Despite the fact that new vegan restaurants are opening each day during the Covid-19 crisis, many established vegan restaurants are really hurting during the Pandemic. We’ve seen some VRG members encouraging their friends to support local vegan restaurants. We think this is a terrific idea! In some cases one person acts as a central location for pick-up and friends place their take-out order together and one individual picks up the food for several families. In other cases, friends are simply encouraged to go out of their way to support a local vegan establishment.

To help you find a local restaurant to support, here’s The Vegetarian Resource Group’s online guide to veggie restaurants in the USA and Canada: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

Thanks!

People generally think of sweet dishes when chocolate is featured; however, chocolate is often used in savory recipes. Debra Daniels-Zeller’s previous Vegetarian Journal article called “The Savory Side of Chocolate” features these vegan dishes: Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette; Slow-Simmered Black-Eyed Peas and Corn in Barbecue Sauce; Black Bean and Yam Enchiladas Infused with Chocolate; Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Sauce with a Hint of Chocolate; Baked Tempeh in Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Sauce; Chocolate Mole; Chocolate-Infused Shepherd’s Pie; and Chocolate Sweet Potato Drop Biscuits. Debra also describes the various varieties of dark chocolate.

The article can be found here: The Savory Side of Chocolate

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

The Vegetarian Resource Group is a vegan activist non-profit organization that does outreach all-year-long. For example, VRG responds to the public’s questions every day and sends literature free of charge to other groups/individuals doing educational activities in schools, hospitals, camps, restaurants, libraries, offices, etc. Our ability to continue doing this depends on people like you! Your donations allow us to promote the vegan message whenever we’re called upon for assistance. Please consider becoming a monthly or quarterly donor to The Vegetarian Resource Group.

During these challenging times, thanks so much for your support. You can donate online here: vrg.org/donate

By Saisravya Bandia

Saisravya is a Vegetarian Resource Group 2020 video scholarship winner. She said: Since being a vegetarian myself for seven years and still going strong, I have been interested in finding out how this is helping me and the environment. Along with looking for new food options and restaurants to go to.

To see her video, go to: https://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php

Fall has arrived and so have a variety of pears in the USA. Debra Daniels-Zeller’s article Perfect Pears (from a previous issue of Vegetarian Journal) provides recipes for Reisling-Braised Kale and Pears With Basmati Rice; Sweet And Spicy Yams And Pears With Toasted Pecans; Maple-Sautéed Pears; Creamy Rosemary, Acorn Squash, and Pear Soup; Coconut-Cranberry-Pear Sauce Hazelnut-Orange Asian Pear and Beet Salad; Pear Crisp With Cranberries; Pear-Walnut Bread; and Berry-Poached Pears. She also explains the differences between popular varieties of pears. See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2004issue3/2004_issue3_perfect_pears.php

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

Instagram: @vegetarianresourcegroup

The Vegetarian Resource Group has a graphic called Burrito on My Plate, which shows viewers the water footprint of a vegan versus a meat-based burrito. It takes 225 gallons of water to make a vegan burrito without tofu and 253 gallons of water to make a vegan burrito with tofu. In comparison, it takes 541 gallons of water to make a beef burrito.

The Burrito on My Plate Graphic can be seen here: https://www.vrg.org/environment/BurritoOnMyPlate.pdf

The article detailing how we came up with the numbers of gallons of water needed to produce each type of burrito can be found here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2017issue2/2017_issue2_burrito_plate.php

By Julia Stanitski, VRG Intern

It was a great experience going to Daily Veg, a new vegan restaurant in Newark, Delaware. Daily Veg is located on the busy, bright main street of the University of Delaware campus. With the hustle and bustle of students and locals walking around, it is in a great location, and it is the first 100% vegan restaurant that students can walk to. The first thing I noticed was how kind the workers are. They asked if I had ever had vegan food before, and then fully explained the menu. The menu consists of fresh smoothie bowls, homemade milkshakes, and soups, salads, burgers, wraps, and more!! I decided on the Daily Chick’n Deluxe Sandwich with Kale Salad, and also a bowl of Tomato Basil Soup. Since I was dining with friends, I also got to try the Crispy Chick’n Caesar Salad. As we headed to an outdoor table after ordering, they rushed out and disinfected it prior to us sitting down – I was impressed by how observant and proficient they were. They brought us our food in under ten minutes!

     Regarding the food, it all was wonderful. The Chick’n Deluxe was very flavorful, with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and a garlic herb aioli that packed a punch! The patty was house-breaded, juicy, and had an incredible texture. You would not think this sandwich was vegan! For the price, it was big and filling. The kale salad it came with was simple but the perfect pairing for such a large meal. Next was the Tomato Basil soup – honestly, the best I have ever had. It was piping hot when it came out, had the perfect amount of seasoning (great basil flavor), and was a very large serving that I could not even finish. I was so glad I got to try some of the Crispy Chick’n Caesar next – it tasted exactly like what I remember a typical restaurant Caesar salad should be, in vegan form! Fresh lettuce, creamy dressing, and Chick’n that was crunchy and delicious.

     I would definitely come back to Daily Veg, and soon. Even though the place may seem small, they have a good amount of seating indoors and a modern and inviting environment. The prices were reasonable, the food was great and came out fast, and the staff was grateful to have us. What more could you ask? Visit Daily Veg in Newark, DE, or at their other location in Pike Creek, DE.

Daily Veg website: https://dailyveg.com/

To see more vegan restaurants, go to the VRG Restaurant Guide: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/

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.

Fall has arrived and root veggies are in season in the USA. Debra Daniels-Zeller offers a variety of recipes featuring root vegetables in her previous Vegetarian Journal article titled Vegan Roots. Enjoy these recipes: Rosemary Roasted Roots; Orange-Marinated Beets; Carrot-Rutabaga Coleslaw; Tomatoes and Lentils with Carrots, Turnips, and Kale; Mashed Celeriac-Potatos with Roasted Garlic; Jerusalem Artichokes with Carmelized Onions; Curried Parsnip Soup; and Sweet Potato Dip. Find the article here:

https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2008issue4/2008_issue4_vegan_roots.php

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

Recent topics brought up include:

– Video posted by a parent stating, “Who says that kids can’t be creative and who says they just want to sit and watch TV. Give them engaging work and they will build a whole story beyond your imagination…”

– You might be interested in this new children’s book coming out in September: Our Animal Neighbors, by Matthew Ricard and Jason Gruhl and illustrated by Becca Hall

– What is your take on “organic” veggie/fruit produce? Do you “trust” them enough to spend extra $$ on? Do you “believe” they are better for health for your children?

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.