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Did you know that World Vegetarian Day is right around the corner? If you are new to the vegetarian lifestyle, you may not even be aware that such a day exists. In fact, many people who have been practicing vegetarianism for sometime now are unaware of this special day. Yet, World Vegetarian Day was created by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and was later endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978.

So, what is World Vegetarian Day, you might ask? Quite simply, this special day is set aside as a day to raise awareness about vegetarianism and to encourage people to give the vegetarian lifestyle a try - even if it is just for a day. Although World Vegetarian Day is on October 1st, it has since extended to a celebration throughout the month of October.

The celebrations that take place in honor of World Vegetarian Day and Vegetarian Awareness Month are quite varied. While some people choose to have private potluck celebrations, others put together special events that are open to the public as well.

The good news is that there are several simple steps you can take in order to show your support for World Vegetarian Day. Some of these include:

·    Wearing clothing endorsing vegetarianism
·    Putting up posters promoting World Vegetarian Day and Vegetarian Awareness month at supermarkets, libraries and anywhere else you are permitted
·    Encourage local restaurants to participate in the celebration by offering special vegetarian meals
·    Ask bookstores to display vegetarian cookbooks and other books related to vegetarianism

For a complete list of ideas, visit WorldVegetarianDay.org. While there, you can also purchase outreach materials or even register your special event so others may join you in your celebration.

With fall and then winter right around the corner, it is time to start thinking of some heartier meals that can fill your belly and warm your soul. If you aren’t sure what types of vegetarian meals you can make that will accomplish both of these goals, you might want to look into getting a copy of Anna Thomas’s “Love Soup.”

“Love Soup” contains 160 new recipes for vegetarian soups, including both hot and cold varieties. So, once summer rolls around again, you can still use the recipe book to help you whip up something tasty. Even better, each recipe is designed to suit the season during which fresh ingredients are available. This way, you can use the freshest produce and get the best taste possible.

Thomas also authored the very popular “Vegetarian Epicure,” which was originally published in the 70s and has sold millions of copies. With “Love Soup,” however, you get all new recipes. In addition, you get more than just sour recipes, as the book also offers recipes for pesto, breads, salads, hummus and even desserts, but soup always remains central to the meal.
So, if you are looking for some new recipes to add to your menu, you just might want to check out “Love Soup.”

Are you looking for something tasty that you can pack with you for lunch every day? Although most meat-eaters pack meaty sandwiches in their lunches, it doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Here are a few meatless lunch ideas you might want to consider taking with you.

·    Peanut Butter and Jelly - one of the most obvious meatless options available in the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You don’t have to get caught up in a rut of eating the same ‘ole sandwich every day, however, as there are lots of different varieties that you can explore beyond the traditional peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich. Some alternatives to consider include currant, blackberry and raspberry jelly and cashew, almond and macadamia nut butter.
·    Pizza  - pizza is another great option to consider. If you have access to a microwave, bring a meatless pizza with you can be a tasty treat. Or, if you are going out for lunch, you can easily get a meatless pizza at any restaurant with pizza on its menu. Aside from eating just a cheese pizza, consider adding topping such as onions, mushrooms, green peppers, spinach and even broccoli for a little added flavor.
·    Meatless Burger - there are a wide variety of meatless burgers available in most grocery stores. From vegetable patties to soy burgers and mock chicken patties, you are bound to find a meatless burger variety that you enjoy. Top it all off with cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, onions, tomato, lettuce, onions and any other garnish you enjoy and you will be sure to have a tasty and filling lunch.
·    Falafel and Hummus - falafel and hummus wrapped up in pita bread can be a very satisfying lunch, especially when you top it all off with tomato, brussel sprouts, lettuce, cucumbers and olives!
·    Burritos - burritos can be bought ready-made from the store or you can whip one up relatively easy.  Some fillings to consider for your burrito include tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, seasoned rice, cheese, mushrooms, sautéed onions, green peppers and bean paste.
·    Lettuce Wraps - lettuce wraps are simple to make and tasty to eat. All you need is a big piece of lettuce and then fill it with your favorite vegetables and other fixings, such as tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers and celery. Dip it in humus and you have a great lunch. For a spicier variety, try putting tomatoes, beans, cheese and chili powder in your lettuce wrap and dipping it in salsa.
·    Salad - salad is an obvious lunch choice, but you can get quite creative with your salad so it doesn’t become too repetitive. Don’t forget that a salad can be made from vegetables, fruit or a combination of both. In addition, many supermarkets offer pre-made salads, so look into this option if you don’t have time to prepare your own salad.

Simply put, lunchtime doesn’t have to be difficult if you are a vegetarian. There are many options for you to select from, so be sure to explore all of your options and to vary your meals and you will be sure to never get bored!

It is always fun to read quotes from vegetarians or about vegetarianism, so here is a look at a few vegetarian-related quotes from famous people that you might enjoy.  Some provide us with a good chance to laugh at ourselves, while others provide some food for thought (pun intended!).

Gerald Lieberman –“Vegetarian: A person who eats only side dishes”

David Brenner –“A vegetarian is a person who won’t eat anything that can have children”

Mahatma Gandhi — “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Mahatma Gandhi — “To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being.”

Albert Einstein — “Our task must be to free ourselves . . . by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”

Albert Einstein — “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”

(Author unknown) –“If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?”

William S. Gilbert –“Deer hunting would be fine sport, if only the deer had guns”

Jay Leno –“McDonalds announced it’s considering a more humane way of slaughtering its animals. You know they fatten them up and then kill them. You know the same thing they do to their customers, isn’t it?”

George H.W. Bush — “I do not like broccoli. And I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli”

Romain Rolland — “To a man whose mind is free there is something even more intolerable in the sufferings of animals than in the sufferings of man. For with the latter it is at least admitted that suffering is evil and that the man who causes it is a criminal. But thousands of animals are uselessly butchered every day without a shadow of remorse. If any man were to refer to it, he would be thought ridiculous. And that is the unpardonable crime.”

George Bernard Shaw –“Animals are my friends…and I don’t eat my friends”

George Bernard Shaw — If a group of beings from another planet were to land on Earth — beings who considered themselves as superior to you as you feel yourself to be to other animals — would you concede them the rights over you that you assume over other animals?”

Alex Poulos –“I will not eat anything that walks, runs, skips, hops or crawls. God knows that I’ve crawled on occasion, and I’m glad that no one ate me.”

A. Whitney Brown –“I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants”

(Author unknown) –“Ham and eggs- A day’s work for a chicken; a lifetime commitment for a pig”

Leonardo da Vinci — “The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men.”

According to the July issue of the American Dietetic Association, or ADA, following a vegetarian diet is an effective way of maintaining a healthy weight while also reducing the chances of developing a host of serious health issues.

“Well-constructed vegetarian diets may offer health benefits in terms of preventing and treating certain chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes for all age groups,” the authors wrote in their report. The researchers also found that following a mostly or fully vegetarian diet is an effective means of maintaining a healthy weight in both the short and long-run.

Despite popular beliefs, the report demonstrated that people who follow a vegetarian diet do not necessarily have to miss out on getting important vitamins and minerals. Even without having red or white meats in their diets, vegetarians can still get the nutrients they need by eating a variety of different fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains and products that have been fortified and enriched. Therefore, in order to enjoy the benefits of a vegetarian diet without dealing with the potential downfalls, it is important to follow a well-planned diet.

In order to enjoy the benefits of a vegetarian diet, the ADA recommends following these guidelines:

·    Include a variety of vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits, seeds and nuts in the diet.
·    Include eggs and dairy if desired, but consume them in moderation and make certain the dairy products are low-fat.
·    Minimize consumption of foods that are high in fat, sugar and sodium. Consumption of foods that are high in trans-fatty acids and saturated fat should be particularly kept to a minimum.
·    Include a regular source of B-12 in the diet as well as a source of vitamin D if you have a limited amount of sunlight exposure

The ADA even supports raising children on a vegetarian diet, though you should consult with a nutritionist in order to make certain your child or children are getting enough of the vitamins an minerals they need to stay healthy.