Plant-Based Plates
Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd and we’re celebrating with some plant-powered meals and recipes. Adding more plants to your plate is a great way to support Earth Day, agriculture, and your individual health. Americans at every age and stage have plenty of room to add more plant-based foods. Check out some of our favorite plant-based recipes.
Grilled Veggie Quinoa Bowls: This recipe features organic red and white quinoa combined with a wonderful array of veggies, all topped with a tasty Southwest marinade.
Southwest Veggie Flatbread: A mouthwatering southwestern-style flatbread with all the classic ingredients. This one’s a winner.
Black Bean Quinoa Grilled Veggie Tacos: These tacos are filled up with satisfying ingredients, corn, tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno met with quinoa mixture, beans, avocado, and cilantro. Delicious and filling.
Air Fryer Herbed Root Vegetable Chips: Substitute your potato chips with these crispy Air Fryer Herbed Root Vegetables Chips. The same feel and crunch of potato chips, but veggies.
Cajun Fried Corn on the Cob: This Cajun Fried Corn on the Cob is amazing! Scallions, buttermilk ranch, and Cajun seasoning brings a blast of flavor to this recipe.
Carrot & Kale Latkes with Orange-Ginger Sour Cream: Latkes are great. But you can add some veggies to make them even better. Carrot and Kale topped with orange-ginger sour cream. Delicious!
Chickpea Lettuce Wraps: Lettuce wraps provide a world of opportunity. For a plant-based plate, use chickpeas as a main ingredient.
Easy Black Bean Burger: Satisfy that burger craving with a Black Bean Burger. Topped with all your favorites this recipe passes the test.
Grilled Tortilla Pizzas: Have you tried using grilled tortillas as pizza dough? It works great. And when topped with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted pine nuts, kalamata olives, and feta cheese, makes for a pretty good pizza.
To learn more about plant-powered meals and ingredients visit our website. We offer a ton of variety when it comes to plant-based recipes, and they all deliver great flavor and satisfaction.
Shop some of our favorite plant-powered products:
Plant-Powered Products
Earth Day Cuisine - The Plant Powered Plate
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, Manager, Health and Wellness
Earth Day, the largest secular observance event in the world, will be recognized again on its 51st anniversary, April 22nd. Over 1 billion people in 184+ countries will be engaged in activities and events that promote improved care and feeding of our unique planet. There is a streaming international event online and events that focus on community connection, education and collaboration in venues near and far.
Adding more plants to your plate is one way to engage in supporting Earth Day, agriculture and individual health. Americans at every age and stage have plenty of room to add more plant-based foods. Recent research released by the Produce for Better Health Foundation shows an almost 10% decline in fruit and vegetable intake since 2004. As 2021 is also the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, we fully support all efforts to add bounty and benefits of powering your plate with plants, and we have some resources to make it easy.
Recipe for a Plant Powered Plate
- Most people only eat just one vegetable one time per day – up the ante on that, double up veggie portions when you have them, and add some to all meals and snacks.
- Energize your day with a quick cup of 100% juice – a 4 ounce serving equals a full serving of fruit! Add 100% juice to water, vinaigrettes, marinades, or freeze in ice cube trays and bag up for a quick way to add flavor and benefits to your favorite drink.
- Participate in “conscious cuisine” – promoted by the Produce for Better Health Foundation, being more mindful of how plants can bring flavor, texture, antioxidants, fiber, and more to a dish. More plant-based eating benefits human and agricultural wellbeing.
- Check out the Know Your Colors Plant Powered nutrition guide for plant-based foods that only contain plant-based ingredients and at least 5 grams of protein.
- Find more ways to bring climate literacy and food education together here.
Some delicious plant-forward recipes from the Price Chopper recipe collections:
Shop Earth Day Favorites!
Earth Day 2020 – The 50th Anniversary!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Earth Day is 50 years old! On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans spoke out to create a healthier country and planet. Climate change and care of earth and water were central themes then, and that continues today. We all do our part when we recycle, manage food waste, keep our waterways clean, plant trees – there are so many ways, big and small, that we can improve the health of our planet.
As the world community grows, it is becoming more important than ever to be mindful of our own habits, and consider what we can each do to create healthier people and a healthier world. Consider these ideas and activities, and take this unique time to celebrate the earth and commit to a bright and supportive future for us all.
On your table:
Eating more plant-based foods is encouraged and recommended by climate and health educators alike. Double up servings of favorites, add fruits and vegetables to snacks, and explore new options in every aisle of the store. All ages and stages benefit from increasing plant-based foods, and pairing them with traditional, naturally nutrient-rich foods like dairy, lean meats and seafood. Farm to plate, all sections of the food community are improving their sustainability efforts and sharing best practices for common good.
In your home:
Recycling and up-cycling continue to expand. Have you checked your community recycling guidelines this year? Are there changes that affect how you and your family handle recycling?
Can you be more mindful of water use? Encourage shorter showers, maximize dishwashers before running, use refillable water bottles more often?
Outside:
Spring is in the air! Walk around your yard or neighborhood and notice trees budding, flowers and plants growing. Can you name them, or just have fun naming colors and shapes?
Is there a public garden or park in your community? Visit once per week for some fresh air and activity, and watch how flowers and plants grow, and landscapes change with the seasons.
There are plants and seeds in the Floral Department in stores – look there for inspiration to plant something beautiful and watch it grow.
We all reap the benefit when we do our share for the care of our global home. Happy Earth Day!