Yep, that's right, May 21-27 is National Vegetarian Week. Vegetarians not only get a day to celebrate, they get a whole week! Granted, this does not mean that Vegetarians receive a week's paid vacation or a fancy parade with floats. Nope. Nothing. If anything National Vegetarian Week is a week where Vegetarians can proudly proclaim from the highest mountain top, "Yes! I am a Vegetarian! I do not eat animals!" Of course there may be a few individuals who do eat animals that will probably question whether or not a Vegetarian would have enough energy to climb a mountain let alone be able to climb back down - being protein deficient and all. {*Chuckle*Chuckle*}
I became a Vegetarian back in 1996. For me the transition was relatively easy. I was never a big fan of fish or meat. I had one too many nasty encounters with gristly hamburgers and was not saddened to see those go. Now, I did like and enjoy turkey, bacon, scallops, mussels, and a few other animal food products. I can't recall if I went Vegetarian overnight or if it was a slow transition - my memory fails me. Hmmm, maybe I'm deficient in Omega-3s?! I didn't become a Vegetarian because I disliked the taste of a well cooked steak. Pass the A-1 please!
A lot of my reasons for going Vegetarian were, well, at that time I honestly didn't have any solid reasons. I guess at the time it was just a lifestyle change for me. A test to see how much self-control I possessed. A test to see just how creative I can be in the kitchen. Of course the suffering of animals played a part in my decision but not as great as what some would think. My decision to go Vegan had everything to do with the suffering of animals/sentient beings. I now have a better understanding about what occurs on factory farms and I was shocked by what I had learned.
In keeping with National Vegetarian Week, why not celebrate by skipping meat for a day?! The worst that could happen would be that you might not miss meat all that much. Get creative in the kitchen. Dust off those spice containers and whip up a zesty meal of pasta, rice, veggies, etc. Preparing a meal without meat is not as daunting as it may seem. When the 27th rolls past why not keep the meatless thing going?! How about Meatless Mondays?!
* To help you with meal planning print out this Vegetarian Menu Plan and place it on your refrigerator.
Photo: Kale & Scallions W/Miso & Carrots
Perhaps the misinformed responder is referring to canines, aka eye teeth, which are cuspids, remnants of a more primitive carnivore diet in which one tore and ripped flesh. As we evolved and processed and cooked foods were introduced, our canines shrunk due to less of a need for large protruding teeth. While we still have remnants of canines, our teeth are much smaller and less robust than any of our ancestors. As a 3rd generation vegetarian (my grand-daughter is a 5th!) I have discovered that our canines, along with our claws, “fur” etc., have evolved to a much lesser size than the canines of our mammal friends who do use them for survival. Our brains have evolved, too, although obviously, that isn't true of everyone of my species.... Thank you, Rachel for the suggestions, meal plans and recipes. Most appreciated!
http://www.worldvegetarianweek.com/