Ann Arbor Veg Week begins on Monday — are you ready? Have you signed the pledge to eat meat-free meals next week? Why not? Join me!

With the exceptions of sushi, tofu, and locusts (which have apparently been quite the "in" food in Israel, of late), I am a pretty inclusive omnivore; I'll eat most vegetables, fruits, grains, sweets, meats, fish, baked goods, cheese, legumes, and even Cheetos.  I don't tend to limit my diet.

But I do think about it, and I try to be conscientious. I try to eat with some semblance of health — whole grains, lots of produce — and with respect.

So, I am planning to eat a vegetarian/vegan diet next week, which can contribute to both health and environmental benefits as well as animal welfare. Mayor John Heiftje has issued an official proclamation declaring Ann Arbor Veg Week from April 22-28, so why not participate in some of the community events in support of this occasion?

On Monday, there's a kick-off party featuring vegan and former Detroit Piston John Salley and Mayor Hieftje at Downtown Home and Garden at 7 p.m. The rest of the week, there will be tours of Whole Foods Cranbrook, movie screenings, talks, and even a vegan potluck at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. (Click here for the complete list of activities.)

Try some new recipes — I'll be featuring vegetarian and vegan recipes all next week both here and on my blog. Go out to eat and enjoy dishes that you might not ordinarily order. Have some fun! Expand your dietary choices, rather than relying upon familiar favorites.

This is Ann Arbor's first-ever Veg Week. Join us!

With thanks to organizer VegMichigan, and to Ann Arbor Veg Week sponsors: Ann Arbor District Library, Arbor Brewing Company, Big City Small World Bakery, Compassion Over Killing, Downtown Home & Garden, Humane Society of Huron Valley, Hut-K Nutrilicious, Jazzy Veggie, The Lunch Room, Nicola's Books, Seva, Trader Joe's, and Workantile.

Mary Bilyeu writes for AnnArbor.com on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, telling about her adventures in the kitchen - making dinner, celebrating holidays, entering cooking contests, meeting new friends ... whatever strikes her fancy. She is also on a mission to find great deals for her Frugal Floozie Friday posts, seeking fabulous food at restaurants on the limited budget of only $5 per person. Feel free to email her with questions, comments, or suggestions: yentamary@gmail.com.

Go visit Mary's blog — Food Floozie — where she enthuses and effuses over all things food-related; and look for her monthly articles in the Washtenaw Jewish News. "Like" her on Facebook, or send a tweet on Twitter, too.

The phrase "You Should Only Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured in this post) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15 and is a wish for all her readers - when you come to visit here, may you always be happy.