The VRG's Maryland Newsletter by Laura McGuiness
May, 2015
- THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP’S 1ST ANNUAL ONLINE CHARITY AUCTION: JUNE 1-JUNE 15
- VRG VEGAN RESTAURANT GATHERING - NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
- VISIT VRG AT THESE OUTREACH BOOTHS
- MARYLAND AREA EVENTS
- COFFEY GROUNDS CARETAKER POSITION AVAILABLE
- CHILD GENIUS SHOW
- ALEX HERSHAFT: HIS JOURNEY FROM THE HOLOCAUST TO ANIMAL RIGHTS MAY 17 IN BALTIMORE
- APPLY TO THE VRG VIDEO SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST--DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2015
- WESTPORT MARKET BRINGS SOUTH BALTIMORE MORE FRESH FOOD OPTIONS
- OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR AND MEET DAWN MONCRIEF OF A WELL-FED WORLD
- PAUL'S PLACE BOOTH
- BASEBALL FANS CAN NOW FIND VEGGIE OPTIONS AT CAMDEN YARDS IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
- DONNA'S | CHARLES VILLAGE IN BALTIMORE CITY
- VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP INTERNSHIP
- CALCIUM STEARATE--THE VRG NEEDS YOUR HELP!
- WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, HARMONY BAKERY IN HAMPDEN
- MATCHING DONATIONS
- VRG'S YAHOO PARENT'S GROUP
- AMAZON SMILE: PURCHASE THROUGH AMAZON AND MAKE A DONATION TO VRG
- DONATE YOUR CAR TO A GOOD CAUSE
- BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR FOR VRG
- VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS: ANTI-CAKING AGENTS, VEGAN AT BASEBALL STADIUMS, LECITHIN, AND MORE
- ABOUT VRG
1) THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP’S 1ST ANNUAL ONLINE CHARITY AUCTION: JUNE 1-JUNE 15
Bid on unique products from your favorite veg-friendly companies for a good
cause at The Vegetarian Resource Group’s 1st Annual Online Charity Auction!
June 1st through June 15th, 2015, The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) will
hold an online fundraising auction via Ebay Giving Works where 100% of each
item’s final bid price will be donated to The VRG. Funds from this event
will be used to help offset the costs of printing and shipping our veggie
educational materials which we have provided to activists, professionals,
and organizations around the country, for over 33 years, free of charge! The
link to the auction will be shared on our website (vrg.org) and Facebook page
([ https://www.facebook.com/thevegetarianresourcegroup ]
)
the day it goes live
on June 1st at 10 am. If you would like to receive sneak peaks of all the
amazing vegan goodies being offered in this auction please RSVP on Facebook
at:
[ https://www.facebook.com/events/1412672129044692/ ]
If you have any questions
about this event or you are a veg-friendly business that would like to donate
an item please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Nina, at [email protected]. We
thank you in advance for your support!
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2) VRG VEGAN RESTAURANT GATHERING - NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
SITAR INDIAN RESTAURANT
Network with Vegetarian Resource Group staff, volunteers, and
other dietitians from around the country during the
annual meeting of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Dietitians, VRG members, students, and the public are invited.
Location is near the Lowes Vanderbilt, a FNCE (conference) hotel.
BUFFET MENU:
- Samosa (potato and pea turnover)
- Salad
- Papadum (thin and crispy lentil crackers)
- Roti (whole wheat bread)
- Chutney
- Rice, Tea
- Yellow Dal (lentils)
- Chana Masala (chickpeas)
- Baingan Bhurtha (eggplant)
- Bhindi Masala (okra)
- Vegetable Patia (fresh vegetables with sweet and sour mangoes)
- Fruit
PRICE INCLUDING TAX AND TIP
PAYMENT BEFORE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015: $25
$30 After September 5.
Refunds only made if we can replace your seat.
To pay, send to
The Vegetarian Resource Group
P.O. Box 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203
or call (410)366-8343 Monday to Friday, 9 to 5
or go to www.vrg.org/donate and write in the comments
"Nashville Indian dinner" and names of attendees.
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3) VISIT VRG AT THESE OUTREACH BOOTHS
- MARYLAND AREA OUTREACH EVENTS
- Charles Village Festival
Baltimore, MD
05/30-31
- VRG Benefit Day at Great Sage
Clarksville, MD
09/27
- NATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF MARYLAND AREA) EVENTS:
- Richmond Vegfest
Richmond, VA
06/20
[ http://www.veggiefest.org/ ]
- Animal Rights Conference
Washington, DC
07/30-8/2
[ http://www.arconference.org/ ]
- DC VegFest
Washington, DC
10/3
[ http://dcvegfest.com/ ]
- VRG Vegan Restaurant Gathering
Nashville, TN
10/4
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Nashville, TN
10/3-10/6
[ http://www.eatrightnashville.org/index.php/category/meetings/ ]
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
The Vegetarian Resource Group
P.O. Box 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203
Or call: (410) 366-8343.
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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,
- 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 May 30
from 6-8 PM, "Food as Medicine" cardiologist and athlete Monica Aggarwal, MD
will talk about the human micro biome and the powerful preventative and healing
effects of a plant-based diet with regard to heart disease and other forms of
chronic illness. Please RSVP and join us!
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 7:00 PM 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/ ]
- DINEKIND monthly meeting.
- For more information, visit: [ http://www.dinekindharford.com/ ]
- MARYLANDVEGEVENTS.COM
- Marylandvegevents.com is a one stop calendar site for all MD/DC vegan and
vegetarian events. If you are looking to network, socialize, and/or engage
in social activism you will find plenty of opportunities here. Whether you
are vegan, vegetarian, or interested in trying vegetarianism/veganism, you
will find many exciting and fulfilling events.
- FORKS OVER KNIVES MONTHLY POTLUCKS
This group is for those interested in trying or for those already committed
to a whole food, plant based diet with none or very little oil, salt, or refined
sugar. There is a monthly potluck where we sample delicious and healthy dishes,
share recipes, learn, and connect with like-minded individuals.
Please bring a dish to serve 8-10 along with a copy of your recipe or ingredients
list with your name included so others can identify who made each dish. The
dishes should serve 8-10 and must be entirely plant-based (vegan) as well
as low or entirely void of refined sugar, salt, and oil. Contributions of
$3/person are appreciated to cover the cost of fees, room rental, and supplies.
This month, the group will be meeting Sunday, May 31 at Orthodox Church of
St. Matthew (located at: 7271 Eden Brook Dr., Columbia, MD).
For more information, visit:
[ http://www.meetup.com/Columbia-MD-Forks-Over-Knives-Meetup/ ]
- EAT WELL STAY WELL 2015-ONE DAY IMMERSION
Join us on Saturday, May 16, 2015 from 9AM to 5 PM at Mercy Medical Center,
301 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD to take charge of your health, add years
to your life, and life to your years!
There will be a lift breakfast and lunch provided by Whole Foods Market along
with cooking demonstrations with samples, mini-fitness breaks throughout the
day, door prizes, book and DVD sales, as well as locally and nationally known
presenters (including Chef AJ, John Pierre, Dr. Monica Aggarwal, Dr. Dana
Simpler, and Sharon McRae).
Tickets
Now-May 10: $109
May 11-May 15: $129
At Door: $150 per person (if seating available).
For more information or to buy your tickets, visit:
[ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eat-well-stay-well-2015-one-day-immersion-tickets-16116761668 ]
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5) COFFEY GROUNDS CARETAKER POSITION AVAILABLE
Seek a mature, responsible, healthy, vegan-oriented couple or individual (preferably
retired) to exchange Caretaker/Property-Custodian duties for free land rent
for their RV or Camper in a pristine outdoor environment close to an interstate,
two towns and a city plus an international airport.
We offer Caretaker(s) a place to grow an organic garden and set up their own
tent, RV or Camper in beautiful, unpolluted surroundings.
For more information see: [ http://www.all-creatures.org/cb/cg.html ]
Proprietor: Gerry Coffey: [email protected] or leave message at 256-350-2823.
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6) CHILD GENIUS SHOW
I am writing to you from Shed Media, the TV production company behind 'Child
Genius', 'Super Nanny' and the genealogy series 'Who Do You Think You Are'.
We are currently developing a second season of Child Genius – the popular
docu-series that features some of America’s most gifted children and their
families.
Providing the framework to the series will be the children’s involvement
in a challenging nationwide academic competition. We are now looking for highly
gifted/profoundly gifted children (aged 8-12) who would be interested to participate.
The documentary series will profile children with exceptional IQs that often
have abilities and interests far beyond their years. Parents will have a chance
to talk about how their child’s extraordinary intelligence affects their
daily lives and about some of the challenges they have faced in finding the
right educational path for their child. The rigorous competition will take
place during the summer vacation (July/early Aug). The winner will receive
a substantial contribution to their college fund. The series will be aired
on Lifetime.
We are particularly interested in featuring an all-vegetarian/vegan family
as we feel it would be a great lifestyle to represent on TV.
-Christopher Lutz
[ http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/child-genius/casting ]
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7) ALEX HERSHAFT: HIS JOURNEY FROM THE HOLOCAUST TO ANIMAL RIGHTS MAY 17 IN BALTIMORE
On Sunday, May 17th at 3:30PM, Alex Hershaft will be speaking at Ner Tamid,
4217 Pimlico Road Baltimore, MD 21209. Alex is the co-founder of Farm Animal
Rights Movement, the nation's oldest organization that exclusively promotes
the rights of animals. Early in his life Alex and his parents were forced
to move into the Warsaw Ghetto. As the Nazis began liquidating the area and
sending people to the Treblinka death camp, Alex and his family escaped.
The VRG will be co-sponsoring this event, so join us at this unique demonstration
of perseverance and dedication.
Tickets are available at JewishVeg.org/Tickets. They are $5 in advance and
$8 at the door. Vegan refreshments will be available.
For more information, visit: [ http://jewishveg.org/Baltimore ]
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8) APPLY TO THE VRG VIDEO SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST--DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2015
You can be next year's VRG video winner! The next contest deadline is
July 15, 2015. For more information on how to apply and the rules surrounding
the contest, visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/videoscholarship.php ]
For information about our $20,000 IN scholarshipS contest for high school
seniors, see:
[ http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]
Deadline is February 20, 2016.
If you would like to support VRG internships or our video scholarship contest,
please donate at:
www.vrg.org/donate
Join The Vegetarian Resource Group at:
[ http://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php ]
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9) WESTPORT MARKET BRINGS SOUTH BALTIMORE MORE FRESH FOOD OPTIONS
Weekly Farmers’ Market to Launch June 18 at Waterview Avenue and Annapolis Road
Baltimore, MD — Westport Market, a weekly farmer’s market that will bring
more fresh food options to people living in South Baltimore, will launch on
Thursday, June 18 from 5:30 PM to 8 PM at the intersection of Waterview
Avenue and Annapolis Road.
Westport Market was created by the residents of Westport, an up-and-coming
community located on the shores of the Middle Branch in Baltimore City. Westport
Market funding is made possible thanks to an Internet crowdfunding campaign
and a grant from MECU and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.
The market will serve Westport, Brooklyn, Mount Winans, Cherry Hill, and Lakeland.
“Parts of South Baltimore are considered ‘food deserts’ with fewer fresh
food and healthy choices for residents,” said Diana Velasquez-Kolnik, founder
of Westport Market. “Folks in Westport decided to come together to build
a bridge between South Baltimore communities and farmers, some of whom are
growing produce less than 5 miles away from Westport. The market gives us
an opportunity to connect these two resources to each other.”
Farmers and organizations that will participate in Westport Market are:
- Heckel Farm
- The Cherry Hill Urban Garden
- Brooklyn Greenhouse Community
- Farmers from The National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association
- University of Maryland Extension
- Baltimore City Master Gardeners
- Westport Neighborhood Association
- Clean Water Action
Westport Market will operate each Thursday until October 8 before taking a
break for winter and fall and returning Spring 2016.
The market will be a great place to purchase locally grown vegetables and
fruits, and enjoy the day with family and friends. To celebrate the opening
day on June 18, Westport Market will raffle a gift basket with goodies for
market attendees, showcase community organizations, and host fun activities.
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10) OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR AND MEET DAWN MONCRIEF OF A WELL-FED WORLD
A WELL-FED WORLD:
GLOBAL HUNGER, MEAT, AND THE BANALITY OF EVIL
RSVP Here – then SHARE!
[ https://www.facebook.com/events/386206354895803/ ]
Presentation and discussion
Sunday, May 31st 2015 10:30 AM
At the
Baltimore Ethical Society
306 W Franklin St #102
Baltimore, MD 21201
Open to the public, Free of charge
DAWN MONCRIEF, founder and director of the Washington-based nonprofit
‘A Well-Fed World,’ will give an inspiring presentation on the surprising
social impacts of plant-based food choices, followed by discussion.
Addressing bias around our very personal food customs and preferences,
Ms. Moncrief helps us understand the relative importance of “food miles,”
“grass vs. grain-fed,” and other popular notions.
Food choice is likely to be the lowest-cost and highest-payoff adaptation
to looming drought, scarcity, and conflict. The powerful effect of everyday
food choices on our own health, and that of our civilization, is no longer
a well-kept secret.
Practical and delicious recipes, with dishes to sample, are included.
The presentation begins after an introduction and announcements, followed
by Q & A and discussion, followed by a coffee hour with vegan snacks and further
opportunity to talk with the speaker, and to socialize.
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11) PAUL'S PLACE BOOTH
By Navaal Mahdi
On Saturday, April 25th, Paul’s Place invited the VRG to set up an outreach
booth in Southwest Baltimore. This was the first outreach event I attended
with The Vegetarian Resource Group, and I was accompanied by volunteer Matt
Baker, and staff member Nina Casalena.
I was pleasantly surprised while working at this booth; it was a chilly, cloudy
day and we were worried that not many people would show up to the event. The
turnout was great considering the weather, and many local residents were interested
in learning about how they could incorporate more fruits and vegetables into
their diets. Many people expressed that they knew someone who had recently
become vegetarian, and they were curious about the impact a vegan diet has
on not only a person’s physical health, but their mental health as well.
Though I am not a professional, because I recently became vegan I was able
to provide people with honest insight about the positive changes in my mood
and energy levels. A few people were intrigued by this so much that they said
they would try using more vegetarian recipes from the Vegetarian Journals
we distributed, and we encouraged many people to start taking smaller steps
in the right direction so they could one day make bigger changes more easily.
Another great part of working at this booth was the fact that we were able
to reach people from low-income backgrounds who typically would not have access
to the information we had to offer. Many showed interest in the Vegetarian
Journals, and in the multiple pamphlets about vegetarian and vegan nutrition
we had to offer. Some locals were also excited about being able to sign up
for our newsletter emailing service.
I’m excited to continue working with the VRG at outreach booths this summer
to continue spreading awareness about the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle!
To volunteer at VRG outreach booths, please contact Nina at [email protected]
To support VRG outreach, please donate at www.vrg.org/donate
To join The Vegetarian Resource Group, please go to
[ http://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php ]
Navaal wrote this piece while doing an internship with The Vegetarian Resource Group.
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12) BASEBALL FANS CAN NOW FIND VEGGIE OPTIONS AT CAMDEN YARDS IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
The owners of Plantbar in Belvedere Square in Baltimore City are now opening
another location at Camden Yards. The next time you go to an Orioles game
look for them near home plate on the first level concourse. Dine on organic
juices, vegan bento boxes, vegan hot dogs, and vegan desserts!
For more information see:
[ http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/2015/3/23/plantbar-swings-into-camden-yards ]
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13) DONNA'S | CHARLES VILLAGE IN BALTIMORE CITY
In the heart of Charles Village, on the corner of St. Paul and 31st Street,
lies Donna’s. While Donna’s doesn’t advertise itself as vegetarian-
or vegan-friendly, even a cursory glance at their dinner menu reveals numerous
vegetarian and vegan options, and other courses that easily go from vegetarian
to vegan by eliminating one ingredient.
For an appetizer, you can select hummus with pita and olives; seasonal greens
with garlic, chilies, and golden raisins; babagonoush with poppadum; or Brussels
sprouts with garlic, red onions, and chilies. The pita arrives in warm, soft,
triangles made perfect for dipping into the slightly spicy hummus, and the
garlic in the greens appetizer perfectly balances the dish’s sweet golden
raisins. The mild, cool taste of babaganoush on thin, crispy poppadum freshens
your whole mouth.
With three different salads, you can satisfy a sweet, salty, or mild-favored
mood. If you order mixed greens, ask them to hold the parmesan, and enjoy
the fresh, sliced tomatoes and crunchy croutons. In the seasonal Asian pear
salad, delicate slivers of sweet pear and juicy slices of blood orange rest
on arugula, making it a great starter-dish to fuel your appetite. Or, for
a more salty choice, enjoy the beet salad without the horseradish sour cream.
For the entrées, fill up with the slightly spicy vegetable taco filled with
fresh, seasonal vegetables and cilantro sauce. For an assortment of flavors
you can mix and match, order the falafel. It arrives with greens, falafel,
and sweet tomatoes nestled inside a pocket of pita, along with peppery and
warm salt-and-pepper fries to complete the meal. Feel free to ask them to
hold the cucumber-yogurt, which they will happily do.
Donna’s is a chain of two restaurants, one in Charles Village and the other
in Cross Keys on Falls Road. While they update their menu seasonally, they
always offer vegetarian and vegan drinks, appetizers, salads, and entrées.
Order take-out or enjoy an in-restaurant dinner complete with tea-light candles
flickering on the table, soft background music, comfortable seating, and a
friendly wait-staff ready to take your order.
For more information, visit:
[ http://donnas.com/charlesvillage/ ]
3101 St. Paul St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
For more information on vegetarian restaurants throughout the USA and Canada,
visit:
[ http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php ]
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14) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP INTERNSHIP
Last December, my internship advisor plopped a huge black binder filled with
internship opportunities in front of me. I began flipping through it, casually
placing Post-it notes on any pages that appeared interesting. I located a
few, but none really spoke to me. My advisor informed me that I could research
at home to find the best place to complete my three-week internship project
in March.
Back home, I went online, forgot everything in that binder, and began browsing
through internships for high school seniors in Baltimore. When I stumbled
upon this one, I couldn’t believe it. It seemed to offer everything that
interested me: vegetarianism, activism, writing, and non-profit. Best of all,
they accepted people my age. The next day, I ran back to my advisor, knowing
that VRG was where I wanted to spend the three weeks. Within a week or so,
I was one of the first people in my grade to secure an internship.
When Charles (VRG Co-Director) first sent me an email with all my different
projects, I knew I was going to have one of my grade’s most hands-on internships.
All of the projects related to my resume and interests, ranging from writing
a press release to assisting a lawyer, and I eagerly anticipated my classes
ending so I could immerse myself in real work.
When I first arrived, I immediately felt at home. Charles gave me a tour of
the office, explaining details about non-profits, publishing, and the vegan
movement. At the end, he gave me about fifteen books and cookbooks to take
home. As a current vegetarian who wants to transition into veganism, this
was the perfect gift. Everyone I spoke to in the office welcomed me and made
me feel free to ask questions. Having already filled out a preliminary schedule,
I could get right to work.
I began working on my Teen FAQ, which turned into a major project. Coming
from an Orthodox Jewish school, I’ve faced questions about vegetarianism
from a religious standpoint. I wanted to address that in my FAQ, so I chose
the question, "How do I respond to religious Jewish or Christian
parents/teachers/leaders who question going vegetarian due to Biblical verses
against it?" As it turns out, tons of information exists regarding the topic.
This remained my favorite project throughout the internship, because I learned
so much about the answer myself. I now feel well-prepared to respond to anyone
who brings religion into the conversation, and hope others reading the FAQ feel
the same way.
Another of my favorite parts of this internship (I had many) was responding
to scholarship applicants. Having just suffered through the excruciating process
of college applications and essays, I suddenly found myself on the other side.
I read essays from high school seniors from all over the United States interested
in vegetarianism and their activism, and wrote brief responses to each. Though
the office may have been glad when we finished, I missed reading them!
One unique project I undertook was assisting a lawyer in researching prisoners’
rights to vegetarian food. I live near the campus of Johns Hopkins University,
and this opportunity allowed me to finally use its library as a resource.
Mr. S. Paul Kinzie, the lawyer, taught me how to use WestLawNext, an online
legal research system. I researched past cases related to the issue, and learned
much more than I expected. When I first began reading through the cases, I
had no idea what happened. Every other word felt foreign; I couldn’t even
define the Court of Appeals. However, similar to being immersed in a new language,
you learn quickly. I now have a much better understanding of the federal legal
system, how constitutional rights and the freedom of religion work in prison,
and a better understand of how to build a case. After I found a relevant enough
case I typed up its summary and relevance, which made me really consider why
I found it relevant and how it could be useful. After four years of high school
mock trial, the presentation side, it was great to experience the real research
side of a court case.
It turns out, at a vegan non-profit, you sample lots of food. For one project,
I wrote a review of vegetarian/vegan items at a restaurant. This meant I had
an excuse for my family to order tons of food from my favorite restaurant,
Donna’s, for dinner one evening. I also wrote three veggie bits for vegan
dark chocolate, macaroons, and tortilla chips. People were rightfully jealous
when they heard about that aspect of my internship. I left the boxes of food
near me so I could snack on them throughout the week, long after I had finished
writing the review.
I also wrote an article about vegetarian and vegan Bar and Bat-Mitzvahs, which
allowed me to ask people questions and hear their stories. I spoke to two
strangers on the phone, and while that at first made me slightly nervous,
I would now love to call up as many people as possible to hear their stories.
The more people I spoke to, the better I became figuring out what questions
to ask.
Many people intern in The Vegetarian Resource Group office for months, so
I wondered if I was going to get a version that felt curtailed. That didn’t
happen at all; I believe that someone interning here for one week would receive
multiple experiences and a feel for non-profit work. I found myself learning
more than I bargained for, with Charles emailing me and placing in my office
mailbox interesting articles about non-profits and publishing, and even just
through overhearing the conversations happening in the office.
While I felt immersed and busy from the beginning to the end, there was time
for enjoyment. One time, a past intern brought bagels for lunch, and we all
ate in the kitchen and talked about life. On my second to last week, we all
had take-out Indian cuisine for lunch, and I discovered a love for spicy potatoes.
I’m leaving this internship with more recipes, new favorite foods, greater
understanding, and more experience. I doubt this will be the last of my experience
with non-profit work, but I’m very glad it was the first.
For information about internships, see:
[ http://www.vrg.org/student/index.php ]
To support VRG internships, join The Vegetarian Resource Group at
[ http://www.vrg.org/member/cabdacae.php ]
For information about VRG scholarships, see
[ https://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]
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15) CALCIUM STEARATE--THE VRG NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Have you spotted calcium stearate on a food label recently?
Please let us know!
Send us a web link to the ingredients label or a photo. Or at least, lead
us to it with the complete name of the food product including brand. No vitamins
or pharmaceuticals, please...just food.
At one time, calcium stearate was often derived from cow or hog fat, but we
think this is no longer true.
We're not even sure this once-popular anti-caking agent and emulsifier is
really even used much at all today in food.
In fact, we've spotted it only in Smarties candy and Subway Canada's Honey
Oat Bread (both plant-derived).
Have you seen it? Please let us know! Thanks!
-Jeanne Yacoubou, VRG Research Director
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.
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16) WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, HARMONY BAKERY IN HAMPDEN
By Samantha Gendler
You may have already tasted the goodness from Harmony Bakery if you're a regular
visitor at the Waverly Farmers Market or if you tried any of the gluten-free
baked goods from Breathe Books Cafe (RIP). The owners formerly owned Puffins
in Pikesville.
Harmony just opened, but it already seems to be a hit. Every offering is
gluten-free and vegetarian (but not always entirely vegan-- there is cheese in
and on a few items, so read descriptions carefully). Just on the first day,
I saw a wide variety of sweet and savory items.
Savory: chickpea salad, quinoa salad, spinach-feta pies, spinach-mushroom
pies (with cashew cheese!), mini pizzas (vegan and not), polenta tarts (vegan
and not), chipotle hummus and raw crackers, soup of the day.
Sweet: ginger molasses cookies, apple-oat crisp, biscuits with strawberry
chia seed jam, almond jam cookies, chocolate chip cookies, lemon glazed coconut
donuts, chocolate donut (I tried it! yum) , fig cranberry pastries, and a
variety of trail mix bars and balls.
They also serve fair-trade coffee at a reasonable price, herbal iced teas,
and a few natural sodas (Virgils).
There is indoor and outdoor seating available. Everything I tried tasted fresh,
delicious, and most importantly, didn't weigh me down. I hope they are here
to stay...there is more than enough junk food in Hampden. It's nice to get
a healthier bite.
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17) MATCHING DONATIONS
Don't forget that many employers will match your donation to nonprofits such
as The Vegetarian Resource Group, often up to $5,000. A partial list of employers
that match can be seen here at www.vrg.org/donate by checking "employer to
match" and clicking on "Please Select."
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18) 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 ]
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19) 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 ]
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20) 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 ]
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21) 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!
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23) 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!!
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.
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 ]
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