Can You Be Happy for 100 Days in a Row?

I just found out about this challenge and think it is an AMAZING idea. I know that we don't all have Twitter, but there are other ways to participate.  Here's more about the challenge: http://100happydays.com/

This challenge is all about YOU, but wouldn't it be nice to do together as a family?

I'm in! Who's with me??*

(*you can comment/reply on the blog)

Why Middleton Meatless Mondays?

An interview with the Middleton matriarch:

So the Middletons are doing Meatless Mondays. That's great! What made you decide to start doing this?

JAM: I was inspired about the blog you wrote about all of the benefits of going without meat.

How did you find preparing the first meal? Was it easy or hard?

JAM: Honestly it was easy! There are so many meals you can prepare without meat for instance pizza, lasagna, chili etc...

Do you plan to continue Meatless Mondays for the foreseeable future?

JAM: Yes, we really will continue. Although we will probably always have leftovers so it will be meatless Monday and Tuesday.  Then we need to work in meatless lunches.

What impact do you hope it has on your family?

JAM: I hope it makes us healthier! And not so reliant on meat.

Any advice for someone considering Meatless Mondays?

JAM: My advice is just try it! It really is easy and it will make you feel as if you are making a contribution to a healthier lifestyle for you and your family!

Here's a look at the delicious dinner that the Middletons had last night -- creamy tomato and roasted red pepper linguine with spinach and French bread on the side. If the pic below doesn't make you want to consider going meatless, I don't know what will!:

Changing Times at CVS Pharmacy

Have you heard that CVS will stop selling tobacco products come October? How exciting! While I usually shop at Duane Reade (Walgreens), I am going to make it a point to seek out CVS as much as possible for my purchases and I encourage you all to do the same! I plan to keep shopping at CVS until other pharmacies get with the times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/06/business/cvs-plans-to-end-sales-of-tobacco-products-by-october.html?_r=0

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/05/cvs-will-no-longer-sell-tobacco-products/5207853/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2014/02/10/cvs-quits-tobacco-to-compete-in-a-new-marketplace/

Staying Hydrated in Winter

4 Ways to Stay Hydrated this Winter (from Self magazine):

1. Eat your fluids. 
2. Warm up your morning commute. 
3. Go decaf after noon. 
4. Drink a glass of water before each meal.

Lentils for Breakfast, 30

Tuesday (-0): Final day of our 30-day challenge!

We went all out with vegan "sausages," miso kale with turnips and white beans, salad and a delicious wine sent to us by our dear friends in Vermont.

We found a lot of wonderful recipes for this challenge, many that we'll be keeping and using in the future. Hopefully you all have been inspired to go meat-free at least one day a week or maybe more! :-D

Here are some great reasons to go meat-less from Meatless Monday (they are also a good place to find some delicious and inspiring meat-free meals):

Why Meatless?

Going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel.

Read about these benefits below. But keep in mind that just going meatless is not enough. That’s why we give you the information you need to add healthy, environmentally friendly meat-free alternatives to your diet each week. Further, if you do eat meat on other days, we strongly recommend grass-fed, hormone-free, locally-raised options whenever possible.

Health Benefits

• LIMIT CANCER RISK: Hundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Both red and processed meat consumption are associated with colon cancer.

• REDUCE HEART DISEASE: Recent data from a Harvard University study found that replacing saturated fat-rich foods (for example, meat and full fat dairy) with foods that are rich in polyunsaturated fat (for example, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds) reduces the risk of heart disease by 19%

• FIGHT DIABETES: Research suggests that higher consumption of red and processed meat increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

• CURB OBESITY: People on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A recent study from Imperial College London also found that reducing overall meat consumption can prevent long-term weight gain.

• LIVE LONGER: Red and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.

• IMPROVE YOUR DIET. Consuming beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.

Environmental Benefits

• REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation. And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.

• MINIMIZE WATER USAGE. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.

• HELP REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein. Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand.

Lentils for Breakfast, 29

Monday (-1):  I made up a fresh batch of Super Power Chia Bread. This is a super easy, delicious and filling breakfast or snack. One of the many tasty recipes we'll be keeping from our challenge!

Lentils for Breakfast, 26-28

Friday (-4):  Dinner out at Cafetasia!

Saturday (-3): Brunch Time! Polenta with vegan "sausages", spinach and sauteed onions and tomato salsa:

Sunday (-2): Two snacks on hand for Super Bowl Sunday:

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip (in the crockpot) made with almond cheese and cashew milk:

and Chocolate Chip Cookies by purely.elizabeth:

These were declared the "best cookies I've ever eaten in my life," by the person who ate 99.9% of them. ;-)