And I LOVE seeing the “We’re not designed to eat meat!” argument being used here, and in such a poor manner! If “we’re made of meat so we shouldn’t eat it” was a valid argument, all carnivores and omnivores in nature would be eating tofu.

There are also human rights benefits. However, eating local, organic, pasture-raised covers most of these, so long as you're eating the meat in moderation.

101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian
http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/101reas2001.htm

BTW: Vegetarians don't eat animals so if you eat chicken you will not be a vegetarian.

Just pointing it out.

You can always source local meats (and veggies, and anything really) by buying your food at farmer's markets, or dealing with farmers directly.

Health and environment are two great reasons to eat vegetarian. But I have known several vegan people who think nothing of ordering specialized food from all over the world… that's not helping the environment any, so it depends on how you are going about being vegetarian.

I eat meat, but I live in the country and buy all my food from local producers. I raise my own meat animals, one pig and one cow a year will feed my family (the cow feeds my family and my brother's family). We do eat vegetarian a few nights a week though, purely for health reasons.

Rio: Our cow does just fine on one acre, and that amount of meat is feeding 10 people for one year… our pig lives off the kitchen compost garbage… shipping protein sources for vegans thousands of miles is hurting the environment just as much as the the cow in my backyard, and the fact that everything I eat is produced within 10 miles of my house.

GO VEGETARIANS!!!