1) VEGAN ITEMS AT SHOPHOUSE

ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, the Southeast Asian restaurant created by Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG), opened the doors to its newest location at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, in Columbia, Maryland at The Outdoor Shops On The Plaza at The Mall in Columbia. According to the ShopHouse website, these items are vegan:

baby kale with napa cabbage salad, chilled rice noodles, brown rice, jasmine rice, organic tofu, kale, charred corn, tamarind vinagrette, summer squash and Thai basil, green beans, pickles, herbed salad, toasted rice, crispy garlic, crushed peanuts, and Thai chiles.

The first ShopHouse restaurant in Maryland opened in 2013 in Bethesda at 4820 Bethesda Ave. There are three ShopHouse locations within Washington, D.C., in Georgetown, Dupont Circle and 7th Street and three locations on the West Coast, in Santa Monica, Westwood and Hollywood.

For more information, see [ http://shophousekitchen.com/ ] .

For more restaurant information, see:

• [ http://www.vrg.org/fastfoodinfo.php ]
• [ http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php ]

2) HOUSING DURING NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO

Amie Hamlin, Executive Director of the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food, is looking for someone to stay with during Natural Products Expo around September 17th to September 20th in Baltimore. If you can house her, please let us know. Natural Products Expo has told us their hotels are already filled, so this should be a busy show.

3) VISIT VRG AT THESE OUTREACH BOOTHS

MARYLAND AREA OUTREACH EVENTS

Natural Products Expo East

Baltimore, MD 9/18-20
[ http://www.expoeast.com/expoeast2014/public/enter.aspx ]

Vegan SoulFest

Baltimore, MD 10/25
[ http://www.vegansoulfest.com/ ]

VRG Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck

Baltimore, MD Sunday, 11/23, 5PM
[ http://www.vrg.org/local/201408local.php#s17 ]

NATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF MARYLAND AREA) EVENTS:

Greenfest Philly

Phildadelphia, PA - 9/7
[ http://greenfestphilly.org / ]

DC VegFest

Washington, DC - 9/20
[ http://dcvegfest.com / ]

Charlottesville VegFest

Charlottesville, VA - 9/27
[ http://cvillevegfest.org / ]

CHICAGO VEGAN MANIA

CHICAGO, IL - 10/11
[ http://chicagoveganmania.com / ]

FNCE

ATLANTA, GA - 10/18-21
[ http://www.eatright.org/FNCE / ]

VEGAN DINNER

ATLANTA, GA - 10/19
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/04/02/vegan-dinner-in-atlanta-georgia-sunday-october-19-2014/#sthash.jX0DdLvd.dpuf ]

Albany VegFest

Albany, NY - 11/15
[ http://www.albanyvegan.org / ]

If you would like to volunteer at any of these events, contact Nina at [email protected].

If you would like to donate towards our veggie outreach, donate at:
[ http://www.vrg.org/donate ] .

Donations can also be sent to

Or call: (410) 366-8343.

4) MARYLAND AREA EVENTS

VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN MEET-UPS IN BALTIMORE, MD

The Vegetarian Meet-up happens at Mango Grove, located at 8865 Stanford Boulevard, in Columbia, Maryland 21045, on the first Sunday each month at 12:30 PM. The Vegan Meet-up takes place at Mr. Chan Szechuan at 1000 Reisterstown Rd. in Pikesville on the third Wednesday every month at 7 PM. If you are vegan or vegetarian and would like to eat great food while socializing with others who share your interests, attend a meet-up!

For more information about EarthSave's Vegan and Vegetarian Baltimore Meet-ups,

• [ http://www.meetup.com/vegetarian-9/ ]
• [ http://www.meetup.com/The-Baltimore-Vegan-Meetup-Group/ ]

JOIN EARTHSAVE FOR A VEGAN POTLUCK

Held on the last Saturday every month at Towson Presbyterian Church, 400 W Chesapeake Ave. Towson, MD 21204, EarthSave presents a vegan potluck and presentation. They eat first, make announcements, vote and present awards for their favorite dishes, and then have a presentation. This month, on September 27th, from 6-9 PM, Earthsave will present "Fat Fight: The Debate over Fats and Oils in a Whole Food, Plant-based diet" with Mark Rifkin, RD. In Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's book "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease," the author suggests that liquid oils and high-fat whole plant foods, such as nuts and seeds, are risky at best, and dangerous at worst. Many whole-food advocates are passionate about his guidelines and are recommending them to others. But is the picture Esselstyn drew as simple as that Are all these foods risky or dangerous for heart health? In this presentation, Registered Dietitian Mark Rifkin, will review the roles of fat in general and heart health, discuss the author's evidence and how the heart-healthy picture is a bit more complex than has been suggested. See details at: [ http://earthsavebaltimore.org/node/27 ]

Dinner guests may choose to either bring a dish without animal products (to serve 8) plus a $5 donation, pay $15 to enjoy dinner and a presentation; or pay $5 for presentation only. Let us know in advance, if possible, if you plan to pay for dinner rather than bring a dish. RSVP by calling 410-252-3043, or emailing [email protected].

SPEND YOUR TUESDAYS DISCUSSING CURRENT ISSUES IN WHOLE-FOOD PLANT-BASED NUTRITION

Held at 7:00PM on the second Tuesday of every month at varying locations, The Baltimore Whole Food Plant-Based Nutrition Meet-Up meets to discuss some of the current topics and issues in whole-food plant-based nutrition.

Meet-up fee is $5.00 per person.

For more information, visit:
[ http://www.meetup.com/Baltimore-Whole-Food-Plant-Based-Nutrition/ ]

OPEN THE CAGES ALLIANCE

Join OTCA on Saturday, September 6th for an afternoon of family fun. This event will take place in the Poe Room at Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 from 2:00-4:00 PM. There will be kids crafts, games, vegan snacks, a vegan bag lunch-making demonstration, and fun surprises!

Or, join OTCA on Friday, September 5th at 7PM at Govans Presbyterian Church at 5828 York Road in Baltimore for their event "Activism is Not Terrorism - Speaking Out Against the AETA." There will be a presentation on the AETA and the individuals it has affected. After the presentation, participants will have an opportunity to take a photograph with a sign expressing opposition tot he AETA as part of national effort to raise awareness. Participants will also have an opportunity to write to activists who are currently in prison for their advocacy.

Want to volunteer? Contact [email protected]! Feel free to RSVP on Facebook here.

MONTHLY COOKING CLASSES

Taking place on Sunday, September 28th from 10AM to 1PM in Fairfax Station, VA, is a cooking class that teaches you how to cook with ancient super grains and lesser-known beans. Past classes have included some of the following:

Mujadara, Lentil Walnut Pate, Falafel, Black Bean Hummus, Herbed White Bean Pate, White Bean and Kale Soup, Teff Polenta, Azuki Bean Patties w/ Szechwan Sauce, Cumin-scented Orange Black Beans, Creamy Millet Mash, Spelt/Kamut/Barley Combo, Buckwheat Tabouli, Quinoa and Wheatberry Salad, Black Bean Brownies, Blueberry Amaranth Cake, and Gluten-Free Granola.

No meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey. $55/person; $100/two people; $50/VSDC, VRG, or COK members. Demonstration classes include recipes, organic food samples, manufacturers' samples coupons. Gift certificates are available for purchase.

Email [email protected] or call 703-643-2713 for space availability. Make checks payable to Mimi Clark and mail to 9302 Hallston Ct., Fairfax Station, VA 22039. Sorry, no phone or e-mail reservations and no walk-ins. Seventy-two hour cancellation policy for refu

nd or credit. Class subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not met.

Check website for monthly class updates:
[ http://www.veggourmet.wordpress.com ]

5) JOIN VRG FOR A PRE-THANKSGIVING VEGAN POTLUCK

Please join us at VRG's 33rd Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck on Sunday, November 23rd, 2014 at 5:00PM 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.

We can always use some extra hands for this event! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Nina at [email protected].

For more information contact us:
The Vegetarian Resource Group
(410) 366-8343 or [email protected]
www.vrg.org
facebook.com/thevegetarianresourcegroup

CO=SPONSORED BY VEGAN DRINKS

• [ https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreVeganDrinks/photos/gm.568381126583601/603882849658317/?type=1 ]
• [ https://www.facebook.com/events/290686917782939/?ref=5 ]

6) JOIN VRG IN ATLANTA, GA FOR AN ALL VEGAN DINNER

The dinner will be catered by Soul Vegetarian Restaurant. They will be serving: crisp vegetable tray, garden salad and prince dressing (house dressing made with soy milk), dinner rolls, cornbread, tender greens, sweet potatoes, herb-baked potatoes, green beens, southern style baked BBQ tofu, smothered steak with gravy and onions, cheesy-spinach-tofu lasagna, Mediterranean cauliflower with couscous, apple or vanilla cake, and lemonade.

The dinner will be taking place at Morehouse School of Medicine, GA and the payment will be $25 before September 30, 2014 and $30 after that date, if seats are available.

For more information, look at:
[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/04/02/vegan-dinner-in-atlanta-georgia-sunday-october-19-2014/ ]

7) FIND YOUR WAY AT LOST CITY DINER

Several of our staff have tried the Lost City Diner, which is near Penn Station and the Station North Arts District of Baltimore. $2 Parking is generally available in the indoor parking lot across from the Charles Theater. They have a unique 1950's/1960's comic book motif. Certainly an interesting place to take your adventurous omnivorous friends, since plenty of both non-vegetarian and vegan options are available. Worth going for any day are the vegan milk shakes. Also available are vegan hot fudge sundaes, root beer floats, and much more. For those that actually want to eat, we recommend the all day vegan breakfast with pancakes and links. Some of our staff have enjoyed their onion rings, Gardein burgers, and Chicken Parmigiana (Daiya Cheese). The service may not always be fast, and not all options seem to be available every day, so be flexible and go after a show, not when you are in a rush. For more details, see
[ http://www.lostcitydiner.com/menus.html ]

For more information about more restaurants, see:
[ http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php ]

8) HEALTHY FOOD IN HARRISBURG-CRAVE AND CO.

Visit Crave and Co., located at 614 N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg, PA for a vegetarian coffee shop. Carrying items such as sprouted wheat bagels with your choice of organic preserves or organic peanut butter, Crave and Co. has all the options for the vegan/vegetarian on-the-go and in desperate need of healthy food served in an unique atmosphere.

For more information, visit: [ http://craveandco.com/ ]

For more information about vegetarian/vegan restaurants, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php ]

9) VRG'S YAHOO PARENT'S GROUP

Are you or someone you know raising a vegetarian or vegan child? If so, you may want to join a network of parents interested in exchanging ideas on various vegetarian/vegan topics including: finding a vegan summer camp, vegan dining options at Disney World, what can I pack in my child's lunchbox, how have you and your child dealt with the dissection issue in school, can you recommend a veggie-friendly pediatrician or dietitian, is there a veggie children's group in my area, etc.

For more information on this online Yahoo Group see:
[ https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/vrgparents/info ]

-

See more at: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/#sthash.5FYvbZEF.dpuf ]

10) AMAZON SMILE: PURCHASE THROUGH AMAZON AND MAKE A DONATION TO VRG

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Vegetarian Resource Group whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service

.

Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at
[ http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1279034 ]

11) DONATE YOUR CAR TO A GOOD CAUSE

A free, convenient service for converting that extra car, truck, or RV into a tax deductible donation benefiting The Vegetarian Resource Group. You can donate online or call 877-999-8322 to make your donation.

Start now by clicking on "Donate Now" below. If you are not ready to donate, find out about donating your vehicle by browsing all the valuable information and links on our site at: [ http://www.v-dac.com/org/?id=52127903. ]

12) 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!

13) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS

1ST ANNUAL NATIONAL PLANT-BASED PREVENTION OF DISEASE (P-POD) CONFERENCE

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/08/01/1st-annual-national-plant-based-prevention-of-disease-p-pod-conference / ]

VEGAN RESTAURANTS IN USA & CANADA RECENTLY ADDED TO VRG'S RESTAURANT GUIDE

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/08/01/vegan-restaurants-in-usa-canada-recently-added-to-vrgs-restaurant-guide / ]

THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP SUBMITS COMMENTS ON THE REVISION OF THE NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENT FACTS LABEL

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/08/05/the-vegetarian-resource-group-submits-comments-on-the-revision-of-the-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-label / ]

WESTERN NEW YORK VEGFEST

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/08/06/western-new-york-vegfest / ]

NEW 8-PAGE SPANISH HANDOUT FOR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN BECOMING VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/08/06/new-8-page-spanish-handout-for-individuals-interested-in-becoming-vegetarianvegan / ]

VEGAN RESTAURANTS ADDED TO VRG'S GUIDE TO VEGGIE RESTAURANTS IN THE USA AND CANADA

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2014/08/07/vegan-restaurants-added-to-vrgs-guide-to-veggie-restaurants-in-the-usa-and-canada / ]

14) ABOUT VRG

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 at:
[ 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!!

• [ http://www.facebook.com/thevegetarianresourcegroup/ ]
• [ http://www.twitter.com/VegResourceGrp/ ]

If you would like to make a donation, become a member, volunteer, or find out more about The VRG, contact us at:

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 2014 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.

If you were forwarded this message and would like to sign up for our monthly local email newsletter, please see our website:
[ http://www.vrg.org/local/ ] .

If you do not wish to receive the Local Email Newsletter, visit
[ http://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-maryland_lists.vrg.org ]

Instructions for unsubscribing will appear at the bottom of the page.