I'm personally motivated by the ethics of ahimsa and the Golden Rule when it comes to eating a plant-based diet and supporting animal welfare. I also eat vegetarian because, well, meat is gross. But plenty of people who enjoy the taste of meat and don't give a hoot about animals or the environment are realizing that another reason to go vegetarian is out of pure selfish self-interest and self-preservation. In other words, for a longer, healthier, and happier life! Check out why one reader went vegetarian:

After several months of eating a rich in animal product diet, I ended up with an ulcer that put me out of commission for weeks. Having so much pain every time you eat one of these items really wakes a person up. I began to discover how harmful animal products really are for the human body. They are full of chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, disease, and other gross factors. I made the choice to live without these products. I'm shocked at how good I feel after eating. Wish I would of done this years before...I'm growing more convinced this is the proper way to eat for our bodies and blood types. Two good book to read is the "China Study", and the "Ph Balance". These will wake anyone up who eats a animal fat laden diet.

Plus, one vegetarian forum poster wrote in to say that she had incredible success lowering her cholesterol (and blood glucose levels and her weight!) on a healthy plant-based diet and was "amazed" by the results:

I've been a vegetarian for just over a year. I had my physical and am amazed. My cholesterol went from 250 to 190 (normal). My blood glucose dropped and I am starting to lose weight without dieting. I am no longer considered obese.

Of course, I'm not surprised because I've heard these success stories over and over again, but I would like to collect some more anecdotal success stories to share with people who may be a bit skeptical about the health benefits of vegetarianism.

How has going vegetarian or vegan improved your health?
Click the link to share your story.

See also: Engine 2 Diet before-and-after weight loss photos

We're all motivated by different things, especially when it comes to eating vegetarian. Some are motivated by health or weight, while others are motivated by animal rights. If you need a good reason to support vegetarianism, why not do it for the chocolate?

One super sneaky (or brilliant!) vegetarian advocacy organization is offering vegan chocolate (yes, gourmet, handmade vegan chocolate truffles!) for new members who make a donation. They're thinking that people will send a special someone the gift box for Valentine's day, but, of course, I'm thinking I'll just keep those lovely looking chocolates to myself.

Action for Animals is a small vegan advocacy organization based in the Pacific Northwest with a focus on youth outreach campaigns.

Link: Valentine's chocolate for good
Vegan chocolates photo courtesty of Action for Animals

I don't really like oatmeal.

There, I said it. It's okay, I don't really hate it, I just prefer to eat another kind of grain, rather than oatmeal. Don't get me wrong; I love oatmeal cookies (who doesn't!?) but when it comes to a hot breakfast cereal? Meh, I say.

Recently, my hot breakfast of choice has been couscous. Let's deconstruct the reasons I've been loving couscous for breakfast:

1. It's quick. Maybe you have a personal chef whipping up fluffy vegetarian casseroles and slicing your fresh pineapple for you, but I don't. Five times out of seven, just about everyone needs a quick breakfast. Couscous cooks in just a minute or two, and it's as simple as boiling some water. Which you're probably doing anyways to make tea or French-pressed coffee, right?
2. It's cheap. A box of couscous is usually less than $2 and will last you for quite a few breakfasts. Even better? Shop for it in bulk.
3. It's versatile. While most people prefer a sweet cereal and fruit type of breakfast, I sometimes like a savory veggie laden breakfast, so I add some garlic salt, thawed frozen veggies and nutritional yeast for a healthy one-bowl couscous breakfast.

Convinced? Here's a few simple breakfast couscous recipes to try:

Orange banana breakfast couscous (pictured above, left)

Apple cinnamon breakfast couscous (pictured above, right)

Low-calorie breakfast couscous

Breakfast couscous with dates

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Macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite high-carb comfort foods. You're never too old to love mac n' cheese, right? We all have different ways of showing our love, but I'm sure I'm not the only vegan who can be seduced by a fantastic mac n' cheese. Who needs champagne and chocolate? I'm swooning already!

Here's a few different ways to try this classic American favorite:

Vegetarian macaroni and cheese with avocados (pictured)

Cheesey vegetarian "hamburger" casserole

Vegan macaroni and "cheese" casserole

Gluten-free vegetarian macaroni and cheese

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