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2) A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING VRG VOLUNTEERS
We would like to thank the following volunteers for their amazing work this
month on VRG's Vegetarian Restaurant Guide, Outreach Booths and other projects:
- Matt Baker, R.N
- Shani Stewart
- Laura McGiness
- Casey Brown
- Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D
- Alex Szydelski
- Jon Burrier
- Autumn Burton
- Sage Craven
- Phillip Becker
- Whitney Blomquist
- Natalie Evans
- Rissa Miller
- Nathaniel Corn
- Colin Hickey-Schiappa
- Hana Takemoto
You can volunteer for The Vegetarian Resource Group at our office located
in Baltimore, MD, local outreach events or even remotely using your computer
at home. If you would like to volunteer, please contact [email protected].
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3) THALIA TORIBIO WINS VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP 2015 RUNNER-UP COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS SPONSORED BY THE ST. LOUIS VEGETARIAN SOCIETY
My story begins in January, 2011 when I decided to become a vegetarian because
I've always had a sensitive stomach ... So I decided to eliminate all the junk
food and sodas. After a while I gained not only health but life back ... The
reason why I'm vegetarian is because I never like to eat animals and hate
factory farming. . . I started promoting vegetarianism to the community with
a group of my friends.
I made two lists of students who would like to have more vegetables in the
cafeteria, then I brought it to the principal asking him for a petition to
have more vegetables in the lunch period. He nicely told me that it would
be his pleasure and the next day there were more vegetables. Also I went with
my cooking teacher to lunch to give free samples of healthy food. Since I
got great results, I decided to talk at a bake sale the next day. I made fruit
skewers to sell instead of unhealthy meat-based snacks. I also showed information
videos in school and put quotes supporting a vegetarian lifestyle on our school's
information TV's.
My biggest challenge was the day my friends and I went outside of the school
giving out flyers and a lady came up speaking in French ... So I took my IPod
and I Google translated everything and I gave it to her ... I apologized to
her and I told her that we are sorry that we only speak mostly Spanish and
some English....
I have learned to explain information about vegetarianism in my lunch period
so I get to explain it in Spanish as well for the special ed students and
to the bilingual that we are concerned about the treatment of animals.
When I go to college I would like to create a program for vegetarians... I
would love to have the honor to give a speech in English and Spanish for all
the people out there who don't know how to feed their body with healthy food.
My biggest strength is my parents. They are the reason why I fight for education.
They motivated me to give the best. They are always giving me advice to do
well in life since they didn't get to study and have an education. All of
this motivates me to give my 100% in school... One of my goals is to become
a nutritionist and work in a school teaching students how to eat healthy and
how to live a better life ... I know that in my school I'm one of the few people
who is going for it and I have received a lot of pessimism from my peers,
but that didn't stop me because I want to make a difference in my school.
I had to put a lot of effort in English because it's challenging and very
difficult for me because it's not my native language, but that didn't stop
me from working hard.
The deadline for The Vegetarian Resource Group college scholarship contest
is February 20 of each year. Over $20,000 is awarded annually. For details,
see [ http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]
To support VRG scholarships or internships, send donations to
VRG
PO Box 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203
or donate at [ www.vrg.org/donate ]. Indicate your
donation purpose in the comments.
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4) LOOKING FOR VEGAN GYMNASTIC GRIPS
The Vegetarian Resource Group received the note below and was wondering if
anyone has suggestions. If you know about the existence of vegan gymnastic
grips, please send the information to [email protected]
Hello! I've seen numerous posts with an inquiry about vegan gymnastics grips
and was wondering if you ever found a solution? We're a vegan family with
two daughters in gymnastics with the same concerns as you. Any insights would
be GREATLY appreciated!
Thank you, Jean Davis
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5) HAVE ANY VEGANS TRAVELED TO ICELAND?
A member is traveling to Iceland, and was looking for information about being
vegan in that country. She read a few blogs, but they have been hit and miss.
If anyone has been to Iceland, please share your experiences about eating
vegan there. Thank you. Please send details to [email protected]
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6) ZOES KITCHEN VEGAN OPTIONS
By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS
Founded in 1995 by Zoë Cassimus using many of her original recipes from growing
up in the South surrounded by her family's Mediterranean traditions, Zoës
Kitchen features Mediterranean-inspired food in over 150 locations in seventeen
states mostly throughout the southern, south central and southeastern United
States. Visit [ http://zoeskitchen.com/Location.aspx ]
for a restaurant locator.
A menu page on Zoës website [ http://zoeskitchen.com/nutritional-info.aspx ]
states: Click here to view our Gluten Free and Vegetarian and Vegan menu
items. An icon consisting of a small circle with a "V" inside it appears next
to a few menu options. On the website, the circle appears black. Nowhere on
Zoës website could we find vegan or vegetarian definitions.
The VRG asked Zoës whether the black icon represented "vegetarian" or "vegan"
and how those terms were used. We received this response:
A "V" laid in an orange circle denotes vegan and a "V" in a green square denotes vegetarian.
A Zoës website page with links to local menus shows the orange and green icons
but does not define the terms. For example (at the bottom):
[ http://zoeskitchen.com/menu/NC-H-CAT-NC-H-500-NC.aspx?address=10300%20Little%20Patuxent%20Pkwy.&address2=Suite%203140&city=Columbia&State=MD&Zip=21044&phone=%20410-997-0124&menuurl=https://zoeskitchen.alohaorderonline.com/StartOrder.aspx?SelectSite=207#tab2 ]
In order to be more helpful to readers we followed up with Zoës by asking
again how they define "vegan" and "vegetarian." The Content and Community
Coordinator at Zoës Kitchen stated:
After further research and collaboration with our Food & Beverage team, we
unfortunately do not have the resources to answer the additional follow-up
questions at this time. As we continue to grow, our resources will continue
to expand - but right now we cannot provide you with the information you are
looking for.
We will be sure to keep these questions top of mind moving forward.
Initially we contacted Zoës Kitchen in December 2014 and their same-day response
from their Director of Brand Lauren Hopkins to our inquiry about doing a feature
story on their vegan menu items was very positive:
That sounds great! I'm happy to help. If you'd like to send questions my way,
I'm happy to get answers back to you.
Thanks!
At the end of April 2015 we received answers to most of our initial questions
in an email sent by Kari Kriewald.
Here is what she found out for The VRG:
- Zoës Kitchen offers hummus on its menu which "is vegan by itself" according
to Zoës. The Hummus Salad Plate includes a Greek salad and cucumber raita.
Patrons may request that the feta be left off of the salad. The cucumber raita
is made with yogurt.
- Local menus list other hummus options. The Basil Pesto Hummus is listed as
vegetarian. The Red Pepper Hummus is listed as vegan. More description on
the hummus offerings appear at this link from Zoës website:
[ http://zoeskitchen.com/About-Zoes/News/news-archive-2015/News-Article-02112015.aspx ]
- Bread products served at Zoës include a flatbread pita and a pocket pita.
We learned from Zoës that
Our flatbread pita is vegetarian; however our pocket pita ...does contain
L-cysteine...I want to state this is based on our current spec items and is
subject to change at any given time.
The VRG asked Zoës about the source of the L-cysteine but the restaurant chain
did not give an answer. Zoës also didn't define "vegetarian" used in the paragraph above.
We requested more information on bread products that could be ordered with
hummus by asking
- Can the flatbread be ordered with the hummus? Does the flatbread contain dairy,
egg, honey, lard or L-cysteine? What would the flatbread be served with?
- Is there another bread product served with the hummus and is it vegan?
Zoës didn't provide more detail. Concerned diners should ask a store manager
for more information. Asking to view the product package may help; a follow-up
call to the supplier may be necessary when in doubt.
Zoës Kitchen offers a Veggie Kabob which is noted with the round icon on the
Under 500 menu but not so noted on the gluten-free menu. The vegan icon also
appears next to this entree on some local menus. The VRG asked Zoës about
kitchen protocols in order to avoid cross-contamination with animal products
for vegan menu dishes and learned that
Before prepping any new item we use procedures for the team to use clean and
sanitized cutting boards, prep space, and utensils...The vegetables are sliced
and skewered by hand.
Zoës also told us that the white beans served with the Veggie Kabob or as
a side dish are prepared following the same kitchen protocol to avoid cross-contamination
with non-vegan items. There is a vegan icon on the menus next to the bean
side dish.
There is a Spinach Roll-Up at Zoës which does not have a vegan or vegetarian
symbol beside its name on the Simply 500 menu but does have a vegetarian icon
on the local menu. We asked if this menu item could be ordered without cheese.
Zoës replied by email that
Unfortunately the spinach rollups cannot be ordered without cheese. Our current
tortillas do not contain [dairy, honey or L-cysteine]; however, keep in mind
it is possible our distributor could provide us a substitute product in case
of an out of stock situation and we cannot guarantee this statement would
hold true for any sub product. Although all subs are to be approved, it is
possible a product could be subbed without us knowing ahead of time.
The Veggie Pizza at Zoës also does not have a vegan or vegetarian icon by
its name on the Simply 500 menu but does have a vegetarian symbol on the local
menu. The VRG wanted to know if it could be ordered as a vegan option. We
learned that
Yes it can be ordered without cheese, but they would also have to leave off
the spinach mix because it contains cheese. Our flatbread pita is vegetarian;
however our pocket pita which is what they use to make the pizza does contain
L-cysteine. Again, I want to state this is based on our current spec items
and are subject to change at any given time...
Currently, our mozzarella and feta cheese uses microbial enzymes not animal-based;
again, subject to change if we change suppliers or a sub is sent to the stores.
Regarding soups, side dishes and sandwiches:
- "The tomato bisque is a cream-based soup...we do not have a vegan option."
- "We do not use mayonnaise in our potato salad." There is a vegan icon next
to it on the menu.
- "Neither the marinated slaw nor the pasta salad can be ordered without feta
cheese because it's "in the mixture."
- "The Pimento Half-Classic sandwich is made with "cheddar cheese and mayonnaise."
When asked which salad dressing is free of all animal products including egg,
dairy, animal flavors, seafood extracts, and honey we were told that "Our
Greek dressing is vegan."
A Special Diets page on the website provides an interactive tool to identify
menu options appropriate for someone who wishes to avoid certain ingredients.
[ http://www.nutritionix.com/zoes-kitchen/menu/special-diets/premium?allergens=eggs,fish,milk,shellfish ]
The VRG used this tool to identify menu items without eggs, milk, fish and
shellfish. "Meat" or "poultry" were not possible exclusions since they are
not on the FALCPA list (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act
of 2004
[ http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/Allergens/ucm106890.htm ]
Thus, the generated list included a few items containing chicken as well as
those without eggs, milk, fish and shellfish. Ingredients are also listed
on this page for some items (click through "more info" located beside the
green dots on the right side of the screen) although it is not clear from
the ingredients list themselves if each component is all-vegetable (e.g.,
red pepper pesto base). Diners may wish to ask a store manager about any questionable
ingredient before ordering.
The local menu links found on the locator page after selecting a specific
restaurant [ http://zoeskitchen.com/Location.aspx ]
and the allergen tool
results generated by our search described above included the following listings:
Orzo Tabouli, Quinoa Salad -No Feta and Red Pepper Hummus.
On local menus the vegan symbol only appears next to the Red Pepper Hummus
while the Orzo Tabouli Salad and Quinoa Salad show the vegetarian icon. The
local menus state that the Orzo Tabouli Salad includes feta cheese.
When filtered in different ways the allergen tool lists "Orzo Tabouli" and
"Tabouli Salad." Only the former appears when filtered for egg and milk absence
and also when filtered for milk absence alone. Both are listed when filtered
for egg absence alone. It is not clear whether they are the same menu item
or not.
No further information is available on these menu options. Patrons should
consult with a store manager if interested.
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 dep end 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 The Vegetarian Resource Group research, donate at
[ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565 ]
Join The Vegetarian Resource Group at [ http://www.vrg.org/member/ ]
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7) VRG PRE-THANKSGIVING VEGAN POTLUCK IN BALTIMORE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2015
Please join us at VRG's 34th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck on Sunday,
November 22nd, 2015 at 5:00 PM at
North Baltimore Mennonite Church
4615 Roland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21210
Admission is $4 per adult; children are admitted free. Bring a vegan dish
- made without meat, fish, fowl, milk, cheese, eggs, honey, or other animal-derived
ingredients - that serves four as a contribution from each member of your party.
If you are unable to cook, you may bring a prepared vegan dish for four from
a local natural foods store or restaurant. Also, we encourage you to bring
a non-perishable vegetarian canned food item to donate to the church, who
will distribute it to those in need.
Please forward this notice! Also, we can always use some extra hands for this
event. If you would like to volunteer, please contact VRG at [email protected].
For more information contact us:
The Vegetarian Resource Group
phone: (410) 366-8343
email: [email protected]
online: www.vrg.org, facebook.com/thevegetarianresourcegroup
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8) 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 [ http://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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9) 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]
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.
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10) SHOP AT VEGETARIANSITE.COM -- SUPPORT VEGAN EDUCATION
Don't forget to stock up on your favorite vegan products from The Vegetarian
Site this month! For the full month of October 2015, The Vegetarian Site will
give 10% of their
sales to The Vegetarian Resource Group! The Vegetarian Site sells vegan footwear,
belts, wallets, bags, and other accessories, food products, books, personal
care items,
plus much more. They are always adding new items in their store. Take a look
at one cent samples.
(Vegan Parmesan)
[ http://thevegetariansite.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=S&Category_Code=samples ]
And the Vegan Dollar Menu
[ http://thevegetariansite.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=S&Product_Code=Dollar+Menu ]
Support The Vegetarian Resource Group by shopping online at: The Vegetarian Site.com
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11) PART-TIME JOB FOR VEGAN GROUP IN BALTIMORE
Vegan group seeks Jack or Jill of all trades good at multi tasking for part-time
job 20 - 27 hours per week in Baltimore, Maryland. Staff person clerically
and physically ships vegan books, Vegetarian Journal, and other educational
materials throughout the country. Does the billing, packing, mailing and marketing
of items to and wholesalers. Answers phone and e-mails. Coordinates volunteers
doing booths, events, and other activities around the country. Entrepreneurial
personality Please send resume, writing sample, and cover letter addressing your
short term and long term goals, interests, vegetarian and vegan knowledge, skills
strengths, and challenges to [email protected]; Att. Volunteer Coordinator Job
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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/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&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
& veganism.
To subscribe to VRG-NEWS, go to
[ http://www.vrg.org ]
or
[ 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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