So far, every business of the month has been exclusively Canadian and I hope we will be granted forgiveness for stepping outside of the frosty borders. This month's business of the month is a web-based business and although American in theory, it is international in practice. The international aspect is what lends to the potential for uniting vegetarians from all over the world. The business is Veggiedate (www.veggiedate.com) and it is a non-profit venture of Green People. Green People's mission is 'to provide resources to help empower people to live an eco-friendly, compassionate lifestyle'. More specifically, Veggiedate is intended 'to provide a forum for vegetarians to meet for purposes of dating, friendship, and business'.

More often than not, vegetarians share more than just a similar palate and distaste for flesh foods. Common ground tends to be found on issues concerning the environment, health, and ethics. For most, a shift and/or adherence to vegetarianism is one built on a passionate belief system. Bringing like-minded individuals, working towards a common peaceful goal, is absolutely brilliant and terribly worthwhile.

Maybe you just want someone with whom you can share that oversized favourite veggie entree or maybe you are seeking someone of a similar core belief system. Maybe you want only platonic connections or maybe you are looking for more. Whatever your objective, Veggiedate's search criteria is thorough enough that you are sure to be able to find someone of interest out of their 6,500 active members.

When searching for your new friend, business ally, or love interest you can be as specific or vague as you choose. The search criteria comprises everything from gender and sexual orientation to age and height; country, state/province and city of residence to type or level of vegetarianism; alcohol and smoking consumption (or lack there of) to type of relationship sought (friendship, dating, serious relationship); body type to race and religion. You can even choose to consider only those who have provided a photo.

Still not convinced that this is something of interest to you? OK - here's the best part. You can search their database without singing up and if you do decide to sign up, your membership is free during the trial period. So, search to your heart's content and if you find a person/people with whom you wish to initiate contact, then you can fill out a questionnaire complete with your real or fake name and contact them. This is all done without incurring any cost, although Green People are more than willing to accept donations and once your trial membership is over, the cost is truly nominal. Last but not least, they also have a chatroom!

If all you gain from this is meeting someone who doesn't ask you how you get your protein, won't it have been worthwhile?!

Please visit Veggiedate's website at www.veggiedate.com.