Are you up for a challenge? No meat May - an interview with one of the founders

Are any of you out there reading this up for a challenge? 

As tomorrow marks the first of May, Ryan Alexander and a whole group of people are helping others rise to the challenge of giving up meat fro the month of May. Its an easy challenge for me as I have given up meat for a lifetime but I know many of you want to make a start so why not see how you go for a month and then decide from there. I recently interviewed Ryan Alexander and here are his very interesting answers to what no meat May is all about.

Read or skip to the end as Ryan shares a yummy sandwich idea and of course me being me I have added a recipe for a BBQ sauce made from scratch.

What is No Meat May? No Meat May is fun campaign, built around people experiencing the benefits of giving up meat for 31 days. The Campaign raises awareness of the many negative impacts of our over consumption of meat, and has for ambitious goals, to end factory farming, save our planet, feed the world, and improve your health

How long has the initiative been alive? We kicked it off four years ago, mostly me and my circle of friends, together with a few bold souls we connected with via Facebook.

Why do you think people should give up meat? The four big reasons behind No Meat May are incredibly compelling, and the many benefits of a more plant-based diet are not well understood by most. Animal agriculture is a (if not the) leading cause of climate change, we need to do a lot more than simply switching off our lights for an hour each year. Giving up meat is a way you can make a direct positive impact on our planet. Research has shown that a more plant based diet reduces your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, weight gain, obesity, as well as constipation.

Is there any point in people committing to a month of no meat and then going straight back to eating animals after the month is over? Absolutely yes, it’s a positive and bold action to take on head-on the inherited thinking and the marketing machine that constantly tells us we ‘need’ meat. Any and all steps towards less meat should be supported and celebrated. I went without meat for a month in 2005 when having an awesome adventure in India. Mostly for health reasons. I went back to eating meat when I got back to Australia, but with this lived experience under my belt, knowing that I didn’t really need meat. It had become a choice from then on, a choice I became more and more uncomfortable with the more I learned.

How many people do you think will go back to eating meat after the month of may? Around 60-70%% of participants continue meat free beyond May. The others return to eating meat but with a much greater appreciation of where it comes from, and an awareness of how engrained it is in our culture.

What advice do you give to someone who wants to embark on No Meat May? The first rule about No Meat May club is to talk about No meat May club… involve others, don’t go it alone. Get a supportive friend or three involved, host an office bring a plate picnic, or a pizza party. Cook for friends, and make it social.

Do you have a quick and easy recipe to share? I’ve recently discovered the perfect combination that is pan-fried tempeh and avocado. A  gift from the gods. Serve it in a sandwich with fried leeks, mushies, spinach leaves and bbq sauce.

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe from Scratch

1 small onion finely diced

2 cloves garlic minced

4 tomatoes diced finely Olive oil for frying

1 chili finely chopped

1 tsp fennel seeds ground

2 to 3 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp gluten free tamari

salt and pepper to taste

 

In a wok place the tomatoes and add 1/2 tsp salt. Pop a lid on and bring to the boil. Once the tomatoes are boiling and broken down a bit take the lid off and let simmer until all the liquid comes off the tomatoes, making a thick tomato mixture. In a frying pan add the oil and sautee the onion and garlic until soft. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. For more information about NO meat May http://www.nomeatmay.net/

Categories:Sauce/Dips

Tags:BBQ sauce

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