It's a Meatless Kind of Monday
Did you know that enjoying a vegetarian diet one day a week is a way to reduce the carbon footprint of your food supply? In May 2009, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization published a report showing that meat production accounts for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. And that's not all. The world's meat diet also contributes to water quality and land use issues too. As a way of helping to offset this, a meatless Monday campaign has begun.

In addition to the environmental benefits, eating a plant based diet is said to reduce the risk of heart disease, help you maintain a healthy weight and improve the overall quality of your diet — as long as healthy, meat-free alternatives are included in your diet. It can also reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

According to www.meatlessmonday.com, many people have jumped aboard the campaign! Some of the latest folks to take action are at Northern Kentucky University, which has begun offering Meatless Monday offerings in the cafeterias to encourage healthy eating across campus. The News Record, the Independent Student News Organization of the University of Cincinnati, which is championing Meatless Monday to all students.

Although some in the meat industry have been quick to state that meat is a much-needed part of the daily diet, the campaign seems to be gaining force. You and your student can join the movement by pledging to go meatless on one or more Mondays, starting a blog or website to advance this mission and/or signing up to receive weekly recipes via Eater's Digest (www.meatlessmonday.com). Those who sign up receive the information they need to start each week with healthy, environmentally-friendly meat-free alternatives.

For more information about the Meatless Mondays campaign, head to www.meatlessmonday.com. You'll find nutritional facts, recipes to share and a host of other recipes if you desire to get on board.