Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.
On (or around) March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and two dozen other countries will host informative and educational Meatout Events. Activities will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts'. Visitors will be asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."
This occasion known as The Great American Meatout, is the world's largest and
oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring,
thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their
friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at
least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains."
Why MeatOut?
"Kicking the meat habit" holds lasting benefits for consumer health, world hunger, resource conservation, environmental quality and animal welfare.
Kicking the meat habit reduces our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases that cripple and kill nearly 1.4 million Americans annually.
Kicking the meat habit decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, which kill several thousand Americans annually and sicken millions more.
Kicking the meat habit raises our energy level, lowers our food budget, and simplifies food preparation and cleanup.
Kicking the meat habit frees up grains and other foods that can be used to feed the world's hungry. Animals are extremely inefficient "protein converters;" it can take up to 16 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef.
Kicking the meat habit preserves our topsoil, water, and other food production resources vital to the survival of our children and their children.
Kicking the meat habit protects our forests, grasslands, and other wildlife habitats from encroachment by cattle ranchers while reducing the polluting effects of methane, soil particles, manure, and pesticides on our air and water.
Kicking the meat habit saves animals from caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, manhandling, and agonizing slaughter. Each person who adopts a plant-based diet saves over 80 innocent, sentient animals each year. Over a lifetime, an individual can save more than 6,000 animals just by going vegan.
Find MeatOut activities in your area or plan on organizing your own event. If nothing else, why not try an animal free recipe? And, if you happen to be in the Houston area, join the Society of Peace, a very kind and active organization for the "Earth, Animals, Compassion, & Enlightenment". Happy Spring!
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