Are you planning a wedding or other event in the greater Washington, DC area and looking for a caterer? DC Vegan Catering offers a wide variety of food including Breakfast/Brunch items such as pastries, wraps, French toast, scrambled tofu, quinoa hash browns, and more. They also offer Small Bites such as beet burgers, BBQ jack fruit, classic sliders, cauliflower wings, plus a lot more options. Additionally, they cater sandwiches, risotto bowls, salads, deli side dishes, pasta with a wide variety of sauces, and a huge selection of entrée dishes including classic lasagna, baked ziti, wild mushroom ragout & polenta, vegetable and tofu skewers, Chesapeake cutlets, and cashew & butternut mac.   

For more information see: http://www.dc-vegan.com/catering-menu

For a list of caterers in other areas see: https://www.vrg.org/links/CateringPersonalChefServicesAndMealDeliveryServices.htm

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

I was last in Portland, Oregon a couple of years ago when I spoke at Northwest VEG’s wildly successful Portland VegFest and Northwest Health & Nutrition Conference.  That trip was a whirlwind and I didn’t have enough time to explore, so I was delighted to be able to spend a few days last month in Portland with one of my daughters.

Portland has so many vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants that choosing where to eat was both daunting and exciting.

One night, we ate at Ichiza Kitchen. This cozy, pan-Asian vegan restaurant features small dishes (including dumplings and buns) and large bowls (rice bowls, stews, soups).  I opted for Cheung Fun – super-wide rice noodles wrapped around a flavorful filling that included mock shrimp, bacon, and pork. The shrimp looked so much like, well, shrimp, that we asked our server if they were a commercial product. We were told that all Ichiza Kitchen’s mock meats are made by the owner’s mother. Hmm – noodles as a wrap for fillings – can’t wait to try that idea. My daughter, who was getting over a cold, went for Ichiza Noodle Soup which was a huge bowl of noodles, “chicken,” and vegetables in a broth with “13 medicinal herbs and spices.” Something worked – she didn’t cough through the night for the first time in a while.

While at Ichiza Kitchen, we noticed their next-door neighbor, Vtopia. Finding ourselves nearby and hungry the next day, we stopped in for a light lunch that included a colorful cheese plate with a variety of flavors. On the day that we were there, the plate included sliced carrots, crackers, bread, olives, dolmas, blueberries with a drizzle of jam, and a wedge of Vtopia’s vegan House Cheddar Cheese. The cheese was one of the best I’ve tasted, with a lot of umami and a smooth mouthfeel. It spread easily. Vtopia also sells their cheese by the pound. After tasting a green Scarborough Fair cheddar (flavored with parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme) and a roasted garlic cheddar, we opted for a whiskey-smoked cheddar that we ate later with apples.

The last time that I was in Portland, I had a memorable brunch at Blossoming Lotus, a vegan restaurant featuring organic, locally-grown food.  We made a return visit on a rainy Thursday night. Despite the rain, every table was filled – a testimony to this restaurant’s popularity. I had a simple meal of Chickpea Soup and a salad and my daughter enjoyed the Roasted Beet and Apple Salad which came with a house-made chèvre and massaged kale.

Weekend brunch is a Portland tradition. We opted for Sweetpea Baking Company’s brunch. Menu choices include waffles, scrambled tofu, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, doughnuts, Danish, croissants, and biscuits – all vegan. We ordered the Breakfast Quiche which had a mild, savory taste and a creamy texture. Sweetpea Baking Company was Portland’s first all-vegan retail bakery; they also serve lunch and sell all sorts of vegan baked goods.

In the same block as Sweetpea, we found Herbivore, a vegan clothing company (loved the pomegranate earrings!), and Food Fight! Grocery – a great place to pick up vegan treats for the folks back home. 

We had heard of a pop up featuring vegan cinnamon rolls so we headed for Hail Snail, a queer, family owned cinnamon roll shop. The owners hope to open a permanent shop soon. We were faced with choices – 1 large or 5 mini rolls? Toppings? Think sprinkles, peanut butter, pretzels, bananas, marshmallows, nuts, carrot bacon. How to decide? The rolls are tasty (we both thought a bit more cinnamon would be good) and it’s fun figuring out your topping combination. Hail Snail has sold out every time it’s been open – a good omen for a new vegan business.

After a long walk by the Willamette River, we went for vegan pizza and ice cream at Virtuous Pie.  We shared the Ultraviolet Pizza which has an arugula pesto, cashew mozzarella, dried tomatoes, kale, and caramelized onions. We couldn’t resist a scoop of vegan ice cream for dessert. I’m a vanilla person and appreciated the clean flavor with no aftertaste. I heard the Mint and Dark Chocolate was superb.

Lest you think that we did nothing but eat, we also enjoyed exploring Portland. One highlight was the serene Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park where plantings are planned so that there is beauty for each season. Another highlight was Powell’s Bookstore, Portland’s legendary independent bookstore which has 2 floor-to-ceiling shelves of vegan books including some of The Vegetarian Resource Group’s.

There’s so much more to explore and I am looking forward to returning to Portland. If you’re planning to go, be sure to check out Northwest VEG’s Plant-based Restaurant Guide.

Review by Marcia Schveibinz

Words on a Killing by Will Lowrey is a very short story based on actual events about the author’s experience visiting an animal production facility in rural New England. The facility he visited was supposedly one of the more “humane” slaughterhouses. The book is broken into small chapters and Lowrey is very descriptive to help the reader to “see” as close to what the author is seeing firsthand. The author refers to each animal as “her” to signify that every living being in the factory is an individual and not just someone’s dinner.

This story is very important and contributes to helping others become aware and exposes the reality of what happens behind the scenes in an animal slaughterhouse.

Words on a Killing by Will Lowrey is a 41-page paperback book. It is published by Lomack Publishing and is available for retail on Amazon in paperback and kindle edition. This book may be suitable for ages 14 to adult.

For a list of other children’s books, see: https://www.vrg.org/family/young_peoples_books_with_vegetarian_or_animal_rights_themes.pdf

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted veganism/vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans are vegetarians who do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs.

One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000 will be given. Entries may only be sent by students graduating from high school in spring 2019. Deadline is February 20, 2020. We will accept applications postmarked on or before February 20, 2020. Early submission is encouraged!

Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegan/vegetarian diet/lifestyle. Payment will be made to the student’s college (U.S. based only). Winners of the scholarships give permission to release their names to the media. Applications and essays become property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. We may ask finalists for more information. Scholarship winners are contacted by e-mail or telephone. Please look at your e-mail.

For details on the contest, see: http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm

The tax legislation approved by Congress in December included several changes to federal retirement law. One provision raises the age when individuals must start making minimum distributions from their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) from 70½ to 72 years of age. The tax law did not, however, alter the giving incentive known as the IRA charitable rollover. Individuals aged 70½ and older may still make tax-free distributions to nonprofits (such as The Vegetarian Resource Group) from their IRAs, even if they are not required to make distributions from their IRAs because they have not yet turned 72.

This is not tax or legal advice. Please speak to your tax or legal advisor.

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:

BeetBox

1074 Davie St., Vancouver, BC V6E 1M3 Canada

Customers can have either cold or warm sides to accompany their main dishes that feature plant-based patties and Mexican influences. A variety of vegan cocktails, kombucha, or organic sodas can accompany a meal at this restaurant that also offers delivery and pick-up options.

Good Health To Be Hail

1920 8th Ave. North, Bessemer, AL 35020

Offering living food for those who desire to provide their system with live foods! Made to order, menu includes exotic burgers, raw wraps, spice snacks, smoothie cups, teas, and coffees. You are certain to leave with happy feelings and feeling mighty good!

Gud Eats

2917 Early Dr., Saskatoon, SK S7H 3K5 Canada

Gud Eats has a number of fun and interesting options for those seeking out vegan comfort food. The menu includes a wide array of dishes like burgers, brats, and drummies. Those with a sweet tooth can satisfy cravings with shakes and floats. Be sure to check out the take-away goodies as well! You can even pick up some treats and food to take home to your four-legged friends at home.

Paterson Vegan Restaurant & Bar

108 NE 28th Ave., Portland, OR 97232

Paterson Vegan Restaurant & Bar brings vegan snacks and comfort food, stiff drinks, and a lot of live music to the Portland area. This family-friendly restaurant allows children until 9:00 pm and has a menu that all ages can enjoy, including TVP nachos and sloppy Joe’s, and mushroom biscuits and gravy. Stop by the next time you’re in the area to try vegan drinks, enjoy the live music, and try their ultra-popular potato pierogi.

Reverie Café and Bar

1517 East 35th St., Minneapolis, MN 55407

Beginning as a food truck, Reverie now offers café and bar options that include sandwiches, tacos, bowls, and more! Less than a block away from Powderhorn Park.

Stem: Farm + Kitchen

R House, 301 West 29th St., Baltimore, MD 21211

Stem: Farm + Kitchen is located inside R House (a European style food hall with several “Stalls”). The goal of Stem: Farm + Kitchen is to provide sustainable plant based foods. Many ingredients are sourced from local biodynamic farms. Bowl options include Rainbow Pad Thai, Korean Barbeque Cauliflower, Plant Power, Pura Vida, and Mezze. They also offer a Kale Caesar salad and Green Goddess salad. Shared plates include Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries, Falafel Plate, Hummus Plate, Seasonal Soup, and more. Fresh juices, smoothies, and Acai Bowls are also offered.

The Heavenly Vegan

6070 S. Rainbow Blvd., Ste. 7, Las Vegas, NV 89118

Started as an all-vegan meal service, The Heavenly Vegan has started branching out with a storefront restaurant. Gluten-free, oil-free, and raw options are often available. Selections have included: taquitos, penne ratatouille, and raw curry kelp noodles. Words can’t do it justice, however. Check out their Instagram for mouthwatering pictures.

Winter Vegan Restaurant Week will be held in the greater Baltimore area February 7^th through 23^rd 2020. Here’s a list of participating restaurants:

– ANNAPOLIS –

MISS SHIRLEY’S

– BALTIMORE CITY –

Alma Cocina Latina (CANTON)

FLIGHT AMERICAN FUSION (GOVANS)

GANGSTER VEGAN ORGANICS (FEDERAL HILL)

Golden West Cafe (Hampden)

HARMONY BAKERY (HAMPDEN)

Land of Kush (Midtown)

LITTLE HAVANA (FEDERAL HILL)

MISS SHIRLEY’S(ROLAND PARK, INNER HARBOR)

Roland Park Bagels (Roland Park)

SOBE CAFE (FEDERAL HILL)

STEM Farm + Kitchen (Remington)

THE CHARMERY (HAMPDEN)

TreeHouse Cafe (Hampden)

WICKED SISTERS (HAMPDEN)

– BALTIMORE COUNTY –

SPROUT NATURAL CHOICE (CATONSVILLE)

– HOWARD COUNTY –

Koshary BY Misteka (CLARKSVILLE)

For more information see: https://www.facebook.com/mdveganeats/

Are you looking for places to purchase vegan chocolate for Valentine’s Day? Here’s some online sources that sell vegan chocolate:

Natural Candy Store (vegan items indicated) https://www.naturalcandystore.com/category/natural-chocolate-candy

No Whey Chocolate (vegan and kosher) https://www.nowheychocolate.com/vegan_valentines_chocolate_allergy_free_s/114.htm

Vegan Essentials (wide variety of vegan offerings) https://store.veganessentials.com/valentines-day-gift-ideas-c106.aspx

Rose City (wide variety of vegan offerings) https://www.rosecitychocolates.com/catalogs/display_catalog/vegan-valentine

Lake Champlain Chocolates (wide variety of vegan offerings) https://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/seasonal-chocolates/vegan-valentine-chocolates

VegEats is a family-owned and operated vegan restaurant located at 335 E Linton Blvd b12, Delray Beach, FL 33483. Lunch is served Monday through Saturday and brunch is served on Sunday. Items on their lunch menu include a Texas Burger, Mushroom Smothered Burger, Bahn Mi Sandwich, Vizza (vegan pizza), and more. Each day they also have lunch specials along with soup and salads.

We tried their Chxn Salad, which is grilled chxn (vegan chicken), tarragon, red grapes, celery, and shallots tossed in vinegar and light dressing served on a bagel round with fruit du jour or over a salad. We also enjoyed their Reuben sandwich.

Sunday brunch items include a Seasonal Veggie Scramble, breakfast burrito, JustEgg Avocado Biscuit, Banana Chocolate Chip French Toast, and more.

For more information, see: https://www.vegeatsfoods.com/

To see The Vegetarian Resource Group online guide to veggie restaurants in the USA and Canada, visit: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

Hi everyone, if you’ve just started a vegetarian or vegan diet in the past two months and live in North America, a research team at Carleton University (in Ottawa, Canada) needs your help!

The researchers are looking for participants who are willing to complete one short survey per month for six months. You will receive $5 per survey as thanks, etc.

To check your eligibility and sign up, go to: https://carletonpsych.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_88n879t7hX4RCGp?src=vrg

The survey is open to about February 22.