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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