Many of us
are dining out less today and could always use some new lunch ideas. Below are
some easy recipes you can whip up in no time!
Speedy Tostadas (from Vegan Meals for One or Two)
(Serves 2)
Use taco shells, tortillas, or even pita bread for this recipe.
3/4 cup
veggie chili (canned or leftover)
2 vegan taco
shells
1/3 cup
shredded lettuce
1/4 cup
chopped bell peppers
1/4 cup
salsa
2
Tablespoons vegan sour cream or shredded vegan cheese, if desired
Warm chili
on a stove or in a microwave until heated through. Divide chili in half and
place in taco shells. Top with remaining ingredients.
Tofu Eggless Salad (from Meatless Meals for Working People)
(Serves 6)
Serve on a bed of lettuce, with crackers, or on whole grain toast with
lettuce and sprouts.
1 pound firm
tofu, drained and crumbled
1 stalk
celery, finely chopped
1 large
carrot, grated
3
Tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2
Tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
Salt,
pepper, and dill weed to taste
In a
medium-size bowl mix all the ingredients together.
These
recipes are taken from books published by The Vegetarian Resource Group. In the
USA, you can purchase them here: vrg.org/catalog
Seitan Chili (from Conveniently Vegan)
(Serves 4)
Serve warm over baked potatoes or rice.
8-ounce
package seitan, drained and cubed
Small onion,
finely chopped
2 teaspoons
oil
Two 15-ounce
cans kidney beans, drained
14.5-ounce
can whole tomatoes, chopped
1-1/2
teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
Saute seitan
and onion in oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Add
remaining ingredients and continue cooking 12 more minutes.
The Vegetarian Resource Group is a vegan activist non-profit organization that does outreach all-year-long. Your donations allow us to promote the vegan message whenever we’re called upon for assistance. Please consider becoming a monthly or quarterly donor to The Vegetarian Resource Group.
Thanks so much for your support. You can donate online here:
vrg.org/donate
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: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php
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 (Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many are doing take-out and/or delivery now):
Burgerlords, 943 N. Broadway #102, Los Angeles, CA 90012 and 110 N. Ave. 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042
The founders of
Burgerlords were inspired by the iconic California burger culture to create a
100% vegan menu. Burgerlords’ signature cheeseburger has a house made vegan
patty packed with different grains and vegetables and topped with a classic
combination of vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and their 2,000
Island sauce. Other burgers include the Chili Cheeseburger, Buffalo Ranch Tofu
Burger, and Sourdough Garlic Melt.
Burgers aren’t the only thing on the menu, with offerings such as Tofu
Nuggets or the Lord of the Fries, fries topped with vegan American cheese,
2,000 island and grilled onions. For dessert try one of their many flavors of
Tahini milkshakes!
Familiars Vegan Coffee Shop, 94 Ralph Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11221
Familiars serves
delicious drinks and treats. To drink, order the latte with oat-milk or the
chai latte. Familiars also serves Dun Well doughnuts and bagels. Try the beet
lox bagel a vegan take on a lox bagel. This bagel is deliciously filled with
tofu cream cheese, beets, smoked salt, dills, and capers. If you are in the
mood for something sweet, try the chocolate glazed with peanut or French toast.
These doughnuts are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Modern Times Beer Academy, 418 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Modern Times Beer
Academy hosts over 30 beer taps, wine, coffee, and plant-based cuisine from
their greenhouse-like brick and mortar shop with State Street’s largest outdoor
patio attached. On top of these already impressive qualities, the café/brewery
combo also includes a mini-mart with to-go options such as roasted coffee beans
and t-shirts. Frequent customers adore their perfect portion sizes and
favorites such as the “chicken” sandwich, Hazy IPAs, and freshly made chili.
Stop by for take-out or dine-in on their spacious patio and enjoy some of their
many offerings.
My Mamas Vegan, 2602 Greenmount Ave., Baltimore, MD 21218
My Mamas Vegan’s
menu is diverse featuring items like tacos, sandwiches, burgers, and bowls. To
start order the cauliflower bites in either the sticky Asian or Thai chili
sauce. Next try the Hawaiian girl fried Chickn’ sandwich featuring pineapple,
grilled garlic buttery onions, pepper jack cheese, and bourbon sauce. This
sandwich is the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Another great option
is the Bourbon Bacun Street burger filled with “bacon,” grilled butter garlic
onions, cheddar, and bourbon sauce. Be sure to check out the delicious donuts
and other vegan treats.
Nourish Philly, 650 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Nourish Philly has a
large and diverse menu. The menu ranges from smoothies to pizza to a served-all
day breakfast menu. This café will definitely have something for everyone! The
most popular menu items include the plant-based Philly cheesesteak and the
vegan fried chicken sandwich. The plant-based mac n cheese is also highly
recommended. Nourish Philly also specializes in fresh juices and smoothies. Be
sure to try the shine juice: a refreshing combination of pineapple, apple,
cucumber, mint, and watermelon. Another great option is the Maca punch smoothie
featuring banana, oats, peanuts, pea protein, Maca powder, cinnamon, nutmeg,
and agave. Be sure to visit this amazing black-owned restaurant that will
satisfy all your vegan cravings!
The Conscious Café, 14084 Lakeside Blvd. North, Shelby Charter Township, MI 48315
The Conscious Café
is a coffee shop specializing in vegan drinks and treats. Some favorites
include the latte with coconut milk or the Catahoula (a mocha latte with
whipped cream). If you are not in the mood for coffee, try the vanilla spice
tea or hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. Be sure to order a
vegan baked good to enjoy with your drink. Some of our favorites include the
mini lava cakes, mini lemon lavender Bundt cakes, and the sugar cookie ice
cream sandwiches. While visiting be sure to look at their vegan household
staples for sale. They sell delicious items like cherry scone mix and homemade
salad dressing. You won’t regret visiting this tasty vegan café.
The VBurger, 819 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB T2T 0A1 Canada
The VBurger offers a
vegan twist on diner food. They serve vegan burgers, sandwiches, fries,
milkshakes, and sundaes. The menu is diverse with many options and
flavors. Try the big kahuna topped with
lettuce, tomato, teriyaki roasted pineapple, cheese, vegan bacon, and the
signature sauce. This burger is incredibly flavorful and satisfying. On the side order the CauliFritters with
buffalo sauce or the traditional poutine with fries or tater tots. Be sure not
to leave without sampling one of their amazing vegan shakes or ice cream
sundaes. Try the triple chocolate sundae or the banana split shake for a
delicious treat.
VBurger, 420 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802
VBurger specializes
in vegan twists of your favorite American food. They serve hamburgers, hot
dogs, breakfast burritos, mac n cheese, grilled cheese, milkshakes, and so much
more. Try the deuce deuce burger with two patties of either the impossible
burger or beyond meat. Another great option is the V Breaky Burrito filled with
Just Egg (a vegan egg replacement), vegan cheese, onions, tomatoes, green
chilis, and fries. On the side order the V fries with cheese or chili sauce and
a chocolate milkshake.
Are you
searching for vegan recipes that feature garlic? Jacqueline Dunnington’s
article “Glorious Garlic,” ran in a previous issue of Vegetarian Journal. Enjoy preparing Garlic and Lentil Pate; Spinach
Seared in Garlic Oil with Mushrooms; Farfalle with Garlic and Rosemary; Garlic,
Tomato, and Leek Risotto with Saffron; Chickpeas in Garlic and Tomato Ragout;
and Roasted Garlic.
Vegan
cosmetics, by definition, contain no animal products or animal-derived
ingredients from:
meat
poultry
fish
seafood
dairy
egg
human
hair or poultry feathers
insects
(This last category includes honey, shellac, and carmine/cochineal.)
Major Animal Ingredients in Cosmetics
Some
of the major animal ingredients which could be found in cosmetics (and which
vegans, of course, avoid) include:
gelatin
collagen
squalane
oil
stearic
acid
stearates
(magnesium and calcium)
L-cysteine
lanolin
carmine
shellac
honey
Several of the ingredients above, or functionally similar
ingredients used as substitutes for these in cosmetics, may be sourced from
plant materials. Commercially, many of these are today (July 2020).
Squalane oil, for example, traditionally came from shark
squalene although this is rare today. Currently, it is commonly derived from
rice, wheat or olives. In cases where the listed ingredients are taken from
animals, it is usually cows, pigs or fish. If the animals from which these
ingredients are derived have not been slaughtered following Islamic
guidelines, their meat and meat products (including ingredients) would be
considered haram (forbidden) by some Muslim authorities.
Said in another way, some Islamic
experts suggest that the ingredients would be halalif and only
if you can be sure that the slaughter was carried out correctly. Muslim authorities
consider fish or seafood-derived ingredients as permissible to eat, and,
therefore, halal. Today, some gelatin and collagen in consumer products (like cosmetics)
are derived from fish. Pig-based ingredients are always haram. Cow-derived
ingredients may or may not be halal.
Conclusion:
Based on this assessment of animal ingredients, there may be cosmetics which
are not vegan but would be halal. But there is more to consider when
looking at vegan cosmetics and their possible halal status.
No Legal Definition of Vegan
Since
there is no legal definition of the term vegan, companies can use or
define the word as they’d like without repercussion, and they do. Furthermore,
cosmetics are poorly regulated in the United States. That is, companies have
few governmental restrictions and regulations on how they source and use their
ingredients. Also, all ingredients in the bottle do not have to be listed on
its label. Those that are listed do not need to have source (e.g., animal,
plant, microbial or synthetic) indicated.
Conclusion:
It is always difficult to ascertain without a doubt all of the ingredients and
their sources in cosmetics. Therefore, its vegan status is based on trust that
what a company tells you is true and complete.
Are
Alcohol Ingredients in Vegan Cosmetics Considered Halal?
Alcoholic
beverages contain ethanol, making them haram (i.e., forbidden in the Muslim
religion). Some cosmetics contain a number of different alcohols including
ethanol. There are different opinions on whether ethanol in cosmetics would be
considered halal.
Some Muslim
authorities say ethanol below 1% as a preservative in food in a substance is
halal. This could be a reasonable percentage in a cosmetic and, so, likely
halal (by extension).
Other
Islamic authorities say “every drop” of ethanol in hand sanitizer is always
haram. Also by extension, ethanol in cosmetics would always be haram.
Commercial production of ethanol today is almost always plant-based (e.g.,
corn) making it vegan.
It’s important to note that the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) states
that when “alcohol” appears on a label, ethanol is intended.
Strictly speaking, and assuming all other ingredients are
vegan, cosmetics containing ethanol are vegan, but are not always halal
(depends on your chosen authority).
Cosmetics listed as “alcohol-free,” however, may contain
other types of alcohol (just not ethanol). Some of these, such as stearyl
alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, or lanolin alcohol, may be produced using
animal-derived ingredients. In these cases, the cosmetics would not be
vegan. They may or may not be halal (depending on whether the cow’s slaughter
or the sheep shearing was religious).
(NOTE: Cetearyl alcohol got its name from its original
source: cetaceans (i.e., whales).
Petrochemicals
in Cosmetics
Many
cosmetics ingredients today, sometimes including ethanol, are derived from
petrochemicals (i.e., fossil fuels). These are considered vegan. Similarly,
alcohols, including ethanol, are often used to extract botanical oils which are
common cosmetics ingredients. Ethanol may be present in residual amounts in the
final oil although it usually has evaporated before it’s applied to the face.
Even so, this source states
these botanicals are not halal because of their processing.
Plasticizer alcohols, also made from petrochemicals, are
common in some cosmetics, especially fingernail products. Ethanol is not a
common plasticizer alcohol, but it could be used to make ethyl acrylate in
these products. This is of concern to Muslims who prohibit all ethanol-derived
ingredients. However, the source cited above suggests that ethyl acrylate would
be halal because it’s chemically distinct from ethanol (which is no longer
present after it’s chemically transformed into ethyl acrylate.)
General
Conclusion about Vegan Cosmetics
For
all the reasons stated above, there are many issues to consider before calling
a cosmetic vegan or halal. The two terms are not synonymous, although
they often are.
The
best course of action to take when determining vegan or halal status of
cosmetics is to ask the company directly. We shared some tips on how to do this
in previous blog posts:
The contents of this
posting, our website, and our other publications, including Vegetarian 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.
With Target selling almond
and soy milk, Burger King carrying the Impossible Burger, and Dunkin offering
Beyond Sausage, it seems there is an explosion of interest in vegan foods.
However, The Vegetarian Resource Group wanted to know how many vegans there
are.
In a national survey commissioned by VRG
and conducted online by The Harris Poll among more than 2,000 U.S. adults, we asked the following
question in 2016, 2019, and 2020.
Which of the following, if
any, best describes your eating behavior?
I never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs.
I never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry.
I never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs when eating out or getting takeout, but eat one or more of these foods at home.
I never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry when eating out or getting takeout, but eat one or more of these foods at home.
When eating out or getting takeout, I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, poultry, dairy, or eggs.
When eating out or getting takeout, I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, or poultry.
None of these.
We considered those that
never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry; plus those that never eat meat,
fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs, as vegetarian. We classified that
second category of vegetarians who don’t eat dairy or eggs also as vegan.
Because we use the word “never” and don’t just ask if a person considers
him/herself vegetarian, our numbers may be lower than others. Be wary of
comparing to polls in other countries that ask if you are vegetarian or vegan,
since people may self define differently. We did not ask about honey.
More than half of the U.S. adult population (54%) always
or sometimes eats vegetarian (including vegan) meals when eating out. One
fourth (25%) of U.S.
adults always or sometimes eats vegan meals when eating out. Six percent of
American adults are vegetarian (including vegans) all the time, and half of the
vegetarians are also vegan (three percent of American adults).
Since fifty-four percent of the country
eats at least some vegetarian meals when eating out, and about half of those
are eating vegan meals, this has strong implications for food companies and
restaurants. There is substantial incentive for producing vegan dishes.
However, based on our other experiences outside this poll, it’s not enough just
to offer meatless items. Businesses have to cater to various needs, which may
include price, health, convenience, source of ingredients, taste, religious
requirements, etc. And since there is a large segment which did not say they
consume vegetarian meals, marketing is more complex because of such different
audiences.
In another question within this poll we asked what is most important when making food choices. Americans say the top reasons are taste (57%), cost (38%) and health (36%). Among those who eat vegetarian and vegan meals, the most important reasons are taste (48%), health (42%), and cost (31%) in that order. For vegetarians (including vegans) top reasons are health (39%), animal welfare (31%), and taste (27%), followed by cost (24%), ethics (17%), and the environment (16%). So while taste, cost, and health seems to be important to everybody, a good number of vegetarians have the extra dimension of animal welfare when making food choices., The Vegetarian Resource Group often hears that people think vegetarian foods are expensive (though beans and grains can be good foods for those on a budget). Since cost is a top reason for non-vegetarians, to expand the market beyond current consumers, businesses may want to pay attention to the cost of their products or meals.
Looking at those who eat vegetarian and vegan by gender doesn’t reveal many differences. Women and men are equally as likely to sometimes or always have vegan meals when eating out (25% each). Three percent of women are vegan, while two percent of men are vegan. One difference across gender is among vegetarians, not including vegans, where women are significantly more likely than men to be vegetarian (4% vs. 2% respectively).
Those in the West (60%) are more likely than those in the Midwest (49%) and South (53%) to always or sometimes eat vegetarian meals (including vegan) when eating out. What’s interesting is that about the same percentage of people are vegetarian (including vegans) in all parts of the country (5% in the North East and 6% in the South, Midwest and West respectively), but as the West has a higher percentage of people eating vegetarian meals out than the Midwest and South, people might think there are more vegetarians there.
Fifty six percent of Democrats, 53% of Republicans, and 54% of Independents always or sometimes eat vegetarian meals. With the seeming great divide in the country by political leanings, perhaps we’re really much more alike than different when it comes to food. So maybe here is some common ground. The type of location you live in may have a little more of an impact with 28% of urban dwellers being more likely to say they sometimes or always consume vegan meals when eating out, compared to only 20% of rural individuals. Yet there is not as much difference as people might expect.
When we asked about decisions where ethics were a consideration, 45% of Americans said when making decisions about food, ethics is a least one consideration, and 64% of vegetarians (including vegans) said the same.
A strong point of interest for marketers and business people could be that a whopping 70% of 18-34 year olds and 65% of 35-44 year olds always/sometimes eat vegetarian (including vegan) meals when eating out, compared to 51% of those ages 45-54, 43% of those ages 55-64, and 34% of those ages 65 plus. Likewise, 67% of parents with children under 18 always/sometimes eat vegetarian (including vegan) meals when eating out, compared to 49% of those who do not have children under 18. Thirty three percent of 18-44 year olds always or sometimes eat vegan meals when eating out, compared to just 18% of those ages 45+. If this continues] as these 18-44 year olds become older, restaurants and food manufacturers are wise to be preparing for these changes.
25% Sometimes or always eats Vegan Meals When Eating Out
54% Sometimes or always eats Vegetarian Meals (including vegan) When Eating Out
3% I never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs when eating out or getting takeout, but eat one or more of these foods at home.
3% I never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry when eating out or getting takeout, but eat one or more of these foods at home.
20% When eating out or getting takeout, I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, poultry, dairy, or eggs.
23% When eating out or getting takeout, I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, or poultry.
46% None of these
Estimating about 254 million adults in the U.S (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts), 54% sometimes or always eating vegetarian (including vegan) when eating out would be 137.2 million interested adults. Twenty-five percent sometimes or always eating vegan meals when eating out would be 63.5 million interested American adults. Six percent vegetarians (including vegans) would be 15.2 million adults using the historical American vegetarian movement definition, with half of those being vegan. Vegetarians do not use meat, fish, seafood or poultry. Vegans are vegetarians who also don’t use other animal products such as dairy or eggs. For more information on vegetarian and vegan polls and numbers see: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faq.htm#poll
25% of U.S. adults eating vegan meals
sometimes or all the time when eating out is an amazing change from when
earlier surveys indicated one percent of the population said they were vegetarian
and still included people who ate meat**; almost nobody knew what the word
vegan meant; and you had to order powdered soy milk through the mail, as it
wasn’t available in supermarkets.
** In a 1977-1978 United
States Department of Agriculture Food Consumption Survey, of 37,135 people
surveyed, 1.2% answered yes to “Are you a vegetarian?” However, some of these
people also reported eating flesh during the three days on which dietary
information was obtained. In VRG’s 1994 poll, with a different methodology than
the current polls, we found that up to one percent of American adults could be
vegetarian, with maybe up to twenty percent of those vegetarians being vegan.
This survey was conducted
online within the United States
by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Vegetarian Resource Group from
June 22-24, 2020 among 2,074 U.S.
adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability
sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be
calculated. For complete survey methodology,
please contact [email protected]. Please
note that this poll was taken during the Covid19 pandemic. We do not know what
influence, if any, that may have had on the survey answers.
More information from this poll is still to be posted.
Many people in the USA are
unemployed today and facing hardships. If you are experiencing financial
difficulty or simply looking for ideas for inexpensive meals this article Low-Cost
Vegan Meal Plans by Melissa Wong that appeared in a previous issue of Vegetarian Journal may be extremely
helpful.
Melissa
says, “The meal plans were devised for three specific populations: young
adults, older adults, and a family of four. If you do not fit into one of these
categories, you may still use the ideas in this article to develop a meal plan
that is just right for you. Each plan features an array of meal ideas that are
quick and easy to prepare, that contain the nutrients your body needs, and that
won’t put a huge dent in your wallet.” You will also find recipes for Mock
“Tuna” Salad, Veggie Pizza, Lentil Soup, Karen’s Creamy Rice Pudding, and
Vegetarian Chili.
Chef Nancy Berkoff shares ideas on ways to prepare vegan dishes using fresh
and dried peppers in a previous Vegan
Cooking Tips column in Vegetarian
Journal. Nancy states, “There are over 200 cultivated varieties of fresh
and dried hot peppers. If you select dried peppers, you’ll want to remember
that dried hot peppers are at least 10 times more potent than fresh.” Nancy
also mentions, “Bell peppers: Red are sweetest, yellow the most mild, and green
the strongest flavor (for a bell pepper). Bell peppers are very versatile, as
they work well raw or cooked. Create a bell pepper rainbow with chopped green,
red, yellow, orange, or purple peppers. Use them as in ingredient or garnish
for tossed, pasta, rice, macaroni, and quinoa cold salads, or put in soups,
chili, stews, sandwich fillings, and stir-fry dishes. Instead of a three-bean
salad, try a three-pepper salad or use a fresh, seeded bell pepper as an edible
bowl for your favorite salads (cold) or your favorite fillings (hot).”
The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on veganism and the interrelated issues of health, nutrition, ecology, ethics, and world hunger. We have been helping health professionals, food services, businesses, educators, students, vegans, and vegetarians since 1982. In addition to publishing the Vegan Journal, VRG produces and sells a number of books.
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