Celebrate 25th Annual Meatout, March 20, 2009
Since 1985, Many Celebrate Spring by "Kicking the Meat Habit"
Mar 18, 2009
Looking for a new way to celebrate spring this year? Join over two dozen countries in the Meatout, an international day of observance dedicated to helping people learn more about diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This event is coordinated each year by FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement), a nonprofit, public organization, headquartered in Washington DC. FARM, founded in 1981 by Alex Hershaft, PhD, advocates plant-based (vegan) diets to save animals, protect the environment, and improve health.
Save Animals
- According to Vegan Outreach.org , the number of mammals and birds farmed and slaughtered in the U.S. each year is approximately equal to one and two-thirds the entire human population of Earth.
- Animals used for food, medical research and items such as leather and clothing are often subjected to caging, crowding, and drugging. California's Prop 2, passed in November 2008, prohibits, with certain exceptions, the confinement on a farm of pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens, in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.
Protect the Environment
- By freeing up grains and other foods currently used to feed animals, more of the world's hungry people can be fed.
- Our topsoil, water, and other food production resources can be preserved for other needs when not required for the farming of animals.
Improve Health
- Eating less meat has been linked to a decrease in our risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases
- A meat-free diet decreases our exposure to infectious pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
Each year, on the first day of spring, people join together through community events to host festivals, lectures, public dinners, cooking demonstrations, food samplings, and information tables. Meatout will supply an action guide, event planner and phone and e-mail support to any groups or individuals looking to plan a community event. During the 2008 Meatout, 55,000 handouts offering Free Vegetarian Starter Guides and weekly meat-free recipes were distributed.
Many US state governors and city mayors issue proclamations acknowledging Meatout events. Schools celebrate with vegetarian options available in cafeterias. Celebrities, such as Mary Tyler Moore, Jennie Garth, Bill Maher, and Tony LaRussa publicly support a meat-free diet.
For a quick and delicious meat-free meal, try these Easy Black Bean Burritos:
- 1 15-oz. can vegetarian refried black bean
- 4 flour tortillas
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup salsa
Directions:
- Heat the black beans on the stove or in a microwave.
- Warm tortillas, one at a time, in a large dry skillet, flipping to warm both sides until soft.
- Spread warm tortilla with approximately 1/2 cup of bean mixture.
- Top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and salsa.
- Roll tortilla around filling and enjoy.
Happy Meatout Day!
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