Tattooed Chef Plant Based Burrito Bowl

In the latest issue of Vegan Journal Reed Mangels (with the help of VRG interns) reviews vegan frozen grain-based entrées found in grocery stores. She indicates which are gluten-free, highest in saturated fat, highest in sodium, lowest in sodium, highest in fiber, and lowest in fiber.

Read the entire column here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue2/2023_issue2_frozen_grain_review.php

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

Mera Kitchen Collective is a community-driven restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland, where they’re building their own worker-cooperative. The goal is to promote the empowerment of chefs from around the world by celebrating their skills and talents in the kitchen.

     Fortunately, vegan options are clearly marked on the menu and the food is delicious! Enjoy small plates including Crushed Red Lentil Soup, Falafel, Crispy Cauliflower and Tahini, Fattoush Salad, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Hummus, and Mutubal (smoked eggplant). They also offer a Falafel Sandwich, Falafel Salad Bowl, plus more.

     Mera Kitchen Collective is located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore City. They have both indoor and outdoor seating and occasionally have live music. Catering services are also available. They are within walking distance of Penn Station (Amtrak and MARC trains).

     For more information, see: https://www.mera.kitchen/

     Be sure to visit VRG’s online guide to veggie restaurants as well: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

Each issue of Vegan Journal we review products that we feel our readers would like. In the latest issue, we take a look at a variety of mustard from Wilder Mustards. This collection is organic and gluten-free and includes several flavors all created by chefs.

Read our complete review of this product here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue2/2023_issue2_veggie_bits.php

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

Leek and Potato Soup with Watercress Photo by Hannah Kaminsky

How often have you seen leeks displayed in the produce section of your supermarket and wondered what people do with them? Nava Atlas answers that question in a recent article she wrote for Vegan Journal. Learn about buying leeks and basic prep tips. Also, enjoy these recipes:

Leek and Potato Soup with Watercress

Warm Leek and Potato Salad

Sautéed Leeks with Fennel and Mushrooms

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Leeks and Walnuts

Persian-Style Spinach and Leeks with Black-Eyed Peas

Simmered Tofu with Leeks and Tomatoes

See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue2/2023_issue2_love_leeks.php

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

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Located in New Paltz, NY, Lagusta’s Luscious is a shop and café that features artisanal chocolates, handmade drinks, and pastries. Everything is vegan because of their commitment to social justice and the environment.

When I walked into the shop, I was struck by a display case with an array of chocolate confections. Flavors, including Mango Chile Lime Caramel, Peanut Butter and Jelly Meltaway, and Yuzu Cream, provide a hint of the creativity that goes into their products. A wall display included chocolate bars, boxes of chocolate, drinking chocolate, and chocolate bark. The café offered hot and cold drinks, ice cream bars and chipwiches, and vegan baked goods.

We sampled a classic Butterscotch Caramel, subtly sweet Tahini Meltaways, Chocolate Fudge, and a vegan S’Mores cookie. All were rated sublime.

You can visit Lagusta’s Luscious at 25 N Front Street, New Paltz, NY. If you can’t make it to the retail shop, Lagusta’s Luscious products can be ordered online.

We review vegan books that we especially like in each issue of Vegan Journal. In the latest issue Debra Wasserman reviews Plant-Based India by Dr. Sheil Shukla. Enjoy 100 vegan Indian dishes including Crispy Masala Dosa Rolls, Sweet Corn Soup, Butternut Squash and Mushroom Biryani, Date Chutney, Lassi, and much more.

Read our complete review of this book here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue2/2023_issue2_book_reviews.php

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

photo from Terror Tacos St. Louis MO

The next time you’re in St. Louis, Missouri, you might want to enjoy lunch, dinner, and/or dessert at one of these vegan establishments:

Adina’s Vegan Cuisine 6746 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133

Vegan/soul food. Located in the Carter Commons food hall, right across the street from the movie theater on the corner of Ferguson Avenue, this Black mother-and-daughter-owned spot offers a constantly updating, rotating all-vegan menu. Depending on the day offerings could be based around tacos, nachos, sandwiches, jackfruit sliders, plant-based grilled “salmon” etc. with sides like lemon-lime kale salad and mac and cheese. They also have a grab-and-go section with salads, sandwiches etc., and cold-pressed additive-free juices.

CC’s Vegan Spot 4993 Loughborough Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109

Vegan/American. Enjoy a wide variety of dishes including Loaded Supreme Nachos, Chickn Caesar Wrap, Falafel Sandwich, and much more. They also serve frozen Ices.

Lulu’s Local Eatery 3201 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63118

Vegan/café. Start your meal off with Buffalo Cauliflower Bites or Thai Crunch Kale Salad. Then enjoy a wrap or sandwich or a main dish bowl such as Chipotle Black Bean, Banh Mi, or Buddah. Enjoy daily specials as well as a wide variety of beer along with your meal.

Plant Craft Kitchen 3860 South Lindbergh Blvd., Ste. 105, St. Louis, MO 63127

Vegan. This cheerful, casual café in a strip mall in Sunset Hills serves a rotating menu of vibrant, healthy vegan food. The menu always includes several beautifully presented salads; hummus; pizzas with house-made crusts and many customization options; sandwiches; and varying options like tacos, mushroom lasagna, and curry. Made fresh with quality vegetables, their colorful meals make eating healthy affordable and appealing.

Terror Tacos 3191 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118

Vegan/Mexican. Are you a passionate heavy metal fan and constantly crave Mexican cuisine? If so, Terror Tacos may just be a paradise for you! With hard-core rock filling every corner of the restaurant as you walk through the doors and a line of plant-based tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and more waiting for you to try, this restaurant is perfect for anyone willing to try an experience like no other. Feeling adventurous? Try the extra spicy Deathwish Taco, double-layered and stuffed with house-made spicy chorizo, a fried jalapeno filled with chipotle cheese, and topped with Arbol chili-infused sour cream as well as diced and pickled jalapeño. Have a more tender mouth? Stick with something like the Tofu Terror Quesadilla, topped with cilantro lime tofu, green chili sauce, black beans, grilled fajita veggies, red cabbage, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro. Kids menu is available too! No matter who you are and what you need, Terror Tacos has something for you.

Traveling somewhere else in the USA or Canada? Be sure to visit VRG’s online guide to veggie restaurants: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

By Hank J. Rothgerber, PhD

I have several blog postings that I think readers would find of interest. This is a guest blog from Psychology Today.
The moralization hypothesis proposes that campaigns to change attitudes and behavior are double-edged. They lead some people to lessen guilt by abandoning eating meat but, for others, they will increase meat consumption through the formulation and strengthening of justifications.
For the complete article, see https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/202305/how-can-meat-consumption-be-both-increasing-and-decreasing

Each issue of Vegan Journal we review products that we feel our readers would like. In the latest issue, we take a look at a delicious hot sauce from Trufflin. This sriracha has a black truffle taste and is gluten-free with no added sugar.

Read our complete review of this product here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue2/2023_issue2_veggie_bits.php

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

Each issue of Vegan Journal contains a column called Scientific Update where we review recent scientific papers related to vegetarianism. In the latest magazine, Reed Mangels, PhD, RD reviews a paper on a Large Study from the United Kingdom Examining the Risk of Some Common Cancers in Vegetarians and another paper on Vegans Having a Lower Risk of Digestive System Cancer.

Read the entire column here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue2/2023_issue2_scientific_update.php

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