Reed Mangels, PhD, RD (Vegetarian Resource Group Nutrition Advisor) recently updated information in a section of VRG’s book Simply Vegan on the Calcium Content of Selected Vegan Foods. This information appears on VRG’s website here: https://www.vrg.org/nutrition/calcium.php (scroll down to Table 1)

The Vegetarian Resource Group will be having a booth at Vegan SoulFest in Baltimore City this coming Saturday (August 25, 2018). If you’re attending this event, please stop by and say hello!

Details on this event can be found here: Vegan SoulFest

The next time you visit the New Jersey shore in the Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, and Bradley Beach area, you might want to try out one of the restaurants below offering vegan food. Enjoy!

Asbury Park
Cookman Creamery
http://www.cookmancreamery.com/
711 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(732) 361-5215
Ice cream parlor. Cookman Creamery crafts delicious ice cream flavors from local ingredients. The creamery also makes a variety of pies, cakes, and cookies. Vegan ice cream options are made with coconut cream, agave, and brown rice syrup. Flavors include Bourbon Maple Pecan, Rosemary Maple Beet, Mexican Hot Chocolate, and AP Chocolate Stout.
Hours vary seasonally; call ahead
Counter service
vegan options
take-out, catering
VISA/MC/DISC, $

Crust & Crumble Pizzeria
http://www.crustandcrumble.com/
658 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(732) 776-7767
Pizzeria. Crust & Crumble is an authentic pizzeria at the Jersey shore. Their separate vegan menu features subs, pastas, and pizzas with both vegan cheese and vegan mock meats. Try vegan sandwiches like the Cali ‘Chicken,’ Sausage & Pepper, or ‘Meatball’ Hero. Portions are quite generous so come hungry! Crust & Crumble is located inside the Shoppes at the Arcade.
Open Wednesday through Monday for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, delivery, catering
VISA/MC/DISC, $-$$$

Purple Glaze
http://www.purpleglazedonuts.com/
516 Summerfield Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(732) 361-5308
Bakery. Offers hand-crafted vegan vanilla and chocolate cake donuts with numerous vegan toppings.
Open Wednesday through Monday for breakfast and lunch. Closed Tuesday
Counter service
take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

Twisted Tree Café
http://www.twistedtreecafe.com/
609 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
(732) 775-2633
Coffeehouse/café. If you’re near the New Jersey shore, then you must pay a visit to the Twisted Tree Café! Menu items include the Tofu Meatball Wrap, Soy Chicken Salad Sandwich, and Focaccia Melt. They have homemade baked goods such as vegan cookies, brownies, and muffins; enjoy your dessert with a cup of coffee that includes your choice of soy, rice, almond, oat, hazelnut, or hemp milk. The Twisted Tree Café strongly supports the arts in their community. They feature the works of local photographers and artists on their walls and local musicians play live music on weekends.
Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday for lunch and dinner. Open Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner through late night. Closed Monday and Tuesday
Limited service
vegan options
take-out, smoothies, soymilk, espresso
VISA/MC, $-$$

Avon-by-the-Sea
··From Seed to Sprout
https://www.seedtosproutnj.com/
410 Main St., Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ 07717
(732) 774-7333
Vegan/organic/raw foods/juice bar. From Seed to Sprout offers organic, whole foods that are made from scratch, including their own coconut milk. They use spelt flour or sprouted grain bread to maintain a gluten-free environment. They strictly use agave nectar for any sweetening. The restaurant has raw options, and a raw food cleanse program. Favorite menu items include Raw Eggnog Cheesecake, Foccacia, Sesame Miso Marinated Tempeh, Ginger Gelato, and Kelp Noodles. They are known for their fantastic Sunday brunches, featuring Chick Pea Frittata, Cashew Battered French Toast, Blueberry Spelt Pancakes, and Tofu Rancheros. Reservations are required for Thursday’s dinner. The restaurant is closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours.
Open Tuesday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Closed Monday
Full service
take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

Belmar
··Kaya’s Kitchen
http://kayaskitchenbelmar.com/
1000 Main St., Belmar, NJ 07719
(732) 280-1141
Vegan/natural foods. This vegan restaurant features an international menu with choices like French onion soup, Oriental sesame salad, tacos, and falafel. If you’re in the mood for some good ol’ American food, try the vegetarian meatloaf with mashed potatoes and vegan gravy or seitan steak also served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. There are also blackboard specials every night that include vegan desserts. Kaya’s is located at the corner of 10th & Main.
Open daily for lunch and dinner
Full service
vegan options
take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, special beverages, BYOB
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$

·Playa Bowls
http://playabowls.com/
803 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ 07719
(732) 556-6897
Vegetarian. Enjoy a wide variety of Acai bowls, fruit bowls, and smoothies. Leave out the honey and they can be made vegan.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Counter service
vegan options
take-out
VISA/MC/DISC, $

Bradley Beach
··Luna Verde
https://www.veganlunaverde.com/
400 Main St., Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
(732) 361-8180
Vegan/Mexican. Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine vegan style! Appetizers include guacamole, pico de gallo, nachos, and more. Also enjoy salads and soups, as well as tacos, burritos, fajitas, chimichangas, and tostadas (some filled with seitan or mushrooms). Dessert options include vegan flan and tres leches (vanilla cake with fluffy cream and strawberries).
Open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner. Closed Monday
Full service
vegan options
beer/wine, take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC

Vegetarian Resource Group Nutrition Advisor Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, recently updated information in our Protein Content of Selected Vegan Foods Table that appears both in VRG’s book Simply Vegan and online on VRG’s website here: Protein Content of Selected Vegan Foods (scroll down to Table 2 in this article).

You can receive fifteen percent off Snakaroons. Newest vegan snack flavor includes organic dried pineapple with cinnamon and a touch of sweet potato spice, and organic dried mango with hint of lime and jalapeño. Use coupon code VRG at checkout.

For flavors and to order, go to www.thelaughinggiraffe.com/shop

Vegan Flan served at Luna Verde

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Below are some recent additions. The entire guide can be found here: VRG Online Veggie Restaurant Guide

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: Donate to The Vegetarian Resource Group

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Blinders Burgers & Brunch
6410 N. Durango Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89149
Try handcrafted burgers along with sides such as rosemary fries, onion rings, and salads. Also enjoy sandwiches, a Mediterranean bowl, and more.

Chef Kennys Asian Vegan Restaurant
6820 Spring Mountain Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
The menu features items which recreate popular meat dishes such as General Tao’s Chicken, Crispy Beef, Kung Pow Shrimp, and many more. In addition, they are offering an all vegan sushi roll menu which has fast become a customer favorite.

Hip Peaz
13469 Wetmore Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78247
Hip Peaz is half restaurant, half deli counter, serving daily specials and selling plant-based meat alternatives by the pound. Owners Leah Drones and Javier Balderas launched Hip Peaz out of a desire to help people transition to veganism by creating comfort-food options with a vegan twist. The eatery offers rotating menu items such as Crasian Shrimp Po-Boy Sandwich, Reuben Sandwich with house-made vegan corned beef, sushi burritos, shrimp, sausage, and duck gumbo. House-made vegan meats such as ham, corned beef, and hamburger patties are also available for purchase frozen.

Luna Verde
400 Main St.
Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine vegan style! Appetizers include guacamole, pico de gallo, nachos, and more. Also enjoy salads and soups, as well as tacos, burritos, fajitas, chimichangas, and tostadas (some filled with seitan or mushrooms). Dessert options include vegan flan and tres leches (vanilla cake with fluffy cream and strawberries).

Luhv Vegan Deli
Reading Market Terminal
51 N. 12th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19040
Enjoy soup, chili, vegan tuna salad, spinach saffron rissoto, veggie burgers, and more.

Mac and Moon
801 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Mac and Moon is set in the Auction House Market just two blocks south of Lafayette Square Park. The menu includes completely vegan and gluten free options. Macarons and rolled ice cream are guaranteed to satisfy even the most extreme sweet tooth. These trendy items are available in a number of fun flavors. Be sure to check out the picturesque teas as well!

Nature’s Plate
15 Main St.
Keyport, NJ 07735
Enjoy fresh juices, smoothies, coffees, salads, sandwiches, live raw pizza, chili, a nacho plate, brownies, chia pudding, and more.

Salubrious
4306 N. Central Expy.
Dallas, TX 75206
100% organic juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and coffee are served alongside paninis and avocado toast at this modern restaurant. There’s also free Wi-Fi and plenty of seating, making this a great study location.

Sassafras Somerville
688 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02144
Sassafras strives to create the most unique and delicious meat alternatives that even carnivores would enjoy. Try the Fried Egg, Filet Mignon, Chick-un Pot Pie, or the Vegan Cheese Pizza.

Whether you live in Baltimore, MD or are just visiting the week of August 17-26th 2018, you might want to dine out in one of the many restaurants participating in Baltimore Vegan Restaurant Week. Some of the restaurants you can dine at include:
The Land of Kush
Stall 11 in RHouse
Harmony Bakery
Donut Alliance
Golden West Café
Little Havana
Joe Squared
And many other restaurants…

For details on special events being held this week and all the restaurants participating, see: https://www.mdveganeats.com/

Thank you to Karen Peissinger for doing a Vegetarian Resource Group booth at the Western New York VegFest in Buffalo, NY. She was able to help youngsters to retirees. Several grandparents picked up brochures to give to parents to help them feed more nutritious food. Karen was able to assist another person who said that she works with children from 6-years-old to 11-years-old and provides them nutritional education. And a Registered Dietitian picked up VRG Spanish materials for her clients.

Thank you to Karen for her great outreach!

This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet other vegetarians and vegans and enjoy 100% plant-based food at Veggie Grill!

The fundraiser takes place on Thursday August 16th, 2018 at Veggie Grill (614 West Diversey Pkwy.) between 4pm and 9pm. You are welcome to join anytime between 4pm and 9pm, so whether you’re an early bird or have to stay late at the office there will be a spot for you! All you have to do when ordering is mention the fundraiser and a third of your purchase will be donated to the museum.

Please share this event and invite your friends and family! Children of all ages are also welcome! Thank you for your support!

See: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vegan-fundraiser-dinner-at-veggie-grill-tickets-48744502118

Former Vegetarian Journal Senior Editor Samantha Gendler shared the following: “Thought you’d like to see this cake my mom made my daughter for her first birthday. There are layers of watermelon covered with coconut whipped cream. The whipped cream is died pink with beet juice. The cake is decorated with strawberries.”