Basic HTML Version
68 | FireFlyz
Mushrooms have a
great meaty texture to
bulk vegetarian meals
Be Inspired
Take a look at some of these great
vegetarian recipe blogs to inspire
you to enjoy goingmeatless.
* www.greenkitchenstories.com
* www.veggienumnum.com
* www.ohmyveggies.com
* www.herbivoracious.com
Sounds yummy!
Here are some easy vegetarianmeal
ideas to get you excited about going
meat-free!
* Mexicanmushroomand bean
burgers
* Falafel and hummus saladwith
toasted pitta bread
* Feta and spinach frittata
* Tempeh fajitas
* Mozzarella and sun-dried tomato
pizza
* Creamy broccoli pasta bake
* Tofu teriyaki noodles
* Spicy three bean chilli
cheese, which may be high in saturated
fat (go easy) but also has protein thanks to
a dairy base. There are so many different
varieties and options – halloumi or goat’s
cheese make super burger fillings, par-
mesan and mozzarella ooze wonderfully
in pasta, while feta is a treat when cubed
and sprinkled on a salad.
Nuts
Too often seen as a sinful food due to their
high calorie and fat content, nuts are actu-
ally nutritious and healthy in moderation
as they are very low in saturated fat and
high in protein, serving to fill you up as
a snack or adding a charming crunch to
salads and stir fries.
Theevidence is in–eatingtoomuchmeatharmsthebody
andtheplanet.Whynotconsidertheodd ‘veggie’ daytodo
yourbit for theworldandkeepyourself intiptopcondition?
Health
Skip the Meat and Feel
the Benef its
M
ost
people eat
more meat than
their bodies need,
p l ac i ng t hem-
selves at risk of
diseases such as
heart disease and
cancer, as well as putting unnecessary
pressure on the planet in terms of indus-
trial farming.
While many turn their noses up at
vegetarians, claiming they lack nutrition
or that their food is bland, there are an
increasing number of people choosing to
go ‘meatless’ one day aweek to do their bit
for the planet and give their bodies a break.
Not only is it easy to achieve, it can also
save you a bit of money on your weekly
shop – meat is usually the most expensive
grocery item. Shunning the meat once in
a while will encourage you to be a little
more creative with your meals. It can be
fun and may introduce you to delicious
foods you have never considered before.
Tempeh
Introduce yourself to tempeh, a ‘cake’
W o r d s :
S a r a h R e e s
P h o t o s :
w w w . v e g g i e n u m n u m . c o m
made of soy beans that originated in
Indonesia but is now popular all over the
world thanks to its unique nutty taste and
high protein content. It is also low in fat, so
is ideal to add to stir fries, stews, or even in
a sandwich as a great alternative to meat.
Tofu
Most will be familiar with tofu – or bean
curd – as it frequently appears onmenus in
Chinese restaurants, but get to know it bet-
ter by ordering it as your main dish instead
of meat. Versatile and nutritious, tofu is
made with fermented soy milk and is low
in calories and fat, with some research
showing a link between tofu-eating and a
reduction in the risk of cancer.
Beans and Pulses
When seeking a non-meat protein alterna-
tive, pay some attention to beans and
pulse, a food group which includes all
manner of beans, lentils and peas, offering
amyriad of options and flavours to choose
from. Dhal is lentil-based and so packed
with protein, while the Middle Eastern
falafel is chickpea-based and can serve as
a good meat substitute in a wrap or salad.
Beans and pulses are also known to fill you
up, so tuck into a big bean chili and beat
the hunger blues!
Eggs
There are so many possibilities with
the humble egg, from fried, scrambled,
poached and boiled to wonderful fluffy
omelettes filled with a rainbow of veggies
and dashed with cheese. Eggs are also
a good source of protein, so make your
meal egg-based and avoid the need to
touch meat.
Cheese
Use the ‘meatless’ project to indulge in
Who says a burger
can’t be delicious
without meat?