Cornbread Flapjacks

Are you still looking for some new ideas for dishes to serve on New Year’s Eve or Day? If so, you may enjoy these veganized traditional southern dishes served on New Year’s from Anna Lam including Cornbread Flapjacks with Jalapeño-Mayhaw Jelly; Hoppin’ Johns; Turnip Greens; and Seitan ‘Ham’.

See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2017issue4/2017_issue4_new_year.php

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Through December 31, 2024, you can give a gift membership to The Vegetarian Resource Group (includes a 1-year subscription to Vegan Journal) for $15 each. Offer is valid in the USA only!

This is a terrific way to share the vegan message, as well as support VRG outreach. Gift subscriptions can be done online by simply typing in your message and the name and address of each gift recipient in the comments field. Go to: www.vrg.org/donate

The Internal Revenue Service states that individual retirement arrangement (IRA) owners age 70½ or over can transfer up to $100,000 to charity (such as The Vegetarian Resource Group) tax-free each year. These transfers, known as qualified charitable distributions or QCDs, offer eligible older Americans a way to give to charity. For those who are at least 73 years old, QCDs count toward the IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year. You need to have your IRA trustee send the money to the charity directly, and not to you first. You do not need to itemize your taxes for this benefit. For more information, see https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/qualified-charitable-distributions-allow-eligible-ira-owners-up-to-100000-in-tax-free-gifts-to-charity

This is not legal or tax advice, for which you should speak to your financial and legal advisors.

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photo from Purely Plant

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: www.vrg.org/restaurant

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:

Clemente Bar, 11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

Craving a fusion of art and innovative dining? Meet Clemente Bar, a collaboration between Chef Daniel Humm and artist Francesco Clemente whose works adorn the walls. The Lounge serves cocktails and hand held nibbles. Just to give you a taste, a couple of the many cocktails on the Lounge Sample Menu are Parakeet with Hendrick’s Gin, Strawberry Campari, red wine molasses and pineapple, and Clemente Martini with Altamura Vodka, Malfy Gin, green curry, and saffron. Endive Goddess with candied pistachio, fennel and mint, Agedashi Dogg of fried tofu and black truffle on a potato roll, Tonburi (AKA vegan caviar) with carrot, horseradish, and tostada are a few of the Savory Lounge sample menu selections. While the menu will vary, some Lounge Dessert possibilities are Espresso Martini Float made with liqueur and Luxardo ice cream, or Banana Icee with cognac and malt. Spirits are high with copious options as well as wine, beer, coffees and teas. For a more immersive experience, The Studio presents 90-minute, five-course tastings for 8 people at a time, where you may enjoy the art of the dish as the chef creates it. Each Studio item is paired with a cocktail. They offer a tasting that includes alcohol as well as an alternative Non-Alcoholic menu. One of the dishes on the Sample Menu is Soba with your choice of either Butternut Squash grilled with collard greens and seitan or Maitake Mushrooms with spinach and ginger. Sundae, the Sample Menu’s final course, is offered as either Mango Sticky Rice or Chocolate Hazelnut.

Glitter Thicket, 88 Burd St., Nyack, NY 10960

According to their website: “Glitter Thicket is a small café featuring local art and handmade products. We have an entirely vegan menu that includes sandwiches, breakfast items, hotdogs, cheeseboards, cookies, cupcakes, coffee, and tea!” Breakfast items, Sandwiches (veggie burger, BLT, hummus avocado, grilled cheese with turkey or ham), Sausages and Veggie Dogs, Pizza, Vegan Cheese Board, and High Tea. You can also order custom birthday cakes.

Juniper Seed, 1809 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 (vegan)

Across from Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market. Provides vegan breakfast and brunch options, as well as meal prep service for up to ten people. “Mains” include Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Skillet (tofu scramble), Toast Duo, Sweet Potato Farro Bowl, Kale Caeser, and Seasonal Salad.  Sides include Ciabatta Toast, Roasted Potatoes, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts.  Eleven “Grab & Go” items, including “Mad Cheese Products,” cheesecake, cheese board, and drinks.

Keeping You Sweet, 1400 Willowbrook Mall, KIOSK 5536, Wayne, NJ 07470

Bakery in Willowbrook Mall specializing in vegan, gluten-free, and organic desserts. Purchaser chooses sweetener among monk fruit sweetener, organic maple syrup, or organic cane sugar. Products include Brownie Cheesecake, Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake, Pina Colada Cheesecake, Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake, and Blueberry Cheesecake.

Purely Plant, 1 Moreland Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

This restaurant is influenced by Caribbean and Latin American flavors and focused on health as well as taste. Some options are Gluten- and Soy-Free. There’s also a Kid’s Menu. Appetizers include Guac and Tostones (fried green plantain), and Corn Dip and Chips combining corn, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, vegan mayonnaise, and handcrafted corn tortilla chips. Mains include the popular plantain Waffle and Shrooms (crispy) with firecracker sauce, cayenne cream, and broccoli sprouts, as well as Caribbean Fritters—veggie empanada, tostones, breadfruit, hash browns, spicy slaw, and salsa, with your choice of Chimichurri Steak or Falafel. For a twist, Falafel Burger, with vegan Swiss cheese, fixings and cilantro lime ranch, as well as Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich of shredded mozzarella and cheddar, soy steak tips, caramelized onion, and pepper, with a cayenne cream drizzle, are both served on a pretzel bun. Some Taco choices are Crispy Shrooms with oyster mushroom, cabbage and firecracker sauce; Al Pastor featuring steak, onion, pineapple, cilantro, and salsa verde; or crispy Shrimp Ceviche showcasing mango aioli, avocado, Pico, and pickled onions. Some Side selections are Black Beans with coconut, Lima Black Rice with fresh lima beans, sun-dried mushroom, basmati rice, or Esquites—corn, vegan mayonnaise, cilantro, chili lime, and grated parmesan. Additionally, there are rotating Seasonal Delights like Pumpkin Soup with vegetables and plant-based penne, or Fried Pie—a crispy flour tortilla with cranberry, apple pear compote, hot pepper, brown sugar, sweet spices, powdered sugar, and more. Both indoor and outdoor seating available.

Substance Diner, 103 N. Park Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719

With a retro truck and trailer, Substance Diner serves up a 1950’s motif.  Rather than fast food, Substance celebrates food that’s made-to order-from-scratch. Breakfast Whenever with a Breakfast Burrito of organic tofu scramble, tamari tofu bacun, hash browns, pinto beans, vegan cheeze, avocado, and Pico de Gallo in a flour tortilla. For lunch, how about some Fricken Nuggies? Luncheon Menu choices include breaded, fried seitan nuggets with a side sauce–choose Ranch, Caesar, Spicy Mayo, or others, Barby’s Roast Peace Sandwich with sliced seitan on a sesame bun, lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayo, Sonoran Dog Vegan hot dog with organic tomato, pinto beans, pickled onions, vegenaise, mustard, and tamari-tofu bacun-bits on an organic bun, or  Substance’s vegan twist on a popular sandwich, Mushroom Philly Cheezesteak 2.0  made with house seitan, caramelized onions, cremini mushrooms, vegan gouda cheeze, and spicy mayo on a sesame bun. Kids can choose vegan Grilled Cheese, a Hot Dog, or Fricky Nuggies. Thoughtfully, there’s even a Budget menu with basic options. Finish off with an almond milk based Vegan Malt or Shake with ice cream made by Substance. Besides Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry, there’s Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookies and Cream and more. Malts include barley malt powder for a taste of nostalgia. While dine-in seating at the food truck may be limited to bar stools at the front counter, Substance says there’s plenty of seating inside and outside at Screwbean Brewing they’re parked near and you’re more than welcome to bring your food there.

The Village, 2611 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104

Their menu boasts a great variety of vegan Mexican and Japanese favorites; so whether you are looking for some delicious tacos or fresh vegan sushi, they’ve got you covered. Starters include guacamole, Elote (street corn), nachos, and calamari (breaded coconut with A La Diabla Sauce).  Three different Bowls (Fajitas – Mexican rice, portobello mushrooms, greens, grilled bell peppers/onion, corn, chipotle).  Pozole (traditional Mexican stew). Seventeen entrees include Potato Roll Tacos, Veggie Burrito, and Mushroom Fajitas (grilled portobello mushrooms, bell peppers, onion, corn, side of rice, beans, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, corn tortillas).

Cheesy Mac Pie photo by Hannah Kaminsky

The latest issue of Vegan Journal features “Pies to Savor,” by Senior Editor Hannah Kaminsky. Recipes include: Wholesome Whole Wheat Crust; Taco Pie; Cheesy Mac Pie; Primavera Pot Pie; Spaaghetti Squash and Meatball Pie; and Holiday Quiche. Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_pies_to_savor.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/

by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Vegans get vitamin B12, an essential vitamin, from foods fortified with vitamin B12 and/or from supplements containing vitamin B12. You can read more about vitamin B12 on VRG’s website. Many non-vegans also rely on fortified foods as a source of vitamin B12 since the vitamin B12 in fortified foods is easier for some people to absorb than vitamin B12 in meat.

One food group that is commonly included on lists of foods fortified with vitamin B12 is plant milks. While many plant milks do have vitamin B12 added, not all popular brands do. In 2018 we reported on plant milks that did not provide vitamin B12. Six years later we asked again, “Which plant milks do not provide vitamin B12?” Here’s what we found.

Based on website information and product labels collected in Fall 2024, the following original and unsweetened milks are not fortified with vitamin B12:

• Almond Breeze Unsweetened, Original, and Extra Creamy almond milk; Original Almondmilk and Oatmilk Blend; Unsweetened Original Almondmilk Coconutmilk Blend; Shelf Stable Original Almondmilk Coconutmilk Blend
• Bettergoods Unsweetened Original and Original almond milk
• Califia Farms Unsweetened and Go Coconuts coconut milk; Original, Extra Creamy, Zero Sugar, and Original Protein oatmilk; Unsweetened (aseptic and refrigerated), Extra Creamy, and Organic Unsweetened almond milk; Toasted Coconut Almondmilk
• Chobani Original, Extra Creamy, and Zero Sugar Unsweetened oatmilk
• Dream Original Classic ricemilk
• Edensoy Original and Unsweetened soymilk
• Elmhurst 1925 Milked Oats and Unsweetened Milked Oats oatmilk; Unsweetened Milked Almonds almond milk; Unsweetened Milked Walnuts walnut milk; Unsweetened Milked Hazelnuts hazelnut milk; Milked Coconut and Cashews blend; Unsweetened and Sweetened Milked Cashews cashew milk
• Forager Project oatmilk; cashew milk
• Good & Gather Unsweetened coconut milk
• Hazelicious Unsweetened and Lightly Sweetened hazelnut milk
• Malk Original (aseptic and refrigerated) oat milk; Unsweetened almond milk; cashew milk
• Mariani Original and Unsweetened walnut milk
• Moola Original and Simple oatmilk; Simple and Unsweetened almond milk
• Nature’s Promise Original soymilk; Original and Original Unsweetened almond milk
• New Barn Organics Unsweetened almond milk
• O Organics Original Unsweetened almond milk
• Oatly Chilled Super Basic oatmilk
• Open Nature Original and Original Unsweetened almond milk
• Pacific Foods Unsweetened soymilk; Original and Unsweetened coconut milk; Original and Unsweetened almond milk; Original and Unsweetened hemp milk; Original cashew milk
• Pearl Original and Unsweetened soymilk
• Real Coco Unsweetened coconut milk
• Silk Original, Unsweet, Organic Original, Organic Unsweet, and Unsweet Extra Creamy almond milk; Unsweet Almond Coconut Blend; Unsweet cashew milk
• Simple Truth Original and Unsweetened soymilk; Shelf-stable Unsweetened Plain almond milk
• Simply Nature Original soymilk
• Tache Unsweetened Original pistachio milk
• Three Trees Original almond milk; pistachio milk; Oatmilk with Seeds
• Thrive Market almond milk
• Trader Joe’s Unsweetened soymilk, shelf-stable oatmilk; Unsweetened Almond, Cashew & Macadamia Nut blend
• Vita Coco Original coconut milk
• Vitasoy Original and Less Sugar soymilk drink
• Wegmans Original, Original Unsweetened, and Organic Original Unsweetened almond milk
• West Life Unsweetened Plain and Plain soymilk
• Willa’s Organic Unsweetened Original oatmilk
• Yeo’s soymilk drink

If your favorite unsweetened or original flavor milk is on the list, don’t despair! You could try another similar product that does provide vitamin B12, find other foods fortified with vitamin B12, or take a supplement supplying vitamin B12.

This is not an exhaustive list so be sure to check the label of your favorite product to determine whether it supplies vitamin B12.

We gratefully acknowledge the work of VRG interns Aashay Mody, Ren Patel, and Neha Vivek and VRG volunteer Mae Y. Soon who collected information for this article.

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.

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

photo from Freepik

Phosphorous is an essential part of the diet, both because of its important role in the structure of bones and teeth and because of its involvement in turning foods we eat into energy. Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, discusses phosphorous in the latest issue of Vegan Journal and lists 12 good sources for vegans. Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_thinking_phosphorous.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/

Tofurky Mango Chipotle Sausage

Pioneering meatless makers at Tofurky have continued to innovate with the addition of two new delicious sausage varieties: Mango Chipotle and Chorizo. Read our Vegan Journal review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_veggie_bits.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/

photo from Freepik

by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Inflammation is a popular topic these days. While acute inflammation is a natural response to illness, infection, or injury, chronic systemic inflammation is linked to health risks. Chronic, systemic inflammation is inflammation that persists for weeks, months, or years and that affects the whole body. In contrast, acute inflammation goes away quickly and affects the part of the body that is injured or infected.

Chronic inflammation is a factor in a number of diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have developed lists of foods that are associated with higher concentrations of substances in the blood that indicate inflammation. They also have identified foods that are associated with lower blood concentrations of markers for inflammation (1). Dietary patterns that contain more foods associated with higher blood concentrations of indicators of inflammation have been associated with many diseases including heart disease (2), some cancers (3, 4), liver disease (4), type 2 diabetes (5), and severe Covid-19 (6).

Many websites associated with medical and academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins Medicine and Harvard Medical School provide details of anti-inflammatory diets. Typically, these sites recommend eating more whole, unprocessed foods without added sugar such as vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and limited amounts of olive oil.

Foods to avoid or limit on an anti-inflammatory diet include white breads and pasta, refined cereals, soda, juice, sweets, cheese, ice cream, commercial baked goods, deep fried foods, red meat, and processed and cured meats.

Clearly a vegan diet emphasizing whole foods and with few or no highly processed foods can be an anti-inflammatory diet. Studies have found that a vegan diet results in lower blood concentrations of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation (7, 8).

References

1. Tabung FK, Smith-Warner SA, Chavarro JE, et al. Development and validation of an empirical dietary inflammatory index. J Nutr. 2016;146:1560-1570.
2. Li J, Lee DH, Hu J, et al. Dietary inflammatory potential and risk of cardiovascular disease among men and women in the U.S. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;76:2181-2193.
3. Romanos-Nanclares A, Tabung FK, Sinnott JA, et al. Inflammatory and insulinemic dietary patterns and risk of endometrial cancer among US women. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023;115:311-321.
4. Zhang X, Zhao L, Christopher CN, et al. Association of dietary insulinemic and inflammatory potential with risk of liver cancer and chronic liver disease mortality in postmenopausal women: a prospective cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2023;118:530-537.
5. Jin Q, Shi N, Aroke D, et al. Insulinemic and inflammatory dietary patterns show enhanced predictive potential for type 2 diabetes risk in postmenopausal women. Diabetes Care. 2021;44:707-714.
6. Yue Y, Ma W, Accorsi EK, et al. Long-term diet and risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022;116:1672-1681.