ERELEASES Posted on: 30 Sep 14

PR Newswire

DOLGEVILLE N.Y. Sept. 30 2014

DOLGEVILLE N.Y. Sept. 30 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Vegetarians and interested individuals from around the globe will be joining with the North American Vegetarian Society on October 1st 2014 for the annual celebration of World Vegetarian Day. Since its inception in 1977 the event has commemorated the health-supporting and life affirming benefits of vegetarianism. World Vegetarian Day is the annual kick-off of Vegetarian Awareness Month.There are many reasons people choose a vegetarian diet.It has proven health benefits save animals' lives and helps to preserve the Earth.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140930/149299Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140930/149300

To encourage non-vegetarians to give meatless eating a try the North American Vegetarian Society has developed a contest with cash prizes.Non-vegetarians who pledge to abstain from all meat fish and fowl during Vegetarian Awareness Month (October) can enter in a random drawing for monetary prizes. One winner will be chosen in each of the following three categories: One month $1000 -- One week $500 -- One day $250.

People can enter the "Give Vegetarianism a Try" contest at worldvegetarianday.org

Researchers at Harvard University say red meat can increase your risk of premature death. Eating one serving a day of unprocessed red meat (about the size of a deck of cards) was associated with a 13% increased risk in premature death; eating one serving a day of processed red meat (one hot dog or two slices of bacon) was associated with a 20% increased risk of premature death.

According to a UN report a global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to alleviating world hunger fuel poverty and the worst impacts of climate change.

VEGETARIAN DIETS:

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Press Release

Source: UC Davis; Certified Organic Farm

Every time you step foot in a supermarket, you're bombarded with organic options. But there's a lot about organic food that most folks never hear. Here are seven fascinating facts about organic food.

1. It's a global game

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has certified around 25,000 farms and businesses worldwide. USDA certification isn't just important for American corporations - it's important for any company that wants to market its product as organic to an American audience. To date, farms and companies in over 100 countries have received the USDA's stamp of organic approval.

2. Certification is expensive

Unless you sell less than $5,000 worth of produce per year, you're required to hire a third-party certifier to call your product organic. The classification has received significant pushback from some small-scale farmers, who tout the title as unaffordable. While exact costs vary by farm type and size, the USDA has recognized that certification doesn't come cheap. It'll reimburse up to $750 per certification, and the new 2014 Farm Bill doubles certification cost-share funding to $57.5 million.

3. Unexpected inputs

Farmers are an innovative bunch, and over the years they've adapted their inputs to use what the rest of us might consider useless. While sewage sludge is on the input lists for some farmers, the USDA has nixed that from organic farmers' armory of ingredients. But black-and-white newspaper, soap, and liquid fish products (it's exactly what it sounds like) all got the go-ahead from the USDA.

4. Organic vodka?

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7 Surprising Facts About Your Organic Food