Meatless Monday Giving Ideas – Good For People And The Planet

These Meatless Monday giving ideas will have you celebrating World Vegan Day by protecting the planet, your health and animals one give at a time.

Meatless Monday started nearly 20 years ago as one person’s mission to eat healthier by cutting out meat one day a week. Today, Meatless Monday is being replicated all over the world. Beyond eating healthier by leaving meat off the menu, Meatless Monday is a global movement that aims to restructure the food system, making food much more than just nutritious but making it sustainable too.

Ever wonder what would happen if everyone stopped eating meat one day a week? Well, it would make a pretty big difference.  Our diets affect the health of the planet as much as it affects our cholesterol. The Union of Concerned Scientists lists meat-eating as the second-biggest environmental hazard, second only to fossil fuels. If everyone on the planet went without meat for just one day each week, we could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1 gigaton per year. That’s like taking 273 million cars off the road. Of course, it helps animals too. If we all went meatless on Mondays, it would prevent the factory deaths of 1.4 billion animals.  And then there’s our health. By eating plant-based meals just one day per week, you can reduce your saturated fat intake, reduce your risk of breast, colon, prostate, kidney and pancreatic cancer, and decrease your risk of stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Easy Meatless Monday Giving Ideas

There are many reasons to adopt Mondays as your meat-free day of the week and lots of ways to support this movement by incorporating Meatless Monday into your daily giving routine.

Give Your Family Healthy Options

It’s easier than ever to eat meatless. Today plant-based meat alternatives are everywhere. Not only are grocery store shelves lined with them, but restaurants and fast-food chains offer them too. On your next trip through the drive-thru, order a plant-based alternative like a veggie burger, or, on your next trip to the grocery store, pick up a new plant-based product and surprise your family.

Give Vegan Soup That Warms The Soul

As the weather gets a little colder, there’s nothing like a bowl of soup for instant comfort and warmth. Local farmer’s markets are full of fall’s finest fruits and veggies like apples, pumpkins and squash. Why not whip up a seasonal specialty like The Simple Veganista’s roasted butternut squash soup. Not only will this be an excellent give for those in your household, but you could double the recipe and fill a few jars to give to a friend, co-worker, or someone in need.

Give Plant-Based Recipes To Others

By sharing vegan recipes with friends, family, and social media, you bring greater attention to the nutritious and delicious side of plant-based eating. You may inspire someone to try it. They might love the recipe and pass it on. And just like that, the ripple effect of giving is in full swing.

Give the Meatless Monday Message

While we’re on the topic of sharing, why not use World Vegan Day as a chance to share the message of Meatless Mondays on Social Media? This fun 3-minute video  from The Humane Society of the United States is the perfect platform for introducing people to the benefits of adopting plant-based diets.

Skipping meat on Mondays not only benefits your health but the health of the environment too. And by incorporating this into your daily giving routine, you’re also increasing your happiness. It’s a win win situation. For more giving ideas, join the 365give community and discover even more ways that giving can change the world.