Day 101: Skip meat at least once a week

The #MeatlessMonday concept started in 2003 and it has now launched into a global movement. Reducing your meat intake can make significant improvements to your health and save you money.

In addition, cutting back on meat (including fish and chicken) and dairy can reduce methane emissions (which contribute to climate change), reduce deforestation, improve soil and water quality, as well as help to restore our ocean's ecosystems. From an animal welfare point of view, most livestock is intensively farmed, which is an unnatural environment for the animals and increases the need for antibiotic use, which has been found in meat intended for human consumption.

Did you know that cutting back on meat can also reduce world hunger? Read more about how agriculture and world food security are connected at Meat Free Monday New Zealand here

http://www.meatfreemonday.org.nz/why-go-meat-free

Vegetarian food is not all about lentils and tofu anymore either. Some of the world's most notable chefs are conjuring up new recipes and ideas, and the Internet is full of inspiration. This article from Slow Food illustrates how American chefs are getting on board with Cook Up A Better Future with Meatless Monday to change food culture and reduce harmful climate change, aligning with the current COP23 Climate Change Conference 2017 in Bonn, Germany: Menu for Change Celebrities such as Chris Martin, Sheryl Crow, and Paul McCartney have all joined the movement, with McCartney and his family producing a film "One Day a Week" with Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone drawing attention to the link between climate change and livestock farming. You may also be keen to watch "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret" here - please let us know your thoughts on this documentary. If you're thinking of cutting out meat for more than one day, check out the NZ Vegetarian Society for nutritional advice (plus you'll find a lot more recipes on there): http://www.vegetarian.org.nz/

So, whatever your motivation: your finances, your health, world hunger, the environment, or the animals, how about switching one day a week (or more) to a meatless day? Take the pledge at Meat Free Monday New Zealand: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/pledge-to-go-meatless/