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Discover the delicious and convent way to eat meat-free. Gardein Sweet & Sour Porkless Bites are better for your body and better for the planet!

As a vegan health and lifestyle coach, I advocate for a whole foods plant-based diet. As a busy person living in the real world, I know that a meal cooked from scratch isn’t always possible. I like to keep my freezer stocked with pre-cut veggies and products like Gardein’s “meatless meats” for busy weeknights when I know I’m not going to have much time to cook.

When people come to me asking for advice on going vegan, I almost always tell them to buy vegan versions of the foods they love. There are vegan versions of just about everything these days, so it’s not a difficult thing to do. Instead of mayonnaise with eggs, look for eggless mayo. Replace beef burgers with black bean burgers. Try swapping dairy cheese with vegan cheese. I think Gardein’s products are excellent in helping people make a transition to meat-free eating, as they make everything from Meatless Meatballs and Barbecue Chick’n Wings to Fishless Filets and Crabless Cakes.

Many of the clients I see are vegan but their significant others aren’t, which often leads to tension and sometimes even arguments at mealtime. I’ve found that serving “meatless meats” can help keep the peace. Gardein uses non-GMO soy, wheat, grains and veggies to make their products, which have a similar taste and texture to meat. Unlike meat, however, Gardein products contain less fat, fewer calories, and no cholesterol, which should make everyone happy, no matter what their dietary preference.

Occasionally, I see clients who aren’t vegan and make it very clear to me that they don’t want to go vegan. When this happens, I still encourage them to eat less meat, as reducing animal products is better both for the body and the planet. (And I secretly hope that they will enjoy meat-free eating enough to make it permanent.) I often suggest swapping the meat for Gardein products to these clients, and they’re always quite pleased with the taste. Keeping animal products off of your plate just one day a week reduces the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes, and it increases life expectancy. Keeping meatless on Mondays is a great way to start.

I recently made a stir-fry with the new Gardein Sweet and Sour Porkless Bites, and dinner was on the table in less than 30 minutes. That’s less time than it would take to get food delivered!

Print Sweet and Sour Porkless Bites Stir-Fry Yields 3 to 4 servings Author Dianne Wenz Ingredients 1 package Gardein Sweet and Sour Porkless Bites

1 teaspoon olive oil

½ cup diced sweet onion about half an onion

pinch of sea salt

2 garlic cloves minced

1 red bell pepper diced

1 green bell pepper diced

1 cup diced pineapple

2 scallions sliced

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

3 – 4 cups cooked brown rice for serving

hot sauce for serving, optional Instructions Open the package of Sweet and Sour Porkess Bites and place the unopened sauce packet in a bowl of hot water. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and a pinch of sea salt. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes, until the onion starts to become translucent. Add the garlic and cook for a minute or two more. Add the Porkless Bites, the red and green bell pepper, and the pineapple to the pan. Cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sauce. Top with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Serve with hot sauce (if using) and brown rice.

What’s your favorite Gardein product?