try a great variety of plant-based foods. Are there specific plant-based foods that are most beneficial for heart health?
Plant-based protein is a hot, trendy topic but these are foods that have been around for centuries, providing fiber and an array of nutrients. Plant proteins like beans, nuts, and seeds are just a few examples of how we can cut back on meat while boosting the value of our diets.
Oatmeal is a steamy bowl of goodness for breakfast swirled with almond butter and bananas or as a savory side mixed with a variety of seasonings and spices. Oats and almonds are rich in fiber to help lower cholesterol levels.
Beans, the most underrated superfoods, are also rich in soluble fiber to help keep you feeling fuller longer while controlling cholesterol levels. They’re also a great source of plant-based protein.
2. Are there particular foods to avoid? What about processed foods?
Many people say they try to avoid “processed food,” as if it’s a kind of poison. It’s a well-intentioned goal, but even pre-chopped fruit or vegetables are processed foods! Certain processed foods make our lives more convenient, safer–and in many ways, even more nutritious.
The good news is certain processed foods are healthier than some foods found in their natural state, such as:
• Plain yogurt, with added cultures, retains the protein and calcium naturally found in dairy products, and it also includes added good bacteria to help boost our gut function and immune systems.
• Canned tomatoes contain more lycopene—a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation—than fresh tomatoes do, especially when they are eaten simultaneously with a small amount of oil to enhance absorption.
Don’t judge a food by the front of the package. Flip that bag or box over to read what’s really inside!
3. Should people with a family history of heart disease be much more careful than those who don’t have a history? What can someone with a family history do to help prevent heart disease?
If you knew you could have stopped that balsamic vinegar from splattering on your favorite white sweater, would you have done something to prevent it from happening? Unless you’re clairvoyant, it’s not very easy to prevent something you can’t predict.
When it comes to your body—whether it’s potential damage from high blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels—this is the time to take charge of your health. You can fight against your family histories by taking a closer look at what you’re putting on your plate, moving more, and finding effective ways to manage stress.
4. What’s your go-to food for heart health on Meatless Monday?
I’d have to say my Spicy Dark Chocolate Chili Bowl! What I love about this recipe is that you don’t really have to follow it exactly — you can swap out for your favorite ingredients. This recipe contains beans and avocado, as well as a variety of anti-inflammatory spices.
Bonnie recently published Read It Before You Eat It – Taking You from Label to Table. You can find more about Bonnie at Better Than Dieting and on Instagram.
For an extra bonus, check out heart-friendly Meatless Monday recipes, from pancakes to burgers, in our free comfort food e-cookbook.
Use Mondays to make positive change in your life that will do you a world of good. Meatless Monday is a global movement followed by millions who choose not to eat meat one day a week for their health and the health of the planet.
Help spread the word about the many benefits of Meatless Monday, such as how reducing meat consumption may improve your heart health. Download our shareable free graphics here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!
The goal is to encourage healthy lifestyles and reduce disease risk.
NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public healthcare system in the country, will now be offering a Meatless Monday “chef’s choice” option to inpatients at all 11 acute care hospitals. Hospital dietitians will counsel patients on the benefits of a plant-based diet as they’re making their meal choices for the day.
Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President joined Mitchel Katz, President and Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals to announce the program at a press conference where they talked about the importance of plant-based nutrition in healing patients and promoting overall well-being.
See the press release here and video highlights of the event below.
Brooklyn Borough President, Eric L. Adams, an ardent advocate for plant-based diets, commended Dr. Katz for his leadership and called on all hospitals to take the Meatless Monday pledge saying that “hospitals have a unique opportunity to influence patients and families in rethinking the nutritional quality of their meals, and Meatless Mondays now has a role in that conversation.”
Dr. Katz spoke about the hospital’s commitment to supporting patients in adopting healthy behaviors: “We want to empower our patients to live their healthiest lives by introducing them to healthier foods that they may choose once they’re discharged. The Meatless Mondays initiative is consistent with this mission and fits with our new Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC Health + Hospitals Bellevue, developed to provide intensive support for outpatients who wish to adopt healthy lifestyle changes.”
William A. Brown, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, added, “The Meatless Monday initiative is one small but powerful step we can take to help our patients make healthier decisions and improve their outcomes.” Commenting on the ability of the Meatless Monday program to encourage healthy behavioral changes, Whitney Ahneman, MS, RDN, CDN, CDE, Clinical Nutrition Manager at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island shared, “For many patients, making changes to their diets and breaking long-standing habits can seem overwhelming; however, Meatless Monday offers the ability for our patients to adopt small changes that can make a big difference over time in reversing or preventing certain chronic conditions.”
Meatless Monday Offers Expertise to Hospitals and Organizations
Hospitals wishing to implement Meatless Monday programs can consult with our team, which includes experts from the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. Free resources include:
• Research on the health and environmental benefits of choosing plant-based foods instead of meat
• Implementation guides for starting Meatless Monday in hospital cafeterias
• Creative materials that can be used to promote Meatless Monday on site or through digital and social media
• Downloadable cookbooks and weekly newsletters with Meatless Monday recipes
For additional information on the impact of food choices on chronic health problems and climate change, see resources from Meatless Monday’s scientific advisor, The Center for a Livable Future at Johns Hopkins University: “The Connections between Diet, People and Planet”
» Questions? Contact us now for additional information or to learn how to implement a program at your hospital.
Start smart eating habits on Mondays for a happier and healthier you! Did you know increasing your consumption of plant-based foods and decreasing red meat could help you lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in the long term? Find out more!
Photo credit: Kelly Campbell Photography
This week we catch up with Chef Ronaldo Linares, a leading expert on healthy Latino cooking who is helping his community fight diabetes in a big way, with food. Known for creating modern recipes from ancient flavors, he recently published Chef Ronaldo’s Sabores De Cuba, where you can find close to 100 diabetes-friendly recipes using Latin flavors. The cookbook meets the dietary guidelines of the American Diabetes Association, plus it’s bilingual!
Here’s Chef Ronaldo’s advice for keeping it sabroso y sano (flavorful and healthy):
1) What are some of your most popular tips for making dishes diabetes-friendly?
Mother Earth gives us a lot! We only have to educate ourselves about food to make delicious diabetic-friendly dishes. Here are my suggestions:
• Simplicity is key.
• Stick to three main ingredients.
• Choose ingredients that are high in fiber, low in sugar, and contain healthy fats.
• Mix up the spices to avoid using too much salt, i.e. consider adding fresh herbs to the mix!
2) Why is it important to reduce the amount of meat you eat in your diet?
That’s a great question. By eating less red meat and more plant-based foods, you could lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Reducing your consumption of red meat can also reduce your intake of cholesterol, a change that can help heart health. This means if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes or heart disease, by eating more whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and less red meat, you could lower your risk of developing these diseases.
3) What’s your favorite Meatless Monday dish?
Quinoa Mango Jicama Salad! You get a great balance of protein, fat, and carbs in this tasty recipe. The crunch of the jicama, the nutty flavor from the quinoa, and the fresh herbs all add the perfect touch. This is also a great meal prep salad: Make the salad at home and bring it to work, put the dressing in a separate container, and when you’re ready, mix everything up and enjoy!
For me, it’s about keeping it simple and maximizing the flavors.
4) What’s your favorite plant-based protein and why?
My top choice has to be quinoa! The possibilities are endless. From quick soups and bowls to stir-fries, it’s such a versatile, diabetic-friendly, and plant-based protein. One cup of cooked quinoa has 8 grams of protein and is rich in nutrients, iron, and fiber. You could make a big batch on Sunday and eat it throughout the week.
5) What is the number one piece of advice you give people who are starting a new healthy diet and lifestyle?
Be patient. Eating plant-based foods comes with a whole bag of new benefits like weight loss, physical transformation, and maybe feeling better, too!
Enjoy the journey, TOMA!
Use Mondays to make positive change in your life that will do you a world of good. Meatless Monday is a global movement followed by millions who choose not to eat meat one day a week for their health and the health of the planet.
Help spread the word about the many health benefits of Meatless Monday, such as reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Download our fun and shareable free graphic:
Start smart eating habits on Mondays for a happier and healthier you! We hear a lot about how not eating meat just one day a week is good for the planet, but what about how good it is for our health? It turns out, Meatless Monday is also an easy way to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle and better health.
Cutting out meat just one day a week and choosing plant-based foods instead can help promote kidney health. In fact, eating less red and processed meat and more plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, can help lead to:
• Better kidney health
• Better management of kidney disease
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Lower risk of diabetes
• Healthy weight management
Your hard-working and multi-tasking kidneys work round the clock to remove wastes from your body, balance your body’s fluids and minerals, make hormones that control blood pressure and form red blood cells, and much more. You can’t live without your kidneys!
We’re very pleased to say that Meatless Monday has partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to encourage people to make healthier changes to their diets in support of kidney health.
Gail Torres, RN, MS, RD, Senior Clinical Communications Director at the National Kidney Foundation explains, “Studies show that eating less meat may play a key role in keeping your kidneys healthy and in improving your health overall. This doesn’t mean you need to cut meat out completely from your diet, but rather, to replace some meat with plant-based foods, such as soy and nuts.” She continues, “This change in diet helps your body make less acid, which puts less stress on your kidneys. It also lowers your intake of saturated fat, which can harm blood vessels and lead to heart and kidney disease. Less meat in the diet is also linked to preventing and controlling diabetes and high blood pressure, the two main causes of kidney disease.”
1 in 3 American adults is at risk for kidney disease. According to the National Kidney Foundation, in the United States, about 30 million adults have chronic kidney disease – and most aren’t aware of it. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history.
But here’s the good news! You can kickstart your Mondays by swapping out meat for plant-based foods to help promote kidney health. See this week’s Meatless Monday recipe for Corn-Stuffed Zucchini, courtesy of National Kidney Foundation.
Use Mondays to make positive change in your life that will do you a world of good. Meatless Monday is a global movement followed by millions who choose not to eat meat one day a week for their health and the health of the planet.
To spread the word about Meatless Monday and kidney health, download our fun and shareable free graphics, here.
honeygrow, the trendsetting DIY eatery with feel-good vibes and locally sourced ingredients, is joining the global Meatless Monday movement. And they just launched two savory and seasonal meatless dishes that you definitely need to try–and fall in love with. We did!
Look for these new featured meatless items at honeygrow:
Soulfull Oats Salad (S.O.S.) – is a seasonal winter salad with organic baby arugula, roasted shaved local Brussels sprouts, roasted sweet potato spirals, dried cherries, ricotta salata, house-made multi-seed crackers (made with Soulfull Oats*), with a pomegranate vinaigrette.
*A special note – for every S.O.S salad sold, honeygrow and The Soulfull Project will donate a portion of sales to local food banks in the US.
Vegan AF – is a winter stir-fry with sweet potato and zucchini spirals, house-made vegan chorizo, roasted spicy tofu (non-GMO), mushrooms, kale, red onions, bell peppers, cilantro, spiced agave cashews, and a smoked paprika-tomato sauce.
Meatless Monday checked in with honeygrow CEO and founder, Justin Rosenberg, to learn more about the healthy options at all 29 locations of his super busy and popular restaurant concept.
1. What was the impetus for including plant-based dishes on your menu and working with Meatless Monday?
honeygrow was created with plant-based options in mind—I was vigorously vegan when I conceived of the brand. Finding meatless options for lunch every day at my desk job was a constant struggle. Working with Meatless Monday is a perfect fit since our menu is designed to be completely customizable.
2. Why is it important to you to offer customers a wide selection of customizable plant-based options?
As someone who is seeking plant-based options, particularly when I’m on the go, choices are key. We want to be able to provide plant-based options and we know that people want to be creative with their food. With our style of service + range of options, anyone can come in and customize any dish to their preferences.
3. What is your favorite honeygrow dish to eat on Meatless Monday?
Right now, it’s the Vegan AF—it’s our first stir-fry that features sweet potato and zucchini spirals, house-made vegan chorizo, roasted spicy tofu (non-GMO), mushrooms, kale, red onions, bell peppers, cilantro, spiced agave cashews, and a smoked paprika-tomato sauce. It’s hearty, a tad spicy, and ridiculously good.
On January 4th, Meatless Monday hosted a Facebook Live event from a honeygrow location in Brooklyn. Find out more here.
Meatless Monday is a global movement, followed by millions, with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for personal health and the health of the planet. If you’re as inspired by honeygrow as we are, we’d love to talk to you about promoting and implementing Meatless Monday in your restaurant, hospital, K-12 school, college or university. Contact us here online or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!
Happy New Year! We’re excited to share that Meatless Monday has starred in some of the leading year-end stories, and plant-based eating is predicted to be one of the biggest trends for 2019. We thought you’d enjoy these highlights:
• Meatless Monday was listed by PBS News Hour as one of the top three resolutions that can make a big difference in the world. Share it on Facebook and Twitter!
• CBS News suggests trying Meatless Monday if your resolution is to lose weight this year in this article.
• Plant-based eating is cited as a trend that’s going to be huge in 2019. Check out the New York Times article and Forbes roundup.
• A lead story by CNN, “Forget New Year’s health goals, try ‘Monday resolutions’ instead,” features The Monday Campaigns, (Meatless Monday’s non-profit parent initiative), and is going viral in both the U.S. and around the world. In just days, it has already been published by news media in France, China, Poland, the Philippines, Thailand and Mexico. Share it on Facebook and Twitter!
» News outlets brought the story to life with this fun, short video, now online on USA Today and Daily Motion.
Thanks to your support, the global Meatless Monday movement continues to grow by leaps and bounds. As you already know, taking the simple step of cutting out meat one day a week can make a big difference in your health and the health of the planet!
Enjoy our Happy New Week video to see how Mondays can help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions all year long!
Happy New Year from Meatless Monday!
Thanks to you, Meatless Monday is celebrated every Monday all over the world. And, if 2018 is any indication, the message of Meatless Monday will continue to spread far and wide in 2019. We predict plant-based recipes will continue to rise in popularity and more noteworthy cookbooks with why-didn’t-I-think-of-that recipes will appear in your kitchen.
Folks around the globe agree, cutting out meat one day a week is a decision that’s good for your health and the health of the planet. It can benefit your heart, kidneys, and so much more. And swapping out meat for fruits and veggies each week can help fight climate change. Plus, get on board because eating a plant-based diet is also super trendy and here to stay.
Drum Roll Please!
We’re proud to present the top ten most-viewed Meatless Monday recipes from 2018!
This recipe is number one for the second year in a row! Read more below about this signature dish from Meatless Monday Jamaica and Jacqui “Juicy Chef” Sinclair.
A sweet and spicy second place.
#3: Thai Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
A fun wrap with a group of friends is new to the Top Ten list!
Sweet! This delicious smoothie is coming back for a second year.
#5: Black Bean Meatless Balls and Zucchini Noodles
Zoodles are so popular! They’re back for another year.
#6: Kale, Potato and Carrot Curry
Fragrant and easy, this curry is new to the list.
A refreshing and simple salad squeaks in at number seven!
#8: Casamiento (Black Beans and Rice)
A delicious classic recipe from the Meatless Monday community in Honduras.
Back for another year, a quick and easy dish for everyone to enjoy.
This recipe proves lentils are delicious any time of day.
For the second year in a row, the number one spot on our Top Ten list has been occupied by Jamaican Jerk Tofu. This is a savory mix of herbs and spices that can convert anyone to tofu. We reached out to Jacqui “Juicy Chef” Sinclair, who leads the Meatless Monday efforts in Jamaica, to share her thoughts on jerk and why it’s so popular.
Jacqui explains, “Jerk is both a style of grilling and special type of marinade. With the rise in popularity of vegetarianism for health and climate change, the jerk technique has transcended beyond meat.”
And for those of you trying this recipe at home, Jacqui shares some suggestions, “Plant-based foods such as tofu, eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, cauliflower, and other hardy vegetables that lend themselves to grilling are great choices for jerk. These vegetables can easily ‘soak up’ the addictive and distinct taste of Jamaica.”
We’re excited to hear your thoughts on the 2018 Top Ten list! Share your reactions with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!
Meatless Monday is celebrated around the world. Join us and find out what it’s all about when you make the decision to cut out the meat on Mondays.
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