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Hello everyone. I am trying to organise a meat out near Missoula, MT for March 20 or March 21. Anyone interested? Please contact me so we can figure it out.

for more information on the meat out day visit http://www.meatout.org/

About

Meatout is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Meatout has grown explosively since its inception in 1985 to become the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Thousands of caring people in all 50 U.S. states and a host of other countries welcome in the Spring with colorful educational events. These range from simple information tables ('steakouts', exhibits, and cooking demonstrations to elaborate receptions and festivals. Visitors are asked to "kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains."

Several mainstream health advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Heart Association, have since launched their own campaigns to promote consumption of plant-based foods.

Meatout reflects national trends:

• Mainstream health advocacy organizations and the official government publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" tout plant-based foods.
• Over 30 million Americans have explored a meat-free diet.
• One in five teens thinks vegetarianism is "cool."
• National beef and veal consumption have dropped by 25 and 70%, respectively.
• Major manufacturers and retailers are marketing meat-free and dairy-free meals.
• Several national fast food chains are offering veggie burgers and several major baseball parks are selling veggie dogs.

Who Organizes Meatout?

Meatout was launched in 1985 and is coordinated each year by FARM, a national nonprofit, public interest organization. Headquartered in the nation's capital, FARM advocates plant-based (vegan) diets to save animals, protect the environment, and improve health.

FARM coordinates and promotes local events by:

• Providing grassroots activists with a how-to guide for holding a successful event.
• Producing and distributing display and handout materials.
• Maintaining the Meatout website and international events directory.
• Securing placement of national billboard and transportation advertising, as well as magazine, radio and TV ads.

FARM also has far-reaching and crucial liaison responsibilities:

• Liaison with local advocates, food retailers, health care providers, and teachers to promote community and school events.
• Liaison with meat-free food manufacturers and retailers to obtain support and product samples.
• Liaison with supermarket and restaurant chains to promote availability of meat and dairy alternatives.
• Liaison with public interest and religious groups, requesting individual participation and organizational support.
• Liaison with governors and mayors to obtain special proclamations.

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Sharon Stone's fur wardrobe raises eyebrows in Rome

Fighting Against Fur

The truth is simple: Fur and fur trim kill.

With so many attractive and sensible alternatives available, fur is simply unnecessary. Even purchasing the tiniest bit of fur trim supports a cruel industry.

Every year, more than 50 million animals are violently killed in the name of "fashion." Some fall victim to barbaric traps. Others spend the entirety of their lives in grim conditions in fur farms across the globe before being slaughtered. Another source of fur is Canada's government-sanctioned seal slaughter, in which hundreds of thousands of seals, many just weeks old, are brutally killed. This is the reality that the fur industry wants so desperately to hide from the buying public.

You Can Help

With the help of compassionate consumers, API works to end the senseless suffering caused by the fur industry.

Since no market or product can profit without customers, API focuses its efforts in the fight against fur on consumer education — letting people know that the way they spend their money makes a difference in the lives of animals. We provide valuable educational materials about how to see through the fur industry's marketing ploys, how to determine if the fur on store shelves is real or faux, how to most effectively speak out against the fur trade, and how to gently educate others. We're also a major partner in an international coalition, the Fur Free Alliance, which gets the message out to countless consumers around the world that compassion is always in style.

Misleading Consumers

The fur industry works hard to mislead consumers about fur and fur trim. It fights against labeling laws that could help shoppers make informed decisions about what to buy. Its aggressive public relations efforts falsely claim that fur is a "fabric" and that fur trim is a "byproduct." The fur trade will say anything to persuade consumers to dissociate its product from the actual animals who die to create it.

Deceptive fur industry marketing has led to a surge in the popularity of fur trim, now commonly found on inexpensive clothing, accessories, and even toys, and to increased markets overseas.

But just because there is a small bit of "fluffy pink trim" on a jacket cuff or scarf tassel, doesn't mean it isn't the same grisly product of animal suffering and death. Designers who choose to use fur are relying on novel ways to incorporate fur into their clothing lines and designs. Fur is now being dyed bright colors, braided or beaded for a unique texture or exotic look, or clipped down to imitate the feel of velvet fabric.

Compassion Is Always in Fashion

Informed consumers will choose compassion and forego fur. More and more markets are embracing the ideology of ethical consumerism, as can be seen in the popularity of products ranging from hybrid cars to free trade coffee to sweat-shop free clothing and cosmetics and household products not tested on animals — all of which are experiencing measurable success. Fashion will follow suit as consumers refuse to buy apparel containing even the smallest bit of fur or fur trim.

The grim reality remains — fur kills animals. The fur trade may work hard to peddle its wares. But API will work even harder to shine a spotlight on the practices of this cruel industry and to spread the word that there's simply no excuse for wearing fur. We're helping consumers use the unique power that only they have — the power to close down a cruel and unnecessary industry.

Compassion is always in fashion. Choosing to not wear fur or fur trim is simple — and saves animals' lives.

To learn more about trapping and fur, visit www.BanCruelTraps.com.

Learn More About:

• How to Take Action »

Easy Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna

1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp. chopped garlic
2 tbsp. water
2 26-oz jars of spaghetti sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
9 lasagna noodles (regular lasagna noodles, uncooked)
Soy Parmesan (optional)
Sliced black olives (optional)

Filling:

10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 lb tofu (firm, reduced-fat recommended--not silken!)
1 tsp. salt (optional)
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast (adds a cheesy taste)
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. rosemary, crushed
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

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