National Vegetarian Month

I can't believe I missed it, but National Vegetarian Month is kicked off on October 1st by World Vegetarian Day. The Humane Society of the United States—the nation's largest animal welfare organization—is encouraging consumers to try delicious meat alternatives that are not derived from the routine abuses billions of farm animals endure. The HSUS also provides recipes for healthy, mouth-watering vegetarian meal ideas.

With increasing awareness of the way farm animals are treated and growing consumer demand for more humane alternatives, it's never been easier to prevent animal abuse at every meal. In local stores you can now find a wealth of vegetarian alternatives, including patties, nuggets, soups, milks, bacon, sausages, and even drumsticks, that can replace their animal product counterparts in any meal or recipe.

I will save you the horrifying photographs, but just this year alone, approximately 9 billion cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and other animals will be killed for human consumption.






The vast majority of these animals are confined in restrictive, filthy warehouses, pens, and stalls, causing tremendous frustration and suffering.






Some seem to think fish don't suffer the same abuse but just because they're not warm-blooded land animals doesn't mean they don't suffer.







Farm animals also routinely endure agonizing mutilations without painkiller, and their shortened lives often end in painful slaughter.







Virtually no laws protect farm animals from even the gravest mistreatment, and most state animal cruelty laws exempt routine agricultural practices that are abusive to farm animals.






The HSUS encourages people to learn more about humane food choices through its Guide to Vegetarian Eating, available at HumaneEating.org

I encourage you to look honestly at your plate. Do you see a nugget or a piece of a dead chicken's body?

Clue: it's not a nugget.

For HSUS's favorite recipes go here.
For an eye opening video giving reasons to go vegetarian go here.