Meatless Mondays!

Fabulous article by Ellen Kanner... enjoy, Dr. M

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Baby, put down that burger and come to mama. Yes, I know, you've never done anything like this, never dreamed you would. It's okay. I promise I'll be gentle and it's going to be soooo good. Everybody's first time should be.

It was bound to happen, your a-ha moment when eating meat -- something you've done for years with pleasure or at least out of habit -- no longer fits in with what you believe or want. One day, you had to wake up and realize that steak-a-thon comes at too great a cost, from the chunk it takes out of your paycheck to the toll it takes on the planet.

You know you've been seeing it everywhere. The list of celebs touting the wonders of veggie ways grows every day from Ellen deGeneres (vegan lesbian wedding to Portia de Rossi -- how cool is that?) to meat maesto Mario Batali. Batali's no vegan, but he lost 40-plus pounds by going from extreme to moderate meat-eater. He now features vegetarian options in all his 14 restaurants. DeGeneres believes a meatless diet is kind to animals and to the environment. Batali believes giving up meat -- even for a day -- means you're choosing a more sustainable food system. I agree with both of them. I also believe it also means you're on your way to a healthier, hotter body.

One of the many great things about giving up meat is how easy it is. There's no need to be furtive or join fringey listservs (although you can -- honey, they're out there). You don't have to tell anyone, you don't have to out yourself. Just give in to the urge. Experiment. There's so many luscious things to eat that have nothing to do with meat -- veggie pizza, hummus and pita, veggie burritos, Indian curries, Asian stirfrys, more, more, more. Chocolate, coffee and Champagne are all plant-based. You can indulge in any of it -- all of it -- in full public view and no one will know.

What's holding you back? Are you afraid what people will think? What you eat is as intimate as who you sleep with -- just go with what feels right for you. Your real friends will respect your choice, whatever it is.

Some of my best friends are carnivores. Many of my readers are, too (and you know who you are). They e-mail me and say, I'm not a vegetarian but . . . But nothing, you're welcome, I'll show you how, I'lll take you there. You don't have to do it forever, just try it once. You don't have to go meatless on Monday, it can be any day of the week. It's always good.

I'm a lover not a fighter. I'd rather let the food -- slurpy noodles tossed with a dazzle of diced tomato and mozzerella and a blizzard of chopped basil, creamy, dreamy hummus with pert, fresh, locally-grown produce, preferably organic -- do the convincing and seducing. You never forget your first time. I want yours to be as amazing for you as mine was for me.

Is going meatless better than sex? Frankly, no. But it's pretty damn good.

Not Quite Sex But Utterly Sensual Hummus

1 15-ounce can chickpeas or 2 cups cooked chickpeas, plus 1/2 cup cooking liquid or vegetable broth 1 garlic clove 3 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of 1 to 2 lemons) 1/4 cup tahini 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon coriander 1/8 teaspoon sea salt or to taste fresh ground pepper to taste fresh chopped coriander for garnish olive oil for drizzliing (optional)

Pour chickpeas, the half-cup cooking liquid, garlic, lemon juice and tahini into the bowl of a food processor or into a blender.

Cover and whizz for a minute or so, until mixture turns pale and beautifully creamy. Season with cumin, coriander, sea salt and pepper.

Garnish with chopped coriander and drizzle with olive oil, if desired.

Serve with pita wedges or whole grain crusty bread, celery, carrot sticks, radishes, strips of fresh red or green pepper, gently steamed asparagus spears, broccoli florets -- go wild (in a meatless way).

Makes 2 cups, serving 4 to 6.