Today is World Vegetarian Day and October Is Vegetarian Awareness Month

Every October 1^st, since 1977, has been designated World Vegetarian Day by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS). The NAVS states that it created World Vegetarian Day “…to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.” And because “It brings awareness to the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.”

Whew! That’s a lot of goals for a single day. I just think it’s a great day to experiment with vegetarianism for those who are vegetarian-curious. (Bit of self-disclosure here…I’ve been a vegetarian since 2010). So, during the month of October, why not give vegetarianism a one-day trial run? You’ll suffer no ill effects, I promise.

To those of you unfamiliar with vegetarianism, there are numerous variations. For example, a lacto-vegetarian also excludes eggs and products that contain them, but permits dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. An ovo-vegetarian permits the consumption of eggs but excludes dairy products. A pescatarian excludes meat, poultry, dairy and eggs but allows fish. The point here is that if you don’t want to go full-blown vegetarian, don’t. Start by eliminating red meat and take it from there…or just stay there. It’s totally up to you.

Next subject: reasons for becoming a vegetarian in some shape or form. The reasons for becoming a vegetarian vary greatly. My primary reason was the unethical method that most livestock are raised and slaughtered revealed to me in Jeffrey Masson’s work, The Face on your Plate. I simply refused to be a part of that system and determined the best way to remove myself from it was to become a vegetarian.

Others look at the detrimental effect raising livestock has on climate change. Still others become vegetarian for personal health reasons. And I suppose many use a combination of reasons. Before you embark on the vegetarian journey, I recommend taking some time to reflect upon your reasons as they offer motivation for continuing or altering your specific form of vegetarianism.

A common question I get from friends and frenemies after they discover that I’m a vegetarian is, “Where do you get your protein and iron from?” The simple answer is that there are plenty of plant-based sources of iron and protein that nature provides. My primary sources of protein are nuts, quinoa, beans, seitan (a gluten-based protein found in many meat-substitute products like Impossible Burgers), and seeds. As for iron, I get that from many of the same sources of protein, that is, quinoa, beans, nuts, and seeds. Other great sources of iron include oatmeal, leafy greens, potatoes, and olives.

Look, I am not trying to convert you into a vegetarian…proselytizing ain’t my thing. Hell, I haven’t even converted my wife or two teen-aged sons. In fact, when I cook for them, I usually include a meat entrée, although it’s always some form of white meat or seafood.

All I’m suggesting is that if vegetarianism has been rattling around in your head, this is the month to give it try, even if for just one day. Do some research, find your motivation and form of vegetarianism you’d like to try then, in the immortal words of Nike, just do it.

You might then decide on going meatless one day per week (“Meatless Mondays” are quite popular). Or, you might decide that vegetarianism isn’t for you and that’s OK. Maybe you decided to eliminate red meat from your diet, maybe not, but at least you explored vegetarian options with an open mind.

If you’d like the help of MagicKitchen.com with exploring vegetarian options, please visit our vegetarian menu here. Good luck and stay strong.