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

photo by Rissa Miller

Surprise your guests with fancy mocktails this Thanksgiving! Previously the Journal featured an article titled “Non-Alcoholic Thirst Quenchers,” by Mikiel Peratino. Mikiel is a former assistant manager and bartender at Great Sage vegan restaurant in Maryland. Enjoy recipes for Strawberry Fauxjito; Virgin Piña Colada; Warm Golden Pumpkin; Black Rose Mule; Watermelon Cooler; S’mores Mudslide; Virgin Cucumber Basil Gimlet; and Butterfly Margarita. These drinks look absolutely gorgeous and will bring a smile to your face!

Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2020issue3/2020_issue3_thirst_quenchers.php

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

by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

On October 28, 2025 Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Alma Adams (D-NC) introduced the Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act, H.R. 5867. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

This bill, if approved,  would create a voluntary grant program for school districts to support schools providing 100% plant-based food and milk options. According to the text of the bill, a 100% plant-based food or milk option would not contain “any animal products or byproducts, such as meat, poultry, honey, fish, dairy, or eggs.”

The funds that would be made available through the grant program could be used for:

• Training school foodservice staff,
• Purchasing plant-based sources of protein and milk from “socially disadvantaged producers, local producers, and women, veterans, and beginning farmers,”
• Promoting the plant-based foods to students and providing nutrition education,
• Additional labor costs related to preparing and serving plant-based foods,

The bill would also require schools to offer a non-dairy milk substitute to any student with a written request from the student’s parent or guardian. The bill also allows schools to provide non-dairy milk alternatives, consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, to any student as part of a reimbursable meal, with no requirement for a doctor’s note.

Photo by Linda Tyler

We are all told to eat whole grains; however, do you know how to prepare vegan meals with ancient grains. The Whole Grains Council states that grains that are largely unchanged over the last several hundred years can be called “ancient.” This means that modern wheat, which is constantly hybridized by growers, is not an ancient grain, while other types of wheat, including einkorn, emmer, farro, Khorasan wheat, and spelt, would be considered ancient grains. Most lists of ancient grains encompass amaranth, barley, bulgur, freekeh, millet, teff, and quinoa. To add even more nuance—or confusion—to the definition of “ancient grains,” amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa are actually pseudo-grains; they are seeds from broadleaf plants, not from grasses.

In a previous issue of Vegan Journal, Linda Tyler shares several recipes including Granola with Ancient Grains; Carrot Cake Hot Cereal with Ancient Grains; Black Bean and Sorghum Chili; Greek Farro Salad; Shawarma Spelt, Chickpea, 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

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only by visiting www.vrg.org/member

VRG volunteer Phil Becker staffed VRG’s outreach table at the San Francisco World Fest in California. He reports that the event was a huge success with the number of attendees rising from the past few years. Thanks Phil!

photo by Rissa Miller

Chef Nancy Berkoff has you covered! See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue1/2023_issue1_cooking_tips.php

Spaghetti Squash and Meatball Pie photo by Hannah Kaminsky

A past issue of Vegan Journal features “Pies to Savor,” by Senior Editor Hannah Kaminsky. Recipes include: Wholesome Whole Wheat Crust; Taco Pie; Cheesy Mac Pie; Primavera Pot Pie; Spaaghetti Squash and Meatball Pie; and Holiday Quiche. Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_pies_to_savor.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/

Cream of Mushroom Soup photo by Hannah Kaminsky

Understanding how to match the right plant-based milk with the right dish can elevate your culinary creations to all-new heights. With a little know-how, you can unlock the full potential of every variety, bringing fresh inspiration to your favorite dishes and drinks. Hannah Kaminsky’s article Raise a Glass to Dairy-Free Dishes that appeared in Vegan Journal offers the following vegan recipes using various vegan milks: Royal Milk Tea; Cream of Mushroom Soup; Scalloped Rainbow Potatoes; Spinach & Artichoke Alfredo; Chickpea Korma; and Chai-Spiced Rice Pudding. You can find all the recipes here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2025issue3/2025_issue3_dairy_free_dishes.php

To Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit www.vrg.org/member

photo from Freepik

Below is a list of some of the restaurants and groups offering vegan meals/potlucks for Thanksgiving (both before and on that day) alphabetically by state. If you’re looking for some new recipes to prepare for Thanksgiving, visit: http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegan_thanksgiving.php

We wish you a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

ARIZONA

Vegan Thanksliving Community Potluck, The Zen Den, Gilbert, AZ https://stephaniebucklin.com/event/16th-annual-vegan-thanksliving-community-potluck-2025/

thanksLIVING Celebration Dinner at Loving Hut, Phoenix AZ https://www.meetup.com/vegphx/events/310522222/

Green The American Vegetarian, Tempe, AZ https://thanksliving.square.site/ (take-out)

CALIFORNIA

Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles, CA https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=103411&restref=103411&experienceId=552206&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

Vegan Picnic Potluck on Thanksgiving, Los Angeles, CA https://www.facebook.com/groups/veganthanksgiving/

The Gentle Barn Pre-Thanksgiving Meal, Santa Clarita, CA https://www.gentlebarn.org/events/upcoming-events/a-gentle-thanksgiving-25-california

Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck, Santa Rosa, CA https://www.meetup.com/northbay-vegan/events/311832252/

FLORIDA

Café You, Cape Coral, FL https://cafeyou2.wordpress.com/vegan-thanksgiving-chef-tasting-dinner-saturday-november-22nd-7pm/

Vegan Thanksgiving Brunch at Buddha Thai Bistro, Jacksonville Beach, FL https://www.facebook.com/buddhathaibistrojax/photos/-our-annual-vegan-thanksgiving-brunch-buffet-is-back-celebrate-the-season-of-gra/122287378280027648/

Hippocrates Wellness, West Palm Beach, FL https://hippocrateswellness.org/resort-category/events/

ILLINOIS

The Chicago Diner, Chicago, IL (take-out) https://chicago-diner-webstore.myshopify.com/

MARYLAND

Earth Save Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck, Baltimore, MD https://www.meetup.com/baltimoreveg-vegan/events/311035294/

Land of Kush, Baltimore, MD https://www.facebook.com/TheLandofKush/

One World Café, Baltimore, MD https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063530110691

Thanksgiving at Popular Spring Animal Sanctuary, Poolesville, MD https://www.animalsanctuary.org/events/annual-events/

MASSACHUSETTS

Red Lentil, Watertown, MA https://www.theredlentil.com/events/

MINNESOTA

Compassionate Action for Animals ThanksLiving Vegan Potluck, Matthews Park, Minneapolis, MN https://caa.mn/event/annual-thanksliving-vegan-potluck-2025/

MISSOURI

St. Louis Animal Rights Team Annual Turkey Free Thanksliving, St. Louis, MO https://caa.mn/event/annual-thanksliving-vegan-potluck-2025/

NEVADA

Crossroads, Las Vegas, NV https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1309441&restref=1309441&experienceId=522924&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

NEW JERSEY

Kaya’s Kitchen, Belmar, NJ https://kayaskitchenbelmar.com/

Good Karma Café, Red Bank, NJ https://www.goodkarmacafenj.com/category/all-products

NEW YORK

Red Bamboo, New York, NY https://www.redbamboo-nyc.com/

 Hudson Valley Vegans, Rhinebeck, NY https://www.meetup.com/hudson-valley-vegans/events/307050136/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

NORTH CAROLINA

Triangle Vegetarian Society Thanksgiving Dinner in Durham, NC https://trianglevegsociety.org/

OHIO

Sunrise Sanctuary Thanksgiving for the Turkeys, Marysville, OH https://www.sunrisesanctuary.org/event-details-registration/thanksgiving-for-the-turkeys-2025-1

Pennsylvania

American Vegan Society, Walnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA https://americanvegan.org/events/historical-thanksgiving-gala/

TEXAS

Austin Farm Sanctuary, Paige, TX https://secure.givelively.org/event/austin-farm-sanctuary/2025-events/thanksliving-2025-the-farm-casper-s-run-walk-5k

VIRGINIA

Botanical Plant-Based Fare, Charlottesville, VA https://www.botanicalfare.com/thanksgivingpreorder

WASHINGTON, DC

Sticky Fingers, Washington, DC https://stickyfingersbakery.com

Veg Society of DC, various restaurant dinners in greater Washington, DC area and a potluck https://www.meetup.com/vegan-dc-md-va/events/311370528/

photo from Freepik

Here are some ideas for adding nuts to your menu from Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD:

• Add to salad dressings: Creations include a basil walnut vinaigrette or creamy salad dressing with almonds, mustard, and dill with added chopped pine nuts.
• Add to sandwiches: Chopped walnuts, almonds, peanuts, and pecans add a toasty flavor and extra texture to grilled vegetable sandwiches, falafel, and hummus. Or add chopped nuts to smooth peanut, almond, or soy butters to make a crunchy sandwich.
• Use as garnish: Increase protein, flavor, and texture by adding to bean and rice casseroles, baked potatoes, hot and cold cereal, baking batters, puddings, or vegan ice cream sundaes.
• Add to pasta: Top tomato-sauced pasta with chopped almonds or pine nuts, creamy-sauced pastas with walnuts or pecans, or toss pasta with olive oil, sautéed garlic, and chopped almonds.
• Add to sauces: Stir peanut butter or soy butter into mushroom sauces for a Thai effect; add ground almonds or pine nuts to creamy sauces and pecans or pistachios to fruit sauces.
• Add to breakfast: Baked apples, oatmeal, hot cereals, cold cereals, and muffins can all benefit from a variety of chopped nuts.