photo from Green The American Vegetarian, Tempe, AZ

Below is a list of some of the restaurants, caterers, and groups offering vegan meals/potlucks for Thanksgiving (both before and on that day) alphabetically by state. If you’re looking for some new recipes to prepare for Thanksgiving, visit: http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegan_thanksgiving.php

We wish you a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

ARIZONA

Vegan Thanksliving Community Potluck, Mesa, AZ https://www.facebook.com/events/mesa-az/11th-annual-vegan-thanksliving-community-potluck/511652318094016/

 thanksLIVING Celebration Dinner at Loving Hut, Phoenix AZ https://www.meetup.com/vegphx/events/303410883/?eventOrigin=group_events_list

Green The American Vegetarian, Tempe, AZ https://thanksliving.square.site/ (take-out)

CALIFORNIA

Crossroads Kitchen, Calabasas, CA https://www.crossroadscalabasas.com/_files/ugd/b5bb87_3eb85d523f0b4bdb979fc3c249cb0fae.pdf

Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles, CA https://www.crossroadskitchen.com/_files/ugd/b5bb87_e79b5255208f435caf7fbc84eb0514c2.pdf

Vegan Picnic Potluck on Thanksgiving, Los Angeles, CA https://www.facebook.com/events/1082766000017487/?ref=newsfeed

The Gentle Barn Pre-Thanksgiving Meal, Santa Clarita, CA https://www.gentlebarn.org/thanksgiving

Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck, Santa Rosa, CA https://www.meetup.com/northbay-vegan/events/304026090/

DELAWARE

The Environmental Justice Task Force and the Vegan Subcommittee Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner, Wilmington, DE https://firstuuwilm.org/2024/10/17/vegan-thanksgiving-potluck-dinner-2/

 FLORIDA

Café You, Cape Coral, FL https://cafeyou2.wordpress.com/vegan-thanksgiving-chef-tasting-dinner-saturday-november-23rd-7pm/

Vegan Thanksgiving Brunch at Buddha Thai Bistro, Jacksonville Beach, FL https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=849122384025096&set=pb.100067820269449.-2207520000

Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck, West Melbourne, FL https://allevents.in/west%20melbourne/vegan-thanksgiving-potluck-feast/200027351976645?ref=eventlist-cat#

Hippocrates Wellness, West Palm Beach, FL https://hippocrateswellness.org/the-resort/events/vegan-thanksgiving-at-hippocrates/

ILLINOIS

The Chicago Diner, Chicago, IL (take-out) https://chicago-diner-webstore.myshopify.com/

MARYLAND

Land of Kush, Baltimore, MD https://www.facebook.com/TheLandofKush/

One World Café, Baltimore, MD https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063530110691

Thanksgiving at Popular Spring Animal Sanctuary, Poolesville, MD https://www.animalsanctuary.org/events/annual-events/

MASSACHUSETTS

Vegan Thanksliving Potluck, Bay Path Barn – Boylston, MA https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vegfest-vegan-thanksliving-potluck-2024-tickets-1030504505717

Red Lentil, Watertown, MA https://theredlentil.com/watertown-red-lentil-events

MINNESOTA

Compassionate Action for Animals ThanksLiving Vegan Potluck, Matthews Park, Minneapolis, MN https://www.exploreveg.org/events/thanksliving-vegan-potluck-2024/

MISSOURI

St. Louis Animal Rights Team Annual Turkey Free Thanksliving, St. Louis, MO https://start4animals.networkforgood.com/events/76487-turkey-free-thanksliving-2024

NEVADA

Crossroads, Las Vegas, NV https://www.crossroadslasvegas.com/_files/ugd/b5bb87_852e118c6c7447ef96a9983c190313d9.pdf

NEW JERSEY

Kaya’s Kitchen, Belmar, NJ https://kayaskitchenbelmar.com/

Good Karma Café, Red Bank, NJ https://www.goodkarmacafenj.com/category/all-products

NEW YORK

Modern Love, Brooklyn, NY https://www.modernlovebrooklyn.com/

Grandma’s Kitchen, Arnot Mall, Horseheads, NY https://bit.ly/3IVLyF6

Red Bamboo, New York, NY https://www.redbamboo-nyc.com/

Hudson Valley Vegans, Rhinebeck, NY https://www.meetup.com/hudson-valley-vegans/events/303754121/

Farm Sanctuary, Watkin’s Glen, NY https://www.farmsanctuary.org/events/

NORTH CAROLINA

Triangle Vegetarian Society Thanksgiving Dinner in Durham, NC https://www.trianglevegsociety.org/thanksgiving/

OHIO

Traditional Yoga Society, Dayton, OH https://www.tysdayton.com/events-1/navaratri-class-s3rk7-dghts-htll7-djaea-b5f9h-frylr-ld7xw-d7atm

Sunrise Sanctuary Thanksgiving for the Turkeys, Marysville, OH https://www.sunrisesanctuary.org/

OREGON

Compassionate Thanksgiving – Northwest VEG, Beaverton, OR https://nwveg.org/upcoming-events/2024-11-24-compassionate-thanksgiving-2024

Eugene Veg Education Network, Eugene, OR https://www.eugeneveg.org/news.htm

PENNSYLVANIA

Animal Advocates of Central PA, Emigsville, PA https://www.facebook.com/events/806197088386770

Pittsburgh VegFest, Thxgiving Feast, Lawrenceville, PA https://pittsburghvegfest.org/

TEXAS

Vegan Society of Peace Vegan ThanksLiving, Houston, TX https://www.facebook.com/VeganSocietyofPEACEThanksLiving/

Austin Farm Sanctuary, Paige, TX https://connectforanimals.com/event/1727929128470×443854519705534460

VIRGINIA

Botanical Plant-Based Fare, Charlottesville, VA https://www.instagram.com/botanical.fare/p/DBd6T-qumk-/?img_index=1

WASHINGTON

Plum Bistro, Seattle, WA https://plumbistro.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bistro_Thanksgiving-2024_Menu_Web-001.pdf

Pasado’s Safe Haven, Sultan, WA https://www.pasadosafehaven.org/events/thanksgiving-for-the-turkeys/

WASHINGTON, DC

Sticky Fingers, Washington, DC https://stickyfingersbakery.com

Veg Society of DC, various restaurant dinners in greater Washington, DC area and a potluck www.vsdc.org

https://www.meetup.com/vegan-dc-md-va/events/302764111/

photo from Freepik

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

As of June 1, 2024, according to the CDC, nearly 1.2 million people have died of COVID-19 in the United States. Worldwide, the World Health Organization reports that 7.1 million people have died of Covid-19. The CDC reports that, In the United States, 5.3% of adults are currently experiencing post-COVID conditions (long COVID). These adults had COVID, had long-term symptoms, and are still experiencing symptoms.

In December 2022, I responded to a question about Covid-19, namely, “Does being vegan affect my risk of getting Covid-19 or severe Covid-19?” At that time, no studies had been published investigating the association between a vegan diet and Covid-19 risk. Studies that looked at healthy diets or eating more plant foods found that:

• Higher healthful plant-based diet scores (more fruits and vegetables) were associated with lower risk of Covid-19 and severe Covid-19. (1).
• Health care workers had a lower risk of having moderate-to-severe Covid-19 if their diets were more “plant-based” (more vegetables, legumes and nuts; less poultry and red/processed meat) (2).
• Higher “healthy eating” scores (more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts and less red/processed meat) were associated with a lower risk of Covid-19 and of severe infection (3).
• Eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and fish in the year prior to a Covid-19 diagnosis was associated with significantly less severe Covid-19 and a shorter duration of hospitalization (4).

Since then, a couple of studies have been published that include vegetarian subjects. There still have not been published studies looking exclusively at vegans. Here’s what the newer studies found:

• In Taiwan, in a study of 509 people who had been diagnosed with Covid-19, study subjects age 65 years and older who reported that they followed a vegetarian diet, were likely to have less severe symptoms than similarly aged subjects who were not vegetarian (5).
• In Brazil, study subjects were divided into 2 groups – omnivores (424 people) and plant-based (278 people). The plant-based group included people consuming meat 3 or fewer times per week, lacto-ovo vegetarians, and vegans. The plant-based group were less likely to get Covid-19; the nonvegetarian group had a higher rate of moderate-severe Covid-19 compared to the plant-based group (6). This study’s researchers reported that the results seen in the plant-based group were mainly due to the vegetarian + vegan subgroup. The group differences persisted even after adjustments were made for BMI, suggesting that other factors in the plant-based diet were responsible for the lower risk of Covid-19 and moderate-severe Covid-19.

The results of these studies suggest that in addition to other health benefits, vegetarian/vegan/plant-based diets could reduce risk and severity of Covid-19. This information could be useful in case of new outbreaks of Covid-19 in the future.

References

1. Merino J, Joshi AD, Nguyen LH, et al. Diet quality and risk and severity of COVID-19: a prospective cohort study. Gut. 2021;70:2096-2104.
2. Kim H, Rebholz CM, Hegde S, et al. Plant-based diets, pescatarian diets and COVID-19 severity: a population-based case-control study in six countries. BMJ Nutr Prev Health. 2021;4:257-266.
3. Yue Y, Ma W, Accorsi EK, et al. Long-term diet and risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022;116:1672-1681.
4. Zargarzadeh N, Tadbir Vajargah K, Ebrahimzadeh A, et al. Higher adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern is inversely associated with severity of COVID-19 and related symptoms: A cross-sectional study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022;9:911273.
5. Hou YC, Su WL, Chao YC. COVID-19 illness severity in the elderly in relation to vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets: A single-center experience. Front Nutr. 2022;9:837458.
6. Acosta-Navarro JC, Dias LF, de Gouveia LAG, et al. Vegetarian and plant-based diets associated with lower incidence of COVID-19. BMJ Nutr Prev Health. 2024;7:4-13.

You can read the earlier article I wrote about diet and Covid-19 here.

photo from Green The American Vegetarian, Tempe, AZ

Below is a list of some of the restaurants, caterers, and groups offering vegan meals/potlucks for Thanksgiving (both before and on that day) alphabetically by state. If you’re looking for some new recipes to prepare for Thanksgiving, visit: http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegan_thanksgiving.php

We wish you a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

ARIZONA

Vegan Thanksliving Community Potluck, Mesa, AZ https://www.facebook.com/events/mesa-az/11th-annual-vegan-thanksliving-community-potluck/511652318094016/

thanksLIVING Celebration Dinner at Loving Hut, Phoenix AZ https://www.meetup.com/vegphx/events/303410883/?eventOrigin=group_events_list

Green The American Vegetarian, Tempe, AZ https://thanksliving.square.site/ (take-out)

CALIFORNIA

Crossroads Kitchen, Calabasas, CA https://www.crossroadscalabasas.com/_files/ugd/b5bb87_3eb85d523f0b4bdb979fc3c249cb0fae.pdf

Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles, CA https://www.crossroadskitchen.com/_files/ugd/b5bb87_e79b5255208f435caf7fbc84eb0514c2.pdf

Vegan Picnic Potluck on Thanksgiving, Los Angeles, CA https://www.facebook.com/events/1082766000017487/?ref=newsfeed

The Gentle Barn Pre-Thanksgiving Meal, Santa Clarita, CA https://www.gentlebarn.org/thanksgiving

Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck, Santa Rosa, CA https://www.meetup.com/northbay-vegan/events/304026090/

DELAWARE

The Environmental Justice Task Force and the Vegan Subcommittee Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner, Wilmington, DE https://firstuuwilm.org/2024/10/17/vegan-thanksgiving-potluck-dinner-2/

FLORIDA

Café You, Cape Coral, FL https://cafeyou2.wordpress.com/vegan-thanksgiving-chef-tasting-dinner-saturday-november-23rd-7pm/

Vegan Thanksgiving Brunch at Buddha Thai Bistro, Jacksonville Beach, FL https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=849122384025096&set=pb.100067820269449.-2207520000

Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck, West Melbourne, FL https://allevents.in/west%20melbourne/vegan-thanksgiving-potluck-feast/200027351976645?ref=eventlist-cat#

Hippocrates Wellness, West Palm Beach, FL https://hippocrateswellness.org/the-resort/events/vegan-thanksgiving-at-hippocrates/

ILLINOIS

The Chicago Diner, Chicago, IL (take-out) https://chicago-diner-webstore.myshopify.com/

MARYLAND

Land of Kush, Baltimore, MD https://www.facebook.com/TheLandofKush/

One World Café, Baltimore, MD https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063530110691

Thanksgiving at Popular Spring Animal Sanctuary, Poolesville, MD https://www.animalsanctuary.org/events/annual-events/

MASSACHUSETTS

Vegan Thanksliving Potluck, Bay Path Barn – Boylston, MA https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vegfest-vegan-thanksliving-potluck-2024-tickets-1030504505717

Red Lentil, Watertown, MA https://theredlentil.com/watertown-red-lentil-events

MINNESOTA

Compassionate Action for Animals ThanksLiving Vegan Potluck, Matthews Park, Minneapolis, MN https://www.exploreveg.org/events/thanksliving-vegan-potluck-2024/

MISSOURI

Project Animal Freedom, Columbia, MO https://www.facebook.com/events/526968672273589/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_this_week_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

St. Louis Animal Rights Team Annual Turkey Free Thanksliving, St. Louis, MO https://start4animals.networkforgood.com/events/76487-turkey-free-thanksliving-2024

NEVADA

Crossroads, Las Vegas, NV https://www.crossroadslasvegas.com/_files/ugd/b5bb87_852e118c6c7447ef96a9983c190313d9.pdf

NEW JERSEY

Kaya’s Kitchen, Belmar, NJ https://kayaskitchenbelmar.com/

Good Karma Café, Red Bank, NJ https://www.goodkarmacafenj.com/category/all-products

NEW YORK

Modern Love, Brooklyn, NY https://www.modernlovebrooklyn.com/

 Grandma’s Kitchen, Arnot Mall, Horseheads, NY https://bit.ly/3IVLyF6

Red Bamboo, New York, NY https://www.redbamboo-nyc.com/

 Hudson Valley Vegans, Rhinebeck, NY https://www.meetup.com/hudson-valley-vegans/events/303754121/

Farm Sanctuary, Watkin’s Glen, NY https://www.farmsanctuary.org/events/

NORTH CAROLINA

Triangle Vegetarian Society Thanksgiving Dinner in Durham, NC https://www.trianglevegsociety.org/thanksgiving/

OHIO

Traditional Yoga Society, Dayton, OH https://www.tysdayton.com/events-1/navaratri-class-s3rk7-dghts-htll7-djaea-b5f9h-frylr-ld7xw-d7atm

Sunrise Sanctuary Thanksgiving for the Turkeys, Marysville, OH https://www.sunrisesanctuary.org/

OREGON

Compassionate Thanksgiving – Northwest VEG, Beaverton, OR https://nwveg.org/upcoming-events/2024-11-24-compassionate-thanksgiving-2024

Eugene Veg Education Network, Eugene, OR https://www.eugeneveg.org/news.htm

PENNSYLVANIA

Animal Advocates of Central PA, Emigsville, PA https://www.facebook.com/events/806197088386770

Pittsburgh VegFest, Thxgiving Feast, Lawrenceville, PA https://pittsburghvegfest.org/

TEXAS

Vegan Society of Peace Vegan ThanksLiving, Houston, TX https://www.facebook.com/VeganSocietyofPEACEThanksLiving/

Austin Farm Sanctuary, Paige, TX https://connectforanimals.com/event/1727929128470×443854519705534460

VIRGINIA

Botanical Plant-Based Fare, Charlottesville, VA https://www.instagram.com/botanical.fare/p/DBd6T-qumk-/?img_index=1

WASHINGTON

Plum Bistro, Seattle, WA https://plumbistro.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bistro_Thanksgiving-2024_Menu_Web-001.pdf

Pasado’s Safe Haven, Sultan, WA https://www.pasadosafehaven.org/events/thanksgiving-for-the-turkeys/

WASHINGTON, DC

Sticky Fingers, Washington, DC https://stickyfingersbakery.com

Veg Society of DC, various restaurant dinners in greater Washington, DC area and a potluck www.vsdc.org; https://www.meetup.com/vegan-dc-md-va/events/302764111/

arracacha

By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

In a recent article introducing perennial vegetables as a climate solution, The Vegetarian Resource Group briefly mentioned that unlike vegetables grown each year from seed in a typical backyard garden, perennials are planted only once and regrow by themselves for years – if not decades. We also noted that regular harvesting is necessary to prevent most perennials from becoming weedy. But we didn’t discuss any other strategies to ensure success in a perennial garden.

Although it’s true that growing perennial vegetables is a lot like growing annual tomatoes, peppers, or squash, there are a few modifications to common gardening techniques that will make it easier. Here, we’ll share tips for success in perennial vegetable gardening.

Building soil health

When growing annuals, gardeners may get bumper crops by dousing the surface soil with fertilizer that may have an immediate effect but is prone to leaching during rain. With perennials, on the other hand, it’s vitally important to build soil health. Doing so is a never-ending, slow process, but it will be worth it.

Healthy soil contains legions of microbes that release plentiful nutrients to plant roots in exchange for the sugars that plants make. Healthy soil also has an increased water-holding capacity so deep-rooted perennials can reach moisture even in times of drought. An added benefit of deep roots is improved soil drainage and reduced erosion in times of heavy rains or flooding (which is becoming more frequent in a climate crisis).

There is no doubt that rich soil will yield immense returns on your long-term investment in the form of bountiful yields for years.

The best way to build soil health is to add compost regularly. If you don’t already, prepare your own compost by mixing high-nitrogen, green material (grass clippings, vegan food scraps (but no oils), and coffee grounds) with high-carbon, brown material (dried leaves, dried plant stalks, pine needles, and shredded newspaper) in a 1:2 ratio of browns to greens. Create a backyard pile that you turn frequently and keep moist or add to an enclosed tumbler.

Once it’s transformed into a black, crumbly soil after a month or more, depending on outside temperature, add to the surface of your garden plot. Do not mix it in because you want to keep the soil structure and microbial community intact. You may wish to spend 1-2 years building the soil health of your future garden plot – eliminating weeds as they sprout – before actual planting.

Growing perennial vegetables in poor soil

Building optimal soil may take a year or more. Unlike annuals which will not thrive in poor soil, certain perennial vegetables will. In fact, some perennials, such as goldenberry, do poorly in rich soil! So, you can get started perennial gardening right away no matter the soil condition if you’re really anxious to begin. Add compost regularly to the surface as you make it.

According to Eric Toensmeier, author of Perennial Gardening, these are some of the perennials that grow well in poor soil.

• Achira
• Chaya
• Mashua
• Moringa
• Pitpit
• Saltbrush
• Ulluco

Growing perennial vegetables in full shade

While most annuals need full sun, certain perennial vegetables thrive in shade. These are:

• Giant Solomon’s seal
• Katuk
• Linden
• Ramps
• Wood Nettle

General tips on planting perennial vegetables

Even experienced gardeners commit these errors occasionally. With perennials, observing them is even more important so you won’t lose plants.

• Leave recommended spacing between plants. Perennials will grow significantly in a few years and tend to crowd out each other. Transplanting them is not ideal since it disrupts soil structure.
• Mulch around the base of young plants immediately to deter weeds. Perennials are often slower to establish than annuals, so there’s no time to waste.
• Keep (or plant) a mowable strip of turf grass on either side of rhizomatous perennials. Some species, such as sunchokes, often spread aggressively underground unless constrained by such borders. Unless held in check, they may quickly dominate your garden.
• Blanch perennials to keep emerging shoots and leaves tender and milder in flavor. This practice may also encourage early growth in some plants such as rhubarb. To prevent breaking new stems, put an inverted planter or flower pot over the plant for a few days to reduce light, thereby slowing growth. Asparagus, sea kale, and garlic chives benefit from blanching this way.
• Provide extra-sturdy and larger structures for perennials in the bean and squash families, as well as yams, mashua, and Malabar spinach. These plants are longer-lived and possess more and heavier biomass than annual climbing vegetables, so they’ll need it.
• Choose an optimal site for planting to reduce disease pressure. Unlike annuals which can be rotated each year in your garden to prevent or minimize disease, perennials are meant to be planted only once. Research optimal soil condition, water requirements, and sun preference for each species and plant accordingly. Creating a polyculture of mixed species – and several different varieties of the same species – will also help lessen the opportunity for a disease to become established.
• If you grow certain perennial root crops known as plant/replant perennials, rotate them each year to decrease the chance of disease spread. Like garlic and potatoes, these are non-colony-forming root crops. Examples include aroids, arracacha, chufa, oca, skirret, and ulluco.
• Practice specialized techniques to stimulate seed germination. Unlike seeds of annual plants, perennial plant seeds are often slow to germinate. Research the plant species you plan to include. You may need to cold stratify and/or scarify before seeds will germinate. These techniques involve keeping seeds moist in the fridge for two months or rubbing them between sandpaper, respectively.

Key takeaways on perennial vegetable gardening

Perennial vegetables are climate foods that sequester carbon longer than annual vegetables. Many of the same techniques used in a conventional backyard summer garden are used to grow them successfully. There are important differences which are discussed here.

There are so many ways to prepare vegan stuffing for Thanksgiving! We thought we’d once again share an article by Chef Nancy Berkoff that previously ran in our Journal that includes recipes for Eggplant-Tomato Stuffing, Oatmeal-Walnut Stuffing, Goodies-From-the-Garden Stuffing, Chock-Full-of-Corn Stuffing, Fruited Bread Stuffing, Apple and Raisin Stuffing, and Spinach and Roasted Pepper Stuffing.

Read the entire article here: Stuff Your Face: Stuffings for all Seasons

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only by visiting https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Be sure to follow The Vegetarian Resource Group on Instagram: @vegetarianresourcegroup

Field Roast Celebration Roast

Are you looking for some alternatives to Turkey this Thanksgiving? Fortunately, there are many options today.

Field Roast offers these choices:
1. Celebration Roast with Traditional Bread Stuffing and Gravy – made with fresh onions, celery, cranberries and butternut squash.
2. Hazelnut Cranberry Plant-Based Roast – a rich, hazelnut-infused grain meat stuffed with Field Roast sausages, crystallized ginger, cranberries and apples – wrapped in a savory puff pastry. It’s even Toaster Oven friendly!
See: https://fieldroast.com/products/#roasts-loaves

Gardein offers a plant-based Turk’y Roast. See: https://www.gardein.com/chickn-and-turky/classics/plant-based-turky-roast

Tofurky offers Tofurky Roast and Gravy. The Roast includes stuffing. See: https://tofurky.com/what-we-make/roasts/ They also have a Ham Style Roast. For details see: https://tofurky.com/what-we-make/roasts/ham-roast/

Trader Joes offers a Breaded Turkeyless Stuffed Roast. See: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/breaded-turkey-less-stuffed-roast-061621

Unreal Deli offers Roasted Turk’y. See: https://unrealdeli.com/products/plant-based-roasted-turkey?srsltid=AfmBOorcs5DKYa12rFC3_E-1URMxMt3NAgiF7-Wq-Na7Q_b4N-5_kcm_djk

Vegetarian Plus offers Vegan Whole Turkey. See: https://myrtlegreens.com/products/vegan-whole-turkey

photo from Viva Vegan Tacos

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

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Cinnaholic, 4103 Faudree Rd., Ste. 160, Odessa, TX 79765

Cinnaholic offers over 30 flavors of gourmet cinnamon rolls — and they are all vegan! Some include Almond, Blackberry, Butterscotch, Caramel, Cream Soda, Key Lime, Root Beer, & Pomegranate. Toppings range from Cookie Dough Chunks to Shredded Coconut and everything in between. They offer other sweet treats including cookies.

Feed Me, 3407 W. Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106

The café has quickly become a favorite spot in the city, known particularly for its vegan burgers, created with a unique blend of plant-based ingredients that closely mimic the taste and texture of traditional beef. It also places a strong emphasis on coffee, sourcing high-quality beans from local roasters, as well as their own ice cream, and a whipped treat for pets, too. The café fosters a warm and friendly environment, where patrons can feel comfortable exploring plant-based options. They offer senior and military discounts, along with a loyalty program that rewards regular customers, welcoming everyone who is interested in their food choices. Adding a more fun, quirky element to the café, their mascot, Boris the Venus flytrap serves as a playful reminder of the benefits of exploring veganism. Instead of sticking to his carnivorous roots, Boris embodies the idea of trying new things and encourages visitors to discover the delicious world of plant-based cuisine. At Feed Me, the goal is not only to serve great food but also to inspire an open-minded approach to vegan options.

Gigi’s Vegan Kitchen, 543 N. Noble St., Chicago, IL 60642

Gigi’s Vegan Kitchen began as an idea for a food truck but evolved into the vibrant brick-and-mortar restaurant it is today. The menu is comprised of a fusion between American and Mexican offerings, but it is set apart from typical vegan restaurants by the focus on plant-based ingredients standing out as themselves instead of relying on “fake meat.” This restaurant also has unique drink options like a Mango Pineapple Smoothie. Its ambiance is as remarkable as its food, with large floral displays on the interior to replicate the feeling of entering a jungle.

Greens and Grains, 5000 Wellington Ave. Pad 2B, Ventnor, NJ 08406

Greens and Grains banishes the misconception that no meat means no flavor. Their menu features a variety of vegan style favorites like breakfast tacos, panini, meatless meatballs, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, sesame crunch salad, nutritious smoothies, and so much more!

Mama Cheá Café, 8220 Griffin Rd., Davie, FL 33328

Mama Cheá Café is dedicated to promoting a healthy, eco-conscious vegan lifestyle through delicious, innovative dishes. Founded by Nicole Lopez, the café was made to honor her grandmother’s culinary legacy, infusing traditional flavors with modern plant-based techniques, which is illustrated in the restaurant making its plant-based meats in-house. The menu is diverse and enticing, featuring a range of lunch options from hearty burgers and savory empanadas to satisfying breakfast items and delightful desserts, like French Hazelnut Croissants, Sweet Almond Latte Macarons, and Pecan Danish Fluffs. This menu ensures that there will always be something new for visitors to try, whether they are in the mood for something richer or just want something quick during the day.

Viva Vegan Diner, 1490 E. Foothill Blvd. Ste. D, Upland, CA 91786; Viva Vegan Tacos, 299 W. Olive St., Ste. C, Colton, CA 92324; and Viva Vegan Taqueria (in Echo Park Eats), 1411 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026

With 3 Southern California locations and robust menus that include burritos, birria, tortas, and even fishless Baja tacos, Viva Vegan is the answer to anyone’s question about how to get authentic Mexican food as a vegan. With some variations in the menus and the experience at each location—noting that the Taqueria in Echo Park Eats offers take-out and delivery only—you will not be lacking in options in any case. You can go classic with the OG Burrito (made with a flour tortilla, pinto beans, rice, onion and cilantro, and your choice of protein), or spice it up with the Chilaquiles Burrito. And birria gets a new look, with dishes like the Birria Pizza (flour tortillas with vegan cheese, jackfruit birria, onion, and cilantro, served with a side of consommé) and the Birria Melt (jackfruit birria and vegan mozzarella on two slices of sourdough bread). Taco options include the Vampiro (corn tortilla, vegan cheese, choice of protein, with cilantro and onion topping) and the Oyster Mushroom (oyster mushroom carnitas with onion, cilantro, and avocado sauce). Protein options include Vegan Asada, Vegan Al Pastor, Birria, and Oyster Mushroom Carnitas. Whatever you end up choosing, Viva Vegan will remind you how delicious vegan living can be.

World Party Pizza, 930 North Coit Rd., #140, Richardson, TX 75080

World Party Pizza aims to create in house, vegan, American Italian sauces and cheeses with a cruelty-free, environmentally friendly focus. Besides other selections, Pizzas include Sausage and Mushroom featuring house seasoned Impossible Italian sausage, nut-and-soy-free vegan Mozzarella, Shiitake mushrooms, parmesan, and fresh roasted tomato sauce on thin, rectangular crust, as well as Texas Bar-B-Q Chick-N Pizza with house made Chipotle Bar-B-Q sauce, nut-and-soy-free vegan Mozzarella, soy chicken, and red onions. There’s also multi-layered, Impossibly Cheesy Lasagna with house made ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan, stuffed with Italian seasoned Impossible crumble, roasted tomato sauce, spinach, and zucchini. A couple of Salad selections are The Holy Bowler boasting spinach, organic Pear tomatoes, Quinoa salad, broccoli, grilled mushroom medley, toasted walnuts, toasted pumpkin seeds, bacon bits, Sweety Drop Peppers, and a side of Balsamic Vinaigrette, or Rabbit Fuel offering fresh strawberries, pears, spinach, arugula, toasted almonds, and a side of Strawberry Vinaigrette. Both are served with Citrus Pickled Red Onions. Check out their Weekly Specials too. Thirsty? How about Strawberry Basil, Ginger Turmeric or Hibiscus Lemonades? Decadent Desserts tempt with Fresh Strawberry Cake, Bananas Foster Bread Pudding which features caramelized bananas in warm whiskey sauce, sweet, yellow Buttery Cream Cake topped with butter cream icing and a whisky sauce drizzle, or house made, gluten-free Gooey Chocolate Pecan Cake, topped with chocolate sauce, chocolate butter cream icing, whiskey caramel sauce, and pecans.

photo from Press Herald

According to Avery Yale Kamila, Portland, Maine, has expanded its daily vegan hot lunch options to its three middle schools. Some choices offered this year included bean chili with pasta, a Dr. Praeger’s veggie burger, rice and bean bowls, plant-based chicken tenders, vegan meatball subs, and hummus bowls. For more information, see https://www.pressherald.com/2024/10/24/portland-middle-school-students-get-vegan-hot-lunch-options/

Recent topics brought up include:

– Are you searching for vegan shoes for your young children? If so, these online sources might be helpful.

– Here’s some suggestions for vegan Halloween Treats.

– VSDC’s Children’s Playgroup is having an event coming up at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville, MD.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/VRGparentsandkids is intended to be a group that offers support for families raising children on vegan diets and for vegan kids around the world. We envision it as a place to get advice about a wide-variety of topics: pregnancy, birthday parties, school lunches, Halloween, non-leather apparel, cruelty-free products, summer camps, and more. Please use it as a place to share your wisdom, seek advice, or just find a sympathetic ear. The goal is to offer support.

Consequently, any profane, defamatory, offensive, or violent language will be removed. Feel free to disagree, but do so respectfully. Hateful or discriminatory comments regarding race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or political beliefs will not be tolerated. We expect that posts should relate to vegan diets and lifestyles. The Vegetarian Resource Group reserves the right to monitor all content and ban any user who posts in violation of the above rules, any law or regulation, SPAM, or anything otherwise off topic.

Please share this information with any veggie families that you know! Thanks.