Vegetarianized!

So as Miss Earth Maryland, it is my duty to do whatever I can to protect Mother Earth and reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible. I recently made a pledge to PETA to become a vegetarian for 30 days; however, I think I should make it a permanent lifestyle. PETA will be sending me recipes for those 30 days, so I think that will get me on the right track to adjusting to this new eating habit.

If you're wondering how becoming a vegetarian can reduce my carbon footprint, then pay close attention. While improving my health and lowering my risk of heart disease, cancers, stroke and diabetes, I'll also be helping to improve the efficiency of food production. According to Dr. Pimentel on letsactnow.org, animal protein production requires more than 11 times as much fossil-fuel energy than production of plant protein.

I regret saying this, but the only food I will miss is the Daytona Wings from Hooters that I love so much, or any Buffalo wings for that matter. I had a fond love for bacon for a while but I've managed to wean myself off of that a while ago. Honestly, I've made attempts at trying to avoid meats in the past, but I never stuck to it because I didn't make a pledge for the change and I didn't believe in my reasoning enough to commit. I tried to use my love for animals as the reason for my change, but that didn't seem to be enough; as my friend always says: you can get my attention if you involve Mother Earth.

For more information on how you can join the movement, visit http://www.letsactnow.org/. There are vegetarian starter kits available for download on the site.