November 2020
By Whitney Blomquist
The holidays are here once again! In this month's newsletter and blog posts you can find great gift ideas, recipes for the upcoming celebrations, and restaurant recommendations (take-out encouraged, of course!). We hope you enjoy the season and are able to find creative, safe ways to be with family and friends!
Thanksgiving is about celebrating life and this celebration can be done without taking the life of any of our fellow creatures. If you too are looking to create new traditions for your family, or need to know what to serve your vegetarian/vegan guests, here are some animal-friendly suggestions for a healthy and humane feast: [ https://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegan_thanksgiving.php ]
In the midst of COVID-19, I was searching the internet for volunteer opportunities. I happened to come across The Vegetarian Resource Group. I was immediately drawn to The VRG due to my interest in vegetarianism and veganism. I had just finished a class entitled Environment and Your Health. In this class we talked about the multitude of ways the environment directly and indirectly impacts your health and well being. In one particular lecture, we discussed food and health. I remember a specific quote stating if everyone ate a vegetarian diet on Monday it would save the carbon dioxide equivalence of taking 5 million cars off the road. For the rest of the article see: [ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/09/18/jacqueline-tangs-vrg-intern-experience/ ]
Nick is a Vegetarian Resource Group 2020 video scholarship winner. He said:
I'm interested in vegan/vegetarianism because of the positive impact I believe that
it can have on many aspects of human and animal existence. After extensive research, I believe it to be the most optimal diet, and the best way to contribute to making the world a better place! To see his video, go to: [ https://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php ]
Deadline for the next video contest is July 15, 2021.
Thanks to the following volunteers for all your hard work with The Vegetarian Resource Group, including posting to social media, writing blog posts, research, presentations, restaurant research, clerical work, writing HTML, contributing to our vegan parents group, doing media interviews, editing, photography, performing nutrition analysis, helping with our newsletters, and more!
To volunteer at VRG, please contact us at [email protected]
To support The Vegetarian Resource Group's outreach, donate at [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ]
Are you nervous about heading to college as a vegan? Or are you currently a student at UD and don't know where to find vegan options? Here is a survival guide for you to navigate your way to finding food to eat in the dining halls, Trabant University Center, the small market P.O.D.s, and the establishments on Main Street.
The information below pertains to UD before COVID-19, but any COVID-related changes to food availability is noted at the bottom of each section.
For the rest of the article go to:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/10/06/vegan-food-survival-guide-at-the-university-of-delaware/ ]
I have lived in Anchorage, Alaska my whole life and I can tell you that not everyone here is hunting moose and fishing for salmon to stay alive through the winters. Until I was around twelve years old, I was a huge meat and dairy eater.
For the rest of the article see:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/10/28/being-vegetarian-as-an-alaskan/ ]
COGIR Senior Living Community in Fremont, CA is offering residents daily vegetarian and vegan meal options. Recent menus offer vegan beef strips, tofu, 'soyrizo' patties, vegan breakfast sausage, meatless crumbles, vegan 'chick' strips and veggie burgers.
More information here: [ https://www.cogiroffremontseniorliving.com/ ]
These are questions asked by The Vegetarian Resource Group in a 2020 National Harris poll.
See the results here: [ https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/harris2020veganadultwriteup2blog.pdf ]
The PAN Vegan Pledge program guides people through 30 days of being vegan with the program's hands-on support. Five weekly meetings include fun community activities such as: cooking demonstrations; speakers addressing environmental, ethical, health, and practical issues; a personal mentor (experienced vegan); optional social events for even more support; and an incredible care package to make 30 days of being vegan that much easier. Plus the program is FREE! You can sign up at [ https://peaceadvocacynetwork.org/veganpledge/ ]
Get ready for a delicious Vegan Essentials holiday! Whatever you're celebrating this year, we'll be carrying all your favorite vegan roasts, sides, desserts, everything for the new year and everything in between! We carry over 2,100 different vegan items from hundreds of different companies! From all your favorite staples to small companies sold exclusively through us, we have you covered and we ship everywhere! And for the months of November and December, get 10% off your orders. Use this link [ https://store.veganessentials.com/?Coupon=VRG ]
Everything is always vegan at [ https://VeganEssentials.com ] !
The holiday season finds everyone in a shuffle. Make mealtimes a little easier with Conveniently Vegan by Debra Wasserman. Ideal for those new to cooking or anyone looking to save time in the kitchen this book presents recipes for turning packaged foods into nourishing meals. Bean Thread Soup and Creamy Carrot Pasta Soup both cook in only 15 minutes. Throw together Marinated Chickpea-Snow Pea Salad in the morning and lunch is already ready! Quick Black Bean Burritos, Seitan Stew, and Tempeh Mushroom Casserole are all simple and delicious main dishes. Don't forget dessert: Bread Pudding, Chocolate Pie, and Fruit Pizza are tasty ways to round out your meals. Speed up dinner tonight with Conveniently Vegan by Debra Wasserman, $15.00 available here:
[ https://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=11 ]
Have you tried jackfruit? Available in cans and pouches, this versatile fruit can be used for both sweet and savory meals. Jump into jackfruit with Vegetarian journal's Senior Editor, Rissa Miller and try recipes like BBQ Jackfruit Casserole with Biscuits, Italian Herb Jackfruit Stuffed Peppers, Curried Jackfruit Stew and more. Did you know jackfruit can be sweet, too? Wow your family with Mango Jackfruit Cake and Spiced Jackfruit Breakfast Bars. Subscribe to the Vegetarian Journal to support creative recipe development like this. Each quarterly issue is packed with the latest scientific updates, vegan recipes to please a variety of eaters as well as other great articles and outreach news. The Vegetarian Journal is available in print and on Kindle!
Baltimore's Chef Kathleen Byrd has stirred up some fun with her collection of winter dips and sauces, sure to delight everyone at your holiday table. Savory offerings include Lentil Walnut Pate, Roasted Garlic Dip, Golden Sage Gravy, Cranberry Onion Jam, Buffalo Chickpea Dip, and Roasted Carrot Sriracha Hummus, plus more. Want something sweeter? Try Chef Byrd's Mexican Chocolate Sauce or Salted Coconut Caramel Sauce drizzled on fruit, pretzels, or even sugar cookies.
Subscribe to Vegetarian Journal on Kindle
[ https://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Journal/dp/B07LBY2Y7K ]
Order the print version here: [ https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php ]
VRG's Nutrition Advisor Reed Mangels, PhD, RD is presenting a 2-hour webinar in December on vegetarian diets for the New York State WIC agencies.
A dietitian who looked at our non-dairy milk charts, also wanted information on potassium and phosphorus for her patients. See this information compiled by Kavitha Shankar MS, MBA in Non-Dairy Milks - Nutrients of Importance in Chronic Kidney Dysfunction by Kavitha Shankar.
[ https://www.vrg.org/nutrition/milk_alternatives/kidney_dysfunction.pdf ]
Other milk alternative charts are at [ https://www.vrg.org/nutrition/milk_alternatives/index.htm ]
As ingredient information changes, please check current information with the company.
Congratulations to former VRG intern Taylor Gale, who started a job with the Humane League. Here is information about Taylor's VRG internship:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2019/06/04/my-time-and-experiences-being-an-intern-at-the-vegetarian-resource-group/ ]
For information on The Vegetarian Resource Group internships, see [ https://www.vrg.org/student/index.php ]
Former VRG scholarship winner Jasmine Westerdahl received her B.S. Degree (Magna cum laude) in Nutrition and Dietetics from Loma Linda University in June. She just passed her registration exam and is now a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She is in her second quarter in the M.S. Degree program at Loma Linda. If all goes well, she should receive that degree in June. She is already talking about wanting to go on for her PhD.
For info about Jasmine see:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2016/06/30/california-student-wins-5000-vegetarian-resource-group-scholarship/ ]
In a National Harris Poll we asked questions about how many Vegetarian and Vegans there are in the US and about what products they will purchase. See results here:
[ https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/harris2020veganadultwriteup2blog.pdf ]
We had six winners in VRG's 2020 video contest. See all the videos here:
[ https://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php ]
To help support the Vegetarians of Central Florida's Raffle, we donated five Vegetarian Journal subscriptions, two Vegans Know How to Party and two Simply Vegan books.
We continue to mail vegan/vegetarian dietary information to Prison Inmates across the USA. Support vegan research and education by donating to The Vegetarian Resource Group Go here: [ https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565 ]
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 seeking your support for the following:
Donate to the Vegetarian Resource Group Through the Combined Federal Campaign. For federal workers who would like to donate to The Vegetarian Resource Group through the Combined Federal Campaign, our CFC number is #10601.
Humble Bundle sells games, e-books, software, and other digital content on-line. For every item they sell they donate a share to not-for-profits. You can shop and gift the VRG at the same time: [ https://www.humblebundle.com/store?partner=573&charity=573 ]
Ever consider donating stock to the VRG? Donating stock directly to the VRG may save on taxes. Remember the purpose of this article is to encourage you to consider creative ways to donate to The Vegetarian Resource Group or other nonprofits for outreach projects. It is not intended to be used for financial, tax, or legal advice. More information is available here:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/05/26/donating-stock-to-the-vegetarian-resource-group/ ]
Have you wanted to make a gift in honor of a loved one, friend or colleague, but weren't sure which charities were vegan, pro-environment or pro-animal rights? Consider a donation to the VRG as a memorial for a loved one, or way to honor someone's actions with a living tribute. This is perfect for special occasions, such as a wedding, birthday, anniversary or retirement. We will send an acknowledgment to you and the giftee, and your kindness will support our educational outreach programs and help promote veganism. See: [ https://www.vrg.org/memandhon.htm ]
The VRG depends on the generous contributions of our members and supporters to continue our educational projects. Though the world may not become vegan in our lifetime, we realize 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 towards a vegan world.
One suggested form of bequest is: I give and bequeath to The Vegetarian Resource Group, Baltimore, Maryland, the sum of __________ dollars (or if stock, property, or insurance policy, please describe).
To be sure your wishes are carried out, be sure to speak with your attorney specifically about writing the correct information into your will.
You can keep up with us on ~
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/ ] )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] to volunteer
Website: [ https://www.vrg.org/ ]
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/ ]
The VRG is an educational non-profit group providing information on vegetarianism and veganism. To subscribe to VRG-NEWS, go to
[ https://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/ ]
if you do not wish to receive the National Email Newsletter, visit
[ http://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-news_lists.vrg.org ]
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