By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

Vegan cosmetics, by definition, contain no animal products or animal-derived ingredients from:

• meat
• poultry
• fish
• seafood
• dairy
• egg
• human hair or poultry feathers
• insects (This last category includes honey, shellac, and carmine/cochineal.)

Major Animal Ingredients in Cosmetics

Some of the major animal ingredients which could be found in cosmetics (and which vegans, of course, avoid) include:

• gelatin
• collagen
• squalane oil
• stearic acid
• stearates (magnesium and calcium)
• L-cysteine
• lanolin
• carmine
• shellac
• honey

Several of the ingredients above, or functionally similar ingredients used as substitutes for these in cosmetics, may be sourced from plant materials. Commercially, many of these are today (July 2020).

Squalane oil, for example, traditionally came from shark squalene although this is rare today. Currently, it is commonly derived from rice, wheat or olives. In cases where the listed ingredients are taken from animals, it is usually cows, pigs or fish. If the animals from which these ingredients are derived have not been slaughtered following Islamic guidelines, their meat and meat products (including ingredients) would be considered haram (forbidden) by some Muslim authorities.

Said in another way, some Islamic experts suggest that the ingredients would be halal if and only if you can be sure that the slaughter was carried out correctly. Muslim authorities consider fish or seafood-derived ingredients as permissible to eat, and, therefore, halal. Today, some gelatin and collagen in consumer products (like cosmetics) are derived from fish. Pig-based ingredients are always haram. Cow-derived ingredients may or may not be halal.

Conclusion: Based on this assessment of animal ingredients, there may be cosmetics which are not vegan but would be halal. But there is more to consider when looking at vegan cosmetics and their possible halal status.

No Legal Definition of Vegan

Since there is no legal definition of the term vegan, companies can use or define the word as they’d like without repercussion, and they do. Furthermore, cosmetics are poorly regulated in the United States. That is, companies have few governmental restrictions and regulations on how they source and use their ingredients. Also, all ingredients in the bottle do not have to be listed on its label. Those that are listed do not need to have source (e.g., animal, plant, microbial or synthetic) indicated.

Conclusion: It is always difficult to ascertain without a doubt all of the ingredients and their sources in cosmetics. Therefore, its vegan status is based on trust that what a company tells you is true and complete.

Are Alcohol Ingredients in Vegan Cosmetics Considered Halal?

Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, making them haram (i.e., forbidden in the Muslim religion). Some cosmetics contain a number of different alcohols including ethanol. There are different opinions on whether ethanol in cosmetics would be considered halal.

Some Muslim authorities say ethanol below 1% as a preservative in food in a substance is halal. This could be a reasonable percentage in a cosmetic and, so, likely halal (by extension).

Other Islamic authorities say “every drop” of ethanol in hand sanitizer is always haram. Also by extension, ethanol in cosmetics would always be haram. Commercial production of ethanol today is almost always plant-based (e.g., corn) making it vegan.

It’s important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that when “alcohol” appears on a label, ethanol is intended.

Strictly speaking, and assuming all other ingredients are vegan, cosmetics containing ethanol are vegan, but are not always halal (depends on your chosen authority).

Cosmetics listed as “alcohol-free,” however, may contain other types of alcohol (just not ethanol). Some of these, such as stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, or lanolin alcohol, may be produced using animal-derived ingredients. In these cases, the cosmetics would not be vegan. They may or may not be halal (depending on whether the cow’s slaughter or the sheep shearing was religious).

(NOTE: Cetearyl alcohol got its name from its original source: cetaceans (i.e., whales).

Petrochemicals in Cosmetics

Many cosmetics ingredients today, sometimes including ethanol, are derived from petrochemicals (i.e., fossil fuels). These are considered vegan. Similarly, alcohols, including ethanol, are often used to extract botanical oils which are common cosmetics ingredients. Ethanol may be present in residual amounts in the final oil although it usually has evaporated before it’s applied to the face. Even so, this source states these botanicals are not halal because of their processing.

Plasticizer alcohols, also made from petrochemicals, are common in some cosmetics, especially fingernail products. Ethanol is not a common plasticizer alcohol, but it could be used to make ethyl acrylate in these products. This is of concern to Muslims who prohibit all ethanol-derived ingredients. However, the source cited above suggests that ethyl acrylate would be halal because it’s chemically distinct from ethanol (which is no longer present after it’s chemically transformed into ethyl acrylate.)

General Conclusion about Vegan Cosmetics

For all the reasons stated above, there are many issues to consider before calling a cosmetic vegan or halal. The two terms are not synonymous, although they often are.

The best course of action to take when determining vegan or halal status of cosmetics is to ask the company directly. We shared some tips on how to do this in previous blog posts:

https://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/02/11/tips-for-obtaining-ingredient-information-from-food-companies/

https://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/14/obtaining-information-from-customer-service-representatives-concerning-ingredients/

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.

Some people prefer using fragrance-free bar soap. Below is a list of some companies we’ve found offering vegan fragrance-free soap bars:

Clearly Natural

Hand in Hand

Kirk’s

Sappo Hill  

Schmidt’s

With Target selling almond and soy milk, Burger King carrying the Impossible Burger, and Dunkin offering Beyond Sausage, it seems there is an explosion of interest in vegan foods. However, The Vegetarian Resource Group wanted to know how many vegans there are.

     In a national survey commissioned by VRG and conducted online by The Harris Poll among more than 2,000 U.S. adults, we asked the following question in 2016, 2019, and 2020.

Which of the following, if any, best describes your eating behavior?

• I never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs.
• I never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry.
• I never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs when eating out or getting takeout, but eat one or more of these foods at home.
• I never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry when eating out or getting takeout, but eat one or more of these foods at home.
• When eating out or getting takeout, I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, poultry, dairy, or eggs.
• When eating out or getting takeout, I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, or poultry.
• None of these.

We considered those that never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry; plus those that never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs, as vegetarian. We classified that second category of vegetarians who don’t eat dairy or eggs also as vegan. Because we use the word “never” and don’t just ask if a person considers him/herself vegetarian, our numbers may be lower than others. Be wary of comparing to polls in other countries that ask if you are vegetarian or vegan, since people may self define differently. We did not ask about honey.

     More than half of the U.S. adult population (54%) always or sometimes eats vegetarian (including vegan) meals when eating out. One fourth (25%) of U.S. adults always or sometimes eats vegan meals when eating out. Six percent of American adults are vegetarian (including vegans) all the time, and half of the vegetarians are also vegan (three percent of American adults).

    Since fifty-four percent of the country eats at least some vegetarian meals when eating out, and about half of those are eating vegan meals, this has strong implications for food companies and restaurants. There is substantial incentive for producing vegan dishes. However, based on our other experiences outside this poll, it’s not enough just to offer meatless items. Businesses have to cater to various needs, which may include price, health, convenience, source of ingredients, taste, religious requirements, etc. And since there is a large segment which did not say they consume vegetarian meals, marketing is more complex because of such different audiences.

     In another question within this poll we asked what is most important when making food choices.  Americans say the top reasons are taste (57%), cost (38%) and health (36%). Among those who eat vegetarian and vegan meals, the most important reasons are taste (48%), health (42%), and cost (31%) in that order. For vegetarians (including vegans) top reasons are health (39%), animal welfare (31%), and taste (27%), followed by cost (24%), ethics (17%), and the environment (16%). So while taste, cost, and health seems to be important to everybody, a good number of vegetarians have the extra dimension of animal welfare when making food choices., The Vegetarian Resource Group often hears that people think vegetarian foods are expensive (though beans and grains can be good foods for those on a budget). Since cost is a top reason for non-vegetarians, to expand the market beyond current consumers, businesses may want to pay attention to the cost of their products or meals.

Looking at those who eat vegetarian and vegan by gender doesn’t reveal many differences. Women and men are equally as likely to sometimes or always have vegan meals when eating out (25% each). Three percent of women are vegan, while two percent of men are vegan. One difference across gender is among vegetarians, not including vegans, where women are significantly more likely than men to be vegetarian (4% vs. 2% respectively).

     Those in the West (60%) are more likely than those in the Midwest (49%) and South (53%) to always or sometimes eat vegetarian meals (including vegan) when eating out. What’s interesting is that about the same percentage of people are vegetarian (including vegans) in all parts of the country (5% in the North East and 6% in the South, Midwest and West respectively), but as the West has a higher percentage of people eating vegetarian meals out than the Midwest and South, people might think there are more vegetarians there.

     Fifty six percent of Democrats, 53% of Republicans, and 54% of Independents always or sometimes eat vegetarian meals. With the seeming great divide in the country by political leanings, perhaps we’re really much more alike than different when it comes to food. So maybe here is some common ground. The type of location you live in may have a little more of an impact with 28% of urban dwellers being more likely to say they sometimes or always consume vegan meals when eating out, compared to only 20% of rural individuals. Yet there is not as much difference as people might expect.

     When we asked about decisions where ethics were a consideration, 45% of Americans said when making decisions about food, ethics is a least one consideration, and 64% of vegetarians (including vegans) said the same.

     A strong point of interest for marketers and business people could be that a whopping 70% of 18-34 year olds and 65% of 35-44 year olds always/sometimes eat vegetarian (including vegan) meals when eating out, compared to 51% of those ages 45-54, 43% of those ages 55-64, and 34% of those ages 65 plus. Likewise, 67% of parents with children under 18 always/sometimes eat vegetarian (including vegan) meals when eating out, compared to 49% of those who do not have children under 18. Thirty three percent of 18-44 year olds always or sometimes eat vegan meals when eating out, compared to just 18% of those ages 45+. If this continues] as these 18-44 year olds become older, restaurants and food manufacturers are wise to be preparing for these changes.

TOTALS

• 6% Vegetarian (Including Vegans) (Never eats meat, fish, seafood, or poultry)
• 3% Vegan (Never eats meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs)
• 25% Sometimes or always eats Vegan Meals When Eating Out
• 54% Sometimes or always eats Vegetarian Meals (including vegan) When Eating Out
• 3% I never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs when eating out or getting takeout, but eat one or more of these foods at home.
• 3% I never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry when eating out or getting takeout, but eat one or more of these foods at home.
• 20% When eating out or getting takeout, I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, poultry, dairy, or eggs.
• 23% When eating out or getting takeout, I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, or poultry.
• 46% None of these

Estimating about 254 million adults in the U.S (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts), 54% sometimes or always eating vegetarian (including vegan) when eating out would be 137.2 million interested adults. Twenty-five percent sometimes or always eating vegan meals when eating out would be 63.5 million interested American adults. Six percent vegetarians (including vegans) would be 15.2 million adults using the historical American vegetarian movement definition, with half of those being vegan. Vegetarians do not use meat, fish, seafood or poultry. Vegans are vegetarians who also don’t use other animal products such as dairy or eggs. For more information on vegetarian and vegan polls and numbers see: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faq.htm#poll

     25% of U.S. adults eating vegan meals sometimes or all the time when eating out is an amazing change from when earlier surveys indicated one percent of the population said they were vegetarian and still included people who ate meat**; almost nobody knew what the word vegan meant; and you had to order powdered soy milk through the mail, as it wasn’t available in supermarkets.

     For other polls, see: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faq.htm#adult

** In a 1977-1978 United States Department of Agriculture Food Consumption Survey, of 37,135 people surveyed, 1.2% answered yes to “Are you a vegetarian?” However, some of these people also reported eating flesh during the three days on which dietary information was obtained. In VRG’s 1994 poll, with a different methodology than the current polls, we found that up to one percent of American adults could be vegetarian, with maybe up to twenty percent of those vegetarians being vegan.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Vegetarian Resource Group from June 22-24, 2020 among 2,074 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology,  please contact [email protected]. Please note that this poll was taken during the Covid19 pandemic. We do not know what influence, if any, that may have had on the survey answers.

More information from this poll is still to be posted.

For other poll information, see https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faq.htm#adult

Jacqueline Dunnington’s previous Vegetarian Journal article “Splended Squash” serves up creative squash-based recipes including Golden Squash Dip; Spinach-Stuffed Acorn Squash; Calabacita’s Southwestern Style; Two Squash Bake; Oven Roasted Squash; and Creole Pattypan Squash. Find the complete article here: https://www.vrg.org/recipes/squash.htm

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

You can also subscribe to the Kindle version of Vegetarian Journal in the USA and United Kingdom. In the USA, visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544727482&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K  In the United Kingdom, visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1544731957&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K

Many people in the USA are unemployed today and facing hardships. If you are experiencing financial difficulty or simply looking for ideas for inexpensive meals this article Low-Cost Vegan Meal Plans by Melissa Wong that appeared in a previous issue of Vegetarian Journal may be extremely helpful.

     Melissa says, “The meal plans were devised for three specific populations: young adults, older adults, and a family of four. If you do not fit into one of these categories, you may still use the ideas in this article to develop a meal plan that is just right for you. Each plan features an array of meal ideas that are quick and easy to prepare, that contain the nutrients your body needs, and that won’t put a huge dent in your wallet.” You will also find recipes for Mock “Tuna” Salad, Veggie Pizza, Lentil Soup, Karen’s Creamy Rice Pudding, and Vegetarian Chili.

To subscribe to Vegetarian Journal, visit: http://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

You can also subscribe to the Kindle version of Vegetarian Journal in the USA and United Kingdom. In the USA, visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544727482&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K  In the United Kingdom, visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1544731957&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K

Chef Nancy Berkoff shares ideas on ways to prepare vegan dishes using fresh and dried peppers in a previous Vegan Cooking Tips column in Vegetarian Journal. Nancy states, “There are over 200 cultivated varieties of fresh and dried hot peppers. If you select dried peppers, you’ll want to remember that dried hot peppers are at least 10 times more potent than fresh.” Nancy also mentions, “Bell peppers: Red are sweetest, yellow the most mild, and green the strongest flavor (for a bell pepper). Bell peppers are very versatile, as they work well raw or cooked. Create a bell pepper rainbow with chopped green, red, yellow, orange, or purple peppers. Use them as in ingredient or garnish for tossed, pasta, rice, macaroni, and quinoa cold salads, or put in soups, chili, stews, sandwich fillings, and stir-fry dishes. Instead of a three-bean salad, try a three-pepper salad or use a fresh, seeded bell pepper as an edible bowl for your favorite salads (cold) or your favorite fillings (hot).”

The complete article can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2016issue3/2016_issue3_cooking_tips.php

To subscribe to Vegetarian Journal, visit: http://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

You can also subscribe to the Kindle version of Vegetarian Journal in the USA and United Kingdom. In the USA, visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544727482&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K  In the United Kingdom, visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1544731957&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K

Are you searching for a non-leather vegan wallet? The following companies in the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia all offer a variety of wallets for men and women.

USA

Bungalow 360 offers wallets in multiple colors for women.

Call it Spring carries wallets for women.

Couch sells a variety of wallets for men and women.

Doshi offers wallets for men and women.

Drizzle and Shine offers a variety of wallets for women.

Fabric Horse sells wallets for men and women.

Grape Cat sells a wide variety of wallets for women and men.

Green Banana Paper sells wallets made out of banana leaves.

K Carroll sells wallets for women.

Labante has offices in the USA and United Kingdom and offer wallets for women and men.

Matt and Nat sells wallets for men and women.

Mechaly sells a variety of women’s wallets.

Moo Shoes sells a variety of wallets for men and women.

Unicorn Goods sells a variety of men’s wallets.

Vegan Chic sells women’s wallets.

The Vegan Collection sells men’s wallets.

Vegan Essentials sells a variety of wallets for men.

The Vegan Outfitter sells a wide variety of belts for men and women.

The Vegetarian Site sells hemp wallets.

CANADA

Jeane & Jax is a Canadian company selling a wide variety of wallets for women.

Nice Shoes is a Canadian company that offers wallets for men and women.

Pixie Mood is a Canadian company that sells a variety of women’s wallets.

EUROPE

Avesu in Germany offers a wide range of wallets in various colors made from different materials.

Corkor in Portugal sells wallets for men and women made out of cork.

Labante has offices in the USA and United Kingdom and offer wallets for women and men.

AUSTRALIA

VeganWares in Australia offers men’s wallets.

Support vegan restaurants in Maryland during Vegan Restaurant Week which runs August 1^st through 9^th in 2020. See: https://www.mdveganeats.com/ and https://facebook.com/events/s/maryland-vegan-restaurant-week/307528703959792/?ti=ia

By Juhi Dattani and Adhi Muthukumar, VRG Summer Interns

For many, growing up and learning about the community around them is a stressful process that requires them to open their minds up to new ideas that have not been explored in their family circles. In an attempt to assimilate with the world around them and shed away from the rigid rules set by their families, many adolescents rebel and try to break away from anything that might have defined them. For many first generation South-Asian Americans, this process includes breaking away from a principle that was enforced since birth, vegetarianism.

     For example, in your childhood it may have been difficult to relate with others in school when no one else looks like you. To make this difference even more obvious, the children at school may have had completely different lunches. It’s human instinct to try to fit into the majority, and an easy way to do this is to learn to enjoy the same foods as people around you. At that moment, the priority is getting rid of any barrier that might separate you from friends. For many, it’s easier just to abandon all rules that come along with being raised as a South-Asian American. Unfortunately, this includes the principle of vegetarianism. It’s difficult to pause and think about the logistics of this decision. However, fitting in and growing up in a different culture does not have to include ridding yourself of principles that make complete sense, just for the sake of assimilating.

     From our personal experiences, Juhi grew up being vegetarian until she was eight years old, as she was finally convinced from influences all around her to try meat. Ultimately, the decision changed two years later after being confronted by her thoughts that this choice was not in alignment with her values, for she did not want to contribute to animal suffering. “As many, I certainly believed that I could not go back to eating vegetarian because of my desires to eat foods with meat, as I viewed it with superiority and better than the Indian food that my mom cooked at home. I was one of many that hid my cultural identity from others because of internalized shame of being different.” She later chose to follow a vegan lifestyle when she was seventeen due to one of her close friends educating her on the principles of veganism. “It’s a choice I have to make every day, and I am not always 100% perfect, but it reminds me to be conscientious and question all aspects of my life. It reminds me that the choices I make, slow or larger, can help protect and pave the way to a better planet.”

     In a different manner, Adhi was raised in a meat environment. She had some sources of vegetarian inspiration, including her grandmother, and attempted to be vegetarian a few times during her adolescence after watching documentaries. However, she was unable to withstand the peer pressure and meat-heavy culture around her. She ultimately transitioned permanently once she built up enough conviction and sense of self to make firm choices, and found the new lifestyle very welcoming and full of new recipes and inspiration. “Going vegan was much easier than I imagined it would be. In today’s society, we have a plethora of resources and innovative options across the country and world.”

     To highlight another example, Sonu is a first-generation Indian American who was raised in a vegetarian household. He grew up in New York City and shares that the multicultural environment bolsters diverse food options, and finding something to eat was never an issue. However, he noticed that the food he packed for lunch in elementary school was different from what was served, which did make him feel odd. Fortunately, the growing popularity of Asian cuisine has made vegetarian options much more mainstream. Although it was difficult adjusting to the college dining hall experience, he expresses that universities and food corporations are expanding their vegetarian options along with the rest of the country. Ultimately, he has come to embrace vegetarianism even though it set him apart at first.

     Regardless of when and why you decided to stop being vegetarian, it’s never too late to embark on your journey back into vegetarianism. We hope to provide you with easy ways to embrace vegetarianism, even when the society you are in and the persona you are trying to create do not. We also hope that with these tips we have provided, you will find it easier to live with intention. Although it may be difficult to figure out the perfect blend of identities for you, remember that you are beyond that. Make sure what you’re doing is purposeful and meaningful to you, and not based on norms and expectations!

Here are some advice and tips:

1. Learn to create recipes that fuse familiar flavors from your background with innovative ingredients

You can make recipe ideas with vegetables like cauliflower, lentils, etc. This can even be implemented for desserts! (Recipe ideas with plant-based milks and coconut.) Over time, you can introduce these recipes to the people around you, and get them excited about your lifestyle!

• Educate yourself to understand your roots and add your WHY with current issues

Exploring your cultural background with vegetarianism may help you understand the principles of the lifestyle. Research to understand the principles and rationale of vegetarian cultures to learn about how it’s more than just a “rule,” and the implications on nonviolence, health, and well-being. Reading historical texts, exploring talks online, and other scientific literature is one form of research that can help grow your understanding. In addition, joining community groups from your school or in the area that you live in[DW1] , as well as societies/associations from a local to national level helps reconnect to others of similar backgrounds.

     Adding to your reasons to support vegetarianism from issues today that arise from the pandemic crisis, environmental challenges, socio-economic issues, animal welfare and rights, helps you continue your journey towards sustainability. We must adhere to some values and remembrance to act upon our personal will. Before making a decision, ask yourself: “Is this a decision or action made from my own sense of agency? Is this chosen with my best intention and is well purposed? How is this personal choice affecting a facet of society at large?”

• Keep it balanced: from a nutritional, appetizing, and wellness standpoint

The best features of a plant-based diet is the wide array of flavors and nutrients, and you can find the blend that works for you! Kavitha Shankar, a nutrition studies PhD student at Texas Woman’s University, shows us how she does this for herself and her family. She aims to follow a balance between 60% unrefined foods and 40% refined foods as a general identification to a balanced meal. She tries to choose foods in their whole form, and experiments with tons of colorful produce. If you are interested in looking for further information about nutrition, check out https://www.vrg.org/nutrition/ for more. Treat your palate and your body!

• Engage in home-cooked meals for yourself and for multiple persons

With the life shifts brought with being at home in quarantine, our lives have changed to be cohabiting space with a partner, family members, and other individuals. Preparing food in some form also helps you form a routine and engage in healthier eating habits. In addition, sharing and cooking food for others creates a bonding experience that motivates, educates, and starts a conversation with food. In these situations, you can incentivize your foods by sharing with others, as well as have a reason to explore familiar cultural and vegetarian-friendly foods with your own twist! If you are unable to share with others in person, you can also educate close ones on your cultural foods through social media[2] .

• Explore and connect with food outside of the kitchen: From gardening, to trips to the farmers market, and supporting CSA’s (community-supported agriculture)

Shankar, who is also mother of two children, engages her family by growing food outside of their home in a container-based garden. In addition, Shankar continuously makes trips to the farmers market with her children and hopes to be a member of a CSA (community-supported agriculture). As she states, “It’s fulfilling to directly connect to the selection of food you are purchasing, from buying local seasonal produce, to supporting your local farmers’ livelihood.”

• If and when all else fails, set aside expectations and all of the nitty gritty details

When we find something daunting and not yet an unattainable goal, commend and appreciate the stage you are at now through compassion.

• Explore online and through all mediums of literature, social media, and books related to food for inspiration

To not feel bored, integrate the veg lifestyle to your personal interests! There is a plethora of content out there from health care providers, researchers, and regular people who want to make a difference. The Vegetarian Resource Group has many recipes, tips, and more at vrg.org. Take advantage of various online resources, learn from everyone, and make your journey as entertaining as possible!

Some of our favorite Youtubers and Social Media accounts include:

Rainbow Plant-Life, an Indian-American YouTuber who creates easy dishes and provides tips for veganizing traditional Indian recipes.

Meatless Monday: Check out the Meatless Monday Instagram for inspiration to swap out meat for delicious plant-based options for your health and the health of the planet!

CookingShooking, a young Indian cuisine based chef who explores and provides easy to follow vegan as well as vegetarian dishes (Hindi and English Subbed)

Sophia Esperanza, “What I Eat in a Day videos and more”

      Sophia, a popular plant-based influencer, shares her recipes as an inspiration guideline for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Rachel Ama, a plant-based Youtuber who shares many recipes centered on carribean-themed food

Pick Up Limes, a channel by Sadia, who provides nutritional information and easy ways to eat wholesome foods while not compromising on creativity or taste.

So Many Cooks in the Kitchen, a Facebook show that features several members of the Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). They share online demos, recipes, nutrition, and more!

Recent topics brought up include:

– Part of my doctoral research is focused on school lunch programs. What is your opinion or take on it? Do your kids eat school lunches and if yes, do you find enough vegetarian options. For example, Child Nutrition Program (CNP) officially introduced tempeh as a meat-equivalent last year. However, how many schools really serve tempeh? Ours does not!

– My kids hate carrots. Are there any good vegan recipes out there using carrot that will make it more appealing to kids?

– Group members shared cooking videos

https://www.facebook.com/groups/VRGparentsandkids/ is intended to be a group that offers support for families raising children on vegan diets and for vegan kids. We envision it as a place to get advice about a wide-variety of topics: pregnancy, birthday parties, school lunches, Halloween, non-leather apparel, cruelty-free products, summer camps, and more. Please use it as a place to share your wisdom, seek advice, or just find a sympathetic ear. The goal is to offer support.

Consequently, any profane, defamatory, offensive, or violent language will be removed. Feel free to disagree, but do so respectfully. Hateful or discriminatory comments regarding race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or political beliefs will not be tolerated. We expect that posts should relate to vegan diets and lifestyles. The Vegetarian Resource Group reserves the right to monitor all content and ban any user who posts in violation of the above rules, any law or regulation, SPAM, or anything otherwise off topic.

Please share this information with any veggie families that you know! Thanks.