Start a Garden

Thinking of starting a garden in your yard?

Here are six great reasons!

1. Stress-Relief and Improved Self-Esteem
2. Heart Health and Reduce the Risk of Stroke
3. Improve Hand Strength and Dexterity
4. Improve Brain Health and Reduce Alzheimer's
5. Immune Regulation
6. Reduce Depression and Improve Mental Health

Read more at the Eartheasy Blog.

Why should you garden?

• Gardening improves the look of your yard.
• Growing your own plants reduces the amount of pesticides in your fruits and veggies.
• Kids eat more fruits and veggies if they help grow them.
• Gardens foster a sense of community.

Learn more at Extension.

Mother Earth News has tons of information on sustainable gardening.  Check it out!

Host a Slumgolian Friday

What is Slumgolian Friday?

Slumgolian Fridays are meals that are created with leftovers.

Why have a Slumgolian Night?

• Reduce food waste
• Minimize meal prep time after a long week

Check out these sites for inspiration:

• 11 Meals That Make Great Leftovers
• Everyday Leftovers Recipes
• GoodFood Recipes for Leftovers
• Jamie Oliver's Favorite Leftover Recipes
• Top Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes
• How to Freeze Leftovers

Meatless Monday

What is Meatless Monday?

• One day a week, give up all meat during all meals.

Why should you participate in Meatless Mondays with your family?

 Environment:

• Studies show that meat production, particularly beef, creates more greenhouse gasses.  Meat produces 30kg of greenhouses gasses per kg of food vs. carrots (0.42), potatoes (0.45), and rics (1.3) per kg.
• Giving up meat for one day reduces greenhouse gasses more than shopping local.
• Minimize water usage.  It takes roughly 47 times more water to produce a pound of beef than a pound of vegetables.  

Health:

• Reduce heart disease and stroke.
• Limit cancer
• Curb obesity
• Fight diabetes

Your Wallet:

• Curb healthcare spending
• Reduce weekly food budget

For more information, check out the link below:

• www.meatlessmonday.com
• 5 Reasons Giving up Meat can Save the Planet (even if it's only once a week)

Meatless Recipes:

Check out some of our favorites:

• Wild Mushroom Risotto
• Black Bean Soup (Better than Panera!)
• Creamy French Lentils with Mushrooms and Kale
• Quinuoa Chili
• 28 Zuchini Noodle Recipes (#11, 14, and 19 are our favorites)
• Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
• Pasta and Spice Rice Balls

Add your favorites in the comments section below!