The Great American Meat Out.

by

AKA Change Your Diet–Change The World.

To know Miz (virtually or in real life) is to know she perceives herself to be all about the protein.

The more Ive pondered this, however, the more it dawned upon me that I am, perhaps, less about the protein & more about the elimination of the processed white.

The fluffy, preservative laden wondernessment which makes me feel GREAT upon initially cramming  in my ho-ho-hole (get it? not pie-hole? not funny? oh, ok) & all kinds of sugarcrash, mood fluctuation crappy afterward.

Upon even more reflection I realized that much of my protein (besides my beloved jerky) comes from non-meat sources.

Sure Ive been known to consume more than a few chicken breasts in a day, but I also am a fan of tofu, beans, soy & whey.

All that as a backdrop to explain why Im quite actively behind the Great American  Meatout.

Meatless may not be entirely how I choose to make up my daily intake, but I find the Meat Out to be an intriguing endeavor none the less.

Meatout, sponsored by FARM, is an international effort to introduce people to what they deem the wholesome compassionate diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains (&, whether you chose to eat that way or not, who can really argue against that?).

Their approach is to ask people to kick their meat habit for one day (on the first day of spring 3.20).

Whether aforementioned kickage lasts for a day (Hello MizFit!) or a lifetime is entirely up to you and last year 1000+ communities in the US & 27 other countries hosted events in celebration of this one day affair.  A  number which struck me as pretty huge with regards to uniting people in a day of FOOD anything!

And yes, if you’re a child as am I, you’re now struck with an inexplicable longing to launch a Great American Beef Jerky In! or a World Wide Petite Filet Day!

Or are you not.

Are you interested in staying meatless one day a week? Sign up for the Meatout Mondays email reminders & newsletter.

Do you wanna see if there are Meatout 2009 events in your area? Look here (there are three happening where I live!).

More as I am & a carnivore at heart? Look here.  Because really, whether you chow on the cow or *love* on the cow it can never hurt to ambulate for the cow.

Or, as they more eloquently phrase it, Lace Up For the Animals.

So lay it on me, Oh Bumbling Band (and join me tomorrow to see the IRONY of this post):

Heard of the Meat Out before today? Always a vegetarian? Id love your insights & thoughts below.

Pondering joining the Meat Out this year, but probably only for that one day? Chime in your carnivore love as well.

(Me? Ill join you as soon as I finish whipping up my soy sausage & egg substitute concoction as a trial run for Friday morning.)

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Comments

  1. I started eating meat two years ago after a 15 yr stretch of being a veggie. For iron because my body was starved of it (ouch!)

    I will def. participate in this meat out!! Never heard of it before today! Thanks for the enlightenment…

    Oh and I have been considering going meatless for one day a week, every week, as sort of a fast of sorts (religious ties) so this could be my start!!

  2. Ah vegetarianism, the key to learning to love vegetables! I am very much on board, although I have never heard of the meat out before. Mmmmm roast vegetable lasagna, my favourite….now that I’ve looked at the website lasagna is out if the meatout is supposed to be vegan 🙁 More difficult, but I have always wanted to try.

  3. I love my meat as well and, frankly, can’t get my mind around being a life long vegetarian.

    I am going to do this with you though. One day sounds easy and one day a week sounds as though it could be good for my body as well.

    Off to see if there are walks in my neighborhood.

    Thanks Miz!!

  4. I have not heard of meat out day but it sounds like a great idea! I am more and more about protein these days as well. I am currently working to find a protein powder that fits my needs (veggie or non-veggie friendly, but hopefully the previous). Thanks for the info!

  5. We don’t eat meat every day – it’s easier to eat on a budget that way. However, we eat it regularly, at least every other day.

    I was actually a vegetarian for a year and a half when I was 13 – 15. It was a failed attempt at losing weight more than anything else. I still ate too much cheese 😛

  7. Ive never heard of this before. I dont eat much meat at all and wonder what you think about this as a change for my body.
    Try no meat for six weeks or so and see if I break through my weight loss plateau?

  8. First, I am so glad you post so early in the am. When I can’t sleep I know where to come for some good stuff for my mind and body.

    I went vegetarian nearly 3 years ago. I transitioned by reducing the number of meat-based meals I fed the family. There are so many non-meat protein sources that it is very easy for me to be a vegetarian. (My kids still all eat meat. Though I won’t COOK it, I am prone to buying the occasional meat product for them. And we still do eggs and dairy)

    I have learned recently that my body needs more protein from varied sources, so I am still learning and striving to be a healthy vegetarian. I would like to eventually give up eggs, but I don’t see any chance I’d give up my cheese!

  9. I keep *saying* I’m going to do it. It’s just the *doing* part I keep having a problem with. 🙂

    There’s another program via Johns Hopkins called meatless mondays. Some good recipes, but they almost lost me with the fava bean puree. 🙂

  10. I’m all for this one! I’m not a vegetarian, but try to limit my intake of animal products to once or twice per week… the best of both worlds.

    I’m convinced, and research bears this out, that a fresh, whole foods (as opposed to refined “white stuff”) predominantly plant-based diet is the way to go in terms of health and weight loss.

    I love the idea of a Meat Out!

  11. Good gosh you are up early!!

    What kind of veggie sausage do you eat?

    I miss the video 🙂 now I want one every day.

  12. Thanks so much for sharing about this. I definitely want to participate. I am a meat eater simply because some meats I do enjoy and I feel they have necessary nutritional value. My desire is to get the country back to sound practices with the production of our meat. I do believe that a vegetarian diet is very healthy and I eat vegetarian meals quite often. I think that limiting our meat intake can help the environment. I’m all in.

  13. Peeking in and more when I get my day rolling more smooothly (next year?) but:

    Try no meat for six weeks or so and see if I break through my weight loss plateau?

    INTERESTING IDEA. as long as you make sure to plan and get enough protein (ID LOVE some vegetarians to chime in here with their tips and thoughts!) etc it could be a great way to burst through a plateau.
    change is always good.

    What kind of veggie sausage do you eat?

    I LOVE my Morningstar Farms sausage patties (the LINKS? notsomuch)

  14. Sounds great. I already do at least one meat free day a week, I love me some legumes but that faux meat stuff kinda freaks me out a bit, maybe time to revisit.

    So with you on the processed white, I actually become comatose after eating it these days, it’s like the cheapest sedative known to man.

  16. My wife and I have had this conversation.

    Although I’ve reduced the amount of meat I consume, I don’t ever see myself going “meatless.” Not only do I enjoy the taste, I’m convinced we’re built to consume meat products. But I agree that too most people have too much meat in their diet.

    And tofu! Tried it a few times. No can do.

  18. Beef producers everywhere must cringe at ideas like this…

    Me? I’m meat – red meat. Not by the ton, but I can’t see ever giving it up for always. There is nothing in the world, to me, like a perfectly grilled steak with sauteed onions and mushroom…Hey, that’s what we had last night!

    Not sure I will join you, Friday fish fry is a Wisconsin tradition!

  19. Never heard of meat-out day… maybe that’s because every day is meat out day for me. I’ve been a vegetarian for the last 17 years, with a brief hiatus a couple years back when I gave fish a try. No thanks. A couple people mentioned faux meat… I used to really love those morningstar farms breakfast sausages, not to mention the bacon, and boca burgers. But as time goes on I kind of find his faux meat to be sort of “wrong”. I mean, just look at the ingredient list. What is that crap? And most of it is made with highly processed soy “mince”. Better to get your protein from whole soy sources like tempeh and tofu. I say all this, but my guilty pleasure is veggie hot dogs. It’s like the worst kind of faux meat… I mean, as far as meat goes, hot dogs are at the bottom of the pile. Some would even argue that hot dogs aren’t meat at all. Maybe that explains why I like those veggie ones so much!

  21. I have tried, but always wind up ravenous and raving. Doesn’t help that I can’t have dairy, vegan substitutes are naaaaaaaaasty. I serve a big variety at every meal, meat is just another dish on the table, not the centerpiece.

    : )

  22. I did the veggie thing for a week a couple years back. I learned vegetarian food can be absolutely delicious. Vegetarian lasagne was my favourite 😀

    I also learned that I will never be a vegetarian. Delicious as the food can be, I love the taste of charred animal flesh too much 😀

    But I think I could go meatless for one day 🙂

  23. I will join you on Friday, MizFit and one day a week after that.

    Variety is so important for me to prevent overeating so I’m unsure I could do 100% meatfree with out cravings?

  25. I found a walk in my neighborhood!!!

    Thanks for the prodding/information.

    I’m always vegetarian for no other reason than I love animals.

    I could never eat something with a face.

    Stacy

  26. I’ve overlooked Meat Out before…its popular in NYC with the veggie, vegan and PETA loving crowd. My take as a carnivor is: “It can’t hurt” What’s the biggie of giving up meat for a day…you may find that you like the alternatives.

    I’m like you, I’m not really about finding the meat as much as staying away from the great white way (and we’re not talking Broadway)…if I even look at it a bloat like StayPuff.

  27. Count me as pro-meat, anti-white-stuff.

    I’ve tried vegetarian (for about ten seconds), only fish (for quite a long time), only fish and poultry… and these days I just eat whatever but not the processed white stuff. And really not grains and so on in general.

    It is really hard to get enough protein on a vegetarian diet without consuming a lot of stuff that is pretty overprocessed in its own way. I mean, we do use whey and occasionally soy protein in shakes, because it’s a great low calorie protein source, but I don’t feel that great about the degree of processing on that, either.

    But I did learn to love Boca Burger in one of my less-meat times! The crumbled stuff makes a fantastic spaghetti sauce.

  29. What an interesting concept. While the website def has a little too hardcore of a leaning for me, I think the switch to a more plant-centered diet is smart.

    I’ll go meatless Friday. Should be interesting just to see how much I have to adjust!

  30. okay…….I feel like I may be cheating on this one. I’m Catholic and we don’t eat meat on Fridays in Lent :)……..still in Lent 🙂

    But I have to brag a little 🙂 …..in the last year, there are at least 2 days a week we don’t eat meat. PB for lunch, breakfast items for dinner……eggs and toast, or whole wheat pancakes, red beans and brown rice, whole wheat pasta with sauce…….to name a few. I know this has helped our overall health and budget. When we do eat meat………we all LOVE it……I watch portions or try to stretch it with meals like stir fry.

    If hubby and I have a date, we always head to a steakhouse……..too yummy! I could give it up forever if I had to but right now, I think I’ll keep it in moderation. The idea of a “meat out” is a great one!

    “ho-ho” hole……….too funny!!

  31. I could go meatless for a day. The question is whether or not I’d have my life together enough to remember to do it when everyone else is.

    Also, does fish count as meat (Catholics eat it on Fridays in Lent, when meat is off-limits)? Oh wait….your post closed that loophole.

  32. As a cattle producer, I resent this.

    I don’t sponsor days for people to avoid eating vegetables!

    Sheesh.

    I happen to believe that a well-balanced diet includes some lean meat, and that beef is good for you. I also happen to believe that all those soy-based, highly processed meat substitutes are not, necessarily.

    Of course, I also believe that we need to get back to a way of living that mimics our grandparents just a wee bit more – home-cooked, wholesome foods that haven’t been sprayed with herbicides (or any other -cides), or pumped full of antibiotics.

    I know, I’m a dreamer.

    (And I also resent people who say they don’t eat meat because they love animals too much. Cattle producers love animals, too…. believe me, you have to love animals to do this job because the pay sucks!)

  33. of course I was HOPING youd come by and comment, BL!!
    as I know no one who adores the animals more than you (among other reasons I wanted yer insights).

    we could sponsor a GREAT MEAT IN.

    just to keep the scales (almost pun? no?) in balance!

    Miz

  34. I hadn’t heard of the Meat Out before- in fact I had never had any intention of becoming a vegetarian before my somewhat sudden decision to work towards becoming a vegan this summer. After A LOT of research I decided that if done well, it could be a really healthy decision and decided to give it a try. Since then I’ve eliminated one non-vegan food per month. Miraculously I haven’t missed anything i’ve given up! I’ve only seen benefits- my diet is way healthier, I already have a little bit more energy, and I’m way more creative when it comes to cooking. I definitely recommend giving it a try. 🙂

  35. I can take or leave meat most of the time (though I do like it as a treat)- it’s too expensive to eat all the time! And I feel a lot healthier when I eat mostly vegetarian. I tend to indulge in meat when I’m at the parents place or out for a meal, and I rarely eat it at home.

    Love your thoughts on REAL protein being important- none of this nasty processed stuff!

    I’d never heard of this day before but I am so in. It sounds like fun! And a great way to kick off the start of the spring (which I am super excited about. Winter has been TOO LONG this year).

  36. I think we should have a great American tomato aspic out.
    Oh, and great American Liver and Onions out.
    And I don’t like pretzels so put those on the list.

    I eat meat occasionally but don’t like to eat what I call “mixed” meats like sausages, salamis etc. I have not eaten a hot dog since I was a kid. But I like soy corn dogs. But I am not 100% sure they are all that great for me though they are an excellent substitution for the real thing — at least from what I can recall.

  37. I am a lot like you I think.
    I tend to eat a lot of fish and chicken but very little red meat.
    I think that most vegetarians would still say I eat a lot of meat? By their definition of meat?

    I get confused if meat means steak.

  38. Congratulations too on being in this month’s Runners World magazine!
    I was excited to see you quoted.

  39. I try to make vegetarian dinners about twice a week… that’s as much as my husband can handle them 🙂 I’ll try to go meatless this Friday. Thanks for making me aware of this day!

  40. Had not heard of it, but I don’t live in the States. I have no problem going meatless for a day – I am quite happy when I have the opportunity to do so. Convincing Husband is a whole other story.

  42. Have I told you lately that I loooooove you?
    (Sing it with me, People)

    I adore your thoughts. Comments. The fact you make time in your day to stop by.

    All that.

    *skips off singing*

    MizFit

  44. Word to the Bag Lady about cattlemen (cattlepeople?) loving their animals. Most people I know don’t live with as much dedication to their families as my uncle and cousins have to their cattle.

    Nevertheless, I stopped eating meat several years ago when I realized I just didn’t really like it that much and was only eating it out of habit. (Not good karma to have with the animals. I do miss fish…still have it maybe once a year.) I have to disagree with the folks who’ve posted here that it’s too hard to get enough protein without overprocessed fake-meat products. I do eat those, maybe once a week, for convenience, but when you’ve given up meat because you didn’t want it, fakemeat isn’t appealing. I eat eggs with about the same frequency and dairy a little more, but whole grains and vegetables have plenty of protein, people. Really. Really really.

    I love the Meat Out and Meatless Mondays, but maybe we also need to try a Package Out? You know, one day where you don’t eat anything that comes out of a sealed package? Things like the paper bag of snap peas from the market would be allowed, but for example we’d have to make our own bread (chapatis, anyone? It’s not that hard!) or buy it fresh from a bakery. It would really make us think about where what we eat is coming from, wouldn’t it? Especially drinks! It would be filtered tapwater and squeezed juice all day, right? OMG, my coffee… 😉

  45. There is certainly nothing wrong with being vegan, but there is also nothing wrong with eating meat!

    That said — we raise or hunt ALL of the meat we eat. I haven’t bought meat or even fish in a grocery store in over 15 years.

    Want to stop factory farming? Buy local from a small farmer 🙂

  46. Meat good. We occasionally have a day where we eat beans or lentils though the record should show that the beans are prepped with bacon. I’ve eaten the fake meat sandwich meats from time to time when I felt I needed something lighter. All it does is make me appreciate the real stuff all that much more. Totally back everything cousin Bag Lady says.

  47. I am a born vegetarian.. always have been a vegetarian.
    I have difficulty getting enough protein in..my husband insists that I am perenially hungry because our food is low in protein. But, I am not sure if that is true. I can have a huge bowl of bean soup ( in fact, today my lunch is 13 -bean soup) and feel hungry in an hour.

    I use beans abundantly, tofu occasionally, I eat plain yogurt almost every day.

  50. Man, I love meat. I was a strict vegetarian for about 5 years (when I was a teen) and then met my husband and he showed me the (delicious) way back into the fold.

    I kinda get where they are going with this, but to agree with Bag Lady a little. But then I am all for making a stand for what you believe in etc.

    We do at least one meatless dinner a week. Breakfast and lunch are usually meatless, so we are good there. I am working towards two nights a week and on a quest for good meatless meals that are filling and not weird- I do have a family to feed.

  53. Awesome idea, Marianne. We could fast for hunger and send either the food or the money to a local shelter or food bank. I’m DC-Metro, Maryland-side, so there’s plenty of need ’round here.

    How about Good Friday, April 10th? (I’m Buddhist, not Catholic, but it seems like the date could work for a lot of people, although I could be biased b/c Maryland is such a Catholic state?)

  54. Or perhaps an EAT SIMPLY SO THAT OTHERS MAY SIMPLY EAT day?

    A day of using what you have & donating what you might have spent?

    I like the idea of fasting but for many it’s a slippery slope into days of fasting with an ‘excuse’ & a return to disordered eating.

    Thoughts? Leamur & Marianne & others?

    Miz.

  55. I’ll be cutting the meat.

    Reading my food diary, I was surprised at quite how much meat I actually consume. I’m determined to eat only “good” meat- meat that hasn’t been intensively reared or pumped with hormones. And since that kind of meat is not cheap, something has got to give. And as a bonus I get to experiment with balancing a fleishig/milchig/pareve food week too!

  57. I’ve recently turned to a sensible diet where meat has it’s place too. There is a balance of different food groups that helps the food for subsistence become the diet of choice.

    I tip my hat to BagLady for doing the work she does and support her efforts by purchasing butchered cows so they can be spread on buns and crammed into loaf pans.

  58. We try to eat only local meat, and do have a fair number of days with veggie only meals. The problem is trying to do away with processed foods – that means no boca or morningstar meat analogs. That can make it a challenge to get a good amount of protein on busy days.

    But – it is worth it. I think if you eat meat – find a local farm to get it from if you can. There are a surprising number out there!

  59. Love Marianne’s idea – let’s start a movement of our own! I’m perfectly willing to go hungry and donate what I would have spent on food to a local shelter!

    And Leamur? April 10th sounds great!

    And thanks to those of you who have made supportive comments regarding the Bag Lady’s flying-off-of-the-handle comment earlier in the day! She must have been lacking in coffee…….

  60. Very interesting, though I guess I’m not that surprised at this movement. I will happily join the Meat Out on Friday because I pretty much eat vegetarian without thinking about it, but I’m not into committing myself to one diet style or another (hence a meal of seitan and a meal of beef in one day like what happened Sunday…). I’m into listening to the crave, protein-wise.

  61. I couldn’t do it. As much as I love fresh veggies and whole grains, I occasionally need to be a meatatarian. Mmmmm bacon.

  62. This is interesting to me, because it’s something my family has struggled with. One of the problems of having biologists in the family is that the topic of animal intelligence often comes up. Because of that, we have varying levels of moral concerns about eating meat.

    My question has been, “how dumb does something have to be before you can eat it?” I’ve drawn my own lines, and part of them have to do with the fact that homo sapiens have bodies constructed to eat both meat and vegetables. We know our bodies function best when we eat both, but with the right vegetarian diet we can live without animal protein.

    I’ve been vegetarian for months on end, as well as the twins. My son in law is a vegetarian, my daughter eats only chicken and some (sustainable) seafood. I do NOT consider myself a vegetarian, and love lean meats.

    CONFESSION: I love fatty meats and sausages too, but I’m holding out for other alternatives.

    Miz Fit, you mentioned fasting. There are some churches who have very strict fast rules. If you’re Eastern Orthodox right now, you’re not eating meat or animal products (including eggs, milk and cheese) until Easter anyway. There are all sorts of fasts, and some of them really make good health sense.

    of course, starving yourself for a day just isn’t a good idea.

    Honestly, I don’t see that there should be any problem eating meats (well, except calamari). I understand a group that feels that they can’t eat “anything with a face” (I don’t know how they’d define a face on a squid, mind you) would want to spread awareness about their cause, but I’ve examined that option for myself and rejected it.

    I respect those who do draw their lines differently than I do (even when they’re in my own household) and always have vegetarian options in my home, which I pretty much mix indiscriminately into my own diet. Generally, high fat meats (hamburger and sausage) are often replaced with soy products while lean meats (of all kinds) are generally not.

  63. I’ve never heard of Meat Out before, but I’d be in on it, and one day a week would be no prob…I’m at least at that already. I already cook a lot of veggie and vegan foods. I like tha variety of it and the better tasting, healthy roudned out meals I get. I picked up a few good veggie/vegan cookbooks and have a subscription to vegetarian times, just to get great food ideas. The meat I eat comes from local farmers where the animals are treated well. I could probably go veggie…I’m just into food of all kinds. If it was harder to get ethical local meat it might push me to go all in.

  65. I am on board…we will never become full out vegetarian but already try to add in as much meatless meals as possible.

  66. I love that it’s Friday as I’m already meatless 🙂 and typically eat a fairly meat heavy diet.

    As a recovering anorexic I appreciate what you said in #53 MizFit.

    I like the notion of EATING SIMPLY… and appreciate that you recognize that, for me, even one day of restrictive eating/fasting can serve as a trigger.

    Thank you for all you do.

  67. I’m think I’m interested in trying this but I’d have to sneak it past the hubby. I do occasionally serve him meatless dinners so I could do that without specifically telling him why (he tends to get rebellious and roll his eyes at anything he considers touchy-feely or remotely PETA related–yes, I know PETA wasn’t mentioned at all but he lumps all “spare the animals” people in that category, I’m afraid).

    I am more open-minded but I still tend to roll my eyes a bit at anything that’s a ——- Out for just one day–like the people who think not buying gas for one day is going to make one bit of difference. It seems this is more about changing the habits of the eaters rather than affecting an industry or anything, but I still wonder how one day will really affect most of us omnivores.

  68. I, too, am Catholic and feel like cheater cheater pumpkin eater because I’m already meatless on Fridays (fish fry, anyone?) but I’m in!

    I LOVE eating new meatless foods I can use in cooking but still get protein. I love polenta and quinoa and of course love the black beans. Next up is tofu. 🙂

  69. I’m sure that you saw my post on to meat or not to meat, but if you didn’t, here it is:

    http://lovinmytummy.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/a-meaty-issue/

    Protein can be an issue for me, since you can’t really grab tofu or eggs like you can a piece of jerky or turkey, but there are ways to get creative.

    OH, and thanks for your comment…I solve the problem of food blog v. family blog by combining the two. I’m sure some people don’t dig it, but its my world, and sometimes I don’t even like it!!!

    Have a good day, Mama!

  70. I currently am a pescatarian who eats 3-4 servings of seafood a week, and that feels about right to me physically speaking. (Ethically speaking, I think I’m a hypocrite.) Even if I go back to eating all meat one day, the fact that I was a vegan for about 4 years means it will never occupy a central spot in my diet– I just love all my grains/beans/veggies too much. That’s probably the biggest bonus of temporarily giving up meat to me: being able to focus totally on what occupies the rest of your plate.

  71. Is your whole family doing it? I’m not sure my family would go for it, but with a little planning, I guess I could anyway. (Fitness Fig, are we married to the same person?)
    I agree with Christine. Glad to know that I’m not the only one who thought that.
    OOOOH! Next, let’s have an EAT OUT day!

  72. I have never heard of the Meatout before, but it’s interesting. As an unapologetic carnivore, I could never go entirely meatless (especially since the list of veggies I like is VERY short), but a day is definitely doable.

  74. This interested me, enough that I read a lot of comments. I especially liked Baglady’s comment. Because I am a meat lover, but sometimes as a real animal lover I feel guilty. Like, if I REALLY loved them, I wouldn’t eat them…anyways, since starting my ‘diet’ four years ago, I really have adjusted my way of eating, and don’t panic if I go 24 hours without eating meat. One thing I like about it is that you can eat a bigger volume of food if you only eat fruits and veggies!

  75. LOVE the post and all the comments. There’s some really good stuff here.

    For me? When I was still living at home, my mom went vegetarian, and because I didn’t want to cook separate meals, I ate 90% veggie by default. I was always tired. Like sleep-10-hours-a-day-please-God-just-one-more-hour tired. When I added chicken and fish back into my diet, I felt SO. MUCH. BETTER. And my mom was really conscious about getting enough protein into her meals, so that wasn’t the issue.

    Recently, it’s gone even further: my doctor, after a comprehensive health workup basically told me to eat MORE meat. In her words, “based on some of your test results, chicken and fish aren’t going to cut it if you want to avoid medications. You’re looking at beef honey, and liver if you can handle it.”

    So I’ve gone full circle from meat to veggie, back to meat. (But my mom? Still veggie, and SHE feels FANTASTIC doing it. Everyone is different, you know? Even the Dalai Lama eats small amounts of meat due to a liver problem.)

  76. Well…as a fully (and possibly over) recovered disordered eater, I’m pretty sure that a day of going hungry won’t shove me back into those patterns. It may, however, help me and my children be more aware of what we take for granted. There’s also the “guest at your table” option, where you figure out what you spent per serving, and put that money in a box. Our church does this in the fall. We just had a meat free lunch…brown rice, black beans, and a whole bunch of vegetable odds/ends.

  77. Thanks for the comment!! I’m doing better today, still trying to take it one day at a time. It seems to be working so far!

  78. I’ve been a vegetarian for a year now. My top veggie protein sources: greek yogurt, whey protein powder, soy milk, tofu, beans, nuts. Fish once or twice a week. My sister’s a marine biologist who works in fisheries management (and she’s into healthy eating) so she gave me a list of wholesome, un-endangered and eco-friendly types of fish to try (I’ve hated fish my entire life but I’m getting over it!).

    I try to avoid having too many veggie meat products because the ingredient lists tend to be long and sketchy. It’s still processed food. But I love the MSF sausage patties, yah! And their chick’n patties.

    They have really yummy veggie jerky! Primal Strips mesquite lime seitan jerky is so, so good. (I got it at Whole Foods) Great portable snack – 75 calories and 10 grams of protein really cannot be beat with a stick. The mushroom jerky was horrid though.

  80. I try to have a meatless meal once a week…usually it is just pasta & veggies or maybe some type of Mediterranean veggies with eggs…but I do try to fit it in. Not for any reason other than variety and trying to eat more veggies though. I think it is a good idea and will have to try and make sure to remember it when I am doing my weekly menu too! 🙂

  81. I’ve been eating meat less and less, mostly because I’ve learned to like tofu and beans. I often have a meatless day, but never really plan it that way.

  82. I hadn’t heard of the “Meat Out” before today. I think I prefer the alternatives offered by other folks: the “eat simply” idea, or maybe a “spring cleaning” of clean (or even “locavore”) eating for a day.

    I’m an omnivore. It’s what works best for me. I do eat less overall than I used to, especially non-nutritive value foods. (That said, even though there are a lot of foods/beverages I don’t consume anymore, and many that I think twice about before choosing, I don’t label anything “forbidden”…that’s just setting myself up for trouble.)

  83. oh, i agree… i feel much better when i eat less or none of the processed white stuff.

    no meat for a whole day? hummmm. i am usually pretty proud of myself if i go meatless for a meal! 🙂 i’ll have to think about it. it would be hard at my house since pre-schooler daughter is allergic to eggs.

    anyway, speaking of meatless, my PB2 came in last week (I ordered it the day you featured it) and I LOVE IT! Husband even likes it….and I had to buy like 5 different brands of ‘natural’ peanut butter to find one that he liked that didn’t contain HFCS. so thanks for telling me about it… I LOVE PB2 and chocolate PB2!

  84. Did you really just say “chow on the cow”? Ewww, that makes it sound so nasty! Personally, I only eat poultry and fish only because I do not like the taste of all the other meats.

  87. We eat vegetarian 2+ times a week. It’s important to understand complete vs. incomplete proteins when going off animal proteins so that you’re still meeting your daily protein requirements.

    I’ve been craving meat lately. I ate a protein bar yesterday and it went away … the craving. So, I’m now eating a protein bar on strength training days.

    This is exciting, that I’ve learned to properly interpret my body’s messages and cravings.

  88. I am not a vegetarian, but I don’t eat a lot of meat. Never heard of the meat out. Most of my protein comes from non-meat sources as well. I could definately do it for a day.

  89. i did not know about the meat-out. since i don’t eat meat, i’m thinking it will be no prob to participate (is this also a shrimp-out? if so, then there might be a little difficulty) and we all know my carnivorous pilot may have a rough time with this.
    i totally agree about getting the refined stuff out before you even begin to think about meat. white flour does much more damage.
    hope you have a happy humpday miz!

  90. I thought the Meatout was something else altogether.

    BTW did you say NO WHITE SUGAR? What shall I do with this sleeve of Thin Mints?

  91. Meatout is definitely the direction I’m heading. The more i fill up on veggies, fruits and grains the less meat i’ve been eating.

    I definitely eat eggs every morning with my 5 servings of veggies and 1 cup of fruit. Never thought i could eat veggies for breakfast, but i love the way they make me feel, and the energy they give me.

    Thanks for encouraging us all to eat cleaner, and be responsible for what we shove in our ho-ho-holes =)

  93. Gosh, I’m not sure I can do this being all low-carb and all right now. Tofu is not my thing!

    I have, however, started buying cage-free eggs and stuff.

  94. Hi MizFit: I’m a carnivore at heart but I do want to reduce my meat intake to two or three servings a week. I had a hamburger yesterday but today I’m eating no meat.

  95. Thanks for this info. I’ve put it on my blog to help spread the word.

    I don’t eat beef (only occasionally), pork & lamb, but I do eat fish (a lot), chicken (also a lot) and turkey. Wish I could eat more tofu because I like it. However, recently learned it’s a good idea to minimize tofu and other forms of soy because it may interfere with absorption of my thyroid med.

    I credit my recent weight loss on cutting way back on cheese. I used to use other foods as cheese delivery systems!

  96. As a former vegetarian (for 3 years) I heartily embrace dietary alternatives to meat. There are so many wonderful ways to use fruits, veggies, grains etc. that are both healthful and delicious.

  97. MAN you all NEVER let me down. Ive really enjoyed all the comments today (and the emails. always the emails 🙂 keep em coming but DONT be hesitant to rant here either!).

    YES. for me it’s most likely only one meat free day a week.

    with my go go go lifestyle things like pregrilled/in fridge chicken & the ever beloved beef jerky are just staples.

    for now 🙂

  98. My VERY earth conscious friends just told me about this. I heard being called Meat Out Monday and I can totally do this. Just couldn’t get away with it weekly or even monthly!!

  99. Interesting topic today! I’ve been red meat-free for going on 15 years now and wanted to raise our kids that way, too; however, I was thrown a curve ball by food allergies!

    I recently identified that I haven’t been feeding my son enough meat to get him the protein and fat he needs for all that he does (he’s a ball of 4.5 year-old FIRE!!!). Since eggs, all nuts, and cow/goat milk are out for him, and we limit his soy, we really need for him to have red meat (and fish, chicken, beans, etc.). It turns out that for his little body (and a reduction in mood swings, temper tantrums, etc.) and our sanity, bacon and beef are important.

    That doesn’t mean that I won’t continue doing my meat-free eating, though! It just meant that sometimes we have to step back and see what is the best, most healthful fit for us as individuals – even under the same roof. 🙂

  100. Though I am a meat eater, I do not eat meat every day. Here in the U.S. we eat way too much meat — so much that cow waste is what causes so much of the e.coli problems we’ve been having (sorry, but it’s the truth).

    Not to mention the way we treat those cows — I won’t even go down that road & I’ll get off my soapbox.

    But really, there are SO many other great sources of protein: quinoa, beans, lentils, brown rice, barely…I could go on & on. When I lived in France I saw that they eat a lot of these “other” sources of protein.

    So over the last few years I’ve added IN a lot more non-animal sources of protein to my diet and I feel so much better — it’s amazing! And I help my clients do the same. They’re so easy to cook & really taste great.

    But I can say, I still love a nice piece of steak.

  101. Just wanted to chime back in about meat-free protein. At first with the veg diet I tried to recreate meat dishes, but over time I realized that I could do so much better just embracing the meatless protein for what it is. We have beans a couple of times a week, eat plenty of whole grains and nuts, lots of fruit and veggies, eggs and dairy. Tofu and soy-based faux meat only about once or twice a month.

    Tonight I made what I like to call Satan in Hell. I use unseasoned refrigerator seitan that I slice and sautee in minced garlic. Add hot sauce to taste and a spoonful or so of brown sugar (a pat of butter adds to the richness of the sauce but olive oil is good too.) This is one of few meals where I emulate a meat dish. I could have made twice as much and I think the kids would have still wanted more!

  102. this sounds cool (and unwillingly i do it on a lot of days so i think i’m up for it!) except it’s tradition to eat salmon and herbed rice on the first day of spring for me 🙂 i’ll definitely join in on the pescatarian (i can’t spell this word) version.

  104. Meatless, I’m not! After all, it doesn’t say that we don’t love the animals, it just means that we have grown up to eat a balanced diet. A lot of vegetables, organic, or not have pesticides in them, so, how can that be any healthier?

  105. I would have no problem leaving out meat more than once a week. at the risk of promoting more processed foods, I tried morningstar farms bbq riblet. OMG!
    But now not only do I have to lose weight….I have to watch sodium and cholesterol!!! The nerve of my body to do this to me!

    No meat might make sense here. (heavy sigh)

  106. Once when I was in high school my best friend and I decided to go meatless for a week. Little did I know the day after we started, my boyfriend had planned an extravagant dinner out at a fancy steakhouse! But I still went meatless nonetheless 🙂

    I don’t think I will be participating. I love my lean meats too much!!

  107. Hi Carla!

    Have to admit, I knew nothing abou the Meat-Out tomorrow, but for the first time in forever, I had 3 completely vegetarian days.

    LIke you I am ALL about the leaving the white-stuff out, it makes me act like an addict, plus in my 50’s I want to age really well (and beautifully if you must know). So have been a protein lover and a major salad and veggie lover, etc. I do not eat jerky- but maybe you will inspire me to try it again- the kind at Whole Foods looks sorta good, in a dried up leathery non-food way…

    But a couple of weeks ago I began to worry about eating so much meat (I live on my husband’s meatloaf- it’s all made and I just add a slab to my salad and it’s perfect- have made with beef, or buffalo, or turkey, or lamb or blends of all the above). Anyways, am rambling here…

    I got a very strong intuitive “hit” (am also all about intuition!) to cut the meat out. I prepared to feel a little deprived a little hungry. I ate things I thought I didn’t really like much like red beans on my salad, and some other stuff.

    I loved it, was not hungry, felt lighter and a bit more vibrant, voila I could go without meat. So the experiment continues and am really excited to have a no-meat celebration with everyone tomorrow! Feeling very in sync and didn’t even know it.

    Thanks as always for your inspiration and beautiful work!See you on twitter.

    love and blessings,
    Lisa
    http://www.IntuitiveBody.com

  108. I love it! I’m so in;)

    And excellent point about good nutrition being less about adding random protein and more about removing the white “ho-ho-hole” stuff!

  110. Miz,
    I do eat meat, but haven’t been craving the stuff lately, and I’m definitely lacking in the protein department. So, I have no problem joining you in the Meat Out…and I still have yet to find your beloved Chipper Beef Jerky anywhere around Nashville. 🙁

  111. I was vegetarian-nearly-vegan for 14 years. After a couple years of health issues, it turns out that my body is no longer tolerant of soy. I can only eat so many beans quinoa etc, plus I have to cook for hubby as well… so I started eating salmon & tuna. The thing I missed most being vegetarian was the convenience of “eating anywhere”… for many places, “vegetarian” means a white salad with a pink tomato, piles of cheese and a fatty salad dressing… now that I eat fish it’s a little easier, but I feel guilty sometimes that I enjoy that convenience (I still don’t really like the fish itself, and I don’t like feeling hypocritical eating something I once swore I’d never eat, but I’m learning to accept that, sort of.).

    But anyway, now that I have a flesh-protein back on the dinner plate, I find it more difficult to get my veggies in – when I ate veg, it was ok to spend a decent amount of time preparing a veg entree… but now it almost seems too much work if I have to cook the fish or meat too. So I end up cooking a lot of plain frozen veggies. My diet is much more boring.

  112. Not too sure if I will participate- though I definitely will be eating veggies: I have a neglected and FULL organic delivery that came when I was away! Good luck with your day though. 🙂

  113. I have a hard time with even one meatless meal (minus breakfast which is 99% of the time oatmeal, which doesn’t lend itself well to meat). The plan today is chicken pho and fish, rice, and veggies, so while not meatless, I am not ingesting cow or pig, so that’s something, right? 🙂

  114. Howdy,

    I just wanted to let you know that I have been following for a a couple of months on and off and I would like to sign up for the daily feed. I am not to computer smart so I’ll give it a try but I might need some assistance. This is a terrific find and I would hate to lose contact, and maybe never find it again.

    Anyway, thanks again and I look forward to reading again in the future!

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