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

On Mondays, we are exploring vegetarian meals for people who may just be getting started. Cooking with seasonal vegetables can seem really limiting at first, but the possibilities are truly endless. And it is worth it. 

Just cutting one day of meat eating out of our diet can keep thousands of tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere a year. No seriously, it's that big a deal. Cutting down on fish (and only eating sustainable fish) can also help with our huge plastic problem, because plastic fishing nets are the largest source of plastic in our oceans. The production of fish and meat come at a huge environmental cost, and we are simply eating too much.

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!

from Mom's Test Kitchen

I love chicken pot pie, but the chicken is always kind of the lamest thing about it. This veggie pot pie from Mom's Test Kitchen still has all the goodness but no meat. We are totally trying it.

from The Bojon Gourmet

Carrots in salads are a dime a dozen, but this one from The Bojon Gourmet looks so special and delicious. Plus, you all know how I feel about beets.

from Blissful Basil

For something really different, try these carrot and lentil cakes with Tahini sauce from Blissful Basil. The flavors here look really warm and familiar, but I think this might be a really fun one to try. Plus, who doesn't love Tahini?

from The Greedy Vegan

I love carrot and ginger together so I can not wait to try this recipe from The Greedy Vegan. Her whole website looks really amazing, and this sounds so fresh and bright for the middle of winter.  I love this take on Carrot soup from that uses ginger and tumeric to spice it up. Not bay leaf. Never bay leaf. This blog does not support bay leaf.

from Chef in Training

If you are looking for carrot recipes, the number one thing you will find are roasted carrot recipes. And for good reason, they all look freaking delicious. This Chef in Training recipe with brown sugar looks completely irresistible.

from Well-Plated

If you need some cold winter day carrot soup, this recipe from Well-Plated looks comforting and warm like a big fuzzy blanket. And what kind of villain refuses croutons? This seriously is mouth watering (and another GREAT blog to keep on your radar).

from Veganosity

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!