1 October is World Vegetarian Day. It is one day in the year set aside to celebrate the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism. It was started in 1977, with the aim to create “awareness of ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.”
Today we will share with you some of our best vegetarian recipes, and why eating less meat is good for you and the environment, locally and globally.
Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Our Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe is zesty and full of flavour. They are high in Vitamin A and have chickpeas for protein.
Mac 'n Cheese with Broccoli
A comforting favourite, this mac n cheese includes broccoli to increase its nutritional value. Originally a Goodness Gang recipe, this is a winner for a kids meal too.
Ribboned Carrot & Beet Salad
Filled with the sweet smoky flavours of paprika butternut and garlic chickpeas, served with leafy superfood kale. It’s a delicious dish, of complementary flavours and healthy benefits.
Roasted Butternut & Kale Salad
This salad has the superfood kale and inexpensive and protein-rich chickpeas all coming together in an easy and inexpensive salad.
Breakfast Sweetcorn Fritters
Breakfast doesn’t mean bacon. Think sweetcorn cakes, red pesto, avo, fried halloumi and beans for the perfect start to your morning.
Mushroom & Cherry Tomato Frittata
Frittata is super quick and easy to make, stir-fried then finished off under the grill. It’s packed full of protein and fibre. And versatile too, it can use any veg or herbs you have in the fridge.
Lemony Potato Salad
With eggs for protein, this flavoursome potato salad is something you probably already enjoy regularly!
3 Cheese Gnocchi
While pizza and pasta is not the only thing vegetarians eat, it is a great introduction to everyone wanting to eat less meat.
All Day Energy Lunch
This is a salad-on-steroids! It will keep in the fridge easily for a couple of days, so you can make a big batch for a super work lunch.
Chickpea & Mushroom Veggie Burgers
Veggie Burgers are an easy go-to for everyone wanted to try a vegetarian option, because who doesn’t like burgers, right? Packed full of protein, these mushroom and chickpea veggie burger patties are perfect for the braai or grill. And they freeze well too!
Here are some interesting facts presenting in a fun and relatable way to show the impact of eating meat on the environment:
- You can save more water by not eating 500g of beef than you can by not showering for an entire year!
- If you ate one less burger, it would save just as much greenhouse emissions as driving 500 km less in your car.
- Just 1/3 of the food fed to cattle, pigs and chicken could feed the world’s hungry and malnourished population, estimated at 800 million.
You can participate in celebrating World Vegetarian Day by doing any of the following:
- Eating vegetarian for the day, just the week, or forever! (Check with your GP or dietician before)
- Join the Meatfree Monday movement fueled by Sir Paul McCartney, and commit to eating meat-free just one day a week
- Try the “Vegan before 6” lifestyle from food writer, Matt Bittman
