We all have that one friend or family member who goes veggie. We love that friend, but it's so hard to find food that everybody wants to eat when the vegetarian is in town (or better, the vegan!) Or, for the vegan herself, you've gone to eat your favorite snack and been forced to hear how people were never intended to eat the way we eat. Since 1977 people have been trying to give vegetarianism the benefit of the doubt on World Vegetarian Day, which we're celebrating at Lehigh on Monday, October 3rd. World Vegetarian Day is a fun event that encourages people to learn about the impact that vegetarian food can have on the environment and within your own body. How does it help?
- -By reducing or eliminating your consumption of meat you can reduce your own carbon footprint by as much as 20%
- -You can enjoy health benefits like reducing the risk of cataracts, kidney stones, and even cancer. You can lower your cholesteraol and increase your cardiovascular health.
- -My personal favorite fact is that raising animals for food now uses approximately 30% of the Earth’s total landmass through either grazing or growing feed crops, the same crops which made up 70% of the grain grown in the US in the last year - enough to feed 800 million additional people. If you're like me you might also want to know that the number of people actively starving in the world is 795 million.
So what should you do? Consider if vegetarianism is right for you, if you're not ready for a committment, try just one meal without meat or try Meatless Mondays at the dining halls.
What: World Vegetarian Day is a national event to encourage alternatives to meat in a healthier diet.
When: Officially 10/1, but celebrated at Lehigh on Monday, October 3, 2016
Where: Lower Cort & Rathbone
How: Come to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as usual, but this time try some of the specialty vegetarian dishes Dining Services is preparing especially for World Veg Day.