Note from the Coordinators
Is Your Glass Half Empty or Half Full?
We all know life has many contradictions. For example, we often hear how horrible young people are, but when we read the entries from our scholarship winners (pages 26-30), we are amazed at what they have accomplished while still in high school. This year's approximately 200 applicants give us hope for the future, as do our volunteers who read all their essays, and not to mention the sponsors of our scholarships and internships who make it all possible. Many of the scholarship applicants indicate there are only one or two other vegans in their school, if that, so we have to give the students even more credit for taking a stand.
It’s easy to criticize the government for all its red tape and glacial progress, but read about the exciting changes in the WIC program, which make it more affordable to eat a vegan or plant-based diet while being a WIC recipient.
Many worry about a growing sense of apathy that silences critical voices in our communities. Look in our letters to the editor (page 5) at the restaurant in Jersey City, that attaches our Be Kind to Animals—Don’t Eat Them! bumper sticker to every to-go order, and the volunteer who writes about scores of restaurants for our online restaurant guide each year.
Think people aren't eating an adequate amount of greens? Go to Nava’s Collard Comforts on page 6. Worried about calcium absorption? See the study on page 13. Despite common concerns, many of the vegan foods evaluated were predicted to have a calcium absorption rate similar to or higher than cow's milk. This includes bok choy, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, Chinese mustard greens, kale, orange juice fortified with calcium citrate malate, soymilk fortified with calcium carbonate, and tofu made with calcium sulfate.
Miss pies and comfort foods? Check out Hannah's Pies to Savor starting on page 16. Concerned about vegan kids getting enough protein in their diets? See how effortless it is on page 23. Maybe adequate phosphorus intake isn't something on your immediate list of worries, but you'll be glad to see all the readily available sources of phosphorous for vegans on page 25.
Think it's difficult to eat enough legumes? Nancy shows you how simple it is on page 34. Apprehensive about the possibility of being an activist and in good shape when older? See Keryl's piece about dancer Cynthia King on page 35.
Here's hoping your glass is three fourths full, or at least, less than half empty. There are so many ways to support change for a better world.
Debra Wasserman & Charles Stahler
Coordinators of The Vegetarian Resource Group
