1) 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 Megan at [email protected].

For more information contact us:

The Vegetarian Resource Group
(410) 366-8343 or [email protected]
www.vrg.org
facebook.com/thevegetarianresourcegroup

2) THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to the following who helped with clerical work, booths, and other outreach efforts in October!

• 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

3) 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 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 ]

4) 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/ ]

5) ETHICAL SOCIETY MEETING

Please consider RSVP-ing on the Facebook Event Page and sending invites!
www.facebook.com/events/1646599545612499/

Free screening by the Charm City Film Series, followed by discussion.

Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret 2014 85 minutes

Wed Nov 11th, 2015, 6:30 PM

Hosted by the Baltimore Ethical Society

Follow the shocking, yet humorous, journey of an aspiring environmentalist, as he daringly seeks to find the real solution to the most pressing environmental issues and true path to sustainability.

• “Cowspiracy may be the most important film made to inspire saving the planet.” — Louie Psihoyos, Oscar-Winning Director of ‘The Cove’
• “A documentary that will rock and inspire the environmental movement.” — Darren Aronofsky, Director of ‘NoWedah’ and ‘Black Swan’
• “★ ★ ★ ★ ★! A fresh take. Few films are brave enough to tackle a topic this controversial.” — Examiner.com
• "The film the environmental groups don't want you to see."
• “Pulls no punches and makes no apologies: ‘The future of our planet is being destroyed by this industry.’ Hard to argue with the data.” — The Huffington Post

IMDB rating: 8.7

trailer: www.cowspiracy.com
Film series on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM,
306 W Franklin St #102, Baltimore, MD 21201.

 Open to the Public; Free of Charge / donation suggested,

 Free street parking
Complementary beverages, wine




Food available for purchase at a reasonable price (cash only) 
 Followed by discussion

Hosted by the Baltimore Ethical Society

Please join this meetup at: www.meetup.com/Charm-City-Film-Series

6) 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 November 21st from 6 to 8 PM, there will be a potluck in Towson featuring the annual “Pre-Thanksgiving Meet & Greet Vegan Potluck. This will give folks a chance to share some success stories and get to know each other better. Event will also feature cooking awards and some entertainment, as well.

We ask all attendees to RSVP by email at [email protected], or phone at 410-252-3043. Suggested donation for Earthsave members and guests who attend without bringing a vegan potluck dish is $20.00 (Advance Registration and Payment Required). donation for Earthsave members and guests who bring a vegan potluck dish to share is $10.00 (Payable at the door). Advance payment may be made by sending check or money order payable to

Don Robertson
517 Talbott Ave.
Lutherville, MD, 21093

or through Paypal payment to [email protected].

DINEKIND

Dinekind Harford meets monthly to share information on the benefits of a plant-based diet. On the first Friday of each month at the McFaul Activity Center in Bel Air, Maryland, everybody enjoys a plant-based dinner followed by socializing and information sharing (such as a guest speaker, demonstration, or movie). The members potluck begins at 6:30 and the presentation starts one hour later.

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, October 11 at 4:30 PM, located at Atholton Church, 6520 Martin Road, Columbia, MD.

For more information, visit:
[ http://www.meetup.com/Columbia-MD-Forks-Over-Knives-Meetup/ ]

MONTHLY COOKING CLASSES

Taking place on Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 10 AM to 1 PM in Fairfax Station, VA, is a cooking class all about starting new Thanksgiving traditions with all the trimmings. Past menus have included some of the following:

• Dried Cranberry & Pecan-Whipped Yams
• Buttercup Bisque
• Green Bean Casserole
• Cranberry Sauce
• Seitan-Stuffed Loaf with Sage Dressing
• Fat-free Shiitake Mushroom Gravy
• Dairy-free Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Pecan i.e.
• Hot Mulled Cider

While you’re there, sample Tofurky Roast, Field Roast, Gardein, and more!

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
9302 Hallston Ct.
Fairfax Station, VA 22039

Sorry, no phone or e-mail reservations and no walk-ins. Seventy-two hour cancellation policy for refund or credit. Class subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not met.

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

BALTIMORE NUTRITION AS MEDICINE POTLUCK AND SUPPORT GROUP

This group meets on the second Friday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Park Heights Community Health Alliance, located at 4151 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215.

They typically show one or more short educational videos, often a cooking demonstration of something delicious and easy. And, of course, support, discussion, advice, and recipes, beginners welcome. Organized by a plant-based Registered Dietician and also a plant-based Medical Doctor. Please bring a vegan dish to share if you can.

Please RSVP and visit at
[ http://www.meetup.com/Baltimore-Nutrition-As-Medicine-Potluck/ ]

If you have any questions, contact: [email protected] or 410-231-3323

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 ]

8) A PLEA FROM THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE (SONG)

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 please share widely. Robbie [ https://youtu.be/YObx61Gjg0M ]

9) 25% DISCOUNT ON LUCACHIARA NON-LEATHER SHOES, HANDBAGS, WALLETS, AND PASSPORT

Readers receive a 25% discount off all items, including sale merchandise.

Go to: [ http://www.lucachiara.com Use code VRG25 ]

10) GOLDEN WEST CAFÉ IN BALTIMORE’S HAMPDEN NEIGHBORHOOD NOW HAS A SEPARATE VEGAN MENU

Golden West Café has had many vegan options throughout their menu for quite some time. Now they’ve made it easier for vegans – simply request their new separate vegan menu. Here you’ll find dishes such as vegan French Toast, Pumpkin Curry Soup, Frito Pie, Warm Vietnamese Salad (with Un-Chicken), Apple Blueberry Salad, Aztec Burrito, Fajitas, Tacos, and much more. They also have delicious vegan cake.

Golden West Café is located at 1105 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211.

See: [ http://www.goldenwestcafe.com/ ]

11) TWO BOOTS BALTIMORE IS CELEBRATING WORLD VEGAN MONTH IN NOVEMBER

Two Boots Baltimore is celebrating World Vegan Month by adding a special new vegan pie to their many fine vegan options for the month of November. “The Super Vegan!” will build on their extremely popular regular menu item, the “V for Vegan”, by adding broccoli and vegan ricotta to an already delicious combination of artichokes, Shiitake mushrooms, and red onions, topped with Daiya vegan cheese and a criss-cross of their two homemade pesto sauces made from sweet red peppers and basil. If that's not your flavor, why not try one of their other regular varieties done the vegan way, with such appetizing names as “The Vegan Larry Tate,” “The Vegan Mel Cooley,” “The Vegan Night Tripper,” and “The Vegan Tony Clifton”? You may even find these vegan options available by the slice throughout this month, whereas you would usually only find the “V for Vegan” ready to go in the counter case.

Phone: 410-625-2668
Address:

1203 West Mount Royal Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21217 (at W. Oliver St.)

12) LOVE ANIMALS? REFUSE DISSECTION IN YOUR SCHOOLS.

Students all across the country are supporting an industry that kills more than 10 million animals—including pigs, rats, frogs, and even cats—every year. Animals used for dissection are often drowned or gassed to death before being pumped full of formaldehyde.

The good news? You don't have to support this! Maryland gives you the right not to dissect. Print out this leaflet, give it to your teacher or principal, and ask him or her to offer you an alternative to dissection. It's that simple!

Get your free leaflets at:
[ http://features.peta2.com/dissection-kills/dissection-laws.aspx?utm_campaign=1015%20cut%20out%20dissection%20month%20EA&utm_source=peta2%20E-Mail&utm_medium=Alert ]

13) SUGAR IN COMPANION FOODS MEAT SUBSTITUTES FROM TAIWAN SUGAR CORPORATION

Reader Michael Brown wrote:

14) JOIN IGIVE AND SUPPORT VRG

Go to [ http://www.iGive.com/VegetarianResourceGroup ]

15) 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."

16) 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 ]

17) 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 ]

18) 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 ]

19) 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!

20) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS EATING AT EPCOT, QUINOA, VEGAN FOOD FOR PEOPLE ON FEEDING TUBES, PUMPKIN DINING IN ICELAND, VEGAN RECIPES FEATURING APPLES, AND MORE

VEGAN FOOD AT THE EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

[ 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/ ]

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/ ]

VEGGIE ACTION IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/20/veggie-action-in-fargo-north-dakota/ ]

PUMPKIN MICROWAVE RECIPES!

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/27/pumpkin-microwave-recipes/ ]

DELICIOUS VEGAN RECIPES FEATURING APPLES

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/10/30/delicious-vegan-recipes-featuring-apples/ ]

QUINOA AND VEGGIES RECIPE

[ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/11/02/quinoa-and-veggies-recipe/ ]

21) 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://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-news_lists.vrg.org ]

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:

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 go to
[ http://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-maryland_lists.vrg.org ]

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. See Unsubscribe or edit options.