VRG-NEWS: The Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter
Volume 17, Issue 6
June 2013
CONTENTS
- BEYOND MEAT CHICKEN-FREE STRIPS AT TROPICAL SMOOTHIE
- CHIPOTLE TO LAUNCH SOFRITAS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- HOW DO I START A VEGAN/VEGETARIAN CLUB AT MY SCHOOL?
- 5TH EDITION OF SIMPLY VEGAN NOW AVAILABLE
- SUPPORT THESE VEG/VEG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS ON THE JERSEY SHORE
- VITAMIN A AND BREASTFED BABIES
- HOW DO I DO VEGAN FOOD SAMPLING?
- P.F. CHANG'S MENU ITEMS LABELED "VEGETARIAN" ARE FREE OF ANIMAL INGREDIENTS INCLUDING EGGS AND DAIRY
- VEGAN OPTIONS AT JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
- HELP A GRADUATE STUDENT: ANIMAL ETHICS QUESTIONNAIRE
- HOST FAMILY FOR VEGETARIAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN MARYLAND AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY NEEDED
- CALL A DIETITIAN DAY SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013
- VRG'S VEGAN VIETNAMESE DINNER IN HOUSTON, OCT 20
- VEGAN DRINKS, HOMESLYCE, 7PM TO 9PM -- BALTIMORE, MD JULY 22, 2013
- About The Vegetarian Resource Group
- About VRG-NEWS
1) BEYOND MEAT CHICKEN-FREE STRIPS AT TROPICAL SMOOTHIE
Last year we reported on Beyond Meat(tm) [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2012/06/04/beyond-meat%E2%84%A2-veggie-chicken-strips-from-a-cumberland-maryland-company/ ] a meat analog company founded by Ethan Brown and based in Cumberland, Maryland. According to Beyond Meat, their product will be offered at Tropical Smoothie as a substitute for chicken in salads and sandwiches in 338 locations across 36 states starting May 21. Beyond Meat Chicken-Free Strips are made with a blend of pea and soy protein. Let us know if you see this product in your local Tropical Smoothie!
2) CHIPOTLE TO LAUNCH SOFRITAS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Chipotle brought the popular vegetarian option to Southern California on Monday, June 3.
**
Los Angeles, May 16, 2013 -- After testing a new vegetarian menu item called "Sofritas" in seven San Francisco Bay Area restaurants, then expanding into all Northern California locations, Chipotle Mexican Grill launched Sofritas throughout Southern California on June 3, 2013, making the new menu item available in all California restaurants.
To read the rest of this article, visit our blog: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/05/24/chipotle-to-launch-sofritas-in-southern-california/ ]
3) HOW DO I START A VEGAN/VEGETARIAN CLUB AT MY SCHOOL?
You may find that at your school there are no existing clubs relating to your interests, and chances are you're not alone! Creating a club at your school is an awesome way to spread awareness of the issues vegan and vegetarian lifestyles aim to address. It's also a fantastic way to meet like-minded people at your school that care about the same matters you do. Having a club can also be a hefty responsibility and it helps to talk to your friends about the idea and try to start a club together.
To read the rest of this article, visit our blog: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/05/28/how-do-i-start-a-veganvegetarian-club-at-my-school/ ]
4) 5TH EDITION OF SIMPLY VEGAN NOW AVAILABLE
The fifth edition of Simply Vegan--Quick Vegetarian Meals [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1 ] has been released! Co-author Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, has completely updated the nutrition section, with information about Protein, Fat, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B-12, Sources of Omega-3 Fats, Weight Loss, and more. New to the book is a full color My Vegan Plate [ http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/MyVeganPlate.pdf ].
Simply Vegan is more than a cookbook. It is a guide to a non-violent, environmentally sound, humane-lifestyle. Authors Debra Wasserman and Reed Mangels make vegan living easy with 160 quick vegetarian recipes, an easy-to-understand and complete vegan nutrition section, meal plans, and a guide to Vegan Shopping online and by mail. Also valuable is a list of the top 15 recipes for calcium, vitamin C, and iron, plus an up-to-date chapter on pregnancy, infants, and vegan children.
When Dr. Mangels and Ms. Wasserman first wrote Simply Vegan, the word vegan was mostly unknown. Today, according to The Vegetarian Resource Group polls, about 25% of vegetarians in the USA are vegan.
Reed Mangels completed her Ph.D. in Nutrition at the University of Maryland. She has worked as a dietitian in hospitals and in the community, and is a past chair of The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She has raised two vegan children.
Debra Wasserman earned an M.A. in International Relations from Georgetown University. She is managing editor of Vegetarian Journal [ http://www.vrg.org/journal ] and author of Meatless Meals for Working People [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2 ] and The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=13 ] She has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, and the Discovery Channel. Over 100,000 copies of the classic Simply Vegan are now in print.
To order Simply Vegan visit our online catalog [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1 ]. You can also send $16 to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203, or call (410) 366-8343 9 AM to 5 PM EST, Monday to Friday, to order by phone.
5) SUPPORT THESE VEG/VEG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS ON THE JERSEY SHORE
Even if you don't live in New Jersey, you probably know that Hurricane Sandy did a lot of damage to the Jersey shore last year. The area is slowly recovering and businesses (especially those that are veggie or veg-friendly) really need your support. Below is a list of some vegetarian/vegan restaurants on the Jersey Shore, as well as some non-vegetarian restaurants offering many vegan options.
Asbury Park
Twisted Tree Cafe [ http://www.twistedtreecafe.com/ ]
609 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(732) 775-2633
Beach Haven
Living on the Veg [ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-on-the-Veg/175542701779 ]
4 W. Maryland Ave., Beach Haven, NJ 08008
(609) 492-4066
Belmar
Kaya's Kitchen [ http://www.kayaskitchenbelmar.com/ ]
1000 Main St., Belmar, NJ 07719
(732) 280-1141
Ocean City
Bashful Banana Bakery & Cafe [ http://www.bashfulbananacafe.com/ ]
944 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 398-9677
Good Karma Cafe [ http://www.goodkarmacafenj.com/ ]
17 E. Front St., Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 450-8344
To read the rest of this article, visit our blog: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/06/05/support-these-vegveg-friendly-restaurants-on-the-jersey-shore/ ]
6) VITAMIN A AND BREASTFED BABIES
By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
Jack Norris, RD, a vegan dietitian and author, recently contacted me to ask if there have been any studies of the amount of vitamin A in breast milk from vegan women. There are no published reports of studies of the vitamin A content of vegan breast milk. Although vitamin A is only found in nature in animal products, plants contain precursors of vitamin A including beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Humans are able to convert these carotenoids into active vitamin A.
To read the rest of this article, visit our blog: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/06/06/vitamin-a-and-breastfed-babies/ ]
7) HOW DO I DO VEGAN FOOD SAMPLING?
By Kitty Jones, VRG Intern
One of the best ways to spread the idea of vegan (or vegetarian) eating is simply by giving people vegan food to try! Not only do they literally get a taste of vegan food, but they are left with a positive impression of the lifestyle; who doesn't like smiley people giving away free snacks?
To read the rest of this article, visit our blog: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/06/11/how-do-i-do-vegan-food-sampling/ ]
8) P.F. CHANG'S MENU ITEMS LABELED "VEGETARIAN" ARE FREE OF ANIMAL INGREDIENTS INCLUDING EGGS AND DAIRY
By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS VRG Research Director
An online reader commented on our website that a P.F. Chang's chef in Pennsylvania had told her "'We can't guarantee that any of our dishes are vegan because we use egg wash in our sauces.'" Since this was contradictory to what P.F. Chang's had told us in the past, we contacted the restaurant chain to see if there had been a change in menu ingredients or preparation methods.
To read the rest of this article, visit our blog: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/06/17/p-f-chang%e2%80%99s-menu-items-labeled-%e2%80%9cvegetarian%e2%80%9d-are-free-of-animal-ingredients-including-eggs-and-dairy/ ]
9) VEGAN OPTIONS AT JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
By Karen Leibowitz, VRG Intern
When choosing a university to attend, among the several factors to consider -- residence life, level of class intensity, location, etc. -- food is at the top of several people's list. As a vegan, it was crucial for me to find a school where plenty of vegan options were available. Fortunately, James Madison University (JMU), located in central Virginia, is one school you can count on having vegan (and lots of vegetarian) options available.
To read the rest of this article, visit our blog: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/06/19/vegan-options-at-james-madison-university/ ]
10) HELP A GRADUATE STUDENT: ANIMAL ETHICS QUESTIONNAIRE
The VRG was recently contacted by a graduate student from Glasgow University who is doing research this year on animal ethics views of vegetarian and vegans.
The aims of this project are to:
1) Determine ethical profiles for members of the public with differing demographics and socioeconomic status
2) Relate these ethical profiles to vegetarianism and veganism and specific dietary choices
3) Identify and determine the predominance of other factors that motivate people to become vegetarian or vegan (e.g. environmental concerns).
She has created a short online survey aimed to answer her three aims above. Please consider filling out the survey to improve the broader knowledge about veganism and vegetarianism, by clicking on the link below:
[ https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2LTRS3P ]
11) HOST FAMILY FOR VEGETARIAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN MARYLAND AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY NEEDED
Magdalena is a vegetarian teenager from Germany and needs a host family for the fall. She is interested in tennis, mountain biking, flute, keyboard, and animals. She needs to be placed with a family in the Baltimore area.
To find out more about this opportunity, visit [ http://www.pax.org ] then contact your local PAX community coordinator Meredith Safford at 410-382-5359, or email at [email protected]
PAX is also looking for placements for vegetarian students throughout the United States.
"BRING THE WORLD IN" BY HOSTING AN EXCHANGE STUDENT!
PAX is a non-profit educational foundation that is dedicated to providing exchange opportunities to teenagers around the world by matching them with placement in a U.S. high school and host family. The students are chosen to participate in the program based on their academic ability, maturity level and English skills.
PAX is looking for families who would like to host a student for this coming academic year (starting in late August of 2013 through the beginning of June of 2014). Their ages range from 15-18 years old. There is no specific requirement to be a host family except that you provide the student with three meals a day, a place to sleep (private rooms are not required), a quiet place to study and a loving and supportive environment. The students are required to follow all rules established in the house and are also expected to help out with chores and participate in family activities. Students who are selected go through an extensive review process and must demonstrate good academic performance, a clean bill of health, motivation and maturity, as well as a good understanding of the English language. Students have their own medical insurance and spending money. Host families come in all shapes and sizes and include single parents, retirees, 'empty nesters', young couples with small children, as well as two parent families with teenagers.
This is an opportunity to "bring the world in" and share a culture that no trip could ever provide. In addition, it's a way for a family to put into practice the values of openly accepting others and extending a helping hand. Host families will play an important role in exposing the students to valued American concepts, such as volunteerism and community action.
To find out more about this wonderful opportunity, visit [ http://www.pax.org ]
Call PAX at 1-800-555-6211
Or go to
[ http://forms.pax.org/forms/forminquiry.html ]
12) CALL A DIETITIAN DAY SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013
Our next Call-A-Dietitian Day will be Saturday, July 20, 2013, from 12 Noon to 3 PM EST. Appointments are in 15 minute increments.
If you have general nutrition questions, Ed Coffin, RD will be available by telephone. To reserve a 15-minute time slot, please email the VRG office at [email protected] or call (410) 366-8343.
Please 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. Otherwise you are taking someone else's spot.
Ed Coffin holds a bachelor's degree in clinical nutrition and is a registered dietitian. He has clinical experience from a variety of facilities such as Women Infants and Children and Veteran's Affairs. Ed has worked in nearly every part of the natural and organic foods sector from logistics to packaging and production.
13) VRG'S VEGAN VIETNAMESE DINNER IN HOUSTON, OCT 20
We're hosting a vegan networking dinner during the annual meeting of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics! The restaurant is walking distance to the Convention Center. VRG's Nutrition Advisor Reed Mangels and VRG staff will participate in a discussion.
WHERE
Cafe Th
2108 Pease Street
Houston, TX 77003
WHEN
Sunday, October 20, 2013, 6 PM
MENU
- Spring rolls with tofu
- Vegetable Noodle Soup with rice noodles, tofu, and vegetables including squash, portabello mushrooms, and bok choy
- Yellow Curry with cauliflower, green beans, carrots, and potatoes
- Vermicelli with Lemongrass Stir-Fried Tofu with tomatoes, onions,
- and bell peppers Rice Tea
Menu subject to change. Please reserve early as seating is limited. Please send $25 to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203. Or pay online at [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ] and write in Th Dinner and the attendees' names in the comments. Or call (410) 366-8343 between 9 AM and 5 PM Eastern time, Monday to Friday to pay with a Visa or MasterCard. Refunds only if we can replace your seat.
14) VEGAN DRINKS, HOMESLYCE, 7PM TO 9PM -- BALTIMORE, MD JULY 22, 2013
Vegan Drinks welcomes Vegetarian Resource Group members and will be offering raffle prizes from The Vegetarian Resource Group. For information, see:
[ https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreVeganDrinks ]
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 ]
Like us on Facebook: [ http://www.facebook.com/thevegetarianresourcegroup ]
Follow us on Twitter: [ http://twitter.com/VegResourceGrp ]
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!
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or otherwise manage your subscription to VRG-NEWS, visit [ http://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-news_lists.vrg.org ]
If you are a new subscriber, you might enjoy reading past issues of VRG-NEWS online at [ http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/ ].
Contents of VRG-NEWS are copyright 2013 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.
