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2) A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE VRG VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to the following VRG Volunteers, for all of your hard work with The Vegetarian Resource Group's activities such as HTML work, restaurant guide entries, doing blog postings, staffing booths etc.:
- Matt Baker RN
- Whitney Blomquist
- Casey Brown
- Cathy Conway, MS, RD
- Suzanne DeFelice
- Zeke Frost
- Whitney Gray
- Savannah Lawrence
- Reed Mangels
- Laura McGuiness
- David Milner
- Angie Riccio
- Carl Robbins
- Eveian Salmon
- Elsa Spencer
- Shani Stewart
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3) MY INTERNSHIP WITH THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP
By Alicia Hückmann, intern visiting from Germany
Considering my ethnic and academic background, I was probably one of the more unusual candidates for an internship at The VRG. I am studying German, English, and Math to become a teacher, I am not a native English speaker, and I live in a city about 4,000 miles away from the VRG office in Maryland. Nevertheless, I decided to take a chance and applied for an internship during my summer break from August to Mid-October in 2016.
Before I tell you about my experiences during my internship, let me answer a question that you might be asking yourself at this point: Why would a student teacher from Germany want to work at a non-profit organization in the US that is in no relation to any of her college majors or career goals? The reason why I started to look for internships abroad was my motivation to improve my English writing skills as well as deepen my understanding of other cultures and mentalities. As I am interested in animal rights, protecting the environment, and veganism, I focused on organizations that raise awareness of these issues. After days of research, I had compiled a list of non-profits all across the English speaking world that both matched my preferences and accepted applications for three-month internships. After some further research, however, this list shrank down to a certain non-profit in Baltimore. The reason for this was the fact that The VRG was the only organization on my list which promotes their agenda based on facts rather than emotions, which covers a large variety of topics, and which probably wasn't going to send me out on the streets in a bunny costume to raise money. (Only recently have I heard rumors about the existence of such a costume somewhere in the dark corners of the VRG office).
Even though I primarily came for the language experience (rather than career opportunities), I ended up getting both, as many of the projects co-directors Charles and Debra assigned to me were somehow related to my future profession. During the first weeks of my internship, for example, a group of VRG interns and I had a chance to talk to children and teenagers at TuTTie's place (a residential group home in Baltimore) about the benefits of being vegetarian and to make vegan banana ice cream with them. I also wrote two articles about being a vegan teenager in a meat eating family, one giving advice for teenagers whose parents do not approve of their decision and the other one directed at parents who do not know how to deal with their children's new lifestyle. Other articles I wrote were assigned to me because of my personal interests and experience including vegan recipes of German dishes as well as veg(etari)anism in Germany and Ireland.
Although writing texts for the VRG homepage and journal was my main occupation during the time of my internship, I was also able to work at VRG booths at festivals. Among my personal favorites were the Vegan Soulfest in Baltimore and the DC Vegfest, both of which are exciting events to attend as a plant eater (mainly because of all the plants you can eat). However, I also really enjoyed other events which were not exclusively vegan like the Hamilton Street Festival and the Waverly Farmers Market. It was very interesting to see how people responded differently to our booths in different areas while the people in Hamilton were mostly interested in the environmental and ethical advantages of vegetarian diets, those who approached us in Waverly were more interested in health benefits and fighting diseases.
Hands down the highlight of my internship was attending the Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore. The amount of vegan foods was simply overwhelming. I was able to taste all kinds of different products like sushi, jackfruit, pizza, mock cheese, brownies, and many more and most of which I hadn't noticed in shops before. This convention was also the place where I discovered some of the best vegan ice cream on this planet and which is one of the many reasons why I am going to cry my eyes out when I get on my plane back to Germany in a few days.
Long story short, I have taken so much more away from my time at the VRG than I could have imagined. I did not only learn many new things about the vegan movement but also how important it is to question common assumptions and “facts.” The people I met and worked with are some of the most inspirational and dedicated people I know and made me feel at home from the first day of my internship. I had an amazing experience here in the US and I will definitely continue to support The VRG in the future.
For more information about The Vegetarian Resource Group internships, see:
[ http://www.vrg.org/student/ ]
To support The Vegetarian Resource Group outreach, donate at
[ http://www.vrg.org/donate ]
Or join at [ http://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php ]
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4) $20,000 IN VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
The Vegetarian Resource Group Offers Two $5,000 Scholarships Plus One $10,000 Scholarship
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 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 2017.
Deadline is February 20, 2017.
Visit here for more info now!
[
http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]
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5) VEGETARIAN SOCIETY OF DC LIFE-AFFIRMING VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING FEAST
"Our most popular event is our Life-Affirming Vegetarian Thanksgiving feast, attended by more than 275 vegetarians and their families and friends. This year's event will be held on Thursday, November 24 from noon to 4:00 PM at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, MD."
VSDC
PO Box 4921
Washington DC 20008
202-362-8349
[ http://www.vsdc.org ]
Meetup: [ http://www.meetup.com/vegan-28/ ]
Facebook: vegetariansociety.dc
Twitter: VSDC
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6) WHO STOLE MY RELIGION
By Richard Schwartz (Author of Judaism and Vegetarianism)
Shalom,
I am happy to announce that a second edition of my book, Who Stole My Religion? Revitalizing Judaism and Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet, has been published. This challenging book, published in hard cover by Urim Publications, is a wake-up call that has the potential to be a game changer on many of today's critical issues. Written in cooperation with Breslov Hasid Rabbi Yonassan Gershom and Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, Who Stole My Religion? discusses how applying Judaism's powerful teachings on justice, peace, compassion, kindness, and environmental sustainability can help shift our imperiled planet onto a sustainable path.
I hope you will consider ordering a book. There is a major discount at Amazon.
Who Stole My Religion?: Revitalizing Judaism and Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet
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7) VEGAN CASSEROLES FOR OUR DAILY BREAD
By Casey Brown, VRG Intern
Our Daily Bread is a soup kitchen located in Baltimore that provides full meals and additional services to men and women in need in Baltimore City. Local churches, groups, and individuals donate casseroles, and many others volunteer their time in order to allow this program to serve over 600 people every day.
As an intern with VRG, I baked vegan casseroles to donate to Our Daily Bread. The vegan recipes are provided on their website
[ https://www.catholiccharities-md.org/services/our-daily-bread-hot-meal-program/#790c890569b87ce66 ]
and they are each very easy to make! The first time I made the casseroles, I prepared one of each of the recipes: the Sweet Potato and Black Bean Casserole, the Brunswick Stew, and the Creamy Bean and Potato Casserole with Carrots. This past week, I made two of the Brunswick Stew recipes to donate. Each of the recipes are easy to make, and they use simple ingredients that are often frozen or canned, requiring minimal preparation and cost. While cooking, I would prepare the ingredients for one casserole while another one was in the oven or on the stove cooking. This allowed me to make the most effective use of my time, so I could prepare multiple dishes in one afternoon. Each of the recipes take less than an hour to prepare and cook individually. I thought it was easiest when I made the same recipe twice since I was able to prepare all of the ingredients in bulk, and I was familiar with the cooking process, so it allowed me to prepare them even quicker!
My mom joined me when I was preparing the casseroles since she enjoys cooking and wanted to support the cause as well. She thought these recipes were very easy to make and hopes to continue making them in the future. Since I live about an hour away from Baltimore, I decided to keep the casseroles in my freezer until I was planning to go to the area, which worked out well because they wanted them frozen. when dropping off the dishes, they should be frozen, wrapped in aluminum foil, and clearly labeled with the recipe name.
While we were dropping off the casseroles on both occasions, we were able to visit the center. It was amazing to see the facility and the generous work that they do. Not only do they provide meals to over 600 people everyday, but they also have additional programs to help get people back on their feet and back into employment. The organization is primarily made up of volunteers, and they heavily rely on people's generosity towards this program. The staff was very appreciative of the vegan dishes since it allowed their visitors to have a wider selection, and it provided a healthier meal option. The volunteer coordinator mentioned the need for more vegetarian options, stating that 200-230 of the 600+ people they serve daily prefer these choices.
If you are looking for a way to get involved in your community or be able to make a difference in someone's life, then you should consider donating vegan casseroles to a local soup kitchen. The recipes are healthy, low-cost, and very easy to make. It can be a great family activity for you all to cook together, and it will make a huge difference in other's lives. Even if you are not in the Baltimore area, you should still consider donating these vegan casseroles to soup kitchens near you.
See more about the vegan casseroles on our blog:
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2016/03/10/vegan-casseroles-for-our-daily-bread/ ]
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8) SEDONA VEGFEST 2017
Sedona VegFest 2017. Healthy World Sedona (an affiliated member organization of PlantPure Nation) announces the first ever vegfest in Sedona, AZ, next January 14-15. An amazing program of presenters is on tap, including keynotes from Dr. Joel Fuhrman and Dr. Richard Oppenlander. Celebrity chefs Jason Wyrick and Sedona's own Lisa Dahl will do cooking demos, and there will be plenty of exhibitors providing the latest information, products, and services promoting a whole-food, plant-based diet and lifestyle. And it's in the beautiful red rock country of Sedona, world-renowned as a magical place for personal healing and renewal. Sedona VegFest 2017 will be a true feast—for the eyes, the mind, the body, and the soul. Information and registration at [ http://healthyworldsedona.com/sedona-vegfest-2017 ]
.
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9) VRG PRE-THANKSGIVING DINNER IN BALTIMORE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, AT 5 PM
The Vegetarian Resource Group is hosting our 35th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck Dinner on Sunday, November 20th 2016, AT 5 PM. The event is taking place at the
North Baltimore Mennonite Church
4615 Roland Avenue
Baltimore MD 21210
We will be showing appreciation for turkeys by not eating them! Come join us for a variety of festive, delicious vegan dishes! Please bring a vegan dish - free of meat, fish, fowl, dairy, eggs, honey, or any other animal by-products - that serves 4 per adult attending.
Adult admission is $4 and children eat free!
We hope to see you there!
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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
[ https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565 ]
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: [ https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565 ]
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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://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/ ]
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] or to volunteer: [email protected]
Website: [ http://www.vrg.org/ ]
To donate: [ https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565 ]
Copyright The Vegetarian Resource Group 2016 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.
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12) 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/ ]
Please support our outreach and assistance to others Join VRG:
[ http://www.vrg.org/journal/subscribe.htm ]
Donate: [ https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565 ]
Free email news: [ http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/index.htm#subscribe ]
[email protected] [ http://www.vrg.org ]
The Vegetarian Resource Group / Vegetarian Journal
P.O. Box 1463
Baltimore MD 21203 US
(410) 366-8343
The VRG is an educational non-profit group providing information on vegetarianism and veganism. To subscribe to VRG-NEWS, go to
[ http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/ ]
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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