(Serves 8)

By Rissa Miller, Senior Editor Vegetarian Journal

This simple side dish offers a different way to prepare both butternut squash and parsnips. Their combination of sweet and tart with a veggie crunch creates a nice balance and a hearty winter offering.

4 cups seeded and cubed butternut squash

4 parsnips, peeled and chopped

1-3 teaspoons olive oil

3 branches fresh rosemary, leaves removed (about 2 Tablespoons leaves)

1/2 cup shelled and chopped pecans 

Salt and pepper, optional, to taste

Maple syrup, optional, to serve

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a 9- x 13-inch casserole dish, toss squash, parsnips, olive oil, rosemary leaves, and pecans, seasoning with salt/pepper as desired. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, stirring once during baking.

Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because humans are able to produce vitamin D after sunlight exposure. This essential vitamin is needed for healthy bones, plays an important role in the immune system, and helps our nerves function properly.

Certainly, in winter, many of us aren’t out in the sun (or at least not with large amounts of skin exposed) to the same extent that we are in summer. For that reason alone, other sources of vitamin D may be needed in the winter. In fact, anything that prevents skin from being directly exposed to the sun affects the amount of vitamin D that our bodies can produce. Clothing, sunscreen, air pollution, clouds, window glass, even darkly pigmented skin all limit vitamin D production. That’s not to say, however, that a lot of sun exposure is needed for vitamin D production. Around 10 to 15 minutes a day of sun on hands and face appears adequate for many people. It gets more complicated in the winter, however. In addition to being bundled up, having fewer daylight hours, and staying inside more, in winter, there’s not enough of the type of sunlight needed to stimulate vitamin D production in some areas. In locations above 42 degrees north latitude (Chicago, Boston, and Portland, Oregon, for instance), vitamin D production does not occur from late October through early March. Even as far south as Atlanta (about 35 degrees north latitude), vitamin D production doesn’t occur from November to February.^{1, 2}

Vitamin D is stored in our liver and fat tissue. Although it could be possible to rely on stores in the winter months, studies consistently show that blood vitamin D levels drop significantly in the winter, suggesting that additional vitamin D is needed.^{3, 4} There also are other factors that can reduce vitamin D production including being an older person and having darker skin. And there are concerns about sun exposure and increased risk of skin cancer – although the short sun exposure needed for vitamin D production seems to be pretty low risk.

The RDA for vitamin D is 600 IU per day for children and adults up to 71 years old, and 800 IU per day for those age 71 years and older.⁵ Some plant milks are fortified with vitamin D and can be an important source of this vitamin for vegans. Still, with 40 to 240 IU in a cup of fortified plant milk, one would need to drink a lot of plant milk to meet the recommended amount of vitamin D. The same is true for nonvegans relying on fortified cow’s milk for vitamin D – multiple cups would be needed. A supplement of vitamin D can be helpful in meeting vitamin D needs especially in winter or other situations where sunlight exposure is limited.  A recent study found that a 600 IU/day vitamin D supplement in the winter months helped promote an adequate vitamin D status, regardless of location.⁶

To read more about vitamin D, see:

FAQs about vitamin D

Vegan vitamin D₃

References

1. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med 2007; 357:266-81.

2. Wang SQ, Halpern AC. Estimated equivalency of vitamin D production from natural sun exposure versus oral vitamin D supplementation across seasons at two US latitudes. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(6):929.e1-929.e9299.

3. Outila TA, Kärkkäinen MU, Seppänen RH, Lamberg-Allardt CJ. Dietary intake of vitamin D in premenopausal, healthy vegans was insufficient to maintain concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone within normal ranges during the winter in Finland. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000;100(4):434-441.

4. Kroll MH, Bi C, Garber CC, et al. Temporal relationship between vitamin D status and parathyroid hormone in the United States. PLoS One. 2015;10(3):e0118108.

5. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.

6. Mendes MM, Hart KH, Williams EL, Mendis J, Lanham-New SA, Botelho PB. Vitamin D supplementation and sunlight exposure on serum vitamin d concentrations in 2 parallel, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. J Nutr. 2021;151(10):3137-3150.

Chef Kathleen Byrd, owner of Mobtown Sweets and Treats in Maryland, wrote an article titled “Heavy Lifting: Sweet and Savory Dips, Gravy, and Sauces for Winter” in a previous issue of Vegetarian Journal. Enjoy recipes for Lentil Walnut Paté, Cranberry Onion Jam, Roasted Garlic Dip, Roasted Carrot Sriracha Hummus, Buffalo Chickpea Dip, Roasted Eggplant Red Pepper Spread, Golden Sage Gravy, Mexican Chocolate Sauce, and Coconut Caramel Sauce.

Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2020issue4/2020_issue4_sweet_savory.php

To subscribe to Vegetarian Journal in the USA, see: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted veganism/vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans are vegetarians who do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs.

One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000 will be given. Entries may only be sent by students graduating from high school in spring 2022. Deadline is February 20, 2022. We will accept applications postmarked on or before February 20, 2021. Early submission is encouraged!

Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegan/vegetarian diet/lifestyle. Payment will be made to the student’s college (U.S. based only). Winners of the scholarships give permission to release their names to the media. Applications and essays become property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. We may ask finalists for more information. Scholarship winners are contacted by e-mail or telephone. Please look at your e-mail.

For details on the contest, see: http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm

Here’s a list of some restaurants offering vegan meals New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day in the USA! Happy 2022 from The Vegetarian Resource Group.

California

-Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles, CA (New Year’s Eve)  https://www.crossroadskitchen.com/newyears-menu

-Gracias Madre, Newport Beach and West Hollywood, CA https://www.opentable.com/r/gracias-madre-west-hollywood

-Plant Food and Wine, Los Angeles, CA https://www.matthewkenneycuisine.com/plant-food-wine-venice

-Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine, Los Angeles, CA http://rahelvegancuisine.com/events.html

-Ravens Restaurant at the Stanford Inn, Mendocino, CA https://stanfordinn.com/   

-Shojin, Culver City and Los Angeles, CA (New Year’s Eve) http://www.theshojin.com/

-Sugar Tacos, Los Angeles, CA (New Year’s Eve) https://sugartaco.com/

Colorado

-Burrowing Owl Lounge, Colorado Springs, CO  https://www.burrowingowllounge.com/

Florida

-Ethos Vegan Kitchen, Winter Park, FL (New Year’s Eve) http://www.ethosvegankitchen.com/

-Minty Z, Miami, FL (New Year’s Eve) https://mintyz.com/

Georgia

-Stone Manor Event Facility, Lithonia, GA https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-vegan-new-years-eve-soiree-tickets-203781655417

Illinois

-Chicago Diner, Chicago, IL (New Year’s Eve and Day both locations) www.veggiediner.com

Maryland

-Great Sage, Clarksville, MD (early New Year’s Eve and Day) http://greatsage.com

-Land of Kush, Baltimore, MD (New Year’s Eve and Day) https://landofkush.com/

-Nu Vegan Café, Baltimore, MD and College Park, MD (New Year’s Eve and Day) http://www.ilovenuvegan.com

-St. Veg, Rockville, MD (New Year’s Eve and Day) https://stveg.com/

-Vegetable Garden, Rockville, MD (New Year’s Day) http://www.vegetablegarden.co

Michigan

-Chive Kitchen, Farmington, MI https://www.chivekitchen.com/event-tickets/vegan-new-years-eve-dinner-chive

– Rad.ish Street Food, Traverse City, MI https://www.rad-ishstreetfood.com/

Minnesota

-Hark! Café, Minneapolis, MN https://www.harkcafe.com/new-years-eve-dinner

New York

– Avant Garden, Cadence, Etérea, Ladybird, and Soda Club, New York, NY (New Year’s Eve https://www.overthrowhospitality.com/nye

-Buddah Bodhai Kosher Vegan, New York, NY (New Year’s Eve and Day), https://buddhavegetarian.com/

-Dirt Candy, New York City, NY (New Year’s Eve) https://www.dirtcandynyc.com/events

North Carolina

-Plant, Asheville, NC (New Year’s Eve) https://www.plantisfood.com/

 -Sanctuary Bistro, Charlotte, NC (New Year’s Eve) https://www.sanctuarybistro.com/

South Carolina

-Vined, North Charleston, SC (Pre-order for New Year’s Eve) https://www.facebook.com/VinedTVE/photos/a.115636143363945/433086704952219/

Washington, DC

-Nu Vegan Café, Washington, DC (New Year’s Eve and Day) http://www.ilovenuvegan.com

According to Smithsonian Magazine, MycoWorks vegan leather is now in several products.

     For information, see: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-mushroom-based-leather-could-be-the-next-sustainable-fashion-material-180979170/ and

https://www.mycoworks.com/our-products

For other nonleather and animal-free alternatives, see: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/leather.php

By Rissa Miller, Senior Editor Vegetarian Journal

(Makes 60 small, bite-sized pieces)

These old-fashioned favorites get a seasonal twist—cool, refreshing peppermint with smooth, elegant chocolate will upgrade your vegan marshmallow treats to the next level. It’s like a minty hot chocolate in a square!

Non-stick spray

1/4 cup vegan margarine

4 bags Dandies Peppermint vegan mini marshmallows (20 ounces)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

7 cups chocolate puffed rice cereal (such as One Degree, Nature’s Path, or Love Grown)*

3 Tablespoons vegan chocolate chips, optional, to garnish

Prepare a 9- x 13-inch casserole with non-stick spray or parchment paper or both. Set aside.

In a large pot, melt the vegan margarine on the stove until just liquid, then add the Dandies. Stir with a silicone or rubber spatula almost constantly over very low heat to melt the vegan marshmallows completely. This may take several minutes and will require regular attention. When the marshmallows are melted it will look like a large, soft glob. Add the extracts and stir in, then pour in the chocolate rice cereal. Working quickly, fold the cereal into the melted marshmallow combination. This might take some muscle. 

Turn mixture out into the prepared casserole pan and press down using your hands until flat. Allow to cool at least 45-60 minutes before decorating or cutting. 

To decorate with chocolate drizzles, pour vegan chocolate chips into a glass or ceramic dish and microwave 10 seconds at a time on 50% power. Repeat until smooth and melty when stirred. Using a fork drizzle evenly over the uncut treats. Allow chocolate to set up in a cool place at least 30 minutes before cutting to serve.

To serve, cut a knife or bench scraper sprayed with non-stick spray to slice the treats into 60 small, bite-sized pieces. They will be sticky but the nostalgia and seasonal flavors are loads of fun!

* Note that as of this writing, Kellog’s Rice Krispie cereal is not vegan because of animal-sourced D3. But the other cereals listed all work in the recipe and are vegan-friendly and gluten-free.

From TisBest: “I’m happy to share that along with a great group of people, we’ll soon be offering 20,000 free Charity Gift Cards (at $50 each) to donate to the charities of your choice. There were no strings attached – my hope was simply that you would experience the joy of receiving a charitable gift rather than a traditional one.”– Ray Dalio

“Get a $50 Charity Gift Card to donate to your favorite charities from Ray Dalio, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Jewel, Arianna Huffington, Gayle King, Kevin Systrom, Ashton Kutcher, Paul Tudor Jones, and Mila Kunis.

Sign up now to be one of the first to know when our new giveaway goes live.”

See https://www.tisbest.org/redefinegifting/?utm_source=ray-dalio&utm_medium=rg-partner&utm_campaign=redefinegifting2021

TisBest says: We’re on a mission to #RedefineGifting through philanthropy and replace gifts of stuff with the gift of good. We created Charity Gift Cards so that you can give non-material gifts, spread more good deeds in the world, and help your gift recipients support the causes they love!

For more information, see: https://www.tisbest.org/

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide (Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many are doing take-out and/or delivery now):

Ba Bar Green, 500 Terry Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109

All-vegan, gluten-free takeout window attached to non-vegan Vietnamese restaurant and cocktail bar Ba Bar South Lake Union.  Offers tasty vegan versions of street food from all over SE Asia: Vietnam-style Bánh Mì, Singapore-style Lemongrass Noodle, Malaysia-style Laksa (coconut curry), Laos-style crispy rice etc. Take the food in the main restaurant/bar with a purchase of a drink, at the patio seating, or two blocks North to eat by the lake at the Lake Union Park by the Museum of History and Industry and Center for Wooden Boats.

Bar Vegan, 205 Lark St., Albany, NY 12210

Sushi, chili, salads, stuffed avocados, and other delectable dishes are on the menu. This tapas and cocktail bar has a relaxing, romantic, and upbeat ambiance.

La Lus Vegan Café, 313 Warren St., Beverly, NJ 08010

There are a number of tasty items on the menu, including vegan beef Cheezesteak, falafel, zucchini fries, Honey I’m Home Cornbread, banana pudding, and more. Excellent customer service and an accessible location with parking on the street. There is a limited number of seats available.

Nice Biscuit, 2324 Court St., Syracuse, NY 13208

Soft, buttery, and warm southern-style biscuit sandwiches, biscuits, and spread are on the menu. They also offer sweet biscuits for dessert.

Ornithology Jazz Club, 6 Suydam St., Brooklyn, NY 11221

Ornithology serves dishes such as Chana Masala and Chinatown Fried Bowls, as well as tortizza and organic wines from local breweries. It’s a fantastic place to listen to live jazz music.

Pizza Verde, 5716 Locke Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107

Pizza Verde offers marguerite, potato leek, and Verde pizzas, plus so much more. Also enjoy Bruschetta or a house salad.

Soulfully Vegan, location varies in CT

Soulfully Vegan is a vegan food truck that serves classic American fast foods like their Big Boy Burger and their Chili Cheese Fries. You can check their current and future locations on their website.

The Sudra, 4589 SW Watson Ave., Beaverton, OR 97005

The Sudra is a vegan Indian restaurant with full bar. Enjoy foods including lentil kofta bowl, samosas, pakora, and chickpea cutlets. Don’t miss their weekday Happy Hour with terrific food specials.

Trap Vegan, 20198 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48221

Jackfruit bowls, acai bowls, salads, vegan cheese burgers, fries, and more are available.

According to Reuters, “Canadian drug developer Medicago’s plant-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate, enhanced by GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK.L) booster, was 75.3% effective against the Delta variant of the virus in a late stage study.” … “Medicago will imminently seek regulatory approval for the world’s first plant-based COVID-19 vaccine from Health Canada as part of its rolling submission.”

For article, see: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/medicagos-plant-based-vaccine-trial-shows-753-efficacy-against-delta-variant-2021-12-07/

This vaccine information may also be of interest:

How plant-based vaccines are developed?

https://vimeo.com/590991662

https://medicago.com/en/faq/

Cholesterol in Pfizer and Moderna Vaccine

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Ingredients

The contents of this posting, website, and our other publications, including The 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.