Vegetarian Journal previously featured a vegan recipe piece by cookbook author and photographer Hannah Kaminsky called “Keep Your Cool! Refreshing No-Bake Desserts.” Recipes include Peaches and Cream Icebox Cake, Orange Dream Ice Cream Bars, Raspberry White Chocolate Macaroons, Root Beer Float Pie, and Bananas Foster Crème Brûlée.

You can find the entire piece here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2019issue3/2019_issue3_keep_cool.php

Subscribe to Vegetarian Journal in the USA only by visiting https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

By Callie Showalter, The Vegetarian Resource Group Intern

Non-vegans eat vegan food every day—sometimes even without realizing it. Many non-vegetarian friends of VRG interns are, of course, eating foods like hummus, nuts, and fruit—which aren’t marketed as vegan, but are definitely vegan staples. Many non-vegans also enjoy typical American foods, just without the meat. For example, Rachel Eldering stated that her non-vegan friends enjoy meat substitutes like Impossible foods or vegan chicken, which is most typically available in her area under brands like Gardein and LightLife. Similarly, intern Lucia Rivera said that she has friends who enjoy vegetarian foods such as the Impossible Burger and veggie pizza. She also added that, for teenagers, a typical daily diet may depend on what their parents serve them.

     Branching out from items such as pizza and burgers, there are also many vegetarian-friendly dishes from cultures across the globe. For example, intern Shantika Bhat stated that her friends like vegan japchae, a noodle dish originating in Korea. They also enjoy puliyogare, which is a south Indian rice dish.

     Intern Julia Comino said that many of her friends will eat vegan and vegetarian meals because she offers them leftovers when she makes large pasta or curry dishes. Cooking meals and sharing them with others is a fantastic way to encourage non-vegetarian friends and family to try meat-free or vegan meals. Julia also added that although vegan foods aren’t very accessible where she lives, she and her friends will visit Taco Bell and order the vegetarian Black Bean Crunch Wrap. You can even order it fresco style, without the dairy. Taco Bell has hundreds of locations across North America, and might be a great option if someone you know wants to go vegan, but they don’t otherwise have a lot of access to veg-friendly meals where they live.

     Simon Brown, like Julia, stated that his non-vegan friends will eat vegan meals when someone cooks the meal for them. He also added that many of his friends don’t tend to choose vegan substitutes like the Impossible Burger. Rather, they more typically eat vegan food unintentionally when eating at Indian, Mediterranean, or Ethiopian restaurants—all of which serve many vegetarian meals.

     So, non-vegetarian people of all ages and cultures can find vegan foods to enjoy. There are tons of vegan meals, spanning across many cultures. Whether it’s from a fast food restaurant, or is homemade, vegan food is delicious and diverse. More and more young people are choosing diets that contain little to no meat. Non-vegans are getting increased exposure to vegetarian food because meat-free options are now popping up everywhere, and the options will only keep increasing. 

For some ideas about what to serve vegetarian friends, see https://www.vrg.org/teen/#friends

Father’s Day is June 20^th and it’s also the first day of summer. It’s time to grill vegan-style! Chef Nancy Berkoff offers recipes for Grilled Eggplant, Mediterranean Grilled Portobellos with Pine Nuts, Curried Barbecue Tempeh, Roasted Pepper and Eggplant Dip, Pineapple-Peach Salsa, Japanese Style Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Sweet Peaches, and Roasted Corn.

Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/2002issue3/2002_issue3_gourmet.php

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

Nothing beats a hearty salad on a warm day. Here’s some creative summer salad recipes that appeared in previous issues of Vegetarian Journal.

Peggy Rynk’s article “Cool, Crisp Summer Salads” offers these recipes: Chilled Lentil Salad with Spicy Citrus Dressing; Creamy Potato Salad with Scallions and Chives; Tamari-Dressed Jicama Salad; Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, and Sweet Onion Salad; Pineapple-Carrot Salad with Citrus Dressing; and Melon Medley with Lemon Dressing. Read the article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2007issue2/2007_issue2_cool_salads.php

Debra Daniel-Zeller’s piece “Warm Weather Salads Fit to Be Meals” includes recipes for Shiitake Mushroom, Quinoa and Greens with Toasted Cashews; Greens with New Potatoes and Kidney Beans; Spinach and Bean Salad with Mustard Croutons; Lime-Infused Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad; 3-Bean Salad with Sweet Onions and Arugula; Soba Noodles with Marinated Tofu and Baby Kale; and Grilled Vegetable Salad with Lemon-Cashew Dressing. Her article can be found here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2015issue3/2015_issue3_salads_meals.php

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

Featuring Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
Friday, June 18, 2021; 4:00PM – 5:00PM California Time

Online event REGISTER AT: https://sjpl.bibliocommons.com/events/60144c717abe85450023b39e

Veg-curious? Vegetarian? Vegan? This program is for you! You will learn how to be a healthy vegetarian/vegan, how to deal with social situations, and how to get started as a vegetarian/vegan. We’ll also talk about being a vegetarian athlete as well as ideas for simple meals and snacks. Bring your questions to this interactive session.

Reed Mangels, PhD, RD is a Nutrition Advisor for the non-profit, educational Vegetarian Resource Group (www.vrg.org) and the nutrition editor and a regular columnist for Vegetarian Journal.

Registration is required to receive a link and password. Deadline to sign-up will be 1 hour before the program begins.

Links and passwords will be emailed at least 30 minutes before the program. The virtual room will open 3 minutes before the program begins. We do recommend everyone “arrive” at least 10 minutes before the program to ensure you are able to enter the “room.” If you do not receive an email with the program link at least 30 minutes before the program begins, please check your spam and other folders. If still unable to find it, please use the Chat to ask a team member for help.

For those under 18 years of age who may be joining us, we recommend that a parent/legal guardian be with you during the meeting. Learn more about Zoom at zoom.us.

*Reminder – Those not on the Guest List will not be considered registered, and will not receive a virtual “ticket”. Registration accepted on a first come first serve basis.

To request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for library-sponsored events, please call 408-808-2000 at least three business days prior to the event.

Recent topics brought up include:

– Impossible Foods, the maker of the Impossible Burger, recently announced that they have obtained Child Nutrition labels for Impossible Burger products. What does this mean?

– Animal Justice Project have launched a crowd funder to raise £750 to gift 100 Vivi the Supervegan children’s books to nurseries and primary schools across the UK! Please help us to reach as many children as we can!

– Hi! Does anyone know recent research or surveys that show how many 8 to 13-year-olds are vegetarian? (Asking for an eco- soul-conscious kids vegetarian cookbook author.)

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 around the world. 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.

More and more senior citizens in the United States are vegan or eat vegan food several times a week. Some seniors may eventually choose to move into a senior independent or assisted living establishment. Other seniors may need to move into a nursing home or other type of senior facility. How do you know if the facility you’re considering offers vegan options?

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online guide to veggie-friendly senior facilities. Some offer vegan options on a regular basis and some offer vegetarian food and upon request will provide vegan food. With demand from seniors, more and more establishments will eventually add vegan meals.

Here’s VRG’s online guide: https://www.vrg.org/seniors/senior_vegan.php

If you know of any other senior facilities that should be added to this guide, please send the information to [email protected]

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):

4th & State, 152 E. State St., Columbus, OH 43215

Whether you’re brunching the morning away or looking for a delicious dinner on a night out, 4th & State has it all. Stop by in the morning, and you might have a hard time choosing just one item from their breakfast menu. From the Chik’n N’ Pancakes to the 4th Street Combo, a Vrunchwrap, coffee, and your choice of hashbrowns, homefries, or sauzage, you can’t go wrong! For lunch and dinner indulge in American favorites such as burgers, milkshakes, and fries or conquer the Maui Wowie pizza, a stuffed crust BBQ base piled high with bacun, chik’n, red onions, pineapple, jalapenos, and a drizzle of ranch, that will leave you saying WOW!

Devi’s Donuts, 3600 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA 90804

Menu includes many sweet flavors of 100% vegan donuts and also cinnamon rolls.

Etérea, 511 E 5th St., New York, NY 10009

Located in the East Village, two blocks South of Tompkins Square — a neighborhood packed with great bars and vegan establishments — this spot stands out by specializing in innovative Mezcal/Tequila cocktails and Mexican/SoCal-inspired vegan plates. With a Mexican themed décor featuring vibrant colors, flowers and cozy but classy seating, Etérea has an impressive list of mezcals and tequilas, and numerous unique cocktails developed by mixologist Sother Teague (also of popular bitters-focused Amor y Amargo, just round the corner). These include the Corn Cob Pipe (with Blanco Tequila, Poblano, Lime, Corn, and Cilantro), and Panic at Hibisco (with Añejo Tequila, Pepita Orgeat, Citrus Blend, and Hibiscus).  Head Chef Xila Caudillo has created a wide range of plates, including a highly-rated guacamole, Tacos, Corn Ribs Elote, Tamales, and Corn Pudding featuring rosemary meringues, candied pecans, and blackberries. All items containing nuts and soy are clearly labeled. Reservations suggested.

Revolution Health Kitchen, 150 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115

Revolution Health Kitchen offers a variety of smoothies, juices, bowls, and a daily soup. There is also a chiller stocked with prepared vegan salads and other grab-and-go items. Their made-to-order juices are freshly squeezed and include Sweet Beet with kale, beets, carrots, and other mineral-dense ingredients. Bowls can all be customized with a variety of toppings. Revolution Health Kitchen also offers different meal plan options that provide up to 3 days’ worth of food and beverages designed to promote health.

Seitan Rising Café and Bakery, 2 Morgan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11237

Seitan Rising Café and Bakery is a woman owned vegan queer café with amazing pastries and food. They have a great variety of pastries such as scones, cake donuts, pound cake, and more. In addition they have a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options such as Triple Threat (our pepperoni, salami, and mortadella, with cheese, lettuce, roasted red pepper, onion, pepperoncini, mayo, and vinaigrette on a ciabatta hero), Chickie Caesar Wrap (our chicken with greens, sun dried tomato, onion, croutons, house-made Caesar, parm cheese on a wrap), and Hammy (our ham, tofu scramble, cheese, hollandaise, and spicy ketchup on a roll). They are located just north of Flushing Avenue.

Vegan Friendly Foods, 4608 Bennington Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70808

One of Yelp’s top 100 places to eat in the US for 2021, Vegan Friendly Foods offers fully vegan southern food and a fun atmosphere. Fan favorite dishes include the poboy, Mac and cheese, backsliding, potato salad, cauliflower, and more!

Vegan Treats, Meats, and Eats, 8020 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45237

Whether you’re a meat-eater, a longtime vegan, or a brand-new vegan, you’re sure to find something to enjoy at Vegan Treats, Meats, and Eats! This food truck offers a wide range of comfort foods—like chili, burgers, and burritos. With their unique “Soul Food Sundays,” you can order dishes like chicken wings, ribs, or a fish dinner— all without the meat. Don’t forget to grab a strawberry lemonade or a slice of vegan carrot cake to complete your meal!

Wizard Burger, 74 North Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207

Although the Wizard Burger might not be magic, its flavorful dishes are out of this world. Satisfy any craving with one of their unique creations from the Second Breakfast Burger, a potato bun topped with an impossible burger patty, just egg scramble, maple syrup, and tater tots, to the Magic-ano, pulled “pork” and an Impossible patty on a potato bun. Or if you are looking for a dessert that will cast a spell on your appetite try the Pixie Storm, sweet potato tater tots piled high with gooey marshmallows, maple syrup, and a chocolate drizzle!

Peace Advocacy Network is excited to invite Rissa Miller, senior editor of Vegetarian Journal Magazine and organizer of Baltimore Vegan Drinks, to join us for a discussion about Navigating Life as a New Vegan.

From talking to family and friends about your lifestyle to attending social events (safely!) to traveling, Rissa has you covered with 26 years worth of advice, tips, and insightful suggestions from her experience participating in almost every kind of activism you can imagine.

Register to join us on Tuesday, June 22 at 7 pm EST for the free virtual discussion at https://tinyurl.com/navigatingasvegan

Debra Daniels-Zeller’s article Fabulous Wheat-Free Vegan Pancakes previously appeared in Vegetarian Journal. Enjoy these recipes: Buckwheat-Banana Pancakes, Ginger-Apricot Pancakes, Light Lemony Oatcakes, Blueberry Hotcakes, Carob-Barley Pancakes, Zucchini Griddle Cakes, Apricot-Almond Topping, and Summer Berry Topping.

See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj99jul/1999_jul_pancakes.php

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