IT'S GOOD FOR YOU, THE PLANET AND IS EASY!!

Jerusalem Artichoke (sunflower root), Apple and Butternut Squash

I read an article this week which got me thinking...cironline.org, The Hidden Costs of Hamburgers. It was about how much energy it takes to produce one pound of hamburg and the facts are astounding. If we all gave up meat or cheese for one day a week, according to this article, it would be equivalent to taking 7.6 million cars off the road for one year!!!  How easy it would be to accomplish so much, and there are health benefits to humans too! It is not a sacrifice, just an thoughtful process for one day a week..

I am NOT a Vegan and have no intention of becoming one, even though I admire those who enjoy and adhere to the diet. I do eat vegetarian very often, for no particular reason other than my love for vegetables! It is just not for me full time, and we do still have the right to eat as we please, I hope!!

I would, on the other hand, like to contribute to the current trend of "meatless Mondays" or whatever you wish to call it and offer Vegan style menus for one day a week on this blog. My hope is that it will encourage people to eat this way once a week if the work of selecting a menu is done for them!  I will try to give instructions for some of the items on the menus.  The menus and "recipes" may not meet all Vegan standards, so please do not send in criticisms for not following "strict" Vegan practices. I only mean to help people tend in this direction, one day a week, have fun, and eat well.

Discussions, suggestions, etc, in the comment section would be most welcome. Let's get a dialogue going and help ourselves and our planet at the same time..and our local economy too, by buying local produce and products.

Polenta with Berries

BREAKFAST

Polenta sauteed in vegetable oil, with Fresh Fruit and Maple Syrup

LUNCH 

Pita with White Bean Puree, Roasted Red Pepper, Red Onion, Avocado and Cucumber

(beans pureed with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic)

DINNER

Pasta Puttanesca with a Salad of Wild Greens (spinach and arugula included) with Garbanzo Beans, Artichoke Hearts and Carrots in Red Wine Vinaigrette

(Puttanesca is a marinara type sauce with capers and black olives added. Sometimes hot red pepper flakes, basil and anchovies too..we'll omit the anchovies here!)

Add some Bruschetta Bread with some of the Bean puree from lunch with chopped tomatoes.

In cooler weather, the ingredients in the initial picture would make a nice soup made with vegetable stock to accompany the sandwich!

Sunchoke and Apple Soup with Shiitake Mushroom Garnish

Local Peaches and Berries

DESSERT

A Fresh Fruit Crisp and (Soy Ice Cream if you must)

(made with cut up fruit;  oatmeal, flour, sugar, cinnamon and vegetable oil or shortening for the topping)

Happy Vegan Eating!!  Sola Gina