Are you curious about the benefits of limiting meat in your diet? October is a great month to learn about the reasons to switch to a plant-based diet. October 1 is World Vegetarian Day, which ushers in October's Vegetarian Awareness Month and World Vegan Day caps it all off on November 1.
Whether you're already committed to a vegetarian/vegan diet or are just veggie-curious, you'll find lots of great resources at the library.
Health
There is mounting evidence to support eating a vegetarian or vegan diet as a way to improve your overall health—from weight loss, to avoiding health complications like heart disease, opens a new window, cancer, opens a new window and diabetes, opens a new window.
Are you looking for a good guide to the various types of vegetarianism and veganism? Look here to see vegetarian terms explained, opens a new window.
How Not to Die looks at the leading causes of death in the U.S. and how to prevent or reverse them through dietary changes.
The China Study is an informative book detailing the connection between disease and nutrition.
Environment
Concerned about global warming and the environment? Lowering your meat and dairy intake or eliminating animal products can make a difference, opens a new window! Not ready to take the plunge to a meat-free diet? Eating less beef, opens a new window is great place to start not only for environmental impact, but to help the planet move away from factory farming, opens a new window.
The Omnivore's Dilemma is a great choice for an overview of our relationship to the foods we eat. Michael Pollan also coined the easy to remember phrase, "Eat real food. Mostly plants. Not too much."
Food Is the Solution offers information and recipes to help you improve your health while also doing something great for the planet.
Ethics
Are you an animal lover? Most people agree that animals deserve to be free from abuse and cruelty. Because of unacceptable conditions, opens a new window and the overuse of antibiotics in food animals, opens a new window, a plant-based diet is a kinder and more compassionate way to share our planet with other animals.
Project Animal Farm is a modern The Jungle in its efforts to expose the conditions of animals being raised for food. If you believe these animals live happy and healthy lives, this is your wake-up call.
Eating Animals is a film based on a book by the same title. It makes it easy to understand why animal rights equate to human rights. It also has the bonus of being narrated by très chic vegan Natalie Portman, opens a new window.
Cookbooks
Ready to try out plant-based cooking? These cookbooks are a great place to start!
Simple recipes and amazing flavors make this a cookbook you'll want to keep on hand for inspired entertaining. The stunning photographs and watercolors will make this a book you'll enjoy showing off to your guests too!
This cookbook doesn't pull any punches. If you're looking for straight, obscenity-laced talk about good food, look no further.
A great starter guide for going plant-based.
Give plants a chance by trying a vegetarian or vegan recipe today, or begin the practice of Meatless Mondays, opens a new window . You'll be doing yourself, the environment and animals a favor.
