Yep, that's right, May 21-27 is National Vegetarian Week.  Vegetarians not only get a day to celebrate, they get a whole week!  Granted, this does not mean that Vegetarians receive a week's paid vacation or a fancy parade with floats.  Nope.  Nothing.  If anything National Vegetarian Week is a week where Vegetarians can proudly proclaim from the highest mountain top, "Yes!  I am a Vegetarian!  I do not eat animals!"  Of course there may be a few individuals who do eat animals that will probably question whether or not a Vegetarian would have enough energy to climb a mountain let alone be able to climb back down - being protein deficient and all. {*Chuckle*Chuckle*}

     I became a Vegetarian back in 1996.  For me the transition was relatively easy.  I was never a big fan of fish or meat.  I had one too many nasty encounters with gristly hamburgers and was not saddened to see those go.  Now, I did like and enjoy turkey, bacon, scallops, mussels, and a few other animal food products.  I can't recall if I went Vegetarian overnight or if it was a slow transition - my memory fails me.  Hmmm, maybe I'm deficient in Omega-3s?!   I didn't become a Vegetarian because I disliked the taste of a well cooked steak.  Pass the A-1 please!

     A lot of my reasons for going Vegetarian were, well, at that time I honestly didn't have any solid reasons.  I guess at the time it was just a lifestyle change for me.  A test to see how much self-control I possessed.  A test to see just how creative I can be in the kitchen.  Of course the suffering of animals played a part in my decision but not as great as what some would think.  My decision to go Vegan had everything to do with the suffering of animals/sentient beings.  I now have a better understanding about what occurs on factory farms and I was shocked by what I had learned.

     In keeping with National Vegetarian Week, why not celebrate by skipping meat for a day?!  The worst that could happen would be that you might not miss meat all that much.  Get creative in the kitchen.  Dust off those spice containers and whip up a zesty meal of pasta, rice, veggies, etc.  Preparing a meal without meat is not as daunting as it may seem.  When the 27th rolls past why not keep the meatless thing going?! How about Meatless Mondays?!

* To help you with meal planning print out this Vegetarian Menu Plan and place it on your refrigerator.

Photo: Kale & Scallions W/Miso & Carrots