1) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS

• VEGGIE-FOCUSED GAMES FOR KIDS!
• SYSCO SIMPLY
• VEGAN CHANUKAH CANDLES
• VITAMIN A PALMITATE IN SILK SOYMILK
• FDA REQUESTS COMMENTS
• QUINOA
• MUFFINS
• AND MORE

KATE FARMS INTRODUCES PLANT-BASED, ORGANIC TUBE FEEDING FORMULAS FOR CHILDREN

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/29/kate-farms-introduces-plant-based-organic-tube-feeding-formulas-for-children/ ]

ENJOY AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE VEGAN STYLE AT LUNA VERDE IN BRADLEY BEACH, NJ

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/28/enjoy-authentic-mexican-cuisine-vegan-style-at-luna-verde-in-bradley-beach-nj/ ]

FDA REQUESTS COMMENTS ON NEW CONSUMER SURVEY ABOUT ALLERGENS IN COSMETICS

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/27/fda-requests-comments-on-new-consumer-survey-about-allergens-in-cosmetics/ ]

DUPONT NUTRITION AND HEALTH UNVEILS NEW RESEARCH ON PLANT-BASED EATING

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/26/dupont-nutrition-and-health-unveils-new-research-on-plant-based-eating/ ]

VEGGIE-FOCUSED GAMES FOR KIDS!

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/23/veggie-focused-games-for-kids/ ]

VITAMIN A PALMITATE IN SILK SOYMILK

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/22/vitamin-a-palmitate-in-silk-soymilk/ ]

VRG SENT THESE COMMENTS TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) IN RESPONSE TO "FDA ASKS FOR INPUT ON USE OF THE NAMES OF DAIRY FOODS IN LABELING PLANT-BASED PRODUCTS"

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/21/vrg-sent-these-comments-to-the-food-and-drug-administation-fda-in-response-to-fda-asks-for-input-on-use-of-the-names-of-dairy-foods-in-labeling-plant-based-products/ ]

ABE'S MUFFINS ARE DELICIOUS!

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/19/abes-muffins-are-delicious/ ]

$3 DONATION TO VRG FOR EVERY NEW MEMBER OF IGIVE.COM

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/19/3-donation-for-every-new-member-of-igive-com/ ]

SYSCO SIMPLY

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/16/sysco-simply/ ]

VEGAN CHANUKAH CANDLES

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/15/vegan-chanukah-candles/ ]

PLEASE GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP INCLUDING VEGETARIAN JOURNAL TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/15/please-give-a-gift-membership-including-vegetarian-journal-to-family-and-friends-this-holiday-season-5/ ]

SINGLE-SERVE PORTIONS OF ORGANIC BROWN RICE, ORGANIC WHITE RICE, AND ORGANIC RED QUINOA AND BROWN RICE WITH GARLIC AVAILABLE FROM MINUTE RICE

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/13/single-serve-portions-of-organic-brown-rice-organic-white-rice-and-organic-red-quinoa-and-brown-rice-with-garlic-available-from-minute-rice/ ]

VEGAN FOOD AT GOUCHER COLLEGE IN MARYLAND

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2018/11/12/vegan-food-at-goucher-college-in-maryland/ ]

2) SUPPORT VEGAN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

Here’s a small sampling of some of our accomplishments and outreach this year:

• VRG’s Nutrition Advisor, Reed Mangels, PhD, RD was a guest lecturer on vegetarian and vegan infants and children for an online graduate course at Nova Southeastern University. She also did a presentation on vegan pregnancy for a Vegan Children talk at the Portland VegFest in Oregon. Reed and Catherine Conway, MS, RD spoke to hundreds of health professionals at the VRG booth during the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics FNCE Conference in Washington, DC.
• We continue to work with numerous High School and College interns in our Baltimore office including future vegan Registered Dietitians. VRG Nutrition Advisor Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, mentors those interns who are interested in pursuing a career in nutrition. VRG staff also works with students that are majoring in Journalism, Business, etc. Among their tasks are staffing VRG booths throughout the USA, preparing vegan meals for homeless individuals, reviewing new vegan products (someone has to do that tough job!), writing up entries for our online restaurant guide, reviewing scientific studies on vegan diets, plus so much more. These students are the future of the vegan movement and we should all be excited about what they will bring to the cause once they graduate.
• VRG assisted media (print, web, radio, tv, etc.). VRG’s Nutrition Advisor, Reed Mangels, PhD, RD did an interview on vegan kids for Now This Food; was interviewed by Veggie Fit Kids website; and was interviewed on KMUZ 88.5/100.7 FM (Nu Health Nation) about vegan diets for diabetes, pregnancy, older adults, and athletes. Reed was nterviewed for The New York Times Well Family section on how parents can handle a situation where just one of their children has decided to become a vegetarian in a family of meat eaters, as well as contributed information for a slide show on vegan and vegetarian pregnancy for US News and World Report,
• A medical center in Ohio asked to reprint The Vegetarian Resource Group’s My Vegan Plate in their diet education materials. VRG’s Parents/Kids Facebook Group continues to be an active supportive arena for veggie parents and kids. To join the discussion, see: [ https://www.facebook.com/groups/VRGparentsandkids/ ]
• The Vegetarian Resource Group has done numerous outreach booths this year including Charlottesville and Richmond, VA VegFests; Vegan SoulFest in Baltimore, MD; Veggie Pride Parade in NY City; New England VegFest in Worcester, MA; Western NY VegFest in Buffalo, NY; Everett Community College Food Day in WA; University of Buffalo (NY) Sustainability Fair; Vegan Summerfest in Johnstown, PA; Maryland Dietetics in Health Care Communities Conference; New Jersey VegFest; Annual Meeting of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Washington, DC; York Harvest VegFest in York, PA; World VegFest in San Francisco, CA; and other locations.
• The Vegetarian Resource Group provided vegan handouts free-of-charge for outreach in a wide variety of locations including a vegetarian student group at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA in preparation for the start of the new semester, the Vegan Community of Eastern Iowa for their first annual VegFest of Eastern Iowa, Northwest Ohio Vegan Advocates, the Macrobiotic Summer Conference, the Houston and Pittsburgh VegFests, Jim Cook Day of Hope for Diabetes in California, and the inaugural Michiana Veg Fest in Indiana.

Your support is greatly appreciated! You can donate directly to VRG at [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ] . You can also mail donations to The Vegetarian Resource Group, PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203 or call in your donation to (410) 366-8343 Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm EST.

3) THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP'S 2018 VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS

How to Make a Vegan Buddha Bowl
By Shania Clark

I became a vegetarian when I was 17 years old after watching videos taken inside slaughterhouses. After seeing how horrible the conditions were, I couldn’t justify letting animals suffer and die for me to eat them when there are so many other cruelty free options. I was a vegetarian for 2 years and then I transitioned to complete vegan a year ago and I can’t imagine ever going back to meat. My interest and tireless advocation for vegetarianism has convinced several family members and friends to try more meatless options as well. Being a vegetarian and then a vegan actually sparked my interest in food; that’s why I’m pursuing a degree in nutrition. I’m excited to graduate with this degree so I can teach people that meat is not only something they can live without, but that they’ll thrive on a diet of mainly vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains. See: [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ukr4AyiirnM ]

The deadline for the next video contest is July 15, 2019
See: [ https://www.vrg.org/videoscholarship.php ]

View winners of the video contest at:
[ https://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php ]

For information about VRG’s College Scholarship Contest (One $10,000, two $5,000 awards), see:
[ https://www.vrg.org/student/scholar ]

To support The Vegetarian Resource Group scholarships and internships, donate at [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ]
or The Vegetarian Resource Group, Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203

Video scholarships have been given in honor of W.M. Zahn, who was a great mentor.

4) DONATION FOR EVERY NEW MEMBER OF IGIVE.COM

Go to: [ https://www.igive.com/welcome/lp15/wr35.cfm?c=57804&utm_campaign=membernewmemberpromo181101 ]

5) HOLY FRIJOLES IN BALTIMORE

HOLY FRIJOLES IN BALTIMORE
By Kalie Ganem, VRG Intern

I recently had the chance to try the Mexican restaurant "Holy Frijoles" in Hampden, Baltimore. Though it is not a traditional vegetarian restaurant and has a few dishes with meat, it is very easy for vegetarians to eat at because it has many options. You can build your own tacos and burritos with anything you want, so it's easy to avoid meat, as the menu states that everything is vegetarian if it doesn’t have meat listed, meaning there is no added lard. And with meat substitutes like jackfruit and tofu, you can have an exciting meal, not just a salad like at some restaurants.

I happened to stumble across the restaurant with a group of friends when exploring Hampden, and I’m so grateful we did. Each bite is packed with a flavor so rich and full it will blow your mind and explode across your taste buds. We started off with their free chips and salsa, which is typical for a Mexican restaurant. We ordered a side of guac, which was one of the best guacs (which the restaurant confirmed was vegan) I had ever tasted. We had the fried plantains for an appetizer, and I have never tasted something so well prepared. They were the perfect amount of crispy while still preserving the soft texture on the bottom that melts in your mouth. The sweet taste carefully dances across your taste buds without overwhelming them. Then I ordered a jackfruit, sweet potato, and plantain burrito, which I still think about and crave months later. The mix of very different flavors complemented each other so well. It is hard to prepare jackfruit well, but they definitely got it down. The food is artfully spread over the plate with care and presented well. But the clean, empty plate felt a lot better, now that the delicious food was all in my belly.

The restaurant has a very nice, hip, and cool atmosphere. With walls lined with pinball machines the customers can use, and indie music playing from the speakers, the whole room feels very comfortable, modern, and confident. It manages to feel cool and hip, while still feeling welcoming and homey, like you belong among the coolness. They have numerous pinball events throughout the year to attract gamers to their Tex Mex slice of heaven. The service was very good, as the waiters were very attentive and kind. They would often come over to refill waters and ask if we needed anything else. Overall a great experience I would recommend to all my friends. See:
[ https://www.holyfrijoles.net ]

For more information on Vegan/Vegetarian restaurants, visit [ https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php ]

6) JEWISH VEGAN COOKING DEMO, Saturday, March 23, 2019

JEWISH VEGAN COOKING DEMO
By Marcia Schveibinz

Saturday, March 23, 2018, 6 PM
Corner Community Center, Beit Tikvah
Roland Park, Baltimore
5802 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21210

Learn to prepare vegan hamentashen and a variety of fillings. Marcia will also give ideas for vegan Passover dishes. Each attendee will receive a copy of Vegan Passover Recipes by Chef Nancy Berkoff, RD.

7) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP INTERN EXPERIENCE

By Kalie Ganem

This semester, I had the privilege to intern with The Vegetarian Resource Group. Every week, I wrote articles and did projects for the Vegetarian Journal and website www.vrg.org, some of which included writing an article about vegan snacks for gymnasts, reviewing a Maryland restaurant, and writing a review of Goucher College’s vegan options.

One of my favorite parts of the job was attending events that made vegan education more accessible to the public, including a booth at Vegan Soulfest and the Annual VRG Vegan Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner. At these events, I was able to work directly with people transitioning into vegetarianism and helped them with ideas on how to balance their new diet. I also heard many stories from vegan veterans; such as a nurse trying to get her overweight patients to try a plant-based diet, and a politician who had experienced torment in the media for his lifestyle choice. These conversations expanded my worldview, and only reinforced my choice to be vegan. They brought so much inspiration and positivity into my life, as well as taught me how to form relationships and orally articulate my views. Developing these skills now will help me in my future endeavors as a doctor, working with superiors, peers, and patients. So I’m glad I got the chance to learn and practice these so early in life.

Another part of the job I enjoyed was getting to taste and review new vegan foods in a segment in Vegetarian Journal called "Veggie Bits." As fun as this was, it really challenged my ability to describe what I was experiencing, as I’ve never had to describe foods before. One of the aspects I found most fulfilling about my time here was learning even more about the impact being vegetarian has on the world. I had always known that eating meat was problematic for the environment, but I had never fully understood how much of an impact one person has on reducing this impact simply by being vegetarian. I used to have the attitude that each individual person is practically powerless to the broken system and the way things are. But working here has taught me that each individual’s actions matter, and every time you can employ tiny acts of activism in your life and consumption, the world is better for it. Everything begins with one person. The combination of this knowledge and being surrounded by adult role models who were successfully employing and promoting vegan diets inspired me to actually make the switch from vegetarianism to veganism.

Eating has turned from a passive experience and just something I just had to do into something that inspires me. I feel strong, empowered, and healthy now that I have such control over what I am consuming, and I owe that all to working here. Overall, I am incredibly glad I got the opportunity to intern here and would recommend it to anyone who wants to grow. I wish the VRG organization the best of luck and would like to thank them for everything they have done for me.

For information about internships, see [ https://www.vrg.org/student/index.php ]

To support The Vegetarian Resource Group outreach, donate at [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ]

8) THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP OFFERS TWO $5,000 SCHOLARSHIPS PLUS ONE $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP. February 20, 2019 deadline

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted veganism/vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans are vegetarians who do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs.

One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000 will be given. Entries may only be sent by students graduating from high school in spring 2019. Deadline is February 20, 2019. We will accept applications postmarked on or before February 20, 2019. Early submission is encouraged.

Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegan/vegetarian diet/lifestyle. Payment will be made to the student’s college (U.S. based only). Winners of the scholarships give permission to release their names to the media. Applications and essays become property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. We may ask finalists for more information. Scholarship winners are contacted by e-mail or telephone. Please look at your e-mail.

For applicaiton information go to [ https://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]

If you would like to donate to additional scholarships or internships, go to [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ]

9) COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN

If you are a Federal government employee, you can support The Vegetarian Resource Group through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Look for us under Health & Medical Research Charities of America. If you’re not a Federal Employee, you may be able to support our work through your company’s charity donation or matching campaign.

10) FDA ASKS FOR INPUT ON USE OF THE NAMES OF DAIRY FOODS IN LABELING PLANT-BASED PRODUCTS — DEADLINE TO COMMENT EXTENDED BY 60 DAYS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is soliciting public input to answer the following questions:

• How do you use plant-based products?
• What is your understanding of dairy terms like milk, yogurt and cheese when they are used to label plant-based products?
• Do you understand the nutritional characteristics of plant-based products?
• Do you know how they’re different from each other?
• Do you know how their nutritional qualities compare with dairy products?

Over the next year, the FDA will be looking at next steps, which will include issuing guidance for industry. This would clarify FDA’s thinking regarding the labeling of plant-based products with names that include the names of dairy foods while giving manufacturers adequate notice about any changes.

To submit electronic comments, go to: [ https://www.regulations.gov/searchResults?rpp=25&po=0&s=FDA-2018-N-3522-0001&fp=true&ns=true ]
Click on Comment Now.

For more information, see
[ https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FDA-2018-N-3522-0001 ]

The original comment deadline of 11/27/18 has been extended by 60 days.

11) WISH LIST

As a non-profit, we can only take on new projects when we are able to get support from donors and our dedicated volunteers. Right now, we are especially seeking your support for the following:

• We’re getting down to the last of our Vegan Nutrition for Teenagers brochures. We’re looking for $1,000 for another print run of this very popular pamphlet.
• Do you have an old car, truck, or RV that you’re trying to get rid of? Did you know that you can turn that old vehicle into a tax deductible donation to The Vegetarian Resource Group? You can donate online here: [ http://www.v-dac.com/org/?id=521279034 ] , or call 1-877-999-8322.

12) GIVE THE VEGETARIAN JOURNAL AS A GIFT THIS SEASON!

Do you have another vegetarian in your life who doesn’t yet have a subscription to our quarterly magazine? Do you know someone who’s trying to be vegetarian but just needs a little help? Give a gift subscription to the Vegetarian Journal, and save while you’re at it! Gift subscriptions in the USA are $15 right now through December 31, 2018.

This is a terrific way to share the vegan message year-round, as well as support VRG. Gift subscriptions can be done online by simply typing in your message and the address(s) of the gift recipient(s) in the comments field. Go to: [ https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565 ]

13) VRG HIGHLIGHTS

Thank you to all our donors that enabled us to have a booth at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual meeting. We were able to place Vegetarian Journals directly into the hand of about 1,000 dietitians. Many times attendees would say no to taking one since so much is given out at this event, but then see it was vegetarian, and enthusiastically change their mind. The only exception was towards the end of the show when one woman said no as she was a cattle rancher. However, the friends with her took information.

The meeting this year was attended by 11,000 health professionals from across the country. It was especially great talking to nutrition students who will be future dietitians, and picked up materials for vegetarian clients they may have after starting their careers. When we first started exhibiting at this event about 30 years ago in 1988, it was filled with booths promoting animal products, fast food, and items like soda. We and the Seventh-day Adventist Dietetic Association were the rare, but very welcome voices, sharing vegetarian information. This year the hall was filled with companies pushing "plant based" products, and surprisingly we didn’t see one fast food company. Of course not all vegan or plant based foods are healthy, so that’s an ongoing discussion. And thank you to the donor who bought a table for vegetarians at the Academy Foundation dinner. Typically, sponsorships like this would have been for companies promoting animal products. There’s a lot more to be done, but thanks to everyone’s support and activism, we can appreciate all the change among health professionals and society in general. Kudos to Reed Mangels PhD RD, Cathy Conway MS RD, and Eric Sharer MS RD, who helped answer questions at the booth this year.

A woman called from Florida asking for help getting her retirement community’s kitchen staff to cook vegetarian/vegan meals. We provided books, articles, and other literature, as well as local contacts to help her find further assistance.

We provided about 400 brochures, flyers, and coloring books to a dietitian in Virginia, and a family medical center in South Carolina.

We also supplied over 500 brochures, 400 Vegetarian Journals, along with dozens of coloring books, to the organizers of veg fests and other events in Central and Southwest Florida, Boston, and DC.

Please support The Vegetarian Resource Group outreach by donating at [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ] Or join at [ https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php ]

14) MARYLAND AREA EVENTS

BALTIMORE VEGAN DRINKS
For monthly events, see [ https://www.bmorevegan.com/ ]

Thursday, December 27 @ 7 PM
Vegan Drinks at Sticky Rice Bmore
1634 Aliceanna St Baltimore, Maryland 21231
[ https://www.facebook.com/events/318911762028535/ ]

VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN MEET-UPS IN BALTIMORE, MD
The Vegetarian Meet-up happens at Mango Grove, located at 8865 Stanford Boulevard, in Columbia, Maryland 21045, on the first Sunday each month at 12:30 PM. The Vegan Meet-up takes place at Mr. Chan Szechuan at 1000 Reisterstown Rd. in Pikesville on the third Wednesday every month at 7 PM. If you are vegan or vegetarian and would like to eat great food while socializing with others who share your interests, attend a meet-up!

For more information about EarthSave's Vegan and Vegetarian Baltimore Meet-ups, see: [ http://www.meetup.com/vegetarian-9/ ] [ http://www.meetup.com/The-Baltimore-Vegan-Meetup-Group/ ]

DINEKIND
Dinekind Harford meets monthly to share information on the benefits of a plant-based diet. For more information, visit: [ http://www.dinekindharford.com/ ]

VEGEVENTS.COM
Maryland and DC veg events can be found at [ https://www.vegevents.com ]

WHOLE FOOD FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH - BALTIMORE SUPPORT GROUP
This group meets on the second Friday of each month at 6:30PM at the Park Heights Community Health Alliance, located at 4151 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215.

They typically show one or more short educational videos, often a cooking demonstration of something delicious and easy. And, of course, support, discussion, advice, and recipes. Beginners welcome. Please bring a vegan dish to share if you can.

Please RSVP and visit at [ https://www.meetup.com/Whole-Food-for-Optimal-Health-Potluck/ ]

If you have any questions, contact: Margie (mobile: 410-375-5803, [email protected])

FORKS OVER KNIVES MONTHLY POTLUCKS
This group is for those interested in trying or for those already committed to a whole food, plant based diet with none or very little oil, salt, or refined sugar. There is a monthly potluck where we sample delicious and healthy dishes, share recipes, learn, and connect with like-minded individuals.

For more information about the next event, visit: [ http://www.meetup.com/Columbia-MD-Forks-Over-Knives-Meetup/ ]

MONTHLY COOKING CLASSES
No meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey. $55/person; $100/two people; $50/VSDC, VRG, or COK members. Demonstration classes include recipes, organic food samples, manufacturers' samples coupons. Gift certificates are available for purchase.

Email [email protected] or call 703-643-2713 for space availability. Make checks payable to Mimi Clark and mail to 9302 Hallston Ct., Fairfax Station, VA 22039. Sorry, no phone or e-mail reservations and no walk-ins. Seventy-two hour cancellation policy for refund or credit. Class subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not met.

Check website for monthly class updates: [ http://www.veggourmet.wordpress.com ]

Upcoming class: Soups and Stews — Sunday, January 13th from 10AM to 1PM.

COLUMBIA 30 DAY PLANT BASED CHALLENGE EVENT
Friday, January 11, 2019
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

To join, go to [ https://www.meetup.com/Columbia-30-day-Plant-based-Diet-Challenge/events/257345153/ ]

15) VISIT VRG AT THESE OUTREACH BOOTHS

Come visit us at these VRG booths!

Other Upcoming Events:
Currently no VRG Booth at these events

Sedona Health & Nutrition Conference
Thursday – Friday, January 17th & 18th, 2019
Sedona, AZ

Sedona VegFest
Saturday – Sunday, January 19th & 20th, 2019
Sedona, AZ

Santa Cruz Veg Fest
Apris 6, 2019
Santa Cruz, CA

Alabama Vegan Fest
Sunday, April 14th, 2019
Birmingham, AL

Des Moines VeganFest
Saturday, April 27th, 2019
The Atrium at Capital Square
Des Moines, IA

Plant-Based Prevention of Disease
Saturday – Monday, May 18th – 20th, 2019
McKimmon Conference and Training Center at NC State University
Raleigh, NC

Plant Based World Conference and Expo
Friday – Saturday, June 7th – 8th, 2019
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
New York City, NY

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