In last Sunday’s New York Times, there’s a good article entitled “Rethinking the Meat Guzzler”. Americans eat about 8 ounces of meat per day per person, approximately twice the global average. Producing meat takes 10 calories of energy for every 1 calorie of consumable meat. Much of that energy goes into the fossil fuels and fertilizers used to raise the corn to feed to the cows so we can all get our ½ pound per day. It has been estimated that a 20% reduction in meat consumption (eating only 145.5 pounds per year instead of 182.5 pounds) would save as much energy as if everyone drove a Prius instead of a standard sedan. As I don’t personally eat anywhere close to that much meat anymore, I am still good to go in my standard gas powered four cylinder car. Personal carbon footprint issues are getting more complicated.

If you aren’t going to eat as much meat, it helps to have really tasty alternatives. Try this seasonal salad. It uses Fuerte avocados available in fall and winter. I learned that the usual Hass avocado has a creamy texture, great for guacamole with some chunks and that the Fuerte avocado is more firm and holds its shape when cut into wedges. Nothing worse than having an avocado wedge lose its shape.

Asian Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Avocado

Serves four

6 ounces baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
3 Satsuma mandarin oranges, peeled and sliced
1 Fuerte avocado, halved, peeled, pitted and cut into thin wedges
2 Tablespoons finely minced shallots
2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 Tablespoon minced fresh ginger (use the bowl of a spoon to peel it)
½ tsp toasted sesame oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Whisk the shallots through sesame oil for the dressing in. Season it to taste.
Toss the spinach and the dressing in a salad bowl. Add the oranges and avocado and toss gently.

Nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 153
Fat: 12 gm
Saturated fat: 1 gm
Trans fat: 0 gm
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 14 gm
Fiber: 5gm
Sodium: 184 mg
Protein: 3 gm

2 Comments Posted Post a comment below

Sophie said...

You bring up a really strong point, I've never thought of the environmental consequences to eating meat. It's good to know that limiting my meat intake is a healthy choice for both body and mother earth!

POSTED: July 24, 2008 01:26 PM

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Asian Joe said...

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, cool.

POSTED: April 25, 2008 01:52 PM

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