Note from the Senior Editor
Marking Milestones
Imagine no Daiya, no Instagram, no Beyond Meat, no Amazon touting thousands of vegan titles. 1998 was a different world, especially for vegans. You had to plan meals ahead and cook at home, usually with fresh, from-scratch ingredients.
That didn't deter me, though. I was a college photojournalism student in my 20s and upon finding the Vegetarian Journal at a bookstore, I mailed a letter, asking for photo assignments. And the VJ responded? by sending me one of the most challenging food photo jobs anyone can tackle, homemade sorbet. Never one to back down from a challenge, I went at it full force, as I do pretty much everything. (Remember, film was the norm, not digital photos!) Little did I know destiny would bring me back to the VJ exactly two decades later.
A group dear to my heart, Baltimore Vegan Drinks, turned 10 this year. When my husband and I began organizing our city's Vegan Drinks franchise, we wanted to create a space for other local herbivores to mingle and network. The idea of eradicating social isolation while also supporting vegan options at small businesses was appealing. Others agreed and our little group grew. We've had big, small, and downright huge turnouts for events. Literally thousands of folks have attended our gatherings in the past decade. Celebrating this anniversary with Vegan Drinks is a milestone that makes me proud.
Another milestone happens with this issue of the Vegetarian Journal: I've been the Senior Editor for a full year of issues. Since joining the team, I've been working to bring readers new voices, fresh design, and innovative — but accessible — recipes. As a vegan of almost 25 years myself, I'm eager to see what's next in the movement and look forward to sharing delightful dishes like Chef Greg Brown's crowd-pleasers and Zel Allen's winter offerings. I hope you will be as excited by achievements of the 2019 VRG Scholarship Winners as I am, and that you can pack a bag soon for Nashville to check out Nathaniel Corn's vegan adventure in Music City. More of a homebody? Emily Carter tells you what's what about ugly produce boxes, and I unravel ethical plant-based yarns for crafting.
Let's plan to cook, eat, learn, advocate, and travel together across the pages of the Vegetarian Journal in 2020! The entire staff wishes you a peaceful, compassionate winter season.
Rissa Miller
Senior Editor of the Vegetarian Journal
