Calling All Carnivores...

Could you give up meat for a week?

It sounds easy, one-week meat free, but is it really as simple as it sounds? I am a massive carnivore, as is my dad, and for us a meal is incomplete without a bit of meat to get our gnashers around. My mum, on the other hand, is far less fussed by meat and even finds it repulsive sometimes. Needless to say the kidney that I put in the stew, and failed to mention, caused a ‘heated discussion’ when it was discovered. Off the back of ‘kidney-gate’ I decided, in a slightly childish manner, to act upon something my mum had said whilst we were ‘exchanging words’. She said ‘URGH…I may even go vegetarian’, so we are…for one week.

Well, I say vegetarian, I really mean pescatarian because Mum and I are big fish lovers (Dad less so). So while it may have all started as a childish retaliation in an argument there is a more serious message behind it. We all know that meat (red meat in particular) is a cracking source of iron, protein and zinc, which are all good for us. But, meat is high in sodium and raises cholesterol and its clear to see that countries where meat consumption is lower (making the consumption of legumes, fish, veggies and fruit higher) the average life expectancy goes up.

I am by no means saying that I am going vegan, veggie or even pescatarian but a meat free week may help show me and my dad that a little less meat won’t kill us! The challenge will be making meals that my [slightly] veg phobic dad will enjoy, whilst being gluten free and clean. With Mrs Allergy for a mother it isn’t going to be easy and the pub lunch we have planned may cause a problem…will we be able to resist the rare roast beef and yorkshire puds?!

I have been doing a bit of research on living a pescatarian lifestyle and how to ensure that meals are balanced. We love Quorn in our house and, despite loving meat, tend to have it at least once a week. I know lots of veggies don’t like meat substitutes but being high in protein and low in sat-fats it will certainly be making an appearance or two this week. Not only is Quorn nutritionally fantastic, it makes my life so much easier…say we are having chicken curry, with a Quorn ‘chicken’ curry theres no faffing about chopping up chicken- I make my curry paste/sauce and throw the Quorn in straight from the freezer! I know, I know, its super lazy and chopping up chicken is hardly difficult but at the end of a long day it is a great time saver and makes for a perfect ‘make do’ meal when you have nothing in the fridge. I will be documenting my meals as usual (on Instagram) and if you want any of the recipes comment on them and I will type them up.

Technically my week began last night with my Peri Peri Pollock (I do the weekly food shop on a Wednesday) so my last ‘meat free meal’ will come next Tuesday (6th October)…so wish me luck and I’ll keep you posted!

Xo

p.s HAPPY OCTOBER!...hope you like the halloween theme to the site!