Hug A Vegetarian Day – September 23, 2022, history significance why we celebrate

Sandeep raiza

Hug A Vegetarian Day – September 23, 2022, history significance why we celebrate

Hug a Vegetarian Day is celebrated every year on the fourth Friday of September — September 23 this year. Many people in the world believe that humans can have perfectly healthy diets without eating any meat. While there’s no scientific explanation that supports this idea completely, there exist plenty of valid arguments to support the cause of vegetarianism.

Hug a Vegetarian Day introduces people to the lifestyle and how they can incorporate more meat-free food items into their diets. Hug a Vegetarian Day celebrates those who have taken the step to go cruelty-free by removing meat from their regular diet. This of course also means denouncing leather, fur, and other animal products.

History of Hug A Vegetarian Day


The history of Hug a Vegetarian Day is tied to the history of PETA, the organization that founded the day. For people who are not aware, PETA means “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” and dates back to 1949 when it was begun by Ingrid Newkirk.


After some negative experiences working in an animal shelter, Ingrid Newkirk became abhorred at the treatment of the animals there and started speaking out about it. Her next step was to start the organization, PETA, in the United States. First it was located in Rockville, Maryland in 1980, until it moved just 16 years later to Norfolk, Virginia. From there it has grown and become a very well-known symbol for the fight against cruelty to animals.


Hug A Vegetarian Day was established by PETA to show recognition and appreciation for those that have made the often difficult transition to a meat-free and animal-product free lifestyle.


Being a vegetarian isn’t always easy. In many cases, the food options tend to be limited at restaurants, and sometimes there even seems to be a strange social hostility against those who choose to not consume animals. Since vegetarianism first started becoming a popular dietary move for some people, there have been a lot of vegetarian options entering the market. Today it is relatively easy to find an alternative to anything left behind in the transition.



So today is the day to give these brave souls a hug! Recognizing the difficulties they sometimes face in their race to save our animal friends, it’s time to acknowledge and thank them for the animal lives they save and the way their diets help to protect the environment of the planet.

HUG A VEGETARIAN DAY TIMELINE


1980
PETA
PETA is founded by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco.


1985
PETA Appeals to the Supreme Court
The first animal-testing case concerning the Silver Spring monkeys is appealed in the Supreme Court.


2000
PETA goes to India
PETA sets up an office in Mumbai, India.


2015
Person of the Year
PETA honors Pope Francis as the Person of the Year for his cruelty-free lifestyle

RECOMMEND STORIES

How to Celebrate Hug A Vegetarian Day


Hug a Vegetarian
First on the agenda, those who have a friend or family member who is a vegetarian should hug them! They’re doing a good thing for the earth and for the animals.



Why not also ask them about it and see what ways it’s possible to provide them with support? Or, better yet, take them out to lunch at a vegetarian restaurant to show them how much they are appreciated and they can talk about it over the meal.


Eat Vegetarian Meals on This Day
For those who aren’t ready to commit to the full lifestyle of becoming a vegetarian, it’s still possible to enjoy this one day by seeing what it’s like. Take the meat off the table and see what happens! Plan three meals for this day that avoid eating meat. Or, to go vegan (which is even healthier), remove any dairy, eggs, or other foods that might contain animal byproducts.


Really, for many people, not eating meat isn’t as hard as it might seem. Just be sure to replace that meat with protein from other sources, such as beans, legumes, soy, grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and more.

Watch a Vegetarian Documentary


For people who want to educate themselves about this important issue, a documentary might be just the thing to get on board. Try out these documentaries for more information and understanding:

  • Cowspiracy:The Sustainability Secret (2014). This film uncovers hidden facts related to the animal agriculture industry, its connection to the destruction of the climate, and what can be done about it.
  • Earthlings (2005). Hosted by American actor, Joaquin Phoenix, this doc reveals the underlying economic benefits and dependence that humans have on animals, as well as some graphic information about the way these animals are poorly treated. Ellen Degeneres’ viewing of this film turned her into a vegetarian.
  • Forks Over Knives (2011). Offering verifiable information and results of studies around the health benefits of a plant based diet, this film was reported to have made a vegan out of famous British personality, Russell Brand.
  • Game Changers (2018). Having less to do with saving the earth and more to do with health benefits, this equally convincing documentary was put out by a whole host of famous names, including Arnold Swarzennegger, Chris Paul, James Cameron, Jackie Chan and more. It offers input from medical professionals and athletes about their changed understanding of food.

5 FACTS ABOUT VEGETARIANISM THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND


India has the most number of vegetarians
Currently, 70% of the world’s vegetarians are Indians.

It can affect your genetics
A vegan diet can change more than 500 genes in just three months.



Vegetarians can be vitamin B12 deficient
Vegetarians can be deficient in vitamin B12, which only comes from animal sources.


Vegetarianism can feed more people
Plants yield 10 times more protein per acre than meat.



Many famous people are vegetarians
Famous vegetarians include Leonardo da Vinci, Henry Ford, Brad Pitt, Albert Einstein, and Ozzy Osborne.

Related posts

Leave a Comment