Trying Meatless Monday's... but I really like meat LOL

lindzann88
lindzann88 Posts: 27 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Ok so my husband and I are avid meat eaters, first of all, but with the cost of meat rising as well as our waist line I'm thinking of introducing meatless Mondays. What are some recipes that are meatless and you don't miss the meat (I hope that makes sense.) Thanks in advance! :flowerforyou:
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Replies

  • Sovictorrious
    Sovictorrious Posts: 770 Member
    If you love meat, maybe you can stay within your calories, hit your macros and move more? Then you wont have to give it up. But that's just what I do. It's not easy but I don't have to give up foods, even for a day.

    As for recipes, try pinterest. I find so many options there.
  • coullmom
    coullmom Posts: 133 Member
    There are so many great recipes that don't include meat and you won't even miss it for one day! If you add tons of veggies it will fill you up and with the right spices, you will save on cals and it will taste awesome. I am trying to do fish 3 days a week, its a struggle but I am trying. I do a meatless day once a week already.
  • Candi_land
    Candi_land Posts: 1,311 Member
    If you love meat, maybe you can stay within your calories, hit your macros and move more? Then you wont have to give it up. But that's just what I do. It's not easy but I don't have to give up foods, even for a day.

    As for recipes, try pinterest. I find so many options there.

    This. I always miss the meat. Why give it up if you love it?
  • lindzann88
    lindzann88 Posts: 27 Member
    I'm giving it up for only 1 day a week and to help save money. Our biggest food cost is meat so if i can cut back on how much we eat it would really help.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Eating meat doesn't make you gain weight....giving up meat won't make you lose weight. Maybe look at your serving sizes...that will do more for your budget than just cutting it out once a week. I used to easily throw down a 10 - 12 oz steak or a 1/2 Lb burger, etc....now I usually have a 4-6 oz steak, my burgers are usually around 1/3 Lb...I usually only have about 1/2 a chicken breast (on average a full breast is around 1/2 Lb so I cut it in half to get around 4 oz), etc.

    Not only will reducing your serving size help your budget, it will also help shrink your waist line as you will be consuming less calories....which is what really matters when you're talking about losing weight.

    While I personally do enjoy meatless meals from time to time, I've never come across anything that I was like, "wow...I can't even tell there's no meat in here." If you really want to do it you're just going to have to get over the fact that there's not meat on your plate or in your soup or stew or casserole or whatever. There are literally millions of vegetarian recipes on-line.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I ate pescetarian for a year, and my husband has done so for 11 years. But even in the past when I was married to a guy who was a meat eater and I was, too, we had AT LEAST 3 dinners every week that were meatless. I think it was primarily (and subconsciously) due to budgetary concerns. But we didn't even notice, in fact I remember hearing about Meatless Monday and wondering why that was such a hyped up thing!

    How about subbing out some fish, shrimp, black or pinto beans, lentils, and/or eggs in your favorite dishes? A few more ideas

    Breakfast for dinner like omelettes (no meat), pancakes, French toast

    Spinach & cheese enchiladas with a side salad or Spanish rice

    Veggie fajitas

    Manicotti with mushrooms and/or spinach and marinara (no meat)
  • _TastySnoBalls_
    _TastySnoBalls_ Posts: 1,298 Member
    OP doesn't want to try meatless mondays cause she thinks it's the culprit of her waist size, she wants to save some cash.

    Anyway, OP, what do you guys usually have? You can pretty much turn anything into a vegetarian dish

    tacos
    enchiladas
    mac n cheese
    burritos
    pizza
    bean soups

    i'm sure you can google "meatless mondays" and get a lot more ideas.

    good luck
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    Meatless Monday is a win for everyone - for you, the animals, your wallet, and the environment.

    I've been vegan for three years, but I LOVE the taste and texture of meat, so I completely feel your pain! Here's a few meatless recipes that don't taste like rabbit food:

    Lentil Loaf: Easy, cheap and hearty! Also great for freezing.
    http://vegetarian.about.com/od/maindishentreerecipes/r/ricelentilloaf.htm

    Mushroom Barley Soup: So warming and filling!
    http://kindkitchenphilly.wordpress.com/2013/12/27/mushroom-barley-soup/

    Rice and Beans Five Ways:
    http://www.nomeatathlete.com/rice-and-beans/

    Lentil Sloppy Joes: Kid Friendly!
    http://www.theppk.com/2009/11/snobby-joes/

    Channa Masala:
    http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/06/super-easy-channa-masala.html

    Feel free to reach out with any questions - I'm always happy to help!
  • tayloryay
    tayloryay Posts: 378 Member
    Corn-mushroom risotto (leave out the bacon) - http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/corn-mushroom-risotto-recipe/index.html

    Taco soup, like this one - http://www.food.com/recipe/vegetarian-taco-soup-29121 Although I only use beans (no peas, corn, green beans) and don't use a ranch packet.

    You can also make lots of pastas with no meat, alfredo, spaghetti, even lasagna. You may notice it missing from those if you always have them with meat, though.

    Oh another option would be to make a nice soup, like broccoli cheddar, and serve it with salads and a nice crusty bread!

    Check out some recipe sites like food.com, allrecipes, and even FoodNetwork. There's lots of good, meatless stuff out there!

    Oh and one last veggie recipe that I love, golden rice bowls! http://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/04/golden-rice-bowls/
  • Softrbreeze
    Softrbreeze Posts: 156 Member
    Lentil tacos are my fave. I also do a lot of Mexican dishes with beans.
  • darcy1982
    darcy1982 Posts: 52 Member
    Yum when we have meatless mondays, My husband will roasted broccoli,carrots,red onion, and portabella mushrooms with olive oil and garlic powder and sea salt and we eat it with some quinoa! wow!!
  • LB2812
    LB2812 Posts: 158 Member
    I'd start with some dishes that you might of traditionally had with meat and just sub the meat for a vegetarian protein source. For instance, do burgers with veggie burgers (or soy chicken burgers, there's so many types now). You can do a taco/burrito/nacho meal but sub either soy meat, or even better & cheaper - beans or lentils.
    Make a vegetarian chili (very cheap, very filling!) - I make mine with a couple types of beans, tomatos, peppers, onions, and whatever other veggies i might have laying around I throw that in too. Pasta Salad is easy too... pasta, beans, veggies. Minestrone soup. Tomato soup & grilled cheese. Tofu isn't much (at least not usually, I usually can find it for 2$ a pack) and if you work with it, you might find ways you like it (maybe in a stir fry? you can buy a big bag of frozen veggies for stir fry pretty cheap). Sloppy joes using lentils might be a fun, meaty option too.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I agree with the poster above about tofu. I don't love tofu, personally, but it can be a nice alternative protein source. We get the extra firm block for a couple dollars at the independent health food store nearby. If you get it at big box supermarkets it seems to be twice the price. I think it's pretty good in stir fry but my favorite way to eat it is seared in a pan and tossed with traditional BBQ sauce. SO tasty!! Great with any side(s) you would normally have with BBQ, too.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    if you eat fish- it isn't meatless monday.

    fish = meat.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    if you eat fish- it isn't meatless monday.

    fish = meat.
    and fish tends to be expensive too depending on where you live.

    OP you can substitute mushrooms, eggplant and beans in just about any recipe you'd use meat in. plus they have a hearty texture.

    i dont recommend tofu. although the taste can be nice (it takes the flavor of whatever it's cooked in, so if you've properly seasoned then it';ll be OK) i personally hate the texture
  • KelleynBradyBoys
    KelleynBradyBoys Posts: 7
    Things you could try:

    *fish or seafood
    *breakfast for dinner:
    - eggs and hashbrowns
    - an omelet with veggies
    *cheese quesadilla with a dollop of reduced fat sour cream
    *baked potatoe with cheese, chives and sour cream
    *grilled cheese and tomato soup
    *pasta with mariniara
    *stuffed shells with ricotta
    *veggie chili

    the list goes on... meat is really not that great anyways. IF buying meat, choose organic and you'll be doing yourself a lot of good by avoiding the antibiotic-laden crud the USDA allows on our table.
  • jayrudq
    jayrudq Posts: 475 Member
    You got lots of great suggestions, but I just want to say that I think it is great you are doing this. Not only do you save money, you are saving the environment too - an added bonus and just one more reason to feel good about it.

    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=meat-and-environment

    BTW, if people disagree, no worries. It is something I personally believe, and while I am a meat-eater, choose to be conscientious about.
  • Songbirdcw
    Songbirdcw Posts: 320 Member
    bump
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    if you eat fish- it isn't meatless monday.

    fish = meat.


    I have never heard anyone refer to fish as meat until your post. Interesting take on the subject.
  • Alexandria1213
    Alexandria1213 Posts: 152 Member
    Potato tacos, pasta, stir fry without meat,
    http://www.thekitchn.com/easy-weeknight-dinner-potato-t-104274
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    if you eat fish- it isn't meatless monday.

    fish = meat.


    I have never heard anyone refer to fish as meat until your post. Interesting take on the subject.


    It's not an interesting take on the subject- it's reality. It's a fact.
    Fish are animals.
    Meat is dead animal.

    fish are animals- they may not be mammals- but they are still animals.

    That is why there are separate terms for people who ONLY eat fish meat (pescetarian) and those who don't eat meat at all.

    I have a friend who doesn't like eating animals- I was like- but you eat fish- she goes to me "fish aren't animals- they are tubes- with eyes"

    And while I chuckled- I thought it was sad she had to literally trick herself out of thinking it was once a living breathing animals that is now on her plate.

    Now- I don't care what you eat- or how you eat it (my friend says he's a vegetarian but cant' give up sushi?? what???)- and my other friend is an amazing chef- doesn't eat red meat- rarely even eats chicken... amazing food. Still calls himself vegetarian- then back tracks and says- well not really- I eat fish still. <facepalm> But call it what it is- that's why they have names. Don't say you 'don't eat meat' if you still eat meat. It's just completely illogical to me.

    I'm purely speculating- but I suspect it's just much easier to say "i'm a vegetarian" than to say other things. But I don't know- I'm firmly in the "I eat cow" camp.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    hmm
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I've been eating a lot of seitan lately. 120 cals and 21 g of protein. I made the chicken style with Thai peanut sauce and spinach. Tonight I'm having it with just barbecue sauce and veggies.

    ETA I used to eat a Morningstar Farms Grillers Prime veggie burger every day for lunch. Sometimes I cut it up in my salad. Put it on a bun and dress it up like you would a regular burger and you probably wouldn't know the difference. Their chik'n patties are really good, too.
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    Spam egg sausage and spam don't have much spam in it.
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    But in a serious reply, I have done a seven layer dip with:

    First layer - refired beans with taco seasoning mixed in
    Second layer - guacamole
    Third Layer - Thicik and Chunky Salsa or Picante
    Fourth Layer - Sour Cream with taco seasoning mixed in
    Fifth Layer - Lettuce
    Sixth Layer - Cheese
    Seventh Layer - Fresh chopped tomatoes
    Bonus Layer - Green Onions or Black Olives

    Scoop it up with a tortilla chip. Warning - Not low cal or low sodium. It is very tasty though.
  • tanashai
    tanashai Posts: 207 Member
    Hi! We go meatless every so often (not EVERY Monday, but usually try for at least a few times a month). The trick is to find recipes with lots of veggies, beans and cheese (if you can manage it). I have a good lasagna roll-up recipe http://www.budgetbytes.com/2011/01/spinach-lasagna-roll-ups/ (trust me, you won't miss the meat!) and if you make a big batch, you have left overs for lunches! (they make good hand-held lunches if you don't mind them cold).

    I made a good veggie chili for my roommate who's going veggie 5x a week for his health. Don't know how good it is (he still has to try it), but it freezes and it uses an insane amount of veggies and it's sooo easy http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Insanely-Easy-Vegetarian-Chili/Detail.aspx?evt19=1 Allrecipes.com has about 1700 veggie recipes, so it's worth checking out.

    And finally, my hubby just makes ginormous veggie wraps for weekend lunches. He uses Jalepeno cheese wraps (Dempsters in this case), romaine lettuce, red, yellow and green peppers, onions, tomatoes and whatever other veggies we have in the house, pickles or pickled peppers and then he just got some Italian dressing to go with it. Huuuggee and keeps him full all day long. I don't care for them myself (too spicy and I'm not a pepper fan), but he adores them.

    Hope that helps!
  • go2grrl
    go2grrl Posts: 190 Member
    The Meatless Mondays website has some really great recipes on it. You can even check out your local library to search for bean slow cooker cookbooks. There's a ton of ways to cook up dried beans. I've done streaks of Meatless Mondays every now and then and found myself cooking lots of Indian food.
  • wiscck
    wiscck Posts: 185 Member
    Veggie stir fries are good. If you make it with brown rice that's even heartier and more filling than white rice, and you can also add peanuts or cashews for protein.

    I also love making tacos or burritos with black beans instead of ground beef. I add taco seasoning to a can of black beans and cook. Sometimes I'll also add onions, corn, or canned tomatoes. This is also good over rice.
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
    How about replacing meat with Chicken Ovums? Eggs are a very healthy and inexpensive source of protein.

    Omelets
    French Toast
    Egg and veggie fried rice
    Egg burrito
    Egg drop soup
    Egg and cheese sandwich
    Egg Salad sandwich
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    if you eat fish- it isn't meatless monday.

    fish = meat.


    I have never heard anyone refer to fish as meat until your post. Interesting take on the subject.

    I've alway heard people refer to fish as meatless, but I have never understood that. Fish is muscle. Muscle tissue is meat. Why does a fish's muscle not count? Why can Catholics eat fish for lent, but not pork or beef?

    What's that Nirvana song? Something in the Way? It's okay to eat fish 'Cause they don't have any feelings

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