VRG-NEWS: The Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter
Volume 15, Issue 9
September 2011

CONTENTS

  1. VRG'S VEGAN INDIAN DINNER IN SAN DIEGO, SEPT 25
  2. IODINE IN A VEGAN DIET
  3. VRG PARTICIPATING IN CALIFORNIA STATE EMPLOYEES CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN
  4. VRG SUMMER INTERNSHIP REPORT
  5. VRG LONG-DISTANCE INTERNSHIP REPORT
  6. VEGAN FOOD ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
  7. 2012 IVU WORLD VEG CONGRESS PLANS
  8. IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT VEGAN ENERGY BAR
  9. VEGDOCS - FREE REGISTRY OF VEG-FRIENDLY PHYSICIANS
  10. VRG'S VISA PLATINUM REWARDS CARD
  11. PUTTING ON A VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL -- VEGETARIAN FESTIVALS GALORE!
  12. 7 BOOK REVIEWS
  13. RESEARCH STUDY SURVEY REQUEST FROM GRAD STUDENT
  14. SOURCE OF LIFE AND ITS "VEGAN" VITAMIN D3 FROM MUSHROOMS
  15. VRG IN THE NEWS
  16. WHAT CAN I EAT FOR LUNCH AT SCHOOL?
  17. UPCOMING EVENTS
  18. PRABHU VANDAN IPHONE APP
  19. THANK YOU, VRG INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS!
  20. PITA PIT RESTAURANT CHAIN OFFERS ALL-VEGETABLE MENU ITEMS
  21. THE EVERYTHING VEGAN PREGNANCY BOOK!
  22. I'D LIKE TO BE VEGAN BUT I'VE HEARD IT'S EXPENSIVE. IS THIS TRUE?
  23. ANNUAL PRE-THANKSGIVING DAY VEGAN POTLUCK IN BALTIMORE -- NOVEMBER 20, 2011
  24. About The Vegetarian Resource Group
  25. About VRG-NEWS

1) VRG'S VEGAN INDIAN DINNER IN SAN DIEGO, SEPT 25

VEGAN INDIAN DINNER
Sunday, September 25, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
San Diego, CA
Royal India, 329 Market Street

Sponsored by The Vegetarian Resource Group during the American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo. Meet Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, Catherine Conway, MS, RD, and other vegetarian dietitians.

BUFFET MENU:
Salad
Samosas
Veggie Pakora
Aloo Gobi
Bengan Bhartha
Green Beans Masala
Veggie Mango Pineapple
Channa Masala
Peas Pulao Rice
Rice
Salad

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE. Refunds will only be made if we can replace your seat. 

Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Attendees:
___ Number of adults X $35 after August 20, 2011=   $_____
___ Children X $20=                                 $_____
___ Donation for outreach to dietitians             $_____

Please call Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (410) 366-8343, or if you are attending the American Dietetic Association Annual Meeting, visit our booth to pay.

2) IODINE IN A VEGAN DIET

Are you getting enough iodine in your diet? Do you know how much iodine is "enough"? What is this iodine stuff, anyway? For the answers to these questions and more, read this recent article by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, VRG nutrition advisor, and author of the nutrition section of Simply Vegan [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1 ].

Iodine in a Vegan Diet
[ http://www.onegreenplanet.org/foodandhealth/iodine-in-a-vegan-diet/ ] published at One Green Planet [ http://www.onegreenplanet.org/ ].

For more information on a healthy vegan diet, see the Nutrition [ http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/ ] section of our website.

3) VRG PARTICIPATING IN CALIFORNIA STATE EMPLOYEES CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN

VRG is participating in the California State Employees Charitable Campaign [ http://www.csecc.org ]. If you are a California state employee, please support Vegetarian Resource Group outreach.

Please also remember VRG in other workplace fund drives, matching gifts, etc.! Federal government employees can support The Vegetarian Resource Group through the Combined Federal Campaign [ http://www.opm.gov/cfc/ ] (CFC). Look for us under Health & Medical Research Charities of America.

4) VRG SUMMER INTERNSHIP REPORT

By Lindsey Siferd

My internship this summer at The Vegetarian Resource Group has been such a rewarding learning experience for me. I can't believe that I have been here since the end of May-- and that two and a half months has gone by so quickly. I am amazed at what I was able to accomplish over this time, and all that I have learned and encountered at the VRG. I was a committed vegetarian before interning, but my commitment has been strengthened, along with a new understanding of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

My first day involved a tour of the office, in which I met Charles, Debra, Sonja, John, and Mary, the other staff members that I would work with over the next two months. I got to see the extensive library and learn about the important role that each person plays in the office. Over time, I was also able to meet the other two summer interns, Jessica and Yasmin, both of whom it was great to work with, and Eric, a volunteer who was often in the office. All of these people proved to be important to me over my time at the VRG.

To read the rest of the article, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/08/26/summer-internship-report/ ]

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

To support The Vegetarian Resource Group projects, go to:
[ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565 ]

5) VRG LONG-DISTANCE INTERNSHIP REPORT

The summer before my senior year of college, I found the opportunity to do a long distance internship with VRG, and was happy to be welcomed into a group that does such great work for the vegetarian and vegan community. Even though I am a psychology major, Charles and Reed assigned me projects that were applicable to my major as well as my interest in vegetarianism. I was able to do a majority of my work at home and at a pace that worked best for me. This was great because along with my internship I was also able to do volunteer work at my local animal shelter, and prepare research for a psychology convention.

One of my major projects included reading current scientific research and writing a few paragraphs about the studies and their implications for VRG's readers. I was unaware that any psychological research had been done in relation to vegetarianism until I wrote two scientific reviews about it! This was helpful for me, because reading research and deciphering the results is a huge part of what I do as a psychology student about to write a thesis.

To read the rest of the article, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/08/29/long-distance-internship-report/ ]

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

Internships are unpaid. We have one paid Eleanor Wolff Scholarship Internship in Baltimore. See:
[ http://www.vrg.org/student/eleanor_wolff_scholarship.php ]

To support additional VRG internships and outreach, you can donate at [ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565 ]

By Rita Pruzansky, VRG Intern and Psychology student

6) VEGAN FOOD ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

By Lindsey Siferd and Jessica Friend

Many students, when applying to college, have several worries. Will I like my roommate? Are my classes going to be difficult? Will the food be good? For vegan students, the last question is even more important--will there be food for me to eat?

Luckily, many colleges are expanding their dining services to include vegan and vegetarian options. Below is a list of twelve Maryland and DC universities and colleges that offer vegan food for students. Hopefully you will find this list useful in your college search, but remember that the best way to find out information is to talk directly to the college's food service provider. Many of the websites listed below have phone numbers, and talking to someone on the phone or in person is the best way to get the most accurate information.

Disclaimer: The Vegetarian Resource Group does not endorse or vouch for the accuracy of any of these sites. We are only including them as a reference for people who are interested. For the most up-to-date information on vegan options at these schools, please call the food service providers directly.

To read about the vegan options available at American University, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins, Loyola, Montogmery College, Salisbury, Stevenson, St. Mary's College of MD, Towson, UMBC, University of MD--College Park, and Washington College, visit: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/08/30/vegan-food-on-college-campuses/ ]

Lindsey and Jessica were 2011 summer interns at the VRG office.

7) 2012 IVU WORLD VEG CONGRESS PLANS

The provisional dates for the 2012 IVU World Veg Congress (WVC) are October 1-8, and it will be held in San Francisco. For updates, visit [ http://www.ivu.org/congress/2012 ].

8) IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT VEGAN ENERGY BAR

By Navnidhee B. Celly, MS, RD

Energy bars today are not just a source of calories but also pack in vitamins, minerals, fiber and some extras. Their consumption is increasing, whether consumed for a boost while running or a quick bite on the way to work. With a wide presence in the supermarkets, drugstores, and gyms, these portable sources of energy in tantalizing flavors like cool mint chocolate and cinnamon roll are difficult to miss. But, with an aisle full of choice, which ones are the best? Let's find out.

To read the rest of the article, visit: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/09/02/in-search-of-the-perfect-vegan-energy-bar/ ]

9) VEGDOCS - FREE REGISTRY OF VEG-FRIENDLY PHYSICIANS

There is a new website that wants to make it easier to connect vegetarians and vegans with veg-friendly doctors. To achieve this, they are trying to build a free registry of physicians who are veg-friendly. To submit names or check out the site, go to: [ http://www.VegDocs.com/ ].

10) VRG'S VISA PLATINUM REWARDS CARD

VRG's new affinity Visa® Platinum Rewards credit card is now available! When a cardholder activates the card, VRG receives $50. Then for the life of the program, VRG will receive a portion of every dollar that each cardholder charges. The VRG Visa® Platinum Rewards card offers qualified cardholders benefits including no annual fee, a low APR and reward points for shopping at participating merchants. Add your support with every purchase when you use the The Vegetarian Resource Group Visa® Platinum Rewards card. To apply, see: [ http://www.cardpartner.com/app/vrg ]

Click here [ http://www.vrg.org/credit_faqs.php ] to view FAQs about VRG's new Visa® Platinum Rewards Card such as: Is there an annual fee? What is the APR on the card? What can I redeem for with my points earned?

11) PUTTING ON A VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL -- VEGETARIAN FESTIVALS GALORE!

By Yasmin Radbod

Vegans love to eat vegan, talk about being vegan, buy vegan products, and be jolly with other vegans. And what better way to accomplish all those goals than to have a vegetarian festival in your community? We have all heard about vegetarian festivals around the nation: DC VegFest, Veggie Fest Chicago, Baltimore VegFest, Central Florida Veg Fest, Richmond Vegetarian Festival, World Vegetarian Festival in San Francisco, Indy Veg Fest, and so many others. Last year The Humane League of Maryland and UMBC Vegetarians (I am the President) created Baltimore VegFest, and it was quite a success. I had been to DC VegFest a couple of times, and always wanted to start a similar festival in Baltimore, so we did. Now that I have lived the tale I am here to tell you that with some dedicated, passionate vegetarians, some fundraising, and organization, you can start your own vegetarian festival, too. In my exploration of how to run these festivals I interviewed organizers of all the above festivals, and I came to many interesting conclusions about organizing the festival, finances, leadership, public relations, selecting vendors, special events, and choosing a location and date.

To read the rest of the article, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/09/07/putting-on-a-vegetarian-festival-vegetarian-festivals-galore/ ]

12) 7 BOOK REVIEWS

These reviews originally appeared in Vegetarian Journal Issue 1, 2011. To subscribe to Vegetarian Journal, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/journal/ ].

To read the reviews, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/09/08/7-book-reviews-2/ ]

13) RESEARCH STUDY SURVEY REQUEST FROM GRAD STUDENT

The following survey request is from a graduate student in the Department of Dietetics & Nutrition at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. She is conducting a research study to examine the intake of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus in vegans.

You can click on the following link to access the survey:
[ https://fiu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0diJiK2fuPuXurW ]

14) SOURCE OF LIFE AND ITS "VEGAN" VITAMIN D3 FROM MUSHROOMS

by Jeanne Yacoubou, MS VRG Research Director

In July 2011, a long-time VRG member contacted us about a Source of Life vitamin supplement recently purchased by her mother. She wondered if the company's statement about a vegan Vitamin D3 derived from mushrooms were true and asked us to look into it.

To read the rest of the article, visit: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/09/12/source-of-life-and-its-"vegan"-vitamin-d3-from-mushrooms/ ]

For more information on food ingredients and to purchase our Guide to Food Ingredients, please visit our website at [ http://www.vrg.org/ingredients/index.php ]

15) VRG IN THE NEWS

VRG Nutrition Adviser Reed Mangels PhD, RD was recently interviewed for pbs.org [ http://www.pbs.org ] on vegetarian children, by Today's Diet and Nutrition magazine on vegetarian children, and Maryland Family Magazine about vegan and vegetarian families. She also wrote a column for OneGreenPlanet.org [ http://www.onegreenplanet.org/foodandhealth/yes-doctor-i-am-a-vegan-finding-a-health-care-provider-you-can-work-with/ ].

For information on raising vegetarian children, see Reed's Vegan Nutrition in Pregnancy and Childhood at [ http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/veganpregnancy.php ]

Also, you may want to subscribe to VRG's Parent's list at [ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vrgparents/ ]

To support Vegetarian Resource Group education and outreach, you can donate at [ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565 ]

16) WHAT CAN I EAT FOR LUNCH AT SCHOOL?

Q. What can I eat for lunch at school? I have to pack a lunch since the cafeteria doesn't have much in the way of veg options.

To read the answer to this question, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/09/14/what-can-i-eat-for-lunch-at-school/ ]

17) UPCOMING EVENTS

Come visit VRG's booth at these events!

  • Natural Products Expo East [ http://www.expoeast.com/ ] - Baltimore, MD - 9/22-9/24
  • VRG's Vegan Indian Dinner [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/04/01/vrgs-vegan-indian-dinner-in-san-diego-sept-25/ ] - San Diego, CA - 9/25
  • American Dietetic Association Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo [ http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=11508 ] - San Diego, CA - 9/24-9/27
  • DC VegFest [ http://dcvegfest.com ] - Washington, D.C. - 9/24
  • NY's Capital Region Vegetarian Expo [ http://www.nyvegetarianexpo.org/ ] - Albany, NY - 10/1
  • San Francisco VegFest [ http://www.sfvs.org/wvd/ ] - San Francisco, CA - 10/2-10/3

18) PRABHU VANDAN IPHONE APP

Pratik Kothari, the developer of the VRG Guide to Food Ingredients app for Windows Phone 7 [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/07/01/vrg's-guide-to-vegan-and-vegetarian-food-ingredients-now-available-on-windows-phone-7/ ]

has released a free Prabhu Vandan app for the iPhone. You can learn more about it on the app's iTunes page [ http://itunes.apple.com/tw/app/id459107893 ].

19) THANK YOU, VRG INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS!

We would like to extend special thanks to the following interns and volunteers who have helped us over the summer with our restaurant guide:

  • Colleen Halat
  • Deva Holub
  • Eric Kantor
  • Rita Pruzansky
  • Yasmin Radbod
  • Lindsey Siferd
  • Sheila Vaswani
  • Michelle Wade

To find restaurants in your area, please visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php ]

If you would like to volunteer with maintaining and updating our restaurant guide, email us at [email protected].

20) PITA PIT RESTAURANT CHAIN OFFERS ALL-VEGETABLE MENU ITEMS

by Jeanne Yacoubou, MS
VRG Research Director

To see the options available at Pita Pit, visit:

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/09/19/pita-pit-restaurant-chain-offers-all-vegetable-menu-items/ ]

21) THE EVERYTHING VEGAN PREGNANCY BOOK!

The VRG is happy to announce the newest addition to our bookstore, The Everything Vegan Pregnancy Book by The VRG's Nutrition Advisor Reed Mangels, PhD, RD. This reassuring volume is sure to be a vital resource for families, to be used at any point on one's journey before, during, and after their vegan pregnancy. Offering insight to planning, nutrition needs, shopping, social issues, delivery, plus 150 vegan recipes, and an appendix stuffed with additional resources, this is a book that will help you embrace your vegan lifestyle and provide the tools for you to ensure you are nurturing a healthy life!

The book can be purchased through our online bookstore [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=81 ] or by calling (410) 366-8343 or by sending a check for $16.95 (+ 6.00 for shipping and handling) to The Vegetarian Resource Group at P.O. Box 1463 Baltimore, MD 21203.

We wish you a happy, wholesome pregnancy and hope you enjoy this helpful guide!!

22) I'D LIKE TO BE VEGAN BUT I'VE HEARD IT'S EXPENSIVE. IS THIS TRUE?

by Corey Bivins

Q. My family doesn't have much money. I'd like to be vegan but I've heard it's expensive to buy all the special food you need. Is this true?

To read the answer, visit: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/09/21/i’d-like-to-be-vegan-but-i’ve-heard-it’s-expensive-is-this-true/ ]

23) ANNUAL PRE-THANKSGIVING DAY VEGAN POTLUCK IN BALTIMORE -- NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Baltimore area vegans and vegetarians, mark your calendar now! The VRG's 2011 Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck will be held on Sunday November 20th at North Baltimore Mennonite Church in Roland Park, in Baltimore, MD at 5:00PM. Only a few months ahead and planning is underway! Volunteers needed for set-up starting at 3:00PM, to greet guests at the door and host the book table during the dinner, and for clean up after the event.

For more information, email Mary 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, bequests, 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/give/givefrm.asp?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 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 a technical question about the list, please contact us at [email protected]. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or corrections to VRG-NEWS, please 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/ ].

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Contents of VRG-NEWS are copyright 2011 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.