Eating 'green' rises in popularity

A vegetarian lifestyle has often been misunderstood,
but today it is stepping out into the
mainstream.

This movement has become a rising trend
and keeps gaining popularity as new menu favorites
are being discovered.

Jen Porter, server at GREEN Vegetarian Restaurant,
said, “I think it’s awesome that tons of
different people are getting into it.”

According to “Vegetarian Times,” there are 7.3
million vegetarians in the United States and the
number is growing.

Porter said, “If this is a bandwagon trend, I
don’t mind because it is so positive.”
It may be a trend for some, but for others, it is
a very important lifestyle.

Jordan Burke, a customer at GREEN, said, “I
have been vegetarian for fi ve years. It’s cool that
it’s getting way easier to eat almost anywhere because
so many places offer vegetarian options.”

Food production companies, such as Tofurky,
are selling more each year. Tofurky doubled its
sales from 2003 to 2007.

This can only mean one thing: a remarkable
interest in vegetarianism has been taking hold
and it does not seem to be slowing.

Burke made the big decision in high school
after a few friends infl uenced him to change his
eating habits and his lifestyle.

Burk said it was “the best decision” he has ever
made.

GREEN is well known around the valley for it's
veggie cuisine. Even it's vegetarian dessert menu
tempts devout carnivores.

One of the most ordered items is called a
“tsoynami.” A tsoynami consists of soy ice cream
with an enormous variety of mix-in options.
Customers at GREEN all have their favorite
combinations.

Grant Bowen, a GREEN customer and tsoynami
lover, said, “You must try one with Cinnamon
Toast Crunch, peanut butter and chocolate sauce
– it tastes amazing.”