October Is Vegetarian Awareness Month
By Gord Ball – Special to SUNonline/Orillia
Vegetarians around the world (and part-time or would-be vegetarians) will celebrate eating vegetables October 1.
Lisa Foy of Orillia prefers vegetables in her diet for a variety of reasons: a vegetarian diet reduces the risk of major killers such as heart disease, stroke and cancer; it conserves vital but limited freshwater and fertile topsoil; preserves irreplaceable ecosystems such as rainforests and other wildlife habitats; decreases greenhouse gases accelerating global warming; and it mitigates the ever-expanding environmental pollution of animal agriculture.
“Besides all that, I feel better without meat in my diet,” Foy said.
“Learning about the inhumane treatment of animals in factory farming was one of the factors that influenced my decision to eat a plant-based diet.”
Proponents claim not only are vegetarians reducing the risk of major killers such as heart disease, stroke and cancer, they are also supporting a viable way to feeding the world’s hungry through more efficient use of grains and other crops. They are helping to create a better world.
Laura Cherubin and her husband Alex, are owners of Shine Restaurant in Orillia where all menu items are plant-based. They set out nine years ago to create a place they would enjoy going to.
“We wanted to provide healthy, meat-free alternatives that don’t sacrifice flavour,” Cherubin said.
“Shine has become increasingly busy each year. It’s so nice to see more and more people seeing the benefits of eating vegetarian or vegan, even if it’s just one day a week.”
Even non-vegetarians are joining the World Vegetarian Day celebration by eating meat-free for one day each week, trying the meatless options available at local restaurants, and hosting a meatless meal or potluck for family and friends.
“Reducing meat consumption to a few days a week and cutting out red meat can be an excellent starting point for dietary transition,” said Foy. “It doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing approach. Your family may find it easier to adapt if you gradually reduce meat in their favorite dishes rather than eliminating it entirely.”
World Vegetarian Day was founded in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society and was endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978. October 1 is the annual kick-off of Vegetarian Awareness Month.
(Image Supplied)
