The following is a guest post by Rebekah Hoffer of Simply Rebekah.

I strive to be a good steward of the Earth.  I don’t litter.  I recycle.  I

always use

try to remember to use cloth grocery bags.  How about what I put in those grocery bags?  My favorite cookbook, More-with-Less Cookbook, looks at “how to eat better and consume less of the world’s limited food resourses.”

There is a way of wasting less, easting less, and spending less which gives not less but more – Doris Janzen Longacre, author of More-with-Less Cookbook

We have probably all heard our mothers say, “You better finish your food because there are starving kids in the world!”  More-with-Less takes that cliche to a whole new level.  Our moms were right!  There are starving children and our diet can make a difference.

By being more aware of the food resourses we are eating; we can help put an end to our over-eating, over-consuming and over-spending habits. Of course the world’s hunger issues won’t change over night from one family’s diet.  However, all change starts with just one step at a time.  One family at a time!

Being a good steward with the Earth’s resouces is a great reason to love the More-With-Less Cookbook

, but here are 5 more reasons:

1. Stretch Your Meat Farther – Many of the recipes focuse on getting the most out of your meat purchase by making casseroles, stews and soups.

2. Use Inexpensive Meat – Many of the dishes focus on chicken, ground beef or slowly cooking roasts.

3. Maximize Fuits & Vegetables – You’ll be able to avoid the high cost of exotic fruits and vegetables by using locally grown ingredients.

4. Flavors You Know & Ingredients You Have – Whenever I try to meal plan from just the ingredients that I already have on hand, I always turn to More-with-Less. Many of the dishes have flavors that my family is already familiar with and the ingredients are common place enough that I often have most of them on hand.

5. Dishes From Around The World – Although many of the recipes are classic comfort food for my family, More-with-Less is sprinkled with dishes from around the world.  The dish Pakistani Kima is a great example.

My family has fallen in love with Pakistani Kima.  The ingredients are very common in my everyday cooking, but the spices add an exotic twist.

Photo by Mad CulinaristPakistani Kima (Hamburger Curry)

Saute in skillet:

  • 3 T. butter or margarine
  • 1 c. chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Add:

  • 1 lb. ground beef

Brown well.  Stir in:

  • 1 T. curry powder
  • 1.5 t. salt
  • dash each pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and tumeric
  • 2 c. cooked tomatoes
  • 2 potatoes, diced
  • 2 c. frozen peas or green beans

Cover and simmer 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Serve over rice.

Two of my other favorite recipes from More-with-Less are Curried Lentils and Honey-Baked Chicken.

This summer while gardens and farmer’s markets are in full swing, enjoy more local produce, beans and grains while having less expensive meats and processed foods. Your diet may have a bigger global impact than you think!

Editor’s note: this cookbook

is a family favorite for me, too! I mentioned it a while back, as I adapted my condensed soup substitution recipe from it. What’s your favorite meal that uses simple ingredients and fits with this philosophy of eating?

Rebekah is a stay-at-home mom who blogs about living a frugal lifestyle, taking green baby steps and life in between at SimplyRebekah.com.