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Welcome to October and welcome to Vegetarian Awareness Month!
Today, October 1st, kicks off this special month with it being World Vegetarian Day.
If you are a vegetarian then you’ve got lots to celebrate about! If you are not a vegetarian you can still take advantage of this month to learn more about the benefits of a vegetarian diet on one’s health, animal welfare and the global climate, and perhaps see if you could benefit from a vegetarian lifestyle yourself.
In today’s world there are many reasons to take this lifestyle change seriously. Heart disease and cancers are the two top diseases plaguing the average Westerner, with statistics nearing 1 in 2 people for both diseases. Climate change continues to be a serious threat for all of us, with many increasing natural disasters and each year, millions of animals are treated in conditions that are beyond inhumane.
And what does all of this have to do with a vegetarian lifestyle? All of the above can be prevented greatly thanks to a vegetarian lifestyle.
On a personal note, this month also marks a one-year anniversary of my lifestyle change to vegetarianism. What are my thoughts and feedback? I have honestly never felt better and I know I am never turning this lifestyle back around. There are just too many benefits.
I think my greatest breakthrough this year, my first year being a vegetarian, was discovering a whole new array of foods that I never knew existed. There are so many varieties of fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes that my diet in the past year has been anything but boring. If you take a look at the meal ideas section that I provide, you can easily see the vibrancy and color in my diet too. That is one of nature’s ways of telling us we are on the right track to getting a balance of all kinds of nutrients.
So my meals have diversified and simplified in time more than ever, my grocery trips have become easier and cheaper and my health has never been better! How can one go back to anything else after experiencing all these benefits?
Hence, this month, I will be presenting you with some research of how a vegetarian lifestyle can change your life and the dramatic effects it can have on your health!
Happy World Vegetarian Day!
Extra Reading:
2. Vegan Month
*Photograph courtesy of val’sphotos
About the author:Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is a certified holistic nutritionist, biologist, educator, writer, researcher and speaker in the areas of health, science and holistic wellness. She is a nutritional science expert and her teaching and writing focus on natural, wholesome, plant-based and organic nutrition to achieve optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow Evita Ochel on Twitter.
5 Comments to “Welcome to Vegetarian Awareness Month”
Oh, Evita, how did you know I’ve been wrestling with this? Thank you!
For some time, I’ve been feeling the pull (and just last night I had a vivid dream about chunks of meat in a chunk of bread and someone telling me it was poison—how clear is THAT), but I live with a hubby who is still clinging to the meat-and-potatoes routine (although he’s open and willing to try new things), and I like meat, and time’s always so rushed, and I know how to fix what I know how to fix, and it’s just so h-a-r-d…
I’m looking forward to learning more. Thank you, again!
I could just dive right into that photo!
Congratulations on your one year anniversary and lifestyle change.
I so relate to meals becoming simpler and, contrary to popular belief, grocery bills declining. Funny, one of the first things people ask me is “Isn’t it expensive to eat so many fruits and vegetables every day?” Not at all, particularly when shopping at the local farmers markets. Oh, and here’s an added bonus: my fruits and veggies are fresh and aren’t covered in pesticides.
I’ll be following your posts with interest!
@JULIE – All things that we attract to ourselves come to us in way one or another…so I am will be thrilled if I can shed some light on this for you and I do hope to make it an exciting and informative month!
@EARTHMOTHER – Completely agree with you when it comes to local markets – you just can’t beat the freshness, quality and it feels wonderful to support local farmers.
@HANLIE – Thanks – Let me know if there are any specific questions or topics you would like particular info about!
Great post! Looking forward to reading the follow-ups.