As part of our commitment to Earth via our Laudato Si’ Action Plan, we are inviting everyone who shares in our charism to take a monthly Eco-Challenge with us.
What we choose to eat affects the planet
This Earth Month, join us in reflecting on the food choices that we make and their impact on the planet. We’ll be sharing reflections and calls to action from some of our sisters, associates and friends that we hope will inspire you to explore if there are any food choices you wish to make differently.
In Laudato Si’, Pope Frances invites us to undergo an ecological conversion, which is as much about radically altering our perspective of life on our planet as it is about making behavioral choices. Follow our blog and social media this month for educational information, thoughts to ponder and questions to explore to deepen your ecological conversion. We’ll even share some favorite recipes!
However you choose to join the challenge this month, we urge you to take the time and reflect on the choices that you make and their impact on our planet. May this challenge help you to go deeper, journey farther and respond boldly and creatively to the call to ecological conversion.
Take the Eco-Challenge
In April, choose one or all of these challenges to reduce your beef and dairy consumption.
- Is a Plant-Based Diet the Key to Slowing Climate Change? | Rainforest Alliance
- Can one meatless day out of the week make a difference? | Earthbeat | National Catholic Reporter
- If the world adopted a plant-based diet we would reduce global agricultural land use from 4 to 1 billion hectares | Our World in Data
Spread the word
- Choose your challenge above
- Share your commitment in the comments section below.
- Claim your April Eco-Challenge badge by sharing our post on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter.
I recently found this great new vegan recipe for Taco Tuesday! https://playswellwithbutter.com/quinoa-black-bean-tacos/
I have just read the article “Is a Plant-Based Diet the Key to Slowing Climate Change? | Rainforest Alliance”. It was very informative and taught ways to easily incorporate a plant based aspect into your diet while also bettering your health!
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/geoffrey-zakarian/coconut-curry-greens-with-lentils-11381634
Curried lentils are one my favorite vegetarian dishes. My kids love it.
I have tried to be a vegetarian for at least two meals a day. Living in community with others who have different dietary need can be challenging but if I focus on what I can do to limit my consumption of meat and dairy products, I hope I can help save our beloved Planet Earth. Here is one of my favorite vegetarian recipes. It can also become a vegan recipe is you omit the cheese. Either way the recipe is delicious!
It came from our parish recipe book.
Herbed Lentils.
3c vegetable stock
3/4 c dry lentils
1 to 2 large onions chopped
1/2 uncooked brown rice ( I sometimes get the rice partially cooked speed up
the cooking at the end)
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 thyme
1 clove garlic, minces
ground black pepper (to taste )
4 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese) ( can be omitted for a vegan recipe)
Combine all the ingredients except the cheese in a large sauce pan or pot with a tight -fitting lid. Bring to a boil; reduce heat , cover and simmer about 45 minutes or until the lentils and rice and tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in cheese ( if desired) during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Amount 5 servings.
Another vegetarian recipe: Curried Tuna
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. flour
2 cups unsweetened soy milk
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp curry powder ( I use a little less- according to taste)
2-6.25 oz. tuna
2 cups brown or white rice ( cook as directed)
Get you rice cooking first so it will be ready.
Curry sauce: In a medium to large skillet, heat the olive oil gently while stirring in the flour. When it starts to sizzle, lower the heat and stir in the soy milk. Then raise the heat and add the salt and curry powder. Keep stirring as the sauce thickens.
Add the tuna, stirring gently. Serve over rice.
Substitutions include cooked lentils in place of tuna, couscous in place of rice
Serves 4 Prep time: 30 minutes.
I am striving to eat less red meat and cheese.