Beef cattle are big, so big that in Brazil they slash and burn the rainforest to make room for more.  They're big and they eat a lot and they poop everywhere and all some of that poo ends up in our riverways and irrigation systems.  Oh, and cows fart methane gas like crazy, which contributes to global warming.  Yuck!

So why do we put up with these big, stinky, slobby beasts?  'Cause we love burgers, baby, even if we have to trash the planet to have 'em!  Yee-haw!

Well, you can still enjoy a tasty, juicy burger without contributing a single dollar to the beef industry.  Plus, you can have the added benefit of reducing the amount of fat and cholestrol in your diet.  You don't have to convert to full-on vegetarianism, either.  All you have to do is browse the freezer section of your local grocery store and look for the bold, red "Boca Burgers" boxes.

Boca Burgers are meatless patties that are low in fat and cholesterol, high in protein and have 0g of trans fat per serving.  Plus they taste fantastic- good enough that even the most bloodthirsty carnivores have to admit they taste pretty darned good.  They're also a great way to pull-off a meatless dinner for the whole family with minimal complaint.

So how are these things good for the environment?  Well, first off they aren't made from beef, they're made mainly from soy protein and wheat gluten.  It takes much fewer resources to produce a pound of soy than it does a pound of beef.  That's the main environmental benefit.  The cardboard packaging can also be recycled anywhere, another plus.  The only downside to these burger patties is the plastic wrap on the patties themselves.  If the wrap was made of bioplastic this would be a near-perfect product.

My only word of warning for these (and any) veggie burger patties is do not overcook them.  If you pop a Boca Burger on your grill and leave it there for 20 minutes it's going to turn into a flavourless hockey puck.  Remember that meatless burger patties aren't oozing with blood and globs of fat that require thorough cooking-through.  Follow the directions on the package and you should be fine.  If you're worried about them drying-out, just keep a little olive oil on hand and brush them lightly while they're on the grill.

Hit the jump to visit the offical Boca Burger web site and keep you eyes peeled next time you're grocery shopping!

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