Are you up for a challenge?
During Lent we are encouraging you to add more plant-based meals into your diet. This is a spiritual discipline which helps us to play an active part in caring for the earth by reducing our carbon foot-print.
The U.N. believes that a global shift toward plant-based food is vital if we are to combat the worst effects of climate change. Globally, animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation systems combined.
This challenge will be different for each of us. I eat a vegetarian diet, so I will be reducing the amount of goat’s cheese and eggs that I eat. I am lactose intolerant which means I have not had cow’s milk for many years. Whatever your starting point, I hope that each of us will move closer to eating a plant based diet. If you are already there – thank you!
Need a little help?
I have invited people to send me their favourite vegetarian /vegan recipes, take-out restaurant which serve vegetarian dishes, and prepared vegan dishes from grocery stores.
The recipes are coming in from people you might well know at Beach United Church.
CLICK HERE for Recipes #1
CLICK HERE for Recipes #2
CLICK HERE for Recipes #3
A good place to start when eating more plant-based foods; is by using prepared plant-based foods from the grocery store or take-out meals – CLICK HERE
Karen’s Veggie Dal – with a local twist
This recipe uses as many local Ontario vegetables as possible. Less transportation means less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Tastes good, does you good and it’s good for the environment!
- Sauté in olive oil, onion, 3 garlic cloves and ginger. Use large frying pan with lid.
- Add 1 tsp of paprika, cumin, coriander
- Add can tomatoes [796 ml], 1 cup green lentils [ rinsed and drained]
- 1 leek chopped, half medium rutabaga, small cubed
- 5 cups [1.2 liters] veggie stock
- Can of black eyed peas
- Stir well, to make sure lentils are not sticking to pan.
- Cook at a slow boil for 30 mins
- Add salt, pepper & lemon juice to taste.
I hope that you will join with me, as we each try to “live with respect in creation” [New Creed, United Church of Canada].
Karen Dale, in ministry with Beach United Church