MeatLess Monday??

One of the more disturbing treads of the past 20 years or so has been the push for us to eat more meat.  The truth be told most Americans eat far more protein that we need.  And all this protein continued over time can cause health problems.
The average person only needs 4 to 6 ounces of protein per day; however, many Americans eat more than twice that amount per meal. Protein overdose can create kidney stones, osteoporosis, kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, general fatigue and irritability.  
Newsflash, too much of anything is bad for your health. I have a friend whose aunt drank so much carrot juice her skin turned orange—a clear sign that she'd had too much carrot juice. You can overdose on foods.
In America, it's almost our M.O. If something is supposed to be good for us we figure a little is good, a lot must be better. But Hippocrates had a very poignant insight, food is our medicine. It's how God designed us and the Earth-that's why we get the foods we need when we need them when we eat local and seasonal.  
When the doctor gives you a prescription and tells you to take one pill twice a day, do you decide that one pill was good so two pills must be better? No, most of us obey what the doctor instructed us to do. So why would we overdose on our food? We've discussed previously America's overdose on sugar. Today, I'm picking on protein.
Often times we forget there are plenty of other sources of protein that are plant based. Many plants have protein in them. A salad is a fine meal without having to add any meat. Vegetable fried rice is a lovely dinner that hits all the food types. Miso soup with vegetables, vegetable quesadillas or nachos, butternut squash or vegetable soup are all fabulous ways to feed your family without animal protein.  
Now I'm not suggesting you never have animal protein but having a meal once or twice a week or a day or two a week when you don't eat it is one more way to incorporate healthier habits and feed your body. So give it a try. Be creative and remember Meatless Monday is an opportunity to have fun and enjoy a new tradition.