Dear Editor:

This past winter brought us record snowstorms and floods, continuing collapse of the housing market, and partisan paralysis in Washington. I really look forward to March 20, the first day of spring, balmy weather, blooming flowers and the Great American Meatout.

Several years ago, it was a local Meatout information table that gave me a new lease on life by turning me onto a healthful, nonviolent diet of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains. Now in its 26th year, Meatout has grown into the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign, with a thousand educational events in all 50 states and 32 countries (www.meatout.org).

Meatout's simple message of nonviolence and good health is now touted by major health advocacy organizations and leading health authorities. The supportive “World Peace Diet” has become the No. 1 bestseller on Amazon.com. Adoption of the Meatout diet has been greatly simplified by the rich selection of delicious meat and dairy alternatives in our local supermarkets.

Additional transition support and free recipes are available at www.tryveg.org, and www.chooseveg.org.

Adrian Torelli

Aspen