Vegetarianism has been around for a long time, but how did this dietary option come about, and more importantly, why? A vegetarian, according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, is a person who abstains from eating meat, poultry, or fish. The motives to become vegetarian are plentiful; some of which are biological, ethical, and environmental. A good number of vegetarians are health enthusiasts, most have big hearts with regards to animals, and many are committed to protecting the environment. Following a balanced vegetarian diet is healthier for the body and the environment than following a non-vegetarian diet; it is also more ethical and moral.
             The history of vegetarianism wasn't always bright; in fact, it wasn't until the middle of the twentieth century that vegetarianism became accepted on a wide scale. The origin of vegetarianism is unknown, but the idea appears frequently throughout history. In the sixties and seventies, nature-loving groups of men and women, also known as hippies, popularized principles like vegetarianism, environmentalism, and natural living. Today, vegetarians in Canada alone have a population of 1.25 million, and the number is at a constant increase (Davis and Melina 1). There are now many options for vegetarians to choose from; the majority of fine restaurants offer at least one dish that is prepared with no meat, imitation meat can be found in most grocery stores and comes in all shapes and flavors, and even fast food chains offer a quick fix of vegetarian meals. It has never been easier to avoid meat products than it is today, and the reasons to do so are numerous.
             In recent news, meat products have taken the spot light with the current case of Bird Flu, and the recurring crisis of Mad Cow Disease. Mad Cow Disease was first detected in the middle of the nineteen eighties; sadly, scientists still don't have an idea of how serious the international human outbreak will be. Infected meat was ...