People choose to eat vegan for several reasons--for health, the environment, or personal beliefs. Some people remain omnivores but choose to eat a vegetarian meal on occasion. Eating one vegetarian meal has a larger impact on the climate than one might realize. Kathy Freston says on AlterNet, "if every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetarian foods instead, the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than half a million cars off of U.S. roads."
The following ideas are for people who would like to try a vegan meal that is tasty, quick and easy to make, and relatively inexpensive.
Quick Stir Fry
Cook some whole grain boil-in-the-bag brown rice (takes about ten minutes). While the rice is boiling, run your favorite vegetables through the food processor (good choices include onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper). Throw some canned Chinese vegetables into the mix too (like bean sprouts or water chestnuts). In a hot wok or skillet, toss the vegetables with a little low-sodium soy sauce (for an extra dash of flavor, sprinkle some sesame oil and ginger in too). Two or three minutes is all the saute time the vegetables will need. Drain the rice and remove from the bag. Serve the vegetables over the rice.
Speedy Pasta Salad
Cook some of your favorite whole grain pasta (spirals or macaroni work really well). While the pasta is boiling, chop up some tomato and onion to taste. When the pasta is done cooking, it should be run under cold water to prevent it from overcooking. Toss the pasta and veggies with your favorite Italian dressing and enjoy.
New Favorite Burger
Both Boca and Morningstar Farms make tasty soy and veggie burgers that are lower in fat and calories than traditional beef burgers. They can be microwaved, grilled, or fried (tasty with a slight brush of olive or canola oil). Cook and then place on a whole wheat hamburger bun with some of your favorite veggies--a leaf of lettuce, slice of tomato and onion, or a couple of dill slices. Slather on some mustard for one of the fastest and yummiest burgers ever made. Ketchup fans can even pour on a low-sugar, healthier version made by Heinz.
Spaghetti
Yes, spaghetti. Many canned pasta sauces are vegan--just be careful to read the label. Some add dairy products, such as Romano cheese. Continue to choose with care, as many premade spaghetti sauces also contain excessive added sugar and other unnecessary ingredients. It is possible, though, to find a healthy, delicious sauce. Heat the sauce in a pan on the stove while some whole wheat spaghetti boils on the stove. Serve with a side salad (some crisp Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers would complement the meal well) and eat up.
Vegetarian Dining
For something different, try one vegan meal a week. Vegan cooking can be as simple as these meals here, delicious, and fast to make. What more could someone want?
Related articles:
Quick & Easy Vegan Recipes-No Cooking Required: Simple Vegetarian Meals That are Healthy and Tasty Too
Reasons to Become Vegetarian: Why People Choose a Meatless or Vegan Lifestyle
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
