Happy World Vegetarian Awareness Month!
On October 1, World Vegetarian Day is celebrated globally since the late 1970s. The day was designed to promote the life-enhancing possibilities of a vegetarian lifestyle. It also seeks to bring awareness to the ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of being vegetarian. World Vegetarian Day initiates the month as Vegetarian Awareness Month.
Vegetarians don’t eat fish, meat, or chicken. A vegetarian diet can include dairy products, eggs, and honey, as well as vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, pulses, and grains.
Stock or fat from animals, insects, and gelatin are also not consumed by vegetarians. Similar to a vegan diet, the difference is that vegetarians consume dairy and eggs while those on a vegan diet would not. Honey, however, is a controversial food and is consumed by some vegans.
Vegetarians and vegans do share the belief that animals should not be slaughtered for human consumption. Both diets do not consume the meat, fat, bones or by-products of animals.
Reducing your intake of meat and other animal products is never a bad idea. This naturally causes your diet to include more plants, which benefits everyone. A plant-based diet can help to prevent and delay the onset of many diseases later in life.
Thinking about becoming a Vegetarian?
Know your why. Changing your lifestyle is a big decision. It’s important to know what your motives for this lifestyle change is. Why are you doing this? To lose weight, to better your health or to do your part to save the animals and our planet, choose your reason. This is what will help you remember why you started.
Start slow. Some people are able to replace meat overnight. For others, it may take time and more discipline. Start by adding new meatless dishes into your usual menu. Order vegetarian meals when you eat out. Gradually it’ll become a habit. There’s no such thing as perfection, just do your best!
Stay strong. Whether it be a lack of willpower or an accident, there will be times you’ll get off track. It’s not how many times you fall, it’s about getting back up. Make a plan to not make the same mistake twice and keep on doing your thing.
Get help. There are so many resources available to assist your vegetarian lifestyle. You’re more likely to succeed if you’re eating fun new dishes, rather than the same old thing. Remember you’re not alone and if you need help, ask for it.
Let’s get cooking! Here are some delicious vegetarian recipes to get you started:
