I originally had to read this book as a summer assignment for a class, but once I opened it, I simply couldn't put it down. From the start, you're immersed in O'Brien's world. At the time, he's a young man with his whole life ahead of him, sent to fight in the war in Vietnam. Through each of his stories, you're able to paint a picture of everyone he knew, the ones they loved and the ones they lost. Perhaps one of the most accurate depictions of life as a war veteran and an eye-opening recollection on American values, 'The Things They Carried' will make you experience a wide range of emotions, all the while rejuvenating your inner sense of patriotism.

Well-cooked mushrooms are also a good meat alternative. Some studies even suggest that fungi are more similar to meat than to vegetables. They require very little space to grow and are probably more efficient than raising bugs. Also, if you soak tree nuts, they produce more protein. Two soaked Brazilian nuts per day can take care of an adult's protein needs and give the most proper dose of selenium, which helps prevent cancer. (More than 2-3 per day can be bad for you, though!) There are a lot of healthy alternatives to meat, and not all of them will make you want to scream 'Ew!'