Benefits of vegetarian diet will be discussed during June 5 program at Monmouth County Library Headquarters

The Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan is sponsoring a groundbreaking program called "Vegetarian Workshop" with free food sampling on June 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The theme of the program is "Vegetarianism for Health, Environment and Animals." It is an educational program with the goal of bringing awareness to the public on issues related to animal-based diets and its relation to health, environment and animal cruelty. This is a timely program with growing concern in the public on this issue.

The program consists of a speech by Dr. Fuhrman, whose leading work has been featured on TV as well as in books he has authored, There will be vegetarian/vegan food sampling consisting of veggie delicacies, meat substitutes, snacks, drinks, vegetarian cooking demonstrations, presentations ... [and a] screening of the film "Peaceable King-dom" which was hailed as a masterpiece by Jane Goodall.

There will be a completely separate program for children with arts and crafts, stories, cooking demo, games and video by well-trained teachers.

The public will be provided with various resources including vegetarian starter kits and vegetarian resources. Restaurant owners will also be provided with vegetarian starter kits that give guidance to cater to the needs of a growing number of vegetarians/vegans.

Now more than ever the public needs to become aware of the staggering price we are paying for our primarily meat/diary based diets on our health along with its associated antibiotics and hormones, enormous environmental cost that will leave behind a toll which we will be forced to pay for many generations, the cruelty used in generating the meat-based food that would invoke compassion of any human being who opens his eyes to it.

We are also seeing that an increasing number of teenagers are taking to vegetarianism, but in many cases they are simply substituting meat with junk food. Registered nutritionists will be available to provide guidance to parents as well as teenagers about balanced vegetarian food. There is also a separate program for teens that will discuss these issues.

There are many misconceptions about vegetarian-based diets that are simply illusory and a result of programming by the meat and dairy industries.

It is also a misconception that only meat- and dairy-based dishes are tastier. This event will give people an opportunity to taste mock meats, burgers, hot dogs and traditional vegetarian foods/recipes.

It is Albert Einstein who said, "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." We are increasingly seeing the wisdom in that saying.

A flier for the event can be found at the Internet Web site http://www.geocities.com/veg­workshop.

Satya Dosapati

Marlboro