The next time you’re attending a concert or sports event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, be sure to visit the Go Beyond® Grill concession stand located in Section 116. Food offerings include Beyond burgers and sausages, Beyond nachos, Beyond garden steak tacos, and Beyond chili.

Nothing beats a delicious pasta-based baked dish. Debra Daniels-Zeller’s previous Journal article “Make-Ahead Baked Pasta Delights” offers the following recipes:

• Smoky Penne Baked with Eggplant and Portobello Mushrooms in Fire-roasted Tomato Sauce
• Farfalle Bake with Squash, Artichoke Hearts, and Edamame
• Lemon-baked Fusilli with Tempeh, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Beet Greens
• Orzo with Red Peppers, Mushrooms, and Toasted Pine Nuts
• Peanut Curry Pasta Bake
• Southwestern Black Bean Lasagna
• Mushroom, Spinach, And Tofu-stuffed Manicotti
• Cashew Rice Spirals With Lime And Cilantro

Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2005issue4/2005_issue4_pasta.php

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

photo from Plum Bistro Restaurant

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.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-vegan-thanksliving-community-potluck-tickets-717549478807

thanksLIVING Celebration Dinner at Loving Hut, Phoenix AZ

https://www.meetup.com/vegphx/events/296197319/

Green The American Vegetarian, Tempe, AZ

https://thanksliving.square.site/ (take-out)

CALIFORNIA

Raven’s Restaurant at The Standford Inn, Mendocino, CA

https://stanfordinn.com/ravens-holiday-menus/

Native Foods, Palm Springs and San Diego, CA

https://nativefoods.com/plant-based-thanksgiving/

The Gentle Barn Pre-Thanksgiving Meal, Santa Clarita, CA

https://www.gentlebarn.org/thanksgiving

COLORADO

Native Foods, Glendale and Lonetree, CO

https://nativefoods.com/plant-based-thanksgiving/

FLORIDA

ThankVegan 2023 Potluck, Tampa, FL

https://www.meetup.com/animaladvocacyoftampabay/events/296603741/

ILLINOIS

Native Foods, Chicago, IL (loop)

https://nativefoods.com/plant-based-thanksgiving/

The Chicago Diner, Chicago, IL (take-out)

https://chicago-diner-webstore.myshopify.com/

MARYLAND

Land of Kush, Baltimore, MD

https://www.facebook.com/TheLandofKush/

NuVegan, Baltimore, MD

http://www.ilovenuvegan.com/

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-tickets-730428269617

MISSOURI

The Gentle Barn Pre-Thanksgiving Meal, Dittmer, MO

https://www.gentlebarn.org/thanksgiving

Vegan Kingdom KC, Independence, MO

https://www.facebook.com/VeganKingdomKC?mibextid=ZbWKwL

St. Louis Animal Rights Team Annual Turkey Free Thanksliving, St. Louis, MO

https://www.start4animals.org/current-events

NEW YORK

Modern Love, Brooklyn, NY

https://www.modernlovebrooklyn.com/

Blossom, New York, NY

https://resy.com/cities/ny/venues/blossom-on-columbus/events/thanksgiving-2023-2023-11-23?date=2023-10-01&seats=2

Red Bamboo, New York, NY

https://www.redbamboo-nyc.com/

 Sestina, New York, NY

https://www.matthewkenneycuisine.com/sestina

NORTH CAROLINA

Triangle Vegetarian Society Thanksgiving Dinner in Durham, NC

https://www.trianglevegsociety.org/thanksgiving/

OHIO

Sunrise Sanctuary Thanksgiving for the Turkeys, Marysville, OH

https://www.sunrisesanctuary.org/visit

OREGON

Compassionate Thanksgiving – Northwest VEG

https://nwveg.org/upcoming-events/2022/11/20/lpqfhc9r6ev4i8hmolabup9wer1cih-2jx84

PENNSYLVANIA

Animal Advocates of Central PA, Emigsville, PA

https://www.animaladvocatesscpa.com/vegansgiving/

 Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck, Lancaster, PA

https://www.meetup.com/lancaster-vegan-meetup/events/290543538/?oc=evam

Eden Café, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA

https://www.facebook.com/edenavegancafe

TENNESSE

The Gentle Barn Pre-Thanksgiving Meal, Christiana, TN

https://www.gentlebarn.org/thanksgiving

VIRGINIA

A Soulful Vegan Thanksgiving with Chef Vel, Norfolk, VA

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-soulfull-vegan-thanksgiving-tickets-725348505907

WASHINGTON

Plum Bistro, Seattle, WA

https://plumbistro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/plum-thanksgiving-in-house-menu.pdf

 Pasado’s Safe Haven, Sultan, WA

https://www.pasadosafehaven.org/events/thanksgiving-for-the-turkeys-2023/

WASHINGTON, DC

NuVegan, Washington, DC

http://www.ilovenuvegan.com/

Smashed Potato and Vegetable Bake photo by Linda Tyler

Now that the weather is cooler, you might want to tryout Linda Tyler’s Casseroles piece in a previous issue of Vegan Journal. She serves up the following recipes: Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole, Succotash Gratin, Green Bean Casserole, Smashed Potato and Vegetable Bake, Sesame Soy Curls with Rice, and Millet à la Puttanesca. Start cooking today!

Find the recipes here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue4/2022_issue4_casseroles.php

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

Vegan Chili Fries For Those on a Budget

For short cooking video, see https://youtu.be/84T8Nph3NGU

Enjoy this Chili Fries recipe and other low-cost vegan dishes from Skyler Kilmer. See: https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/10/15/vegan-at-the-dollar-tree-store/

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

photo from & Beer – A Mushrooms Restaurant

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:

& Beer, 21 East 7th St., New York, NY 10003

Expand your palate at & Beer, a peculiar pairing of beer and mushrooms will be found. Chef Juan Pajarito has created a menu solely focusing on fungi. You can spot familiar mushrooms like baby trumpet paired with mole de pipian, cashew sour cream, broccoli rabe, onion pearls, or lion’s mane stuffed dumplings. Have you heard of Hen of the woods mushrooms? Well make your way to & Beer and discover the exotic flavors that can be achieved with mushrooms. Finally, be sure to check out one of their delicious dessert options!

Bloom Sushi Counter, XMarket, 804 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60613

Bloom Sushi Counter is located inside XMarket where, if you’re a vegan, you might feel like the proverbial kid in a candy store. A couple of Bloom Sushi Counter’s Appetizers are Crispy Kale Dumplings with mixed vegetables, sesame and black vinegar, or Sweet & Sour Tempeh Rangoon. Nigiri selections include Tomato Dill, Preserved Melon Tuna, or BBQ Eggplant. Drumroll please for Maki. The Dragon Roll with Avocado, cucumber, eggplant, tempura asparagus and “eel” sauce, or their 312 Roll of Burdock root, hijiki, cucumber, hearts of palm and chipotle aioli, are a couple of choices. If Dessert is tugging at your sleeve, there’s Bloom Sushi’s Crispy Coconut Rice with Miso coconut dulce de leche and shiso.

Chicago Not Dogs, XMarket, 804 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60613

Features many meat analogue items such as Hot Roast Bef & Cheeze, Chili Cheeze Dog, Fried Chick’n Sandwich; weekly specials such as Metball Sandwich, and Specialty Sandwiches such as Footlong Sub and Italian Breaded Stak Sandwich, and Starters such as a Bowl of Chili, with Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert.

June, 4589 SW Watson Ave., Beaverton, OR 97005

Cocktails are the name of the game with several imaginative choices. To start off with a blast, Cannonball fires away with bourbon, apple brandy, cardamom infused coffee liqueur, orange, and mole bitters. Beau Paysage features vodka, herbal liqueur, cantaloupe, lemon, and mint. One of several Nonalcoholic Cocktails, Odyssey blends citrusy, bittersweet, spicy Pathfinder Hemp & Root with blueberry, lemon, and soda. There’s also a wide selection of canned, bottled and Draft beer, as well as wine. Hungry? Small Bites include Turmeric Roasted Brussels Sprouts with hazelnuts and miso-curry ranch and battered, fried Kale pakora with mango chutney and soy yogurt. If you’re craving Fries with an Indian flavor twist, you might try Masala Fries dressed in cilantro-mint aioli and Tandoori beet ketchup, or their Deluxe Masala Fries that builds on the above, but swaps the Tandoori beet ketchup for roasted red pepper chutney and tomato chutney and adds tempeh and caramelized onions. Plates also include June Burger—a Beyond and lentil patty with salad fixings, beet ketchup and green chutney aioli. There’s a Salad and Sandwich option too. Cheers to Dessert! Raise a glass to Ginger Cardamom Cake with blueberry-mint compote or battered, fried Banana Pakora with Strawberry-citrus compote and mango chutney—both served with vanilla ice cream.

La Jaca, 700 Van Ness Ave., Fresno, CA 93721

A family-owned business that started as a food truck and then opened its brick-and-mortar location. La Jacka offers vegan Mexican cuisine with jackfruit as a star ingredient. If you are new to vegan dining or just haven’t yet experienced the wonders of the jackfruit, a good place to start might be with their Cali Jack Burrito, made with beans, avocado, pico de gallo, vegan cheese and crema, chipotle, and a choice of jackfruit flavor (such as asada or chile verde). Too hungry to wait for lunch? Then grab the Breakfast Nacho, made with vegan nacho cheese and a tofu scramble with jackfruit, bell peppers, zucchini, beans and cheese. There are non-jackfruit options too, like the Shrimp Taco Combo and the Loaded Cheese Flautas, as well as a variety of refreshing drinks, including a Mango Fresca and a Vegan Horchata.

María Cruz – Plant Based Cuisine, 314 S. 16th St., McAllen, TX 78501

Maria Cruz is inspired by southern Mexican flavors. It is a nice place to catch up on work with some coffee or have brunch with the pals. They have fresh juices for your choosing and hot teas to warm you up as well as vegan egg options for brunch. It’s hard to find Quesabirrias but at Maria Cruz you can get that, taco pirate, street tacos, and Mexican entrees you thought you would never see again. They also offer burger options.

Vibe Vegan Bistro, 4507 Furling Ln., Destin, FL 32541

Chef Divaldo Delima Jr., and co-owner Ami Sievers have a passion for fresh, healthy, and consciously crafted Vegan food served in a supportive and relaxed atmosphere. No blaring TV’s here as the focus is on people, food, and healthy interactions. The breakfast choices range from familiar burritos and wraps, to savory tartines or chia puddings with fresh fruit. For a special treat by the Gulf try the crab cake Benedict. Vibe Bistro always utilizes fresh locally sourced ingredients from local suppliers and specialty farmers. For an over-the-top experience join Chef Divaldo for one of his Chef’s Choice Dinners (by reservation). Each week he creates a unique meal utilizing the highest quality and freshest ingredients in artful, inventive, and flavorful combinations that you just cannot find on a standard menu.

Have you ever wondered if an ingredient listed on a food label is vegan or not? The Vegetarian Resource Group has an online guide to food ingredients that lets you now whether a specific food ingredient is vegan, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, typically vegan, typically vegetarian, may be non-vegetarian, or typically non-vegetarian.

You can search through this guide here: https://www.vrg.org/ingredients/index.php

To support this type of difficult research, please consider making a donation to The Vegetarian Resource Group: vrg.org/donate

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

There are times when people’s protein needs are higher. For example, in pregnancy, the recommendation for protein is 25 grams higher than it is when someone is not pregnant. That’s an increase of about 50%. Older adults may have higher protein needs than younger adults. Athletes may have somewhat higher protein needs than non-athletes (1). It’s entirely possible to meet protein needs with a vegan diet. Sometimes, choosing a higher protein plant milk can help to meet protein needs.

We’ve identified some higher protein plant milks. Since plant milks are often also used as a source of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, we’ve included information about whether the milks we identified are fortified with these nutrients.

West Life Smoothie Blend plain unsweetened and chocolate provide 16 grams of protein per cup. Fortified with calcium (320-330 mg/cup), vitamin D (4.3-4.4 mcg/cup), and vitamin B12 (1.1 mcg/cup).

Edensoy unsweetened organic provides 12 grams of protein per cup of milk. Fortified with calcium (40 mg/cup) but not with vitamin D or vitamin B12.

Pacific Foods Ultra Soy has 10 grams of protein in a cup. Fortified with calcium (280 mg/cup), vitamin D (2.5 mcg/cup), and vitamin B12 (1.5 mcg/cup).

Edensoy Extra Original provides 10 grams of protein per cup. Fortified with calcium (280 mg/cup), vitamin D (1.1 mcg/cup), and vitamin B12 (2.9 mcg/cup).

Silk Protein original and chocolate adds pea protein to a blend of almond milk and cashew milk and has 10 grams of protein in a cup. Fortified with calcium (450 mg/cup) and vitamin D (2.5 mcg/cup). Does not provide vitamin B12.

Orgain Protein Almondmilk lightly sweetened vanilla and unsweetened vanilla adds pea protein and has 10 grams of protein in 1 cup. Fortified with calcium (250 mg/cup) and vitamin D (2.5 mcg/cup). Does not provide vitamin B12.

Edensoy original organic provides 10 grams of protein per cup of milk. Fortified with calcium (90 mg/cup) but not with vitamin D or vitamin B12.

Pacific Foods organic unsweetened soymilk has 9 grams of protein in a cup. It is not fortified with calcium, vitamin D or vitamin B12.

West Life organic unsweetened plain and organic unsweetened vanilla provide 9 grams of protein per cup. Organic plain soymilk has 8 grams of protein in a cup. None of these products are fortified with calcium, vitamin D or vitamin B12.

Good Karma Flaxmilk + Protein, shelf-stable, vanilla adds pea protein to flaxmilk has 8 grams of protein in 1 cup. Fortified with calcium (320 mg/cup), vitamin D (2.3 mcg/cup) and vitamin B12 (1.4 mcg/cup). Other Good Karma products, even those with added protein, only have 5 grams of protein in a cup.

Ripple Kids original and unsweetened is based on pea protein and has 8 grams of protein in a cup. Fortified with calcium (455 mg/cup), vitamin D (6 mcg/cup), and vitamin B12 (1.1 mcg/cup).

Ripple also makes a pea protein-based milk for adults that has 8 grams of protein in a cup. It is available in original, unsweetened original, vanilla, unsweetened vanilla, and chocolate flavors and in refrigerated and shelf-stable cartons. Fortified with calcium (440 mg/cup), vitamin D (5-6 mcg/cup), and vitamin B12 (1.1-2.5 mcg/cup). Fortification varies between refrigerated and shelf-stable products.

West Life organic plain or vanilla soymilk with calcium and vitamin D has 8 grams of protein per cup. Fortified with calcium (300-310 mg/cup), vitamin D (4.8 mcg/cup), and vitamin B12 (1.1 mcg/cup).

Edensoy cocoa organic provides 8 grams of protein per cup of milk. Fortified with calcium (90 mg/cup) but not with vitamin D or vitamin B12.

Reference

1. Larson-Meyer DE, Ruscigno M. Plant-Based Sports Nutrition. Expert Fueling Strategies for Training, Recovery, and Performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2020.

We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, information 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.

Thanks to Debra Wasserman for gathering some information that was used in this article.

To read more about plant milks see:

VRG Sends in Testimony to FDA on Labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives

Choosing a Plant Milk? Check the Nutrition Facts Label

Does Your Favorite Plant Milk Provide Vitamin B12?

Non-dairy Milks: Nutrients of Importance in Chronic Kidney Dysfunction

 Share this handy poster with family and friends. You can also print it out and post it on your refrigerator. See: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/VeganDietsinaNutshellPoster.pdf