Give up meat for one day a week and save the planet too! Celebrate Earth Day with action.

Meatless Monday has just released a video about the astonishing and rather surprising effect we can have on this planet by making one day a week - a meatless day. With this past Wednesday being Earth Day, we have to ask ourselves what can we do that will really make a difference.

Click here to see this video and be prepared to be surprised. I know I was!

Who would have thought there would be such huge positive effects on the planet if we all just gave up meat for one day! The green gas emissions, the water, our health....it goes on. Just watch the video (it's only 4 minutes long and has some humor)

I was raised with meat and potatoes, actually more like meat and rice (Peruvians love rice) and I enjoy a nice piece of steak. But, it is true that we Americans eat way more meat than our body needs. And we are teaching this to our kids.

There is a reason the USDA changed the meat food group to be called the Meat and Beans Group. Beans are a very tasty and high protein food that can be easily substituted for a piece of meat. How much meat or high protein food does the USDA recommend for a child:

Children 2-3 yrs old -- 2 ounce equivalents 4-8 yrs old -- 3 to 4 ounce equivalents

Girls 9-18 yrs --5 ounce equivalents

Boys 9-13 yrs --5 ounce equivalents

14-18 yrs --6 ounce equivalents

When you think in terms of ounces, it is like, wow, why are restaurants serving an 8 oz piece of meat as the small cut? Why is there a 24 ounce option? We don't need that much! Look at your palm...that is about 3-4 ounces of meat.

Kids do need protein but there are many other choices besides meat:

• eggs
• beans
• nuts
• seeds
• tofu

It is good to teach kids to vary their diet with all kinds of foods. You can download and print this free Recipe Booklet of meatless recipes to try that are high in protein and taste great. Get the kids involved and have them help pick one out. Make it fun and teach kids the importance of healthy eating and a balanced diet. Don't forget, they are watching and learning about their eating habits every day.

Nourish Interactive is proud to be a partner with Meatless Monday, a nonprofit organization .