The Vegetarian Resource Group Blog

Celebrate the Holiday Season with Mocktails!

Posted on December 22, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

Mocktails photo by Rissa Miller

Surprise your guests with fancy mocktails this coming holiday season! Previously the Journal featured an article titled “Non-Alcoholic Thirst Quenchers,” by Mikiel Peratino. Mikiel is a former assistant manager and bartender at Great Sage vegan restaurant in Maryland. Enjoy recipes for Strawberry Fauxjito; Virgin Piña Colada; Warm Golden Pumpkin; Black Rose Mule; Watermelon Cooler; S’mores Mudslide; Virgin Cucumber Basil Gimlet; and Butterfly Margarita. These drinks look absolutely gorgeous and will bring a smile to your face!

Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2020issue3/2020_issue3_thirst_quenchers.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA, see: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Quick and Easy Party Ideas

Posted on December 22, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD, shares party ideas in her most recent Vegan Cooking Tips column in Vegan Journal. Read her quick and easy suggestions here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_cooking_tips.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Winter Has Arrived – Enjoy these Mexican Soups and Stews

Posted on December 21, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

Mah Maiz photo by Rissa Miller

Chef Carlos Erez was born and raised in New York City. His beautiful mother, a native of Mexico, taught him to cook. He’s been vegan for several years and loves translating her recipes and his heritage into compassionate new meals.

Recipes included in his article are: Mah Maiz! (a corn-based soup), Siete Mares (in Mexico, Caldo de Siete Mares is a classic seafood stew. In my vegan version, enjoy seven vegetables, including meaty oyster mushrooms, and a taste of the ocean from kelp powder!), Puebla Con Amor (Stuffed peppers in a rich broth), Señora Tortilla (a deeply authentic meal, originating in the state of Tlaxcala. His version finds its depth from toasted dry peppers and fresh tomatoes.), Mexican Rebel Veggie Stew, and El Rico (a hearty soup).

Find the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2020issue1/2020_issue1_soup_stews.php

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

Shiitake Powder

Posted on December 21, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

Sugimoto Forest-Grown Shiitake Powder can be used on roasted vegetables, in gravies or sauces, over seitan and tofu, or atop your favorite Buddha bowl. Read our review in Vegan Journal here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_veggie_bits.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

VEGAN FOOD IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY

Posted on December 20, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

By Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD

We received this question from a reader:
I wonder if management at a few memory care/skilled nursing facilities would provide any worthwhile information on how those with dietary preferences due to veganism, religious beliefs, etc. could make those known in advance of becoming a resident? And if management could provide any insights on how to ensure that your requests are followed?

Dr. Berkoff replied:

There is little uniformity in memory care/skilled nursing facilities dietary policies. Facilities need to follow federal, state, and local laws and mandates, but the provision of services or enforcement vary from area to area, facility to facility.

So, the suggestion would be to consider requests on a case-by-case (or facility-to-facility) basis. Depending on the facility’s policy, a doctor’s order for a specific type of diet (vegan, kosher, gluten-free, etc.) could be helpful to establish the “official” need. Prior to admission, it could be helpful to have a forthright and detailed conversation with the person “in charge” of ensuring dietary requests are followed. Request a copy of the vegan foods the facility offers on a regular basis, to ensure the selection is nutritious, varied and meets the patient’s needs.

Visiting with the facility’s administrator to ascertain who is responsible for day-to-day patient care could be a helpful step. Obtain names, title and their weekly schedule to have a go-to person. Depending on the facility, beyond the dietary/food service staff or nursing staff, a social worker, case manager, patient services coordinator could be a useful advocate. Depending on the location, there may be an area ombudsman or patient advocate’s office, who might be contacted if reasonable dietary requests are not being honored on a regular basis.

Note from the Editors: If any readers have experience with this situation either as a health professional or family of a resident, please share with us.

The contents of this email, our 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.

A Review of Embracing Limits

Posted on December 20, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

The latest issue of Vegan Journal includes a review of Keith Aker’s latest book Embracing Limits. Akers argues that the cause of environmental destruction, at its core, is the human desire for limitless growth and expansion. Read Anna Markulis’s review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_book_reviews.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Purchase a New Vegan Belt Online Worldwide

Posted on December 19, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

photo from couch

Avesu is a German company that sells a wide variety of belts in different colors. Check their site to see which countries they deliver to.

https://www.avesuveganshoes.com/vegan-accessories/misc-belts-com.html

Bhava Studio is an American company offering women’s belts.

https://bhavastudio.com/collections/belts

Corkor is a Portuguese company that sells women’s and men’s belts made out of cork. They deliver worldwide.

https://www.corkor.com/collections/womens-cork-belts

https://www.corkor.com/collections/mens-cork-belts

Couch offers belts for men and women in America.

https://www.couchguitarstraps.com/belts-bags/vegan-belts

Doshi is an American company that sells both men’s and women’s belts.

https://doshi.shop/collections/belts

https://doshi.shop/collections/womens-vegan-wallets-and-belts

Ethical Wares is a company in Wales, UK. They sell a variety of belts and deliver worldwide.

https://www.ethicalwares.com/accessories/belts/

Freerangers is a British company offering belts in several colors.

https://www.freerangers.co.uk/belts

Kat Mendenhall is an American company selling belts in various colors. You also get to choose the type of non-leather grain you want your belt to be made out of.

https://katmendenhall.com/product-category/belts/

MooShoes is an American company selling a variety of belts.

https://www.mooshoes.com/collections/belts

Nae is a Portuguese company that ships belts worldwide.

https://www.nae-vegan.com/en/accessories/belts_619-468.html

Nomadic State of Mind is an American company that sells belts made out of rope.

https://shop.nomadicstateofmind.com/category-s/165.htm

Terraluv & Nice Shoes is a Canadian company that sells a wide variety of belts.

https://terraluv.com/product-category/accessories/belts/

Truth Belts is a Canadian company that specializes in belts for men and women.

https://truthbelts.com/

photo from Vegan Chic

Vegan Chic is an American company that sells belts for men and women.

https://www.veganchic.com/vegan+belts/search.aspx

Veganline is a British company that sells belts in different colors and with different buckles and ships to various countries.

https://veganline.com/belts

Vegan Scene is an American company that sells belts for women and men in various colors.

https://veganscene.com/collections/belts

Vegetarian Shoes is a British company selling a variety of vegan belts.

https://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/accessories/belts/10043_0c.html

The Vegetarian Site is an American company selling a wide variety of belts.

https://store.thevegetariansite.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=96

Vivari is an American company that sells men’s belts.

https://vivariwear.com/collections/shop

Try Cauliflower Crumbs

Posted on December 19, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

Cauli Crunch Crumbs are here to revolutionize your savory dishes. They come in Original, Savory Cheese (vegan), 7 Spice (Asian), and Taste of Italy flavors. Read our review in Vegan Journal here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_veggie_bits.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Strong Hearts Vegan Restaurant in Syracuse and Buffalo, NY

Posted on December 18, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

We recently had a chance to dine at Strong Hearts in Syracuse, New York. They are located not too far away from Syracuse University. The Reuben sandwich we sampled consists of thin sliced house seitan, sauerkraut, mozzarella, and house 1,000 island dressing on vegan butter toasted rye bread. We ordered it with a side of their Herbed Potato Salad, which was delicious. Their vegan milk shakes come in so many flavors, you won’t know which one to try!

Further restaurant info can be found here:

Syracuse location: https://stronghearts315.com/

Buffalo location: https://www.stronghearts716.com/

Cactus Chips!

Posted on December 18, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor

Tia Lupita has produced chips made out of nopales cactus. They come in Chipotle, Habanero, Hot Sauce, Salsa Verde, and Sea Salt varieties. Read our review in Vegan Journal here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_veggie_bits.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

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