Here are the Ten Best Reasons for barbecuing veggie burgers and veggie hot dogs at this year's Independence Day gatherings, rather than ground-up animal body parts:
Focusing on traffic and fireworks safety, rather than food safety.
Giving your eyes a break from reading government food warning labels.
Not sweating cancer-causing compounds if barbecue temperature is too high.
Not sweating nasty E. coli and Salmonella bugs if temperature is too low.
Not wondering about the real contents of that burger or hot dog you're chewing.
Giving your body a holiday from saturated fat, cholesterol, and hormones.
Not sweating the animal cruelty and environmental devastation guilt trips.
Not having to explain to your kids why we cherish Fido but eat Babe.
Enjoying the exploration of veggie meal offerings in your supermarket.
Celebrating a day of independence from the meat industry.
Ali Gatlin
Alexandria