Veggie Bits

Enter Vegetarian Journal's Annual Student Essay Contest!

Are you 18 or younger? If so, what are your thoughts or experiences with vegetari anism? Share them with The VRG during our annual essay contest! Just write a two- to three-page essay on any aspect of vegetarianism or veganism, based on interviews, p ersonal experience, research, and/or personal opinion. Then, enter your submission in the appropriate category: ages 14 to 18, ages 9 to 13, or ages 8 and younger. A wi nner from each group will receive a $50 savings bond.

Send entries to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203. Please make sure to include your name, age, address, phone number, and school. All entries must be postmarked by June 15, 2008, for this year's contest. You need not be vegetarian to enter. All essays become property of The VRG, and only winners will be notified.

Cool Off with Non-Dairy Ice Cream Alternatives During Hot Summer Months

The upcoming season is the ideal time to explore the many possibil ities in non-dairy frozen desserts, and Turtle Mountain provides a huge array of the tasty products out on store shelves these days!

The company's Purely Decadent line of non-dairy ice cream is trans fat-free and made with organic ingredients, but most people will pick up these products simply for their sinfully indulgent tastes. Among their newest varieties are Coconut Craze with dark chocolate and roasted almonds, gluten-free Cookie Dough, Pomegranate Chip, and So Very Strawberry.

In addition, the company has revamped its former Soy Delicious line and ushered in a new generation with its Organic So Delicious^™ Dairy Free products. The quart sizes are available in 10 varieties, including Butter Pecan, Chocolate Velvet, Dulce de Leche, and Neapolitan. Plus, there are those fun novelty products, such as Mint or Mocha Mania Coated Sandwiches.

For more information, contact Turtle Mountain, LLC, by mail at P.O. Box 21938, Eugene, OR 97402 or via phone at (541) 338-9400. The company's website is <www.turtlemountain.com>.

Ian's Brings Vegan, Organic, and Wheat-Free French Bread Pizza to Nearby Freezer Cases

Ian's French Bread Pizza may somewhat resemble those other items that you often pass in the frozen foods section. However, this delightfully delicious vegan product features sweet organic pizza sauce, strips of non-case in soy mozzarella, and crispy wheat- and gluten-free crusts. Can't you just imagine tossing on some frozen vegetables and vegan pepperoni and popping it into the oven o r microwave for a marvelous meal?

For more information, write to Ian's Natural Foods Inc., 176 Shirley Avenue, Revere, MA 02151, or call the company at (800) 54-FOODS. You can also visit the company's website at <www.iansnaturalfoods.com>.

Before You Fire Up That Grill...

Consorzio's Marinades, a fantastic brand from Annie's Naturals, will infuse previously unimagined flavors into any food you can think to throw onto a barbecue pit. This line includes several unique varieties, such as tart and creamy Organic Baja Lime and the light, fresh Organic Mango Cilantro. Still, the best has to be the California Teriyaki with an irresistibly smooth, smoky taste that would be perfect on tempeh and more!

Contact Annie's Naturals at 564 Gateway Drive, Napa, CA 94558, or call (800) 288-1089. You can also visit the company online at <www.consorzio.com>.

A New Twist on Citrus Juices

Are you bored with drinking that plain old orange juice every morning? Then, why not pick up some Sun Shower^™ 100% Pure Pressed Nectarine Juice the next time you visit the supermarket? These truly innovative citrus juices come in eight tantalizing varieties, incl uding Nectarine Berry, Nectarine Mango, and Nectarine Grape Orange, and in convenient 12- and 28-ounce containers.

Contact Sun Shower's parent company, NBI Juiceworks, at 3300 South Hiawassee Road, Orlando, FL 32835, or via phone at (407) 291-1151. Or learn more online at <www.nbijuiceworks.com>.