As someone who swore they’d never become a vegetarian, it goes against every instinct in my body to be writing a piece on giving up meat. Even if it is just for a day. You think it’s going to be easy and then by 4pm I’m craving bacon, and oops no I’ve not made it. But at least I’ve tried. And so are more and more people. Meatless Monday is becoming part of the mainstream as more of the population than ever before are starting to identify as ‘flexitarian’ – a part time vegetarian.
(https://dining.queensu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2015_MM_environment…)
Since coming to uni, and spending all my time with a wonderful vegetarian best mate, who then (horror of horrors) becomes a vegan just as we move in together, I have learnt to appreciate the odd meatless meal. Perhaps it was because my mum has never been the most natural of cooks (some of her attempts at tomato soup still haunt my nightmares) that I was so solid in my dislike of all things green, but since moving away and having to fend for myself I’ve found that maybe vegetables are not the mortal enemies I’ve always imagined they were. In fact, cooked right they can be pretty delicious. (Here’s a link to a banging vegan curry that couldn’t be easier to make: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1386633/quick-veg-curry)
Plus they’re definitely cheaper. Even if you couldn’t care less about the environment and the human race’s impending doom, think about the financial benefit of a meat free Monday. That couple of quid you’ve saved by putting veg in your curry instead of chicken can buy you a pint later or swapping out beef mince for quorn could mean you have just enough money saved for that dress you wanted. It all adds up.
Then let’s consider it from the do-gooders point of view. By not eating meat you’re saving the animals themselves, never mind future generations. We’ve managed to eat our way through more than 270 million tonnes of animals this year already, which is more than double it was forty years ago. By cutting down our meat consumption we’re reducing CO2 and methane emissions (bloody cows), reducing the rate of deforestation, using less energy (it takes 75% more energy to produce meat than corn) and saving the oceans which are regularly polluted by animal waste, factory farms and fertiliser. That’s one easy way to feel good about yourself when the Monday blues hit.
(https://dining.queensu.ca/vegan-options/)
Bristol is also an amazing city to find vegetarian food. (Hello Eat-a-Pitta)! There are affordable veggie options in every corner, meaning you don’t have to miss out or only be able to eat on thing on the menu at your friend’s birthday meal. Never before has it been easier to try and cut down on meat consumption, shown by the fact more than one in five people in the UK now identify as a ‘flexitarian.’ It’s better for the planet, healthier for both your heart and your wallet, and is also an easy no strings attached, no commitment way of just making that little difference. What’s not to like?