We are built up from that which we eat. Shall we strengthen the animal passions by eating animal food? In the place of educating the taste to love this gross diet, it is high time that we were educating ourselves to subsist upon fruits, grains, and vegetables. … Use less and less meat, until it is not used at all. If meat is discarded, if the taste is not educated in that direction, if a liking for fruits and grains is encouraged, it will soon be as God in the beginning designed it should be. No meat will be used by His people.” Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods, 69.
Maybe you’ve flirted with going vegetarian, only to dismiss the idea because you can’t fathom how to go without meat for a week, let alone a lifetime. But in training your taste, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. To begin the change, what if you chose just one day every week to make all your meals meatless?
That’s the challenge for you this month. The idea of eliminating meat one day a week actually began during World War 1 as part of the home front effort, when some 10 million families took part. It was revived during World War 11 and again in 2003, this time as an idea for public health. It has been endorsed by schools of public health, hospitals, worksites, schools and restaurants.
Skipping meat on Monday, and then adding another day each week until you eat no meat each day of the week, means you’ll save at the grocery store. Meat tends to be the most expensive item you put in your shopping cart. You will be spending less for the best grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables.
So what will you eat on Mondays—and the other six days of the week—if meat is off the menu? Tasty and filling alternatives are sprouting everywhere. Try recipes like those provided on the food page of LandMarks each month. Think you will be losing protein? Not so! As an example, the following recipe will give you 14 grams of protein!