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.

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):

Boxcar Pizza, 2701 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97232

This pizza joint is located in a popular food court known as The Zipper. They are serving up 8×10 inch Detroit-style pizzas with the characteristic rectangular shape and thick, chewy crust. Although the toppings don’t sound (or taste) vegan, no menu items contain any vegan ingredients, not even the coconut-oil based cheese. You can find classic pizzas like cheese or pepperoni; but if you want to order something more adventurous, try the steak and chimichurri or Nashville not chicken options. There is even a gluten-free menu available with all the same menu items so no one has to miss out on an indulgent vegan meal.

Cascabel Vegan, 1415 Murray Bay St., Houston, TX 77080

Their menu includes appetizers, soups such as Tortilla Soup, entrees including Quesadillas, Tacos, and Burritos, sides, and desserts. The owners aim is to provide delicious vegan meals that didn’t feel like a substitute for something better. Their reviews seem to demonstrate that they have been successful. As a special treat, for those with a sweet tooth, they also offer authentic, handmade artisanal pastries.

Chi Chi Vegan Taco Shop, 1 Moreland Ave. SE, Ste. F, Atlanta, GA 30316

Anything in a taco is always delicious and the tacos at Chi Chi’s are no exception. The menu is loaded with familiar Mexican dishes that are always favorites, such as epic nachos, tacos al pastor, and chick’n quesadillas. Wash your meal down with a Mangonada – an authentic street-drink found in Mexico, typically made with shaved ice and mango. Although this taqueria is only 708 square-feet, the pink-hued exterior will catch your eye, creating a fun ambiance that is great to enjoy with friends or anyone who is a taco aficionado.  

The Cider House, 1602 Yew St., Vancouver, BC V6K 3E7 Canada

The Cider House seems like a super welcoming, cheery place to go and get some drinks or sit down and have some plant-based food. Just steps away from the beach, pick up your grub and cold cider and take it to the sand. Their ciders are all local, based out of British Columbia cider makers. Some unique items on their menu are the Oyster Mushroom Calamari, the Limu Poke Bowl, and the Good Ol’ Dirty Burger made with their house patty and tomato jam. Try these out while enjoying the family-feel environment where they promote community, connection, and kindness.

Creamo, 3534 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026

Creamo is a Los Angeles hotspot for vegan ice cream and donuts. They are known for their wacky and creative new milkshake flavors! Some of their fun milkshake names are Mint Town, Strawberry Lab, Rudimentary Peanut, and Paramoreo. They don’t stop at the milkshakes, they also provide loaded donut ice cream sandwiches. Their most popular is the Motion City Sandwich, which is two glazed donuts with vanilla sprinkled ice cream in the middle. It’s a super fun place to bring kids and the rest of your family.

The Old Riverhouse Vegan Village, 301 SW 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Located in a mansion built over 100 years ago, this restaurant offers vegan, eco-friendly American cuisine to customers, but also is available for wedding and event reservations. Enjoy dishes such as Avocado Toast, NoBones Wings, No-Harm No-Foul Chicken Sandwich, Toona Tartare, and Smasharoo Smash Burger.

Original Herbivore Café, 13535 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Known as a vegan truck in Southern California, the Original Herbivore is now also a café that focuses on vegan fried chicken! Items like buffalo chick’n sandwiches and chick’n and waffles can be ordered online through the Original Herbivore website or purchased at their storefront location in Sherman Oaks. They also have a variety of desserts including baklava and lemon drizzle cake, and appetizers too!

Wisdom Bakery and Café, 25192 North Freeway, Ste. 103, Spring, TX 77386

Wisdom Bakery and Café has a delightful and inviting atmosphere that is a judgement-free zone – everyone is welcome, vegan or not. Some of their awesome dishes include a Philly Cheese “Steak” Sandwich with vegan beef and mayo, a Wise Rib Sandwich made from seitan, and even Candied Pecan Waffles. Their main reason for opening up shop was to sell great vegan baked goods, like cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and even beautiful birthday cakes for your next party! One unique offering featured in their extensive drink menu is Kava Root – a specialty herb that has been used for centuries. They have put hard work and passion into their recipes and design of the place, so check them out!