Simple Tacos

This simple recipe is a great example of how eating a whole foods diet easily fits into living a sustainable lifestyle. Besides the health benefits, eliminating the meat, purchasing local produce and making the taco shells yourself also saves energy. And it tastes great too!

Ground beef production requires large amounts of energy. It takes a great deal of energy to harvest and ship animal feed, as well as housing, transporting, slaughtering the animals, packaging and refrigerating the meat. Purchasing locally grown produce is a "no brainer". The closer the farm, the less amount of fuel is needed to transport it to your grocery store. And pre-made taco shells use a great deal of packaging to keep the shells from breaking, not to mention the hydrogenated oils and preservatives used to extend the shelf life of the product.

 Here's what you'll need to prepare this delicious and healthy dinner:

1 Can organic black beans

1 Box Fantastic Foods taco filling

1 Bag organic corn tortillas

Shredded lettuce

Salsa

Guacamole

Vegan Cheese (if desired)

You'll need:

• Corn tortillas
• olive oil
• pastry brush (you can use your fingers if you don't have a brush)
• non-stick pan

Make the shells by:

• Brushing each side of the corn tortilla with olive oil
• Place the oiled tortilla in non-stick pan
• Heat both sides to make the tortilla pliable
• Fold the tortilla in half and cook each side until golden brown

The finished taco shell will not be as crispy and brittle as a packaged shell. It will be slightly chewy and a little crispy. I find that homemade shells are more flavorful than boxed shells.

Now it's time to get your taco fillings ready. Instead of the traditional seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese and sour cream, these tacos use Fantastic Foods taco filling, organic black beans, homemade salsa and homemade guacamole.

• Prepare the Fantastic Foods taco filling per the box instructions (add boiling water and olive oil)
• Rinse the organic black beans
• Shred some lettuce ~ use locally grown when possible
• Shred some vegan cheese (optional)
• Ideally the salsa and guacamole should be finished and sitting in your fridge ~ if this is not the case, prepare both before you start your taco shells

When you have finished preparing the fillings, be sure to recycle the taco filling box, the black bean can and compost any vegetable trimmings from the lettuce, salsa and guacamole.

Finally, prepare your taco as you normally would. It doesn't matter what order the fillings are put on. Though it's not pictured here, I find that adding the vegan cheese directly on top of the taco filling melts the cheese making for an extry yummy taco.

As you will see, once you have finished making these tacos, there will be no waste to put in the garbage can. All waste is either recycled or composted.

After eating these tacos, you will first notice how delicious they taste and how good you feel once you are finished as these won't weigh you down like a traditional taco. And, finally, you will feel good knowing that you reduced your "carbon footprint" by making sustainable choices.