Everyone, try faux bacon. No. This will not turn in to a rant (...I don't think). No. I am not trying to make you feel bad about eating animals. I am saying, as a former meat-eater-turned vegetarian, that trying a slice of Fakin' Bacon would be good for your health, the environment and your taste buds.

"But, wait. Will this stuff even taste like bacon?"

To that, my meat-eating friend, I will say not really. Not at all, actually.

The seasonings on faux bacon may be similar, the color maybe comparable, there might even be a slight crunch — although the compressed soy product that is tempeh or seitan is rather thick and often the texture of deli meat — it will not taste the same.

Is anyone ever fooled by pseudo-meats?

I can say, though, that you will be delighted by health benefits: less fat and sodium and no cholesterol.

Intrigued?

Here are some brands to try at home:

• Morning Star Veggie Bacon Strips

• Uptown Naturals Bacon Seitan

• Lightlife Organic Smoky Tempeh

If you are around town and interested in indulging in this vegan delight, stop by Munch, 104 Marion St. The vegan/vegetarian restaurant serves a BLT (you could also add guacamole) that will have you asking for more. It's a $10 lunch item that is 100 percent worth it.

And I know this section is not about sausages. But if you want a substitute for that pork link sizzling in your pan in the morning then try Field Roast Apple Maple Breakfast Sausage.

Yum!

CONTEST

Get in on the bacon conversation and you could win $25*!

Plus, your answers could be published in an upcoming issue of Wednesday Journal!

Alicia wants to know: 

What's your favorite local dish made with bacon or pork belly?

To Enter:

Give your answer in the comments section of this post, or any of the Bacon Quest posts on ONE of our sites:

oakpark.com/BaconQuest

forestparkreview.com/BaconQuest

rblandmark.com/BaconQuest

One winner will be chosen at random for each of the three websites. Three winners selected total. Winners comments, and some others, will be published in an upcoming issue of our newspaper. Winners will be contacted at the email used to make the comment. Limit one entry per person. Please only answer on ONE of the three sites.

*Prize is a $25 gift certificate to Downtown Oak Park that can be used at over 75 businesses.

CALLING ALL RESTAURANTS!

Does your restaurant have a bacon or pork belly dish you think could make the cut for Bacon Quest? Tell Alicia and she might consider stopping by on her next adventure!

Email her at alicia@oakpark.com