VRG-News: The Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter
Editor: John L. Cunningham
Volume 10, Issue 5
July 2006
CONTENTS
- Call-A-Dietitian Day
- Volunteers Needed To Hand Out Surveys
- VRG Outreach To Professionals
- Vegan Goodies - Goodbaker Vegan Gourmet Baking Mixes
- Free Ottawa Veg Guide Hits The Streets
- Honolulu, Hi: Vegan Dinner
- Upcoming Events And Conferences
- Recipe - Black-Eyed Peas And Collards
- Golden Carrot School Food Award
- Director Of Development Corner
- About The Vegetarian Resource Group
- About VRG-News
1) Call-A-Dietitian Day
If you have general nutrition questions, Mark Rifkin, MS, RD, LDN, will be available from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 14. To reserve a 15-minute time slot, please email the VRG office at [email protected] or call (410) 366-8343.
Be advised that these sessions are not individualized nutritional counseling. Such advice should only be provided through direct in-person contact with a qualified health professional. There is no charge, but if you do commit, please call on time as you are taking someone else's spot.
Mark Rifkin, a longtime VRG volunteer, is a Registered Dietitian and has a Master's Degree in Health Education. He has been presenting on food-related topics for more than seven years. Currently, he is starting a private practice in Baltimore, MD, that will focus on plant-based nutrition for prevention, as well as treatment of various chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, overweight/obesity, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, gout, women's health concerns, cancer, and early-stage kidney failure.
2) Volunteers Needed To Hand Out Surveys
The VRG is looking for volunteers to hand out and collect 1 page surveys in locations where there is a high likelihood of reaching vegetarians in their 20's. Some possible locations would include farmers' markets, natural food stores, co-ops, vegetarian gatherings, or animal rights meetings. To view a copy of the survey, visit our website. If you are willing to assist with this, please contact Sonja at [email protected].
3) VRG Outreach To Professionals
Ever wish doctors, dietitians, and food service staff knew more about vegetarianism? To help accomplish this goal, The Vegetarian Resource Group will be giving out information at several professional conferences. If you are attending these meetings, please come by our booth and say hello.
VRG Food Service Advisor Nancy Berkoff, RD, will present a session on Soy 101 at the School Nutrition Association national conference in California during July. (SNA represents over 55,000 members who provide school meals to students around the country.)
American Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly in Washington, DC, during September. (Our booth is 2405.)
American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Honolulu, HI during September. (Our booth is 638.) Also see information on the Vegan Dinner below.
If you are traveling to these areas for the meetings, you may also want to check out our on-line restaurant guide for places to eat.
If you would like to support these educational efforts, you can make a contribution online.
4) Vegan Goodies - Goodbaker Vegan Gourmet Baking Mixes
Are you haunted by visions of vegan brownies, but are intimidated by the prospect of baking them yourself? We may have found the solution for you! Goodbaker Vegan Gourmet Baking Mixes are the easiest way to get your fix short of bribing someone else to make them. Goodbaker offers brownie, cake, cookie, and muffin mixes, that include all of the ingredients you will need except for water and oil. The end result is impressive given how easy the preparation is. The brownies were cakey but moist and chocolaty, and the oatmeal spice cookies were surprisingly hard to resist! Also, these baking mixes would make a great project to do with children. With adult supervision, a child could easily make cookies, muffins, or even a cake.
For more information about Goodbaker Vegan Gourmet Baking Mixes, visit their website.
5) Free Ottawa Veg Guide Hits The Streets
Ottawa is a surprisingly vegetarian/vegan friendly city. The new Ottawa Veg Guide is a comprehensive guide to veggie-friendly businesses in Ottawa, and includes over 50 restaurants, health food stores, bakeries, and other businesses in and around the city. The guide was produced by SimplyRaw as a contribution to the local community, intended to help make life easier for vegetarians, vegans, raw vegans, and those interested in living a healthier lifestyle. Look for your free copy around the city, or contact http://www.simplyraw.ca or [email protected] for more information.
6) Honolulu, Hi: Vegan Dinner
The VRG is hosting a vegan dinner during the annual American Dietetic Association's Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, which will be held in Honolulu this year. Dietitians, local members, and the public are all welcome to attend. For details, call The VRG at (410) 366-8343 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time or send an email to [email protected].
7) Upcoming Events And Conferences
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Richmond, VA: Veggiefest 2006
On July 29, 2006 the Richmond Vegetarian Festival 2006 will be held at the Azalea Gardens of Bryan Park, from Noon to 7 p.m. The Festival will feature live performances, speakers, vegetarian vendors and nonprofits, a vegan dinner and silent auction at the Virginia Crossings Resort. VRG will be displaying at our own booth; stop by and check us out!
For more information, visit the Veggiefest website.
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Alexandria, VA: Animal Rights 2006
On August 10-13, 2006, Animal Rights 2006 program will feature nearly 100 presenters from every faction of the Animal Rights movement. They will present at eight Plenary Sessions, 50 Workshops, 30 Campaign Reports, and 7 Rap Sessions. Other functions will include Exhibits, Videos, Newcomer Orientation, Awards Banquet, Strategy Meetings, Group Workouts, and entertainment by animal rights musicians.
This year's speakers will include Matt Ball, Lorri Bauston, Karen Davis, Alex Hershaft, Jack Norris, Charles Patterson, and many more.
For more information, visit http://www.ar2006.org.
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Los Angeles, CA: 11th Annual L.A. Tofu Festival
On August 12-13, 2006, House Foods America Corporation will sponsor the 11th Annual L.A. Tofu Festival in downtown Los Angeles on San Pedro Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Over 100 tofu and soy dishes prepared by area restaurants will be featured, as well as live entertainment, a Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstration Stage, and a state-of-the-art Sports & Games Pavilion.
General admission is $8 and dishes range from $1 to $8 per serving. For more information, visit the Tofu Festival website.
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Asheville, NC: Organicfest 2006
On September 9, 2006, Pure Food Partners, Asheville Parks & Recreation, and other local and national businesses and organizations will sponsor the 2006 Organicfest on Battery Park Ave., Asheville, NC, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Organicfest will feature live music, dancing, drawings for baskets of organic goodies and gift certificates, free organic samples and giveaways, and an Organicfest Market on the Square featuring organic: food and refreshments, clothing, herbs, flowers and natural arts and crafts. Environmental organizations will share informative conversation and help with organic living, organic gardening, farming, and other earthcare matters.
For more information, visit the Organicfest website.
8) Recipe - Black-Eyed Peas And Collards
(This recipe appears in Simply Vegan: Quick Vegetarian Meals by Debra Wasserman.)
Serves 4
1-1/2 Tablespoons oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
10-ounce box frozen black-eyed peas
10-ounce box frozen collard greens
1/4 Cup water
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Simmer oil, garlic, peas, and greens together in a covered frying pan over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water and simmer for 10 more minutes. Add lemon juice. Heat 2 more minutes. Serve hot with rice.
| Total Calories Per Serving: 149 | |
| Total Fat As % of Daily Value: 9% | |
| Protein: 7 gm | Carbohydrates: 18 gm |
| Fat: 6 gm | Calcium: 79 mg |
| Iron: 3 mg Dietary | Fiber: 6 gm |
9) Golden Carrot School Food Award
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) requests nominations for its 3rd annual Golden Carrot Awards. The Awards are meant to honor food service professionals in both public and private schools. The evaluations are based on how well they provide schoolchildren a range of healthy vegetarian entrees and non-dairy beverages, incorporate plant-based foods into their menus, promote these healthy choices, and offer nutrition education programs. Please nominate someone you think has a made a difference in this way. Nominations are due by September 18, 2006, and can be submitted through http://www.healthyschoollunches.org/carrot/index.html. Winners will be announced in time for National School Lunch Week, October 9-13, 2006.
10) Director Of Development Corner
We have received numerous requests from our members about leaving a bequest to the The Vegetarian Resource Group. What follows are general guidelines related to bequests.
Bequests
The Vegetarian Resource Group depends on the generous contributions of our members and supporters to continue our educational projects. Though the world may not become vegetarian in our lifetimes, we realize that we are planning and working for future generations.
Your will and life insurance policies enable you to protect your family and also to provide a way to give long-lasting support to causes in which you believe. Naming The Vegetarian Resource Group in your will or life insurance policy will enable us to increase our work for vegetarianism.
The Vegetarian Resource Group is a tax-exempt organization. Your bequests are tax deductible for federal estate tax purposes.
- One suggested form of bequest is:
- I give and bequeath to The Vegetarian Resource Group, Baltimore, Maryland, the sum of ______________ dollars (or if stock, land, or insurance policy, please describe).
To be sure your wishes are carried out, please speak with your attorney specifically about writing the correct information in your will. If you would like to discuss the types of future projects you wish to support, contact Debra Wasserman or Charles Stahler at The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203 or call (410) 366-8343.
If you would like to make a donation online please visit our secure site. If you would like to donate by check or money order, please send it to The Vegetarian Resource Group, Donations, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203 or call (410) 366-8343 for more information. You can also e-mail us at [email protected].
About The Vegetarian Resource Group
Our health professionals, activists, and educators work with businesses and individuals to bring about healthful changes in your school, workplace, and community. Registered dietitians and physicians aid in the development of nutrition-related publications and answer member and media questions about vegetarian diets. The Vegetarian Resource Group is a non-profit organization. Financial support comes primarily from memberships, donations, and book sales. The Vegetarian Journal, a print magazine, is a benefit of membership in The VRG. (For more information, please see the Vegetarian Journal online.)
If you would like to make a donation, become a member, volunteer, or find out more about The VRG, contact us at:
The Vegetarian Resource Group
P.O. Box 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203
Phone: (410) 366-8343
Fax: (410) 366-8804
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.vrg.org
Donate: https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?Action=GC&cid=1565
The contents of this newsletter, and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your own best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.
About VRG-News
VRG-News is the monthly e-mail newsletter of The Vegetarian Resource Group. This is an announcement list, so subscriber messages are not accepted by the list. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or corrections to VRG-News, direct them to [email protected]. Thanks!
If you are a new subscriber, you might enjoy reading past issues of VRG-News online at http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/index.htm.
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Contents of VRG-News are copyright 2006 by The Vegetarian Resource Group. The newsletter may be freely distributed in electronic or print form provided its contents are not altered and credit is given to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.
Thanks to volunteer Stephanie Schueler for converting this article to HTML.
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The contents of this website and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your own best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.
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