The Vegetarian Resource Group is once again sponsoring a video contest. We will be awarding several $100 awards. The deadline for entries this year is July 15, 2024.

Create and submit a video relating what you want to tell others about veganism. Some possible topics: food, nutrition, your feelings about veganism and/or vegetarianism, water usage and veganism, veganism and animal rights, or other veggie topics which appeal to you. Humor and feelings are appreciated. All videos should be positive, not be critical of anyone, and not include any footage of animal cruelty. You may submit a video you have already made.

Aspects of judging include accuracy and judges wanting to share the video with others. Entrants give permission to The Vegetarian Resource Group to post and share the video, to link to and from the video, and share the video with the media.

To see the video contest rules, visit: http://www.vrg.org/videoscholarship.php

Previous wining videos can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php

Each issue of Vegan Journal features people promoting the vegan lifestyle on an ongoing basis. In the latest issue, read about Helene Greenberg who is the founder and Executive Director of VegFest Expos. See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue2/2024_issue2_vegan_action.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/

In the latest issue of Vegan Journal, Rissa Miller (former Senior Editor) reviews the book The Plant-Powered Dog. This book will be very useful for those of you with dog companions.

Read the book review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue2/2024_issue2_book_reviews.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/

Nothing beats a simple graphic to get the vegan message out! The Vegetarian Resource Group created My Vegan Plate to display on outreach tables at various events. If you live in the United States, you can request copies of this handout to distribute by emailing us at [email protected]

You can view the handout here: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/MyVeganPlate.pdf

This same handout can also be read in Spanish here: https://www.vrg.org/images/miplatovegano.jpg

We also have a version you can print out for kids to color on: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/MyVeganPlateCP.pdf

Donations towards this outreach are always appreciated: www.vrg.org/donate

Be sure to follow The Vegetarian Resource Group on Instagram: @vegetarianresourcegroup

According to VRG’s Nutrition Advisor, Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, there are times when people’s protein needs are higher. For example, in pregnancy, the recommendation for protein is 25 grams higher than it is when someone is not pregnant. That’s an increase of about 50%. Older adults may have higher protein needs than younger adults. Athletes may have somewhat higher protein needs than non-athletes (1). It’s entirely possible to meet protein needs with a vegan diet. Sometimes, choosing a higher protein plant milk can help to meet protein needs.

We’ve identified some higher protein plant milks. Since plant milks are often also used as a source of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, we’ve included information about whether the milks we identified are fortified with these nutrients.

See the list of higher-protein plant milks here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue2/2024_issue2_higher_protein.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/

Each issue of Vegan Journal includes reviews of products we especially like. We recently tested and reviewed Gear Hugger’s Lubricant and Degreaser. Read the entire review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue2/2024_issue2_veggie_bits.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/

photo by Linda Tyler

In a past issue of Vegan Journal, Linda Tyler shares recipes based on ancient grains including Granola with Ancient Grains; Carrot Cake Hot Cereal with Ancient Grains; Black Bean Sorghum Chili; Greek Farro Salad; Shawarma Spelt, Cickpea, and Cauliflower Bowls; and Walnut Cookies with Toasted Quinoa. Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue2/2024_issue2_ancient_grains.php

Be sure to subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/

Kati Fresh Garden Rolls

by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Seattle features many vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants. It’s tempting, whenever I’m in town, to try something different; however, I frequently choose to revisit Kati, a vegan Thai restaurant. With an extensive menu, outdoor seating, and skillful combinations of ingredients, Kati is always a delight. Kati’s website states that their fresh noodles, handmade tofu, and vegetables are sourced from local family-owned producers and that they use organic products when possible. Kati has two locations, one in the South Lake Union area of Seattle and the other in Kirkland, on the east side of Seattle. I’ve eaten at the South Lake Union restaurant several times.

On our most recent visit we started with shared appetizers. The Garlic Jackfruit on Sticky Rice featured jackfruit in a garlic batter, fried until crisp and served on a sticky rice cake. Each bite had several different textures and flavors – crisp, chewy, mildly garlic. We also had Fresh Garden Rolls which were filled with shredded carrots, herb salad, other vegetables, and tofu and came with a flavorful tamarind sauce – an excellent choice on a warm day.

Kati’s menu includes stir-fries, salads, soups, fried rice, noodles, curries, sweets, and beverages. We opted to share Pad See-ew which included wide rice noodles, collard greens, carrots, fried tofu, and broccoli. The collard greens were an especially interesting addition and blended well with the chewy noodles and the other vegetables. We also tried Sweet and Sour Cashew Stir-fry which had a tangy tomato-based sauce with stir-fried peppers, onions, cashews and tofu.

In the past, we’ve delighted in Green Curry with Thai basil, eggplant, and broccoli in a subtly spicy curry sauce as well as Pad Keemao (drunken noodles) with basil and portobello mushrooms.

Desserts such as coconut ice cream with homemade caramel sauce are tempting but we’ve always been too full to want dessert. Maybe next visit.

Kati Thai is at 1190 Thomas Street in Seattle and 12540 120th Ave. NE, Suite 110 in Kirkland.

Visit their website at https://www.kativeganthai.com/.

To find a list of veggie restaurants in the USA and Canada visit: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

Each issue of Vegan Journal includes reviews of products we especially like. We recently sampled Mike’s Organic Curry Love Pastes that come in a variety of colors and do not contain any hidden shrimp paste or fish sauce. Read the entire review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue2/2024_issue2_veggie_bits.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/