Hug a Vegetarian Day

Try to become a vegetarian for a day and consider the reasons for choosing this lifestyle: health, environment, and financial savings. Many people believe that there is no reason for humanity to continue eating animals, and there are valid arguments to support this view. Hug and Vegetarian Day helps people learn what it's like to live a vegetarian lifestyle. The environment and personal health can benefit greatly from eliminating meat and animal products from the diet. In today's meat industry, there is often great cruelty, and this suffering could be easily alleviated if more people committed to avoiding meat consumption. The history of Hug and Vegetarian Day is associated with PETA, an organization founded in 1949 by Ingrid Newkirk. Being a vegetarian is not always easy, as dining options in restaurants are often limited, and there can be social hostility towards those who choose not to consume animals. However, there are now many vegetarian food alternatives on the market, making it relatively easy to find alternatives to meat products. So today is the day to embrace these brave souls who are working to save our animal friends. It is time to recognize and thank them for the animal lives they are saving and for the way their diet helps protect the environment of the planet. To celebrate Hug and Vegetarian Day, embrace a vegetarian. If you have a friend or family member who is a vegetarian, hug them and show them your appreciation. Ask them how you can support them or take them to a vegetarian restaurant for lunch to show them how much you value them. For those who are not ready to commit to a full vegetarian lifestyle, you can still enjoy it for a day to see what it's like. Plan three meals for the day that do not include meat, or if you want to become a vegan, which is even healthier, eliminate all dairy products, eggs, or other foods that may contain animal by-products. For many people, not eating meat is not as difficult as it may seem. Just remember to replace that meat with protein from other sources such as beans, legumes, soy, grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and more. Watch a vegetarian documentary to educate yourself on this important issue. Try these documentary films for more information and understanding: "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret" (2014), which reveals hidden facts about the animal industry, its connection to climate destruction, and what can be done about it; "Earthlings" (2005), hosted by American actor Joaquin Phoenix, which exposes the basic economic benefits and dependence that people have on animals, as well as some graphic information about how poorly these animals are treated; and "Forks Over Knives" (2011), which explores the idea that most degenerative diseases can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.