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Saving Money with Vegetarian Meals
by Kimberly Danger
It’s no secret that meat is
expensive. Even the cheapest cuts of meat don’t
go much lower than $3.00 per pound. Contrast
that to plant-based proteins such as beans and
lentils at $1.00 or less per pound and you can
see that the savings is substantial.
Not only do juicy cuts of beef
and slabs of pork ring up higher at the cash
register than vegetable-based proteins; you pay
a price later on with higher health care costs.
Vegetarians generally live longer than their
carnivorous counterparts, and have lower
incidence of heart problems and other diseases.
Going vegetarian just a few days a week can help
stretch your budget and improve your health at
the same time.
Here are some hearty vegetarian
meals that will please everyone in your family.
Hearty Meatless Chili
1 packet dry onion soup mix
4 C water
1 can garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 C lentils (drained)
1 rib celery (chopped)
1 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce (add more if
a spicier chili is desired)
1 clove garlic (chopped)
Combine all ingredients in a
stock pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to
low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender
and water has been absorbed, stirring
occasionally. |
