If you want some new ideas of dishes to make to celebrate the New Year, here are some suggestions from previous Vegetarian Journal articles:

Holiday Drop-In: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2002issue4/2002_issue4_holiday_drop.php
Includes recipes for Pumpkin-Cranberry Cookies, Whole Wheat and Carob Brownies, Chocolate Chip Bars, Cayenne Pecans, Green Pea Spread, and more from Peggy Rynk.

Vegan Biscotti: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2005issue2/2005_issue2_biscotti.php
Learn how to make vegan biscotti at home with a variety of flavor choices from Debra Daniels-Zeller.

Easy Holiday Potluck Brunch: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2004issue4/2004_issue4_potluck_brunch.php
Enjoy a Simple Red Lentil Pate, Butternut Squash Streusel Bread, Cranberry Custard, and more by Debra Daniels-Zeller.

Please subscribe to Vegetarian Journal at:
https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

You can also subscribe to Vegetarian Journal on Kindle in the USA:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544727482&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K

A Vegetarian Resource Group member shared the following message from a friend recommending a vegan restaurant she ate at on her trip to the Cayman Islands:

“Here’s a link to the vegan restaurant we ate at the night before we left Grand Cayman: www.cafe.ky There were pulled pork sliders made from homemade whole wheat rolls and crispy jackfruit, conch fritters made from something deliciously not-conch, and so many creatively done and unusual textures and tastes. Surprisingly we found at least three vegan restaurants on the island. Lots of yummy smoothie stops too.” You can view their menu on the website.

VRG’s Co-Directors write about the topic “Vegan or Plant-Based?” in their Note from the Coordinators column of Vegetarian Journal. Read the piece here:
https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2018issue4/2018_issue4_note_coordinators.php

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted veganism/vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans are vegetarians who do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs.

One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000 will be given. Entries may only be sent by students graduating from high school in spring 2019. Deadline is February 20, 2019. We will accept applications postmarked on or before February 20, 2019. Early submission is encouraged.

Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegan/vegetarian diet/lifestyle. Payment will be made to the student’s college (U.S. based only). Winners of the scholarships give permission to release their names to the media. Applications and essays become property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. We may ask finalists for more information. Scholarship winners are contacted by e-mail or telephone. Please look at your e-mail.

For details on the contest, see: http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm

Vote at https://www.vrg.org/vote/index.php

By Kalie Ganem

This semester, I had the privilege to intern with The Vegetarian Resource Group. Every week, I wrote articles and did projects for the Vegetarian Journal and website www.vrg.org, some of which included writing an article about vegan snacks for gymnasts, reviewing a Maryland restaurant, and writing a review of Goucher College’s vegan options.

One of my favorite parts of the job was attending events that made vegan education more accessible to the public, including a booth at Vegan Soulfest and the Annual VRG Vegan Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner. At these events, I was able to work directly with people transitioning into vegetarianism and helped them with ideas on how to balance their new diet. I also heard many stories from vegan veterans; such as a nurse trying to get her overweight patients to try a plant-based diet, and a politician who had experienced torment in the media for his lifestyle choice. These conversations expanded my worldview, and only reinforced my choice to be vegan. They brought so much inspiration and positivity into my life, as well as taught me how to form relationships and orally articulate my views. Developing these skills now will help me in my future endeavors as a doctor, working with superiors, peers, and patients. So I’m glad I got the chance to learn and practice these so early in life.

Another part of the job I enjoyed was getting to taste and review new vegan foods in a segment in Vegetarian Journal called “Veggie Bits.” As fun as this was, it really challenged my ability to describe what I was experiencing, as I’ve never had to describe foods before. One of the aspects I found most fulfilling about my time here was learning even more about the impact being vegetarian has on the world. I had always known that eating meat was problematic for the environment, but I had never fully understood how much of an impact one person has on reducing this impact simply by being vegetarian. I used to have the attitude that each individual person is practically powerless to the broken system and the way things are. But working here has taught me that each individual’s actions matter, and every time you can employ tiny acts of activism in your life and consumption, the world is better for it. Everything begins with one person. The combination of this knowledge and being surrounded by adult role models who were successfully employing and promoting vegan diets inspired me to actually make the switch from vegetarianism to veganism.

Eating has turned from a passive experience and just something I just had to do into something that inspires me. I feel strong, empowered, and healthy now that I have such control over what I am consuming, and I owe that all to working here. Overall, I am incredibly glad I got the opportunity to intern here and would recommend it to anyone who wants to grow. I wish the VRG organization the best of luck and would like to thank them for everything they have done for me.

For information about internships, see: https://www.vrg.org/student/index.php

To support The Vegetarian Resource Group outreach, donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Each issue of Vegetarian Journal features a column by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD called Scientific Update. Here you’ll learn about recent published scientific studies related to veggie diets. In the latest issue, we report on a study that indicates, “Babies and toddlers in the U.S. tend not to eat enough vegetables; almost 1/3 of them don’t eat a single vegetable on a typical day. This is concerning because vegetables are important sources of vitamins and minerals. Being exposed to the flavor of vegetables early may make it more likely that children will eat vegetables and that this habit will continue into adulthood. Many parents of young vegetarians try to make sure their babies and toddlers get plenty of vegetables; however, the companies that make baby foods may not be supporting the parents. There is a lack of vegetables (and of a variety of vegetables) available in commercial baby and toddler foods. This may be contributing to babies’ and toddlers’ low vegetable intake.”

Another study, looks at the topic: Some in the U.S. Are Reducing or Eliminating Meat. Why Aren’t the Numbers Higher?

Read the article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2018issue4/2018_issue4_scientific_update.php

Please subscribe to Vegetarian Journal by visiting:
https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Vegan London is a guide to the capital’s cafes, restaurants, and food stores. See:
https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9780711240117/Vegan-London.html

The latest issue of Vegetarian Journal features an article by Laura McGuiness titled, “Get Cultured with Homemade Fermented Foods.” You’ll find recipes for:
Classic Caraway Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Fermented Veggies
Simple Sourdough Loaf
Strawberry Cream Cheese
Pomegranate Kombucha

Read the article here:
https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2018issue4/2018_issue4_fermented_foods.php

Please subscribe to Vegetarian Journal at:
https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

You can also subscribe to Vegetarian Journal on Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544727482&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K

The word Plant-Based is being used a lot these days; however, what does it actually mean? The Vegetarian Resource Group searched for the answer to this question. You might be surprised to hear what we found out.

Read the Vegetarian Journal article here:
https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2018issue4/2018_issue4_plant_based.php

Please subscribe to Vegetarian Journal at:
https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

You can also subscribe to Vegetarian Journal on Kindle in the USA and UK:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544727482&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1544731957&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K