Have you heard about Meat Free Mondays? This is a weekly practice started up to promote healthy family eating sans meat.

There are many alternatives to meat, some include beans pasta green leafy items, and faux meat. Faux meat (a/k/a fake meat) is usually made up of several different textures including soy, black beans, and other choices. For more info on Meat Free Mondays visit their site.

1. Black Bean Burgers – These can be bought frozen or you can make your own with a can of black beans, bread crumbs and spices. This is a fantastic and nutritious meal idea for the whole family. Pair the burger with a salad and some tasty yuca fries.

2. Soy Burger Patties – Boca is perhaps the most vegetarian popular brand of soy burgers. And also the most widely available. You can probably find these in most grocers under the frozen aisles. TIP: Don’t overcook or they become hard. These are nice once a week or so.

3. Faux Chicken Sandwiches – Available from MorningStar, you can get fake soy chicken patties in place of a beef burger. As with the soy burgers, these are good with your usual side dishes.

4. Avocado Pita’s -This is another fave among vegetarians. Avocado’s are an excellent source of many vitamins, minerals and fat. But the good kind of fat. Make a sandwich with sliced or mashed up avocado’s and your fave toppings. Think tomato, lettuce, cheese, salsa, sour cream, corn, etc. Dress it up any way you like.

Essentially if you expand your menu and navigate away from the usual beef, chicken, tuna, steak recipes. You will find a world of meatless possibilities. There is gold in them there veggies, give them a try.