Each year The Vegetarian Resource Group holds an essay contest for children. SUBJECT: 2-3 page essay on any aspect of veganism/vegetarianism. Vegetarianism is not eating meat, fish, and birds (for example, chicken or duck). Vegans do not use any animal products. Among the many reasons for being a vegan/vegetarian are beliefs about ethics, culture, health, aesthetics, religion, world peace, economics, world hunger, and the environment.
Entrants should base their paper on interviewing, research, and/or personal
opinion. You need not be a vegetarian to enter. All essays become the property
of The Vegetarian Resource Group. DEADLINE:
Must be postmarked by May 1, 2019 for current year of judging.
While spending a windy March weekend down in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, I decided to grab lunch at a spot I had never noticed before. Located in Beach Haven, just two blocks from the ocean, sits Living on the Veg, an almost entirely vegan breakfast and lunch destination that may have just changed the game for vegans and vegetarians in LBI. As I walked in, I was shocked at how perfectly they were utilizing such a small space. A counter is located inside the restaurant, but all of the other seating is found outside, in the form of picnic tables. Since it was a cold day, I decided on take-out.
Glancing at the menu, I was shocked at the variety and creativity. From appetizers, salads, many different options for sandwiches, smoothies, acai bowls, and breakfast options, it seems like there really is something for everyone. Considering it was lunch time, I decided on the Smooth Operator smoothie and the barbeque seitan wrap. The smoothie was a great sweet tooth quencher, especially since it was filled with strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, and a banana. When I returned home to eat my wrap, after only waiting roughly 6 minutes, I was delightfully surprised at its size. It was filled with brown rice, black beans, seasoned seitan, vegetables, and perfectly spiced barbeque sauce. The wrap was a savory lunch that offered something new in every bite. The side of vegan potato salad complimented the wrap, and made for a perfect lunch. In all, the wrap filled me up and was one of the best vegan spins on a classic sandwich that I have ever had.
Living on the Veg has set themselves up to be a major
success. The restaurant is nearly entirely vegan, with the exception of some
breads containing honey, and has many options that would be a perfect meal for
anyone. What truly sets Living on the Veg apart is its location, just a short
walk to the beach. For anyone looking for an easy and portable lunch to grab
for a day at the beach, Living on the Veg is the one-stop shop. Being a vegan
beach bum has never been easier!
The Vegetarian Resource Group produced a brochure called “Save Our Water—The
Vegetarian Way” looking at water usage and livestock production versus water
usage and eating a veggie diet. One chart shows the estimated amount of water in
liters used to produce one kilogram of food in the U.S. Another chart shows
global averages of the quantity of water required to produce certain food products
by liters. We also present the quantity of grains (kg) eaten by U.S. livestock
to produce one kilogram of meat. Three sets of statistics are presented due to
differing calculations by various statistics.
If you would like to hand out this brochure on Earth Day in your
community, please email [email protected] and let us
know how many brochures you would like, street address to ship them to, and
where you will be distributing them. Donations are always appreciated: https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565
We recently had the opportunity to dine at Root in Lancaster, PA. Located at 223 W Walnut St, Lancaster, PA 17603, this vegan restaurant offers a terrific menu that changes every 6-8 weeks. We tried their wings made from seitan, sweet and sour cauliflower, pesto mac and cheeze topped with stewed tomatoes, the Cuban made with jackfruit, plus more. Service was excellent and they are open for dinner Monday through Friday and for brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday.
I was recently in Sweden and Denmark. The vegan movement is growing so much in Denmark, especially in Copenhagen. A somewhat upscale Danish grocery chain, called Irma, now has a special vegan fridge section in the front of many of their stores. A 100% vegan Danish brand called “Naturli” recently went to the Natural Products Expo West conference in the U.S. and received a lot of attention there, including from Gwyneth Paltrow. Their products are doing very well in Denmark and are starting to be distributed to other European countries.
Sweden is very ‘vegan-forward’ and most restaurants know they are behind the game if they don’t have any proper vegan options on their menu. Most regular grocery stores in Sweden have tons of vegan specialty products. Swedes love gummy candies and grocery stores usually have a bulk candy section, many of which clearly label “gelatin-free” on the box. The McVegan by McDonald’s was first introduced in Sweden and Finland, and is very popular there. There is another popular Swedish burger chain called Max Burger, which has a really nice vegan BBQ burger. They recently released a vegan milkshake and it has gotten excellent reviews. Their plan is to phase out their standard dairy-based milkshake so that in the future all of their milkshakes are vegan! The Swedish oat milk brand “Oatly” has been doing extremely well in Europe, and started being exported to US grocery stores and coffee shops. Just thought I’d share some exciting ‘vegan updates’ in Scandinavia.
The Vegetarian Resource Group is an activist non-profit
organization that does outreach all-year-long. For example, VRG tables at
different events throughout the USA and also sends literature free of charge to
other groups/individuals doing educational activities in schools, hospitals,
camps, restaurants, libraries, offices, etc. Our ability to continue doing this
depends on people like you! 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 become a monthly or
quarterly donor online here: vrg.org/donate
Veggie Happy keeps an updated list of veggie options in baseball stadiums (as well as other types of stadiums). For example, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is now offering a Tempeh Basebowl and Tempeh Nachos with vegan cheese. Target Field in Minneapolis offers Vegan Sriracha Brat, Vegan Italian Sausage, Vegan Tofu Vindaloo, and more. Wrigley Field in Boston sells Spicy Tofu Tacos with Napa Slaw and Lime Crema and a Roasted Cauliflower Sandwich with red pepper pesto and chickpea spread.
Photo of a vegan chicken salad with a Chinese twist from Modern Shaman
The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to
Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Below are some recent
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:
Aloha Joy Foods
1279 S. Kihei Rd.
Kihei, HI 96753
Aloha Joy Foods in South Maui shows
how vegan food from a variety of cuisines can be absolutely delicious! They are
a 100% plant based food truck located right behind the Azeka Mauka Mall. Many
of their dishes use vegan meats such as bacon, chicken, and pulled pork served
in sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and tacos. Their deserts are also vegan and made
from scratch. Their best-selling crème brûlée is a must-try!
Atelier Plant Based
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 1014
Honolulu, HI 96826
Authentic and creative plant-based
deli located inside the health and wellness store at the Ala Moana Center. This
deli offers many great options from superfood packed smoothies, Buddha bowls,
kombucha, coffee, and latte, to nice cream. All orders are made from scratch.
Buddhablends Vegan Kitchen & Food
Truck
17979 San Carlos Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Mobile food truck operating in a
co-op store front with Kava Culture. Specializing in smoothie bowls and vegan
bar-bite-style food. Menu offers a variety of specialty toast, walnut tacos and
a fresh bowls. Energy is focused on creating high quality dishes using the most
sustainable practices possible. With a moto of wanting customers to feel at
home in their presence, come for the food and stay for the atmosphere, it
sounds like you shouldn’t pass this food truck/café up if in Fort Myers Beach!
Donut Friend
5107 York Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
and
543 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Donut Friend is an all vegan donut
bakery with two locations in Los Angeles. Their most popular donut is the
Strawberrylab: a donut filled with strawberries and whipped cream, topped with
chocolate glaze. The recipes and naming of the donuts are nothing short of
creative (Green Teagen and Sara or Bacon 182, anyone?). If nothing suits your
style on the fixed menu, you can make your own. Pick your donut base, glaze,
and toppings for a unique and delicious donut!
Green Soma Vegan Café
626 S. Central Ave.
Hapeville, GA 30354
With a daily rotating menu, there’s
always something new to try at Green Soma Vegan Café. Wonderful vegan takes on classic southern
comfort food options are always available, including Smokehouse Burgers and
Fried Jackfruit. The customer service is always stellar, and the employees are
happy to assist customers in creating the best meal possible!
Hinterhof Beer Garden
4939 York Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90042
Hinterhof is an all-vegan German beer
garden and eatery with authentic dishes and imports on draft. They serve
classic German dishes include Wienerschnitzel and Bratwurst made from house
made vegan seitan. Beer choices abound at this Highland Park eatery!
Reservations are recommended for the weekends. Guten Appetit!
House of Flavor
911 Broadway
Bayonne, NJ 07002
House of Flavor is a vegan café that
incorporates Spanish and Caribbean classics into a diverse menu. Whether you
are in the mood for nachos, a salad, a savory entrée, or a classic smoothie,
House of Flavor has something for everyone.
Modern Shaman Kitchen
6744 Greenleaf Ave.
Whittier, CA 90601
Modern Shaman Kitchen’s owners
traveled to South America and were inspired by an Andean community of
indigenous Q’ero people who taught about the healing properties of food pulled
from earth. They apply this interesting teaching by serving plant based meals,
which are made from sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy their
large variety of menu options, including the famous impossible burger,
jackfruit nah-chos, and more! For vegans of age, enjoy their assortment of
vegan/organic beers and wines.
Monty’s Good Burger
516 S. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
and
3605 Market St.
Riverside, CA 92501
Monty’s is a fully vegan burger joint
that is perfect for the whole family. It’s a classic American burger spot that
offers delicious vegan burgers and shakes, along with French fries and tater
tots.
Plant Based Pizzeria
730 Barnett St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
At Plant Based Pizzeria, there is a
variety of different specialty pizzas that take influences from classics, such
as the vegan meat lovers, and some that are unique, such as the Georgia Peach.
Calzones and veggie burgers are also offered, so there really is something for
everyone!
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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