People go vegan for many reasons. Some want to improve their eating habits, while others do so for personal or ethical reasons.

According to a report called “Catering to the Climate: How Earth-friendly Menus at Events Can Help Save the Planet,” serving a vegan menu at large parties and events can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Isn’t that a great reason to eat more greens?

A unique approach to environmental activism

With each passing day, the planet is overwhelmed with various environmental concerns such as climate change, habitat loss and pollution. But with the help of concerned individuals, these enormous threats are being addressed by a “bold new wave of environmental activism.”

However, there’s one aspect of the climate crisis that isn’t being addressed: Large gatherings for environmental events, such as local board meetings and international conferences, where meat-centered menus are still common. Environmental groups should also practice what they preach by choosing eco-friendly menus for their events, whether it’s for a small gathering or large, year-end parties.

According to the global scientific community, consumers must make an effort to reduce meat and dairy production to address some of the most urgent environmental disasters threatening the planet. To do this, people must make choices that are better for their health and the planet.

If you want to make “plant-forward changes” and reduce your meat and dairy consumption, you can start with the meals served at environmentally-focused events that you host.

According to Jennifer Molidor, a senior food campaigner for the Center for Biological Diversity, the catering industry is a lucrative business.

In America alone, the catering industry makes over $11 billion annually. For the last few years, the industry has grown by at least eight percent annually.

By making eco-friendly changes to event menus, organizers can help to significantly reduce the environmental impact of U.S. food production. Embracing this change can also help improve how consumers think about food.

Go vegan to help save the environment

Offering a plant-based menu for every 100 people at a party or event can help save more than a ton of greenhouse gas emissions. This is equivalent to at least an acre of habitat and 13,000 gallons of water.

This important catering shift also has other environmental benefits. Offering a plant-based catering menu can help eliminate two tons of manure and the toxic byproducts of improperly contained manure that pollute public waterways and lands.

Did you know that the manure footprint of a lot of animal-based dishes is greater than the actual weight of the food served? Meanwhile, vegan dishes have no manure footprint!

The report also revealed that Earth-friendly menus can effectively fight the climate crisis. Every person who opts for plant-based dishes at a day-long event can help reduce greenhouse pollution equivalent to what would be emitted by 41 miles of driving or powering the average home for a day.

A single person’s low-impact meal choices can also help save “more than 400 square feet of farmland, prevent about 100 pounds of manure pollution and save 250 gallons of water.” Isn’t that a worthy trade?

But why stop with one person?

If an event planner offers a vegan menu to an entire guest list as the default, the environmental savings are even greater. In fact, a low-impact vegan menu can help “reduce carbon emissions by at least 85 percent, water by 72 percent and land use by 93 percent.” Going vegan for large events can also help eliminate almost all manure pollution.

It’s time to make more eco-friendly decisions while you’re planning large events. Offering a vegan menu to your guests is good for their overall health, and it can also help save the planet.

The next time you’re planning a party, decide on a menu that incorporates nutritious ingredients and supports a sustainable food system.

Vegan options for your next event

You don’t need to wait for your next party to try some eco-friendly vegan recipes. Below are three dishes to try if you’re interested in eating more leafy greens!

Boxty with avocado basil ranch

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato cake and it’s eggless and vegan. This dish is served with avocado basil garlic ranch dressing.

Ingredients for 2 servings:

For the Irish pancakes:

• 2 large russet potatoes
• 1/4 cup (61 ml) of non-dairy milk
• 1/4 cup (31.25 g) of gluten-free flour that is neutral tasting
• 3/4 teaspoon of fine salt, plus extra for seasoning the potatoes before cooking
• 1/4 teaspoon or more of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal
• 1-2 tablespoon of nutritional yeast (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice
• Oil for cooking

For the avocado basil ranch:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon of fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon or more of ranch seasoning
• A generous dash of black pepper and salt
• 2 teaspoons of lime juice
• Water as needed

Preparation:

1. Chop one potato and add to a pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and continue to cook over medium heat for five to seven minutes until done. Drain then cool slightly before adding salt, pepper, milk, flax, nutritional yeast and olive oil. Mash well. Taste and add salt as needed. Your mixture should be a little saltier than regular mashed potatoes.
2. Grate the other potato, then add half a teaspoon of lemon juice before mixing. Squeeze the grated potato with a paper towel to remove the excess moisture.
3. Mix the grated potato and the mashed potatoes.
4. Add the baking powder to the gluten-free flour. Add the potatoes and mix again. If the mixture is too stiff, add one more tablespoon of non-dairy milk.
5. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add several drops of oil before dropping dollops of the potato mixture. Shape and flatten, then cook for four to five minutes on each side. You can also bake the boxty at 425 F (220 C) for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. To make the avocado ranch, blend the avocado, basil, garlic, ranch seasoning, pepper, salt, lime juice and water. Taste and add more seasoning.
7. Garnish the pancakes with scallions and vegan butter, then serve with the avocado ranch.

Homemade dry ranch mix

This easy recipe makes about five to six tablespoons of homemade dry ranch mix for the boxty.

Ingredients for 1 serving:

• 1 1/2 yablespoon of dried parsley
• 2 yeaspoons of dried onion flakes
• 2 yeaspoons of garlic powder
• 2 yeaspoons of onion powder
• 1 1/2 yeaspoons of dried dill
• 1 yeaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 yeaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 yeaspoon or more of dried chives
• 3/4 to 1 yeaspoon of salt

Preparation:

1. Mix all the ingredients well. Store in an airtight container for up to three months.
2. To make ranch dressing, add half a tablespoon to two tablespoons of ranch mix with one cup of vegan mayo or cashew cream. Mix and add salt and lemon juice as needed.

Vegan basil ricotta pinwheels

Try making vegan basil ricotta pinwheels if you need a quick and healthy appetizer for your next party!

Ingredients for 4 servings:

For the basil ricotta cheese:

• 1/2 cup of soaked unsalted cashews (Soak the cashew for at least 30 minutes. If you have a heavy-duty blender you don’t need to soak them.)
• 1/4 cup of almond milk
• 7 oz firm tofu (1 block)
• 1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar
• 20-25 fresh basil leaves
• 1 small clove of garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

For the wraps:

• 1/2 cup of black olives, cut into rings
• 8 corn flour tortillas
• 7 oz fresh spinach
• 2-3 tomatoes, chopped into small pieces

Preparation:

1. To make the basil ricotta cheese, place all ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth.
2. Divide the basil ricotta evenly on the tortillas. Add fresh spinach, chopped tomatoes and black olives.
3. Tightly roll up the tortillas and press the edges to seal. Trim off the ends and cut each roll into six to eight slices before serving.

If you want to improve your overall health and do your part to help save the planet, go vegan.

Sources:

EcoWatch.com

VeganRicha.com 1

VeganRicha.com 2

VeganHeaven.org