Three tips for preparing an electricity-free Earth Hour dinner

This Saturday, Canadians are being encouraged to switch off the lights between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. This hour – aptly named Earth Hour – aims to raise awareness about climate change and other environmental issues impacting our planet. My goal this year is to extend the allotted hour and try to reduce my electricity usage over the entire day. This means cutting back on television and computer usage, e-book reading, and cooking on my stove top. However, no-cook meals don't have to mean eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Here are three easy tips and recipes for a delicious, electricity-free Earth Hour.

1. Use frozen, cooked shrimp If you have a bag in the freezer, transfer it to the fridge the day before (Friday) to thaw overnight. Then, use them up in these three main dishes:

Shrimp and grapefruit salad
Shrimp and mango noodle salad
Dijon-dill shrimp salad

2. Deli chicken is your friend Pick up a rotisserie chicken on Friday and keep in the fridge overnight. It will make a tasty addition to salad even when cold.

Thai chicken salad
Chicken grapefruit salad
Easy hoisin-chicken salad rolls

3. Pantry ingredients make great sides It couldn't be easier: check your pantry/fridge/freezer to see what you can toss together to make a quick appetizer or side dish.

Here are some ideas: Black bean and corn salad
Broccoli slaw with peanut dressing
Artichoke chickpea salad
Nutty chevre grapes

For some Earth Hour-inspired cocktails, visit WWF Canada.