VRG-NEWS: The Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter
Volume 19, Issue 11

November 2015

By Shani Stewart

CONTENTS

  1. VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS VRG VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS, FOOD AT EPCOT, PUMPKIN MICROWAVE RECIPES, VEGAN FOOD FOR PEOPLE ON FEEDING TUBES, SUGAR, UREA, APPLE VEGAN RECIPES, AND MORE
  2. A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING VRG VOLUNTEERS
  3. VRG'S PRE-THANKSGIVING VEGAN POTLUCK BALTIMORE, MD SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2015, 5PM
  4. UREA IN SUN® AND METHOD® HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
  5. VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP VIDEO CONTEST WINNER
  6. CONFERENCES
  7. NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO EAST
  8. A PLEA FROM THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE - SONG
  9. GREAT SAGE BENEFIT DAY
  10. BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR FOR VRG
  11. ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP

1) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS VRG VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS, FOOD AT EPCOT, PUMPKIN MICROWAVE RECIPES, VEGAN FOOD FOR PEOPLE ON FEEDING TUBES, SUGAR, UREA, APPLE VEGAN RECIPES, AND MORE

VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP 2015 VIDEO CONTEST WINNER
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/09/21/vegetarian-resource-group-2015-video-contest-winner/ ]
SUPPORT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/09/23/support-the-vegetarian-resource-group-become-a-monthly-donor-2/ ]
UREA IN SUN AND METHOD HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS VEGAN
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/09/24/urea-in-sun-and-method-household-and-personal-care-products-vegan/ ]
PLEASE DONATE TO THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP THROUGH THE COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN CFC
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/09/29/please-donate-to-the-vegetarian-resource-group-through-the-combined-federal-campaign-cfc/ ]
VEGAN RESTAURANTS ADDED TO THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP'S ONLINE GUIDE TO VEGAN VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS IN THE USA 4
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/01/vegan-restaurants-added-to-the-vegetarian-resource-groups-online-guide-to-veganvegetarian-restaurants-in-the-usa-4/ ]
ALEX HERSHAFT FROM FARM WILL BE SPEAKING AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 17TH 2015
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/05/alex-hershaft-from-farm-will-be-speaking-at-georgetown-university-november-17th-2015/ ]
VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP VIDEO CONTEST WINNER
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/08/vegetarian-resource-group-video-contest-winner/ ]
VEGAN FOOD AT THE EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD WINE FESTIVAL IN ORLANDO, FL
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/09/vegan-food-at-the-epcot-international-food-wine-festival-in-orlando-florida/ ]
DIETARY GUIDELINES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/12/dietary-guidelines-and-the-environment/ ]
VEGAN FOOD FOR PEOPLE ON FEEDING TUBES
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/13/vegan-food-for-people-on-feeding-tubes/ ]
SUPPORT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP BY PURCHASING VEGAN BOOK FROM OUR CATALOG
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/14/support-the-vegetarian-resource-group-by-purchasing-vegan-books-from-our-catalog-2/ ]
RESPONSES TO A REQUEST FOR VEGGIE DINING OPTIONS IN ICELAND
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/15/responses-to-a-request-for-veggie-dining-options-in-iceland/ ]
SUPPORT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP BECOME A MONTLY DONOR
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/19/support-the-vegetarian-resource-group-become-a-monthly-donor-3/ ]
VEGGIE ACTION IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/20/veggie-action-in-fargo-north-dakota/ ]
NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO EAST BY HANA TAKEMOTO
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/21/naturla-prodcuts-expo-east-by-hana-takemoto/ ]
VEGAN PRE-THANKSGIVING POTLUCK IN BALTIMORE, MD ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2015
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/22/vegan-pre-thanksgiving-potluck-in-baltimore-maryland-on-sunday-november-22-2015/ ]
GOLDEN WEST CAFE IN BALTIMORE'S HAMPDEN NEIGHBORHOOD NOW HAS A SEPARATE VEGAN
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/27/golden-west-cafe-in-baltimores-hampden-neighborhood-now-has-a-separate-vegan-menu/ ]
PUMKIN MICROWAVE RECIPES!
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/27/pumpkin-microwave-recipes/ ]
MORE VEGAN RESTAURANTS ADDED TO THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUPS ONLINE GUIDE TO VEGAN VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS IN THE USA
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/28/more-vegan-restaurants-added-to-the-vegetarian-resource-groups-online-guide-to-veganvegetarian-restaurants-in-the-usa/ ]
SUGAR IN COMPANION FOODS MEAT SUBSTITUTES FROM TAIWAN SUGAR CORPORATION
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/29/sugar-in-companion-foods-meat-substitutes-from-taiwan-sugar-corporation/ ]
GREAT SAGE BENEFIT DAY
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/30/great-sage-benefit-day/ ]
DELICIOUS VEGAN RECIPES FEATURING APPLES
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/30/delicious-vegan-recipes-featuring-apples/ ]

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2) A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING VRG VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to the following who helped with clerical work, booths, and other outreach efforts in October 2015!

  • Hana Takemoto
  • Colin Hickey-Schiappa
  • Shani Stewart
  • Laura McGuiness

Booths:

DC Vegfest
Whitney Blomquist
Matt Baker
Natalie Evans
American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Reed Mangels
Cathy Conway
Julie Covington
Jasmine and Doris Westerdahl
Vegetarian Journal
Carole Hamlin
Jane Michalek
Reed Mangels
Suzanne Hengen

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3) VRG'S PRE-THANKSGIVING VEGAN POTLUCK BALTIMORE, MD SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2015, 5PM

https://www.facebook.com/events/1657549214465049/ ]

VEGAN THANKSGIVING RECIPES AT
http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegan_thanksgiving.php ]

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4) UREA IN SUN® AND METHOD® HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

The VRG received an email from a reader Linda who wrote:

Hello. I've noticed urea can be in things like dish soap. Is this a vegan ingredient? I've read it was originally discovered in urine, but that it is also made synthetically and the name just stayed.

We responded by saying "In all cases which we're aware, urea in household products is produced synthetically today from ammonia and carbon dioxide, both non-animal-derived."

Interested readers may learn more about ingredients including urea (p. 2 second column) used in dish detergent here:
http://www.colgate.com.au/Colgate/AU/Corp/ConsumerInfo/PDF/HomeCare_DishwashingLiquids.pdf ]

For more general information about urea's industrial uses today:
https://www.thechemco.com/chemical/urea/ ]

Sun Products

The VRG followed up with Linda by asking if she had read "urea" on a label of any products she uses. She replied:

Sun Products; I heard Sun detergent was vegan. I think their dish soap might be good, but you can confirm too. I also heard Method is vegan.

The VRG called Sun products and spoke with representative Fran in September 2015. When we asked about urea she wanted a specific product name to look up. Our question was generally about all Sun products. Fran replied:

Urea is chemically synthesized; not derived from animals. It is used as a moisturizing agent.

An Internet search located a Sun detergent ingredient label which listed urea as an ingredient. When we noticed it was out of stock on the vendor's website, we took the SKU/UPC code and went to the Sun Products Corporation website [ http://www.sundetergent.com/dish ] and entered it on a page where ingredient disclosures could be accessed.
http://www.sunproductscorp.com/MSD_Sheets.aspx ]

No product with that code resulted although many similar ones did. Checking through a representative sample of Sun product ingredients in this way, no listings included urea.

The tool is user-friendly in accessing complete ingredient information. The function of the ingredient in the product is also stated. Interested consumers should select "Ingredient Disclosure" in the field labeled "Document Type." Entering either the SKU/UPC code, product type or product name should be sufficient to see ingredient lists.

Method Products

The Method Products, PBC (public-benefit corporation) website contains a list of ingredients used in its products. There is also information on the ingredients' functions in products and environmental and health summaries. Some ingredients are accompanied by source information.
http://methodhome.com/beyond-the-bottle/ingredients/ ]
Urea is not present on the list.

To confirm whether urea is in any Method product we sent the company an email from their site contact form. We received this reply from Brian:

All Method products are suitable for vegans...Only our Nourishing Hand Wash contains urea, which is synthetic.

http://methodhome.com/products/nourishing-hand-wash-coconut-milk/ ]

From Method's FAQ page: [ https://method.desk.com/#topic-anchor-428420 ]

Q: Does Method contain any animal byproducts?
A: No, all method products are vegan and cruelty-free.

The VRG also asked Method about the lipase entry in their ingredient list. Lipase in dairy cheese is often animal-derived and we wondered if this were true in household products. We received this reply:

All Method products...do not contain any animal byproducts, including the lipase ingredient in our Laundry 8x.

When we looked at the ingredients listed for Laundry 8x we didn't see lipase among them. We followed up with Method and received this reply:

When we initially launched the Laundry 8x, only a small batch of it had lipase in it. We have long ago reformulated the Laundry 8x and it no longer contains it. Only Laundry 8x detergent containers that list it on the label have it. I apologize for the confusion.

Method provides a list of definitions for words commonly used on its site such as "naturally derived" or "natural" in a Green Glossary:

NOTE: While researching urea The VRG read on several websites such as [ http://www.premarin.org/ ] that there is a urine-derived pharmaceutical product on the market. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals®, a subsidiary of Pfizer® sells Premarin® [ https://www.premarin.com/ ] ]an equine estrogen intended for human use. It is derived from the urine of pregnant mares.

We spoke with Steve a pharmacist at Pfizer who confirmed this. He stated that their product is "purified from urine." We asked about its efficacy compared to widely available synthetic estrogens and Steve informed us that to his knowledge Premarin has only been tested against placebos and not tested against synthetic estrogens.

The contents of this posting, our 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 best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

To support Vegetarian Resource Group research, donate at
http://www.vrg.org/member/donate_buttons.php ]

To join The Vegetarian Resource Group, go to
http://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php ]

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5) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP VIDEO CONTEST WINNER

Lonnae Hickman is a winner of The Vegetarian Resource Group 2015 video contest.

Lonnae stated: "I am interested in a vegetarian lifestyle, because I am vegetarian! Also I just really enjoy how it is a healthier way of eating and feeling. It's been proven so many times that eating meat is terrible for you. I also don't agree with how many companies treat and kill their animals. It's just not ethical or right to not give any animal the life it's suppose to have. No animal should be locked in a small cage for its entire life and then killed. That is the main reason as to why I've been interested in vegetarianism."

Here are the video scholarship winners:
http://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php ]

If you would like to support VRG internships or our video scholarship contest, please donate at [ http://www.vrg.org/donate ] Write the purpose under "comments".

VRG also sponsors an annual scholarship contest for high school seniors. See
http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]

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6) CONFERENCES

CRUELTY FREE FASHION SHOW & AFS CONFERENCE, NEW YORK, NY

PROMOTING COMPASSION IN FASHION!

Fashion Show, Movie Screenings, and Much More

Keynote speakers, documentaries, great vegan reception, youth ballet and of course, the Fashion Show. Come, enjoy a friendly, cheerful atmosphere with like minded people, where learning and enjoyment walk hand in hand! Seats are limited, sign up today! [ http://www.afsconference.org ]

VEGFEST ALBEQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO 2016

Good afternoon,

My name is Rev. Nancy Arenas and I will be hosting the first VegFest here in Albuquerque, Red and Green VegFest Albuquerque 2016, on April 23, 2016 ([ https://redandgreenvegfestabq.wordpress.com/attendees/ ] ). I know from time to time you share information on your website about people and things that are happening with regards to the veganism movement and I hope that you will include this information.

Thank you for the support and consideration.

Love and Light,
Rev. Nancy Arenas
HeartnSole, LLC
505-332-0446

NEW CASTLE VEGAN FESTIVAL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

A quick note to let you all know next year's date has been announced for Saturday 7th May 2016.

This is the third year we will be running Newcastle vegan festival and we are so excited for it. Next year will be bigger and better than ever. We already have a list of surprises for you all. Keep up to date via our newsletter social media and our website.

Tickets are not on sale yet but they will be available very soon. If you require any more information please do get in touch. We look forward to meeting you again soon.

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN

If you are an exhibitor and would like to attend Newcastle vegan festival with your products next year we are now accepting bookings. Please email us at [email protected] and we will send you over a booking form.

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7) NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO EAST

By Hana Takemoto

The first item handed to me when I walked into the Baltimore Convention Center for the Natural Products Expo East on September 17th, 2015 was a free cookie sample. What a pleasant start to my visit! While not open to consumers, the 2015 Natural Products Expo East tradeshow and conference attracted over 25,000 attendees from independent retailers to big box chains searching for products to sell to consumers. These attendees viewed over a thousand exhibiting companies representing the natural, organic and healthy living marketplace. Their website describes the Natural Products Expo East as "an event focused on innovative products, sustainability and growth opportunities in the natural products industry".

The Vegetarian Resource Group's booth was situated with other vegan-friendly company booths. One part of my experience at the Expo was staying at the VRG booth to offer information about our organization and about veganism and vegetarianism to interested attendees. The people who approached the booth were curious and gladly flipped through some of our print resources. The second part of my experience at the Expo was walking around the immense showrooms. Booths of companies selling a vast variety of products (not all of which were vegan or vegetarian) packed these showrooms. Representing VRG, we visited a number of these booths and sampled some delicious and interesting vegan foods, some of which we noted for potential VeggieBits reviews. Walking around the show floors, I noticed the sheer number of booths and attendees that filled the space. It was heartening to see the popularity of vegan products, ranging from cosmetics to frozen meals to snacks. I noticed some novel products such as enhanced waters, floral ingredients, and natural gum, but there were also plenty of the standard meat replacements, cheeses, chips, bars, and more. The showrooms were filled with small, new and up-and-coming companies but also large, well-known companies.

I felt fortunate to witness an event in which a diverse group of people gathered into one community to share their interests in natural products, but most of all, it was extremely encouraging to see how some companies took their passion for veganism and transmitted the energy into sharing the vegan message.

Hana Takemoto is doing an internship with The Vegetarian Resource Group for her senior high school Gifted and Talented Intern/Mentor program. For information about internships, see
http://www.vrg.org/student/index.php ]

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8) A PLEA FROM THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE - SONG

Hello and thank you for your compassion and the critically important work you do. I am a medical doctor from Pittsburgh and have been vegan since 1980. I just posted a song I wrote about farm animals on Youtube. Please take a look and share. Robbie
https://youtu.be/YObx61Gjg0M ]

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9) GREAT SAGE BENEFIT DAY

By Hana Takemoto

Great Sage is a vegan restaurant which is part of the Conscious Corner located in Clarksville, Maryland. Conscious Corner is a family of businesses dedicated to promoting healthy and mindful living by focusing on animal welfare, the environment, and community. Great Sage's bold menu features international flavors and organic ingredients with dishes such as their French Onion Burger, Pumpkin Empanadas, and Sage's Famous Carrot Cake. Every Thursday, Great Sage hosts a live music event to feature local musicians in the area. Along with supporting local musicians, Great Sage also supports non-profit organizations by hosting benefit days. On September 27th, 2015, Great Sage hosted a benefit day for The Vegetarian Resource Group to which they donated 10% of proceeds of the day's sales. A fellow volunteer and I handed out our Vegetarian Journal and other literature to anybody who was interested. Several patrons visited our table with inquiries about veganism and vegetarianism, other local restaurants, and about VRG itself. People were particularly interested in the local restaurant guide, and the younger restaurant-goers enjoyed VRG's coloring books. It was a pleasure to represent VRG that day in a welcoming and warm atmosphere at Great Sage. See: [ http://greatsage.com/ ]

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10) BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR FOR VRG

The Vegetarian Resource Group greatly appreciates the support given by our monthly donors. You can join our monthly giving group with a minimum gift of just $10 a month by going to [ www.vrg.org/donate ]. You will be part of a network of givers who support our outreach efforts on an ongoing basis. These donations allow us to continue vegan education in a wide variety of venues including schools, doctor and dietitian offices, libraries, various professional conferences, animal rights events, health fairs, environmental festivals, and much more. Thank you for your support! Go to:
http://www.vrg.org/donate ]

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11) 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
http://www.vrg.org/journal/ ] )

To sign up for the The Vegetarian Resource Group national email newsletter, please visit:
http://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-news_lists.vrg.org ]

We are also on Facebook and Twitter

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/ ]

To donate:
http://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&CID=1565/ ]

Copyright The Vegetarian Resource Group 2015 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.

To unsubscribe, or otherwise manage your subscription to VRG-NEWS, go to
http://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-news_lists.vrg.org ]

(Go the bottom of the page where it says unsubscribe or edit options)

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