It's National Meat Week!

I'm always talking about how "national holidays" that commemorate things like popcorn and hats are randomly contrived "events" most likely created by industry groups to generate a little free marketing. On occasion, I say "who cares!" and celebrate anyway, especially when the thing to be celebrated is a delicious food item.

Well, this week is apparently National Meat Week, and it's worth celebrating for two reasons: (1) it was not invented by an industry group but by a couple of bored co-workers who ran across the phrase "meat week" using a random word generator, and (2) it celebrates a delicious food item (particularly if the meat you choose to celebrate is sausage. Or ribs. Or chicken wings.).

The official way to celebrate is to eat barbeque for eight nights this week. Events are scheduled for cities across the US. If that seems a bit too much meat to you, especially considering that eating a lot of meat contributes to climate change, you could celebrate instead by eating only happy, healthy meat from local farmers this week. Not sure where to find the sustainable stuff? Check this "Eat Well Guide" to search for resources in your area.

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng