The Vegetarian Resource Group Blog

What Vegan Dishes Can You Prepare with Collard Greens?

Posted on November 13, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

photo by Hannah Kaminsky

A previous issue of Vegan Journal included a piece by Nava Atlas called “Collard Comforts.” Enjoy recipes for Stir-Fried Collard Greens and Cabbage; Spicy Collard Greens with Black-Eyed Peas and Tomatoes; Hoisin-Glazed Collard Greens and Sweet Potatoes; Rosemary Potatoes and Collard Greens with Vegan Sausage; and Roasted Collard Greens with Polenta and Brussels Sprouts. These delicious recipes can be found here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_collard_comforts.php

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

Which Vegan Restaurants Have Been Added to The Vegetarian Resource Group’s Guide to Veggie Restaurants in the USA and Canada?

Posted on November 13, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

photo from Taco Vegana

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: www.vrg.org/restaurant

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:

Dialogue Coffee and Flowers, 188 Allen St., New York, NY 10002

Dialogue Coffee and Flowers is a vegan café and flower shop. Specialty coffee beverages include strawberry matcha latte, fermented rice osmanthus latte, and carrot cake latte topped with a carrot cake cold foam. Plant-based milk options include oat, almond, soy, and coconut. Vegan pastries are also available including croissants, banana and walnut muffins, pain au chocolat, and Nutella cream cheese bomboloni.

Electric Beets, 158 7th Ave., Ste. B, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Inspired by her own journey, the founder of Electric Beets hopes to create a nutritious experience that brings joy. They list ingredients and many gluten-free items. The menu changes often and availability varies. Seasoned, Breakfast Burrito offers tofu, sweet potato, spinach, onion, sunflower seeds, carrots, and more in a tomato-wrap. Savory Baked Goods include Basil Biscuit and Spinach Ricotta Scone and more. Spring Rolls are seasoned tofu-based with sweet potato noodles, rice paper wrapper, cucumber, bell pepper, cabbage, carrots, sesame seed, mint, spinach, and choice of Peanut or Sweet Chili Sauce. Jack al Pastor is a GF wrap, pineapple, brown rice, Jackfruit, onion, sweet potato, cabbage, raisin, Chipotle pepper, adobo, sunflower seed, and Tahini. Crunchy Veggie Peanut Salad combines cabbage, cucumber, carrot, quinoa, Bell Pepper, peanut butter, and peanuts in a tamari, sesame, Gochujang sauce. Their namesake, Electric Beets features walnuts, coconut yogurt, spinach, cashew, basil, chickpea miso, lemon, coriander, and cardamom. Curried Cauliflower seasoned with coriander, turmeric, cumin, ginger, carrot, mint, and red pepper, also has raisins, pepitas, coconut yogurt, and cucumber. Tamari-seasoned Japchae Sweet Potato Rice Noodles showcase red bell pepper, carrots, shiitake mushroom, spinach, scallion, wood ear mushroom, ginger, and sesame seeds. Lasagna Slice is crafted with tofu, cashew, semolina or GF noodles, mushroom, garlic, Italian Seasoning, and basil. Sunflower Mac & Cheese Noodles (Semolina or GF) are crafted with sunflower seeds. Beet Burger is made with mushrooms, brown rice, horseradish, and other seasonings. Enchilada encases sweet potato, mushrooms, tomatoes, beets, brown rice, sunflower seeds, Chipotle, and cilantro. They also have seasoned, cremini mushroom sausage and tofu nuggets. Grab-and-Go Soup stock varies widely but potentially there’s Chili, Egyptian Lentil, Cheesy Broccoli, Chickpea Curry, Peanut Stew, Mushroom Barley, Corn Chowder and more. If dining on site, see the Hot Menu Calendar of Daily Soups. Sweets may include Lemon Blueberry, Corn, Pumpkin Muffins and more, as well as Banana Pudding, chocolate Sunflower seed-based Sun Cups, Sesame Tahini Cookie, chocolate Zucchini Brownie, chocolate Bliss Bark with dates, almond and dried cranberries, Peppermint Patty, and more.

Taco Vegana, 1004 Oakwood Ave., Richmond, VA 23223

The philosophy at Taco Vegana is “This goes beyond the menu; it’s about protecting the integrity of a cuisine, acknowledging where recipes come from, and spreading kindness to all living things…” For starters there’s Elote Loco Mexican street-style corn with cotija, chipotle mayo, takis/tajin powder, and crema; Taco Vegana’s Guac with tortilla chips, cilantro and limes; their Asada /Chi’ken Fries with refried pinto beans; their tex-mex queso, pico, crema, pickled jalapeños, and avocado salsa; as well as other dishes. There offer several tacos such as Al Pastor with adobo, pineapple, onions, cilantro, and avocado salsa; Veggie Taco with sweet potato, onion, corn, bell pepper, black beans, cilantro, crema, and Pico; as well as Papas (Potato) and Soyrizo with Pico, and crema—to note just a few. Enchiladas showcase Green, Red or Mole sauced corn tortillas filled with mashed potato/cheese. Burrito Bowl has rice, black beans, sweet potato, bell peppers, onions, corn, avocado salsa, crema, and lettuce. Both have the option to add a protein. They list several gluten-free options across the menu. Their dids menu features Tacos, Quesadillas, Nachos and Chi’ken Tenders with Fries. Sweets include traditional Mexican Churro Bites with brown sugar and cinnamon served with a dark chocolate dipping sauce and 3 Leches Cake–Vanilla cake served with condensed soy, almond and oat milk, vegan frosting topped with cinnamon, and seasonal fruit.

Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery, 5091 W. Brown Deer Rd., Brown Deer, WI 53223

Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery offers an abundant menu motivated by concern “for animals…health benefits, and… love of our natural world….” They even provide an ingredient breakdown of their Burgers, Frittata, Sausage and Chicken. All day Breakfast features Free Bird Chickpea Frittata with avocado; Coconut Bacon on an English muffin; Pesto Perfection with Chickpea Frittata; and Pesto and spinach on Sourdough Bread. Sun Up Ciabatta showcases sausage, frittata, cucumber, spinach, cheese, and Spicy Ranch. French Toast Casserole is bread soaked with oat milk and spices, baked and topped with the flavor of the week as well as your choice custom topping like Banana and PB with Choco Drizzle or Apple Cinnamon Sugar and more. Besides Bowls and Salads, here are some of the many Entrées. Pesto Mushroom Melt is marinated Portobello, White bean Pesto, tomato, spinach, pickled onion, spinach, and Cheddar on Ciabatta. Rueben Tender offers oven roasted beets on marble rye with sauerkraut, Swiss, and Russian dressing. Jamaican Jerk Tacos are 2 flour shells, Jerk Plantain, avocado, red pepper, cabbage, Mango Salsa, and Mojo Dressing. Harvest Stack layers Sweet Potato, Tempeh Bacon, Red onion, Arugula, and Horseradish Mayo on Rye. Taco Mac Pasta is crafted with Chickpea Walnut Chorizo, cheese Sauce, tomato, avocado, Jalapeño, and Spicy Ranch Drizzle. Coconut Curry combines chickpea, potato, tomato, onion, Curry, Masala, and cilantro over Rice. Gyro Chicken Salad serves up Marinated “Chicken,” Harissa Hummus, cucumber, salad fixings, Feta, and Cashew Tzatziki. For dids there have Tacos, Mac & Cheese, Buttered Noodles, Grilled Cheese, Juices, Smoothies, and more. As the name would imply, they have all sorts of Juices and Smoothies like Mango Lassi or Mane Magic–Banana, Peanut Butter, Coffee, Lions Mane, cinnamon and agave and many others. There’s also a plethora of hot and cold Coffee and Tea Drinks like Cherry or Lavender Chai, Maple Pumpkin Cold Brew, S’mores Latte with Chocolate, Toasted Marshmallow, Graham Cracker, Milk and Espresso, Gingerbread Latte with Caramel Drizzle and Espresso, Caramel Pumpkin Latte Espresso and Cinnamon Streusel Latte with blueberry, almond and cinnamon to name a few. Milk choices are oat, coconut or almond.

Urban Jungalow, 1910 W. Cass St., Tampa, FL 33606

Urban Jungalow lists their ingredients! While the menu may vary, possible Made to Order items are Breakfast Sandwich, noted as a “café favorite on your choice of toasted bagel, tofu egg patty, tempeh bacon, and sauce. There’s also Bagel & Schmear—your choice of Bagel and spread, or a toasted Bagelwich with Carrot Nova & Chive Creamed Cashew Cheese, Hearts of Palm Salad spread, and more, as well as tomato, capers, and pickled onions. Focaccia Pizza is deep-dish sourdough with marinara and vegan mozzarella. Pulled BBQ Sandwich offers a “homemade” brioche bun, shredded BBQ tofu, coleslaw, and BBQ sauce. Listed as a “house favorite,” 1925 Caesar Salad—showcases kale, creamy dressing, “homemade” sourdough crumble, sunflower seeds, cashew parmesan, tofu nuggets, and pickled red onion. Two savory Baked Goods are their Truffle Mushroom Sourdough Focaccia topped with king trumpet mushrooms, caramelized onion, thyme, and truffle oil and their Tomato Herb Sourdough Focaccia topped with tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and sea salt. You may choose a dipping sauce too. Sweets include Pumpkin or Cranberry Orange Pistachio Muffin, frosted Chocolate Protein Donut, and Harvest Brownie made with sweet potato and almond butter. Some Desserts are Berry Cherry Crumble layering cherries and blueberries with oat crumble and topped by dairy-free whip; Key Lime Pie with a dehydrated lime garnish; and Adaptogenic Peppermint Cups—a chocolate mushroom, blue spirulina blend. There’s also a Coconut version with almonds. Besides numerous Coffee Drinks, they craft Functional Beverages like hot or cold Mushroom Chocolate. Mint Condition features fresh mint, ginger, and club soda. Seasonal Iced Blue Lavender Matcha blends matcha, butterfly pea flower, and lavender agave. For all drinks containing milk, choose: Oat Milk, Almond, Pistachio, or Soy. Among several Grab N Go items there’s Tandoori or spiced African Peanut Hummus; sweet, savory Crunchy (tofu)Teriyaki Roll; and Gochujang Bulgogi Roll with gochujang mushrooms and carrot. Both Rolls have avocado and mango and are wrapped in rice and nori, served with tamari. Hawaiian Poke Bowl offers rice, cucumber salad, edamame, carrots, homemade beet “tuna,” mango, teriyaki tofu, avocado, and sesame seeds.

Vegan Express, 98 Niagara St., Unit B, St. Catharines, ON L2R 4L4 Canada

Vegan Express hopes to “…inspire people to choose a …greener, more compassionate lifestyle” as they celebrate their belief in the health benefits of a plant-based diet including whole foods and organic ingredients. Salads include crunchy Cabbage Salad with lemon mint dressing, Tabouli Salad, Fattoush– mixed vegetable salad, lime vinaigrette and “homemade” pita chips, and others. To name a few of their soups, there’s Brown Lentil containing olive oil, onions, garlic, spinach, mint, “handmade” noodles, and lemon; Tomato soup based Kidney Bean Stew; and Butternut Squash Soup with apples, carrots, and other veggies. Some of their wraps are Quinoa Bean Wrap Taco Style with beans, corn, onion, mixed vegetables, taco seasoning, and vegan cheese; Zaatar and Vegan Cheese Melt on “fresh in-house made naan bread;” and Falafel Wrap–Pita bread, falafels, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onions, tomato, and tahini sauce. They offer a Veggie Burger too. A few of their Mains are Turmeric Rice with Mixed Vegetables and almonds; Chick Pea Bulger with Tomato; veggie Hummus Bowls; and more. Check their website or Facebook for daily specials too. One of several sides is Potato Tartare—seasoned Sweet potato, bulgur, pine nuts, pepper, and tomato topped with parsley, onion and sumac. Dessert choices are Coconut Macaroons, Turmeric Anise Cake, or Baklawa (Baklava)—layered filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts and syrup.  You may also order Cakes with advance notice.

 

Vegan Diets in a Nutshell Poster

Posted on November 12, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

Share this handy poster with family and friends. You can also print it out and post it on your refrigerator. See: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/VeganDietsinaNutshellPoster.pdf

Enjoy Asian-Inspired Soups and Stews!

Posted on November 12, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

photo by Hannah Kaminsky

Now that it’s getting colder outside, it is a perfect time to prepare these Asian-Inspired Soups and Stews from Nava Atlas: Hot and Sour Vegetable Soup; Miso Soup with Winter Vegetables; Thai-Flavored Vegetable Stew; Tofu & Soba Noodle Soup; Vietnamese ‘Beef’—Noodle Soup; and Kimchi Soup. Find these vegan recipes here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue1/2024_issue1_asianinspired-soup-and-stews.php

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

Subscribe to Vegan Journal Today!

Posted on November 11, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

Vegan Journal is published by The Vegetarian Resource Group. Enjoy in-depth original research, product and book reviews, scientific updates on veggie nutrition, delicious vegan recipes with gorgeous photos, plus so much more. Both long-term vegans and those new to a vegan life-style will enjoy this magazine.

To subscribe in the USA only, see: https://www.vrg.org/member/

What Are Some Vegan Turkey Alternatives for Thanksgiving?

Posted on November 11, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

Are you looking for some alternatives to Turkey this Thanksgiving? Fortunately, there are many options today.

Field Roast offers these choices:
1. Celebration Roast with Traditional Bread Stuffing and Gravy – made with fresh onions, celery, cranberries and butternut squash.
2. Hazelnut Cranberry Plant-Based Roast – a rich, hazelnut-infused grain meat stuffed with Field Roast sausages, crystallized ginger, cranberries and apples – wrapped in a savory puff pastry. It’s even Toaster Oven friendly!
See: https://fieldroast.com/products/#roasts-loaves

Gardein offers a plant-based Turk’y Roast. See: https://www.gardein.com/chickn-and-turky/classics/turky-roast

Tofurky offers Tofurky Roast and Gravy. The Roast includes stuffing. See: https://tofurky.com/what-we-make/roasts/

They also have a Ham Style Roast. For details see: https://tofurky.com/what-we-make/roasts/ham-roast/

Vegetarian Plus offers Vegan Whole Turkey. See: https://myrtlegreens.com/products/vegan-whole-turkey

VRG Vegan Dinner Held in Nashville, Tennessee

Posted on November 10, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

The Vegetarian Resource Group hosted a vegan dinner in Nashville, TN, during FNCE (the national convention for dietitians). A great time was had by dietitians and VRG members from several states. Thanks to Sitar Indian Restaurant for serving a vegan Indian buffet.

Sweet and Savory Warm Rolls You Can Bake at Home

Posted on November 10, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

photo by Rissa Miller

Former Vegan Journal Senior Editor Rissa Miller wrote an article titled, On a Roll. She provides vegan recipes for making the dough (including a gluten-free option) or if you’re in a rush how to use vegan canned crescent-style dough. You’ll also find three sweet roll fillings and three savory roll fillings. Start baking today!

Read the complete article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2020issue1/2020_issue1_on_roll.php

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

Nacho Daddy’s Has Several Vegan Options On Their Menu

Posted on November 07, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

Vegan Loaded Nachos

Nacho Daddy’s with locations in Nashville, TN, Las Vegas and Henderson, NV, and Salt Lake City, UT, offers a number of vegan items on their menu. We tried their Vegan Loaded Nachos that includes corn chips topped with black beans, house-made vegan queso, vegan sour cream, avocado lime salsita, salsa, fresca, pico de gallo, fresh guacamole, and pickled jalapeños. We also dined on their Vegan Chicken Fajitas that consists of marinated fajita chick’n strips served over peppers and onions, vegan sour cream, guacamole, cherry pico de gallo, salsa, black beans, and wild rice. It’s served over a choice of corn/flour tortillas or crispy lettuce cups. Both were delicious large portions.

Vegan Chicken Fajitas

For more information, see: https://nachodaddy.com/

Interested in Healthy Aging? High-quality Carbs May Help

Posted on November 07, 2025 by The VRG Blog Editor

vecteezy photo

by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

In some circles, carbohydrates are viewed negatively – “Eat more protein,” “Avoid grains – eat a Paleo Diet.” This is an over simplification. When we think about carbs, it may be important to divide them into two groups, refined/processed and unrefined/unprocessed. Refined carbohydrates account for over 80% of the carbohydrates that Americans eat. Refined carbohydrates include refined grains like white bread and white rice, and sugar or other caloric sweeteners added to foods. Unrefined carbohydrates are found in whole grains, whole grains breads, fruits, vegetables, and legumes and account for about 20% of the carbohydrates Americans eat.

A recent study (1) examined the long-term effects of eating different kinds of carbohydrates in midlife on healthy aging in women. Healthy aging was defined as not having major chronic diseases, not being impaired physically or mentally, and having good mental health.

What is the study?

The study subjects were 47,513 women who participated in a large, long-term study called the Nurses’ Health Study and who were younger than 60 years in 1984. The women completed questionnaires about their eating habits in 1984 and 1986 and then were followed for 32 years. Based on the questionnaires, the researchers estimated the women’s total carbohydrate intake, high-quality carbohydrate intake, and refined carbohydrate intake. High-quality carbohydrate was defined as carbohydrate from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

The women completed follow-up questionnaires 32 years after the start of this study to determine if they had developed any of 11 chronic diseases or conditions (cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart attack, bypass surgery or angioplasty, congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, COPD, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, and ALS). If they had not developed any of these diseases, they were considered to be “free from chronic disease.” No impairment in memory was defined as having at most 1 memory impairment. Subjects who were classified as having no impairment in physical function were able to walk a few blocks. Good mental health was defined as a Geriatric Depression Scale score of 1 or less.

What did this study find?

At the end of the study period, 7.8% of the women met the definition for healthy aging. The women with the highest intakes of high-quality carbohydrate and the highest intakes of total carbohydrate had the highest probability of healthy aging. Higher intakes of carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes were all associated with a higher likelihood of healthy aging. Higher intakes of refined carbohydrates and of starchy vegetables (including potatoes, corn, and yams) were associated with a lower likelihood of healthy aging. Higher fiber intakes overall and higher intakes of fiber from fruits, from vegetables, or from cereals were all associated with a higher probability of healthy aging.

When statistical techniques were used to model what would be likely to happen if 5% of the calories that the women got from carbs was replaced with total protein, animal protein, plant protein, or unsaturated fat, there was a 7% to 37% lower likelihood of healthy aging. When 5% of calories from refined carbs, animal protein, total fat, or trans-fat were replaced with high-quality carbs, there was an 8% to 16% higher likelihood of healthy aging.

These results suggest that choosing more high-quality carbs and fewer refined carbs may be an important way to increase your chances of healthy aging. So, don’t eliminate carbs. Instead, do your part to change the average American intake of 80% of carbs in the refined form and 20% in the unrefined form. Try for 50% or more of your carbs in the unrefined form.

Reference:

Ardisson Korat AV, Duscova E, Shea MK, et al. Dietary carbohydrate intake, carbohydrate quality, and healthy aging in women. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(5):e2511056.

To read about additional research about carbohydrates published in Vegan/Vegetarian Journal see :

Animal Product-Based Low Carb Diets Associated with Shorter Lifespan

Low-carb Diets May Not Be Ideal After a Heart Attack

Are High Protein, Low Carb Diets a Good Idea for Weight Control?

The contents of this website and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal and Vegan 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.

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