The era of junk food and cheap food is coming to a halt for some folks in the community. While healthy eating has become a new trend, for some, it has been long known.

Ms. Mullins has not eaten meat in over 24 years. When she was a teenager, she had become inspired for a change in her diet. Originally ,she had heard the common misconceptions of vegetarians being strange hippies with a boring diet.

When she came to America from South Africa, her husband decided to make the change with her.

“I also became interested in the ‘Whole Food Movement’ which is concerned with promoting human health by eating natural foods that have not been processed with artificial flavorings, colorings, corn syrup, trans-fats and other additives” said Mullins.

She admits the change wasn’t so difficult due to her husband’s skillful cooking.

Ms. Mullins said, “I am lucky to have a husband who enjoys cooking and makes the most wonderful gourmet vegetarian meals. There’s certainly nothing boring about vegetarian food!”

If one wants to become healthier, by no means do they have to be a vegetarian. Ms. Collins has been practicing healthy eating habits after her daughter informed her of the benefits.  This convinced her to try something different.

“If there’s one change that I could do to improve my diet and improve my food sources it’d be to stop buying industrialized eggs.” Collins said.

Along with her husband, they participate in a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group where they purchase a share, similar to a membership, and receive a box of fresh local produce each week throughout farming season.

Students are becoming more enthusiastic about eating habits lately.  Senior Angelo Granell has been a vegetarian for two years.

His change came when he “did research and realized that not eating meat is better for our environment, and our bodies. Also, the way that we slaughter animals and abuse them is wrong,” said Granell.

Junior Andrea Henry shares her beliefs of animal cruelty as a reason to become a vegetarian.

When asked if she believed others’ should stop eating meat, she responded, “To each is own. But animals do suffer.”