What's the easiest switch you can make for the environment? Eat less meat!

Every week we are exploring vegetarian meals for meat eaters. Cooking with seasonal vegetables can seem really limiting at first, but the possibilities are endless. And it is worth it. Just cutting one day of meat eating out of our diet can keep thousands of pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere a year. No seriously, it's that big a deal. Plus, it's a great opportunity to have some new adventures and try new things. Just another way to take care of the planet AND make life a little bit better!

Ok, weird confession. I love celery. I know that might be the most boring and obvious thing ever said, like loving water or air or sweaters. Raw celery is fine, but cooked celery is so good! And it smells delicious! It may be one of my favorite smells.

But you don't have to be as weirdly into celery as I am to appreciate a great recipe that features celery (and skips the meat). These are my favorites:

from Cilantro and Citronella

I may love celery so much because I love creole food. It is always so amazing and flavorful, but I have never tried a meat-free New Orleans meal. So I am dying to try this vegan gumbo from Cilantro and Citonella. Genius, and it just doesn't get better than that spicy wonderfulness with no meat!

from Low Recipe

So many great New Orleans ideas out there, so be sure to check them out- I think this vegan jambalaya recipe from Low Recipe looks awesome too. Jambalaya tends to have a lot of meat in it too, but they prove pretty easily that you don't need it for the flavor!

from Happy Foods Tube

Again, raw celery is nothing compared to the cooked stuff, but this celery, chickpea, and apple salad from Happy Foods Tube does look really fresh and summery. That is one crisp salad!

from The Roasted Root

Another really flavorful treat? Chowder! I love the celery in clam chowder, but since we are all cutting down on meat, I thought a meatless option might be great too. My favorite is this corn chowder from The Roasted Root. Does this not look so freaking good?!?!

from Forest and Fauna

Another creamy, celery-filled soup would be classic cream of celery. I have to be honest with you- I have no idea whether this is good; I have never tried it! Forest and Fauna has one with lots of black pepper on top, which I find is really the third part of the creamy celery goodness trifecta. I would try that soup.

from Little Chef Big Appetite

Want something lighter? This Thai Celery Salad from Little Chef Big Appetite looks super refreshing and crispy.

from Don't Sweat the Recipe

If you eat meat, you have probably had your share of hot wings with celery and blue cheese on the side. So delicious, so classic, and so copyable! I see recipes for buffalo cauliflower pretty often, and it supposedly has the same crispy hot goodness to it. This recipe from Don't Sweat the Recipe is even baked, so you are being extra healthy! Good on you!

Nom celery! Let's all eat more of this super light veggie and get skinny this summer!


Want more vegetarian recipes to try? Awesome! Adding more meatless meals to your diet is such a fun challenge and you can discover so many things you like. Check out this page for all of the Meatless Monday Recipe Round Ups!