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Eco Eats

5 Reasons To Go Meatless Today

People say old habits die hard. That definitely applies when it comes to food. Changes in diet are always difficult, but a positive attitude, a good dose of motivation, lots of perseverance and serious commitment is the perfect recipe for success. If you’re considering to go green, today is your lucky day. We’ve decided to bring you five excellent reasons to finally take the leap. Take a look.

The meat on your plate is a result of a long chain of animal suffering
For somebody to be able to eat a slice of meat, an animal must suffer a life of torture, confinement and pain. About 95% of animals raised for human consumption live dreadful lives in factory farms all over the world. These facilities have little to do with our childish conception of farmhouses. The term “Industrial Farm” is a euphemism for tiny cages, captivity, deprivation, filth, dirt, disease and cruelty. Ask yourself what is it that you’re eating and where it came from. You may be surprised to discover the truth.

Meat consumption contributes to economic inequality and global famine
Raising cattle at industrial levels calls for an enormous amount of grain. Cattle consumes a quantity of food that would serve to feed far more people than the current global population. Wouldn’t that be a better redistribution of resources? Is a hamburger worth the exploitation of workers, the suffering of animals and the starvation of thousands? Do consider this the next time you stop by a MacDonald’s Auto-Drive to get a quarter pound.

happy-vegan-meatless-diet

Meat consumption is strictly related to environmental pollution
Fossil fuels, gallons of water and a vast amount of fertile land is needed to keep the meat industry going. Not only is this a tremendous waste of valuable, non-renewable resources, but extensive stock-breeding also produces a large amount of greenhouse gases, tons of animal waste and severe damage to ecosystems.

Less meat equals more health
A vegetarian diet is beneficial for the body. It reduces cholesterol levels, lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, gallstones and kidney failure. Less meat also reduces the risks of osteoporosis and food-borne illnesses. Vegetarianism also contributes to a slim figure as it reduces chances of developing obesity.

 A meatless diet is contributing to change on a global scale
I know it sounds like total gibberish, but it’s true. The bottom line is that eating meat means killing animals. And we’ve done enough killing over the centuries. Maybe we should bear in mind the words of singer Paul McCartney: “If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot: ecology, famine, cruelty”.

 

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Eco Eats Featured

Black Bean Veggie Burgers for Meatless Monday

It’s Monday which means another Meatless Monday recipe for you! We have found an excellent black bean veggie burger recipe, it’s easy, quick, and fast! Once you make this recipe you won’t be buying pre-made veggie patties EVER again!

Ingredients:

1- 16 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed

½ green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces

½ onion, cut into wedges

3 or 4 cloves garlic, peeled

1 egg

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp hot sauce

1 tsp cumin

½ cup breadcrumbs

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375 and prepare your baking sheet with oil.

While the oven is preheating, in a medium bowl mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.  In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.

In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin and hot sauce. Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix into bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

Proceed to bake for about 10 minutes on each side.

Additional Notes:

Instead of baking you can grill on an outside grill. You can also make other substitutions and or changes to the ingredients based on your personal preferences.