After a month of persistent and crippling snowstorms, I do look forward to spring weather, green grass and flowers in bloom.

The advent of spring is also a great opportunity to turn over a new leaf on our dietary habits. In fact, hundreds of communities welcomed spring on Friday with an observance of the Great American Meatout. People were asked to go vegan, at least for the day, and to explore a healthy diet of vegetables, fresh fruits, legumes and grains.

This year’s 30th anniversary celebration of Meatout is particularly significant because of the massive shift in America’s eating habits. “Meatless Monday” has been making huge advances in public schools, universities, institutional cafeterias and restaurants.

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is recommending reduced meat consumption. Stock market analysts are warning clients about potential “death of meat.”

Almost 50 percent of the respondents in a special GlobalMeatNews poll said they had reduced their meat consumption. Accordingly, per capita U.S. meat consumption has dropped by more than 10 percent since 2005.

Each of us can celebrate our own advent of spring by checking out vegan foods in our local supermarket and vegan recipes on the Internet.

Wes Muirland

Waterville