VRG intern Chaltu Watkins interviewed vegan advocate Crystal Forman, MPH, MHA, to get ideas on how vegans can prepare inexpensive meals. For example, shopping in ethnic food markets often leads to savings. Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue3/2026_issue3_eat-vegan-save-money.php

Please subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: www.vrg.org/member

photo from istockphoto

By Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD

Fresh pears have a fleeting season, so we might not get beyond eating them as a fresh, juicy snack. If you overbuy, or have an abundance on your tree, you might consider baking pears, using in a sauce, making pear butter… or roasting them!

Roasted pears are a delight and easy to prepare. They are warm, juicy, and caramel-ly. Halve and core just-ripe pears (softer pears will turn into “sauce” in the oven), brush or spray with oil, and roast at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until they are soft (a fork slides in easily). If you would like to create a golden crust, begin roasting cut side down, and then turn about half way through roasting to finish cut-side up.

If you would like to add even more taste and texture, roast pears, cut side up, topping the halves with maple syrup, vanilla extract, and walnuts or with maple syrup, a splash of apple cider, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and ginger powder. If you would like a more savory taste, roast pears, cut side up, topping with balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and cracked black pepper.

Jam-filled roasted pears make a wonderful cold-weather breakfast or a dinner dessert or even a salad topping. To serve two people, you’ll need two pears, jam or preserves of your choice, crumbled nuts of your choice (walnuts or pistachios work well; if you are avoiding nuts, roasted edamame work well, as does toasted coconut), and maple syrup. Cut and core your pears; core a large enough area for about 2 teaspoons of preserves. Place pears, cut side up, on a baking sheet and fill with preserves. Drizzle a small amount of maple syrup on the area of the pears not filled with preserves. Bake at 400 degrees until soft, about ten to fifteen minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with nuts or your choice of topping. Eat warm as a breakfast or dessert or serve on a bed of mixed greens.

For a “snazzy” dessert, core and quarter four almost-ripe pears; do not peel. Toss with organic granulated sweetener to coat and set aside. Melt 3 Tablespoons vegan margarine in a pan or in the microwave.  Toss pears with margarine and then place in a baking dish (with high sides, as we are going to add liquid), peel side up. Bake at 400 degrees, turning to allow all the pear pieces to brown (about ten minutes). Remove from oven, pour over 1 cup white wine or apple cider; add a cinnamon stick. Return to the oven and allow to roast until much of the liquid is evaporated. Place hot pears in a serving dish, scoop small amounts (like a Tablespoon) of sorbet or frozen vegan ice cream over and serve immediately.

Serve roasted pears, right out of the oven, warm, or chilled over hot cooked cereal, sliced corn bread, zucchini bread or cinnamon raisin toast or bagels, vegan yogurt, or silken tofu. Consider including roasted pears as an ingredient in green salads or in savory soups, such as a pumpkin, carrot, or butternut squash soup. If you have extra roasted pears, cut into small pieces and mix into vegan cream cheese or sour cream for a bagel or toast topping.

Each issue of Vegan Journal we review products that are worthy of purchase. In the latest magazine we feature inexpensive vegan foods such as Earth Grown Organic Firm Tofu. Read the column here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue3/2026_issue3_veggie_bits.php

Please subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: www.vrg.org/member

If you ever have the opportunity to visit beautiful Mykonos Island in Greece, you’ll want to make sure that you stop by Rhino Vegan Beat. A VRG member told us that they greatly enjoyed two dishes they ordered at this establishment: The Tofu Power Salad (consisting of Greek lettuce, tomato & grilled marinated tofu, with creamy Rhino sauce, chives, onion chips, and nut parmesan), as well as the Chick ‘n’ Fitty Souvlaki Wrap (consisting of Chicken style tofu nuggets, white rhino sauce, lettuce, tomato, potatoes, and homemade turmeric pita).

Rhino Vegan Beat also has a second location in Athens, Greece! For more info, see: https://rhinoveganbeat.com/

by Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

When The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) launched our guide titled Vegetarian and Vegan Options in Senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, and Other Sernior Facilities (Senior Guide) in 2019, we quickly realized that most facilities in the United States offered no vegan dishes. In fact, many were unfamiliar with veganism. A few told us that they would gladly accommodate vegans if any moved in yet had not had the opportunity to do so, or may have encountered only one vegan in recent memory.

Surprisingly, we received a similar response about vegetarian diets in senior living facilities although we noticed a few vegetarian entrées on sample menus at locations scattered around the U.S. Those places are listed in this Senior Guide by state (search from the beginning).

Yet, as a response to the growing number of seniors looking for a living arrangement suitable to their vegan lifestyle, The VRG pursued the search, raising awareness to staff and culinary directors about the increasing popularity of vegan diets in a space not traditionally accustomed to it.

In those early years of our Senior Guide, we located a greater number of facilities offering vegetarian options even if they were served only upon request. By comparison, in the last few years, we began to notice more senior living facilities offering plenty of vegan menu options in rotation. Several places clearly identified them by a vegan icon on their print menus or on their websites. As we find them, we list them here as well as their sample vegan offerings. There is no doubt that the likelihood of finding a senior living facility serving vegan meals these days is greater than it was just seven years ago, and will probably increase even more in future years due to an aging population.

The reason for this trend toward veganism is one we’ve witnessed several times before. Whether it’s vegan food on college and university campuses or in healthcare facilities, greater consumer demand results in more vegan options.

In all respects, this Senior Guide should be thought of as a work in progress. Not only are we adding brand new entries as facilities introduce vegan dishes to their menus for the first time. We’re also updating those which had previously offered only vegetarian meals, but now serve vegan dishes as well. These places are proactively addressing the dietary preferences of a growing number of seniors looking to maintain their vegan lifestyle as they transition to a new type of living arrangement in their golden years.

If you know of a senior living location of any type that offers vegan menu items but is not listed here, please let us know at [email protected]! You will be helping others searching for vegan meals at a senior living facility, making their life transition much more comfortable as it is familiar.

The following is being added to our list of senior residences which offer vegan dishes.

The Fountains at La Cholla

By Watermark

2001 West Rudasill Road

Tucson, AZ 85704

(833) 534-9547

Independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term stays

Sample menu includes Southwest salad with black beans; roasted vegetable wrap & hummus spread (order without feta); black bean burger; stir-fry with tofu (2x/month); garbanzo and kidney beans offered daily at salad bar; quinoa; almond milk

In the latest Vegan Action column in Vegan Journal, former VRG intern Chaltu Watkins interviews Crystal Forman, MPH, MHA. Crystal is the founder of Holistic Wellness and Health where she integrates vegan cooking, gardening, mindfulness, and social justice to make healthy living accessible and rooted in compassion. Read the column here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue3/2026_issue3_vegan_action.php

Please subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: www.vrg.org/member

photo from Motherboard

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: www.vrg.org/restaurant

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Celebrated, 5 Stilson Rd., Richmond, RI 02898

At this bakery, the stated goal is to “…Make You Feel Celebrated.” Craving Cookies? “Chewy” Coconut Macaroons are made with shredded coconut and maple syrup. Varieties include original, dark chocolate-dipped, and lavender white chocolate. Oatmeal Raisin Cream Pies are cookies filled with maple buttercream frosting. They have Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Chip too. Diplomat cream filled Eclairs are topped with dark chocolate ganache and fresh strawberry. Loaf Breads might include Banana, Carrot, or Vanilla. Choose from lots of frosting flavors such as Chai, Maple, Chocolate, Whipped Cream and Strawberries, and more. Fudge Brownies come in Classic, S’mores, Mocha, Caramel Pecan, Salted Caramel, Mint, and more. Their signature Peanut Butter Buckeyes might remind you of a chocolate peanut butter cup. Cake Jars/Pots are layered with cake and buttercream frosting in flavors such as Nutella (Hazelnut), Lavender, Dark Chocolate Ganache, Cream Cheese, Lemon, Mint, Coffee, Cookies n’ Cream, Chai, and oodles more! Cakes come in Mocha, Peanut Butter, Pumpkin, Snickerdoodle, Apple Cinnamon, Carrot, Chocolate Toasted Coconut– the list goes on! They have Mini Cupcakes in similar frosting and cake flavors. Beautifully decorated, Order ahead Cakes include many of the flavors mentioned for other desserts as well as Tiramisu Trifle Cake with layers of coffee-soaked vanilla cake, pastry cream, and dairy-free whipped cream dusted with espresso powder, vegan Ice cream Cake Cookies n’ Cream, and more.

Cinnaholic, 228 8th Ave., New York, NY 10011

Now in New York City, Cinnaholic offers over 20 flavors of gourmet cinnamon rolls — and they are all vegan! Some include Almond, Banana Cream, Caramel, Chai, Chocolate, Coffee, Lemon, Peanut Butter, Strawberry, and vanilla. Toppings range from brownie bites and pretzels to Shredded Coconut and everything in between. They offer other sweet treats including cookies and brownies.

Lancaster Vegan, 306 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster, PA 17603

Lancaster Vegan offers a selection of sandwiches. The lobster roll is made of lion’s mane mushrooms tucked in a buttery roll. The French dip sandwich features roasted oyster mushrooms, caramelized onions, and horseradish topped with melted provolone and served on a toasted hoagie roll. The pulled pork sandwich is made of soy curls cooked in house-made BBQ sauce and served on a Kaiser roll.

Motherboard, 2240 N. Scottsdale Rd. #113, Tempe, AZ 85288 (inside Green New American Vegetarian)

Where do you get your protein? At Motherboard, their creative answer includes vegan versions of Capicola, Turkey, Neil Cutlet, Mortadeli, and Pepperoni. They create these “analog” deli meats using vital wheat gluten, organic tofu, cashews, and a variety of spices and oils. The following are all accompanied by The FIX–lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo, sweets, hots, and red and sherry wine sacred sauce on  “house curated” toasted 12″ hoagie roll. MOTHER TERESA features Turkey seitan with provolone cheeze. UNCLE ALAN offers Cold Italian sliced salami, capicola, mortadeli, and provolone cheeze. SAINT JOE has Hot Italian sliced salami, capicola, mortadeli, and provolone cheese. JERSEY BOSS serves up warm sliced ham and turkey with cheddar cheeze. NEIL PARMESAN proffers warm, breaded seitan-cutlet with cracklin rosie tomato sauce, parmesan, and provolone cheeze. They have Pasta Sides like Italiano with Fusilli pasta, olives, artichokes, onions and parmesan. Prefer to spice things up a notch? Siciliano heats things up with “Extra spicy” radiator pasta with rosie tomato sauce and hot pepper relish. If you’re seeking something milder, there’s Americano–“Wimpy”shells with garlic aioli, peas. and carrots.

Nah Dogs, 18 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Serves a wide variety of loaded hot dog sandwiches, including a build-your-own option. Outdoor indoor and seating available.

Soda Club, The Ramble Hotel, 1260 25th St., Denver, CO 80205

Snack options include focaccia, roasted cauliflower, fried artichokes, and more. Also choose from three types of salads. Main dishes include numerous types of pasta dishes, as well as Pinsa (Roman style pizza). End your meal with one of three dessert options including tiramisu.

Each issue of Vegan Journal we review products that are worthy of purchase. In the latest magazine we feature inexpensive vegan foods such as El Milagro Flour Tortillas. Read the column here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue3/2026_issue3_veggie_bits.php

Please subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: www.vrg.org/member

Magnific photo

by Reed Mangels, PhD, RDN

Recently, we had a dog and a toddler staying with us. Needless to say, a lot of toddler food ended up on the floor making for a convenient dog snack. We knew that there were some fruits and vegetables that dogs shouldn’t eat but wondered if there were others. With the help of the American Veterinary Association and the American Kennel Club we learned that these fruits and vegetables are not recommended for dogs:

• Onions, chives, scallions, leeks, and garlic all are toxic to dogs.
• Avocados contain a substance that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
• Grapes and raisins. These are highly toxic to dogs and can lead to acute kidney failure.
• Pits from cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, mango and other fruits contain small amounts of cyanide which is a poison. Fruit pits can also be a choking hazard.

Fruits and vegetables that dogs can eat in moderation include:

• Apples and pears with the core, stem, and seeds removed
• Watermelon with the rind and large seeds removed
• Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
• Peaches, nectarines, apricots, mango, cherries without pits or seeds
• Bananas
• Green beans
• Peas
• Broccoli, although it may give some dogs an upset stomach or other health problems
• Carrots
• Celery
• Pumpkin
• Cucumbers

Whenever the visiting toddler ate grapes, we made sure none ended up in the dog’s mouth. Our visitors happily shared cucumbers and strawberries.

To read more about companion animals and veganism see The Vegetarian Resource Group’s resource on Companion Animals.

The contents of this website and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal and Vegan Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.