video camera photo from Freepik

The Vegetarian Resource Group is once again sponsoring a video contest. We will be awarding several $100 awards. The deadline for entries this year is July 15, 2025.

Create and submit a video relating what you want to tell others about veganism. Some possible topics: food, nutrition, your feelings about veganism and/or vegetarianism, water usage and veganism, veganism and animal rights, or other veggie topics which appeal to you. Humor and feelings are appreciated. All videos should be positive, not be critical of anyone, and not include any footage of animal cruelty. You may submit a video you have already made. Please do not enter videos made completely using AI.

Aspects of judging include accuracy and judges wanting to share the video with others. Entrants give permission to The Vegetarian Resource Group to post and share the video, to link to and from the video, and share the video with the media.

To see the video contest rules, visit: http://www.vrg.org/videoscholarship.php

Previous wining videos can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php

photo from Vecteezy

Enjoy this recipe from Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD, that appears in her book Vegans Know How to Party, which is published by The Vegetarian Resource Group.

Fresh Fruit Crumble

(Serves 8)

Topping

Vegetable oil spray

2-1/2 cups unbleached flour

1 cup apple butter

¼ cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine flour, apple butter, and sauce until crumbly. Spray a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with oil. Put aside 1/2 cup of mixture and press remainder into dish.

Filling

3 cups peeled and diced fresh fruit (berries, apricots, peaches, ripe persimmons, nectarines, and plums work well)

1/4 cup peeled, diced fresh orange (seeds removed)

1/4 cup raisins (or dried berries)

1 teaspoon fresh orange zest

1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Combine the filling ingredients in a large pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fruit is soft and mixture is slightly thickened. If more sweetness is desired, add 2 teaspoons orange juice.

Spread fruit over topping. Crumble remaining topping over fruit. Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Join The Vegetarian Resource Group for 2 years and receive Vegan Journal plus a free copy of Vegans Know How to Party: https://www.vrg.org/member/

photo by Hannah Kaminsky

In a recent issue of Vegan Journal, Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, evaluates 31 boxed vegan mac and cheese products. Find out which items have the least amount of saturated fat plus products which supply at least 100 milligrams of calcium.

Read the entire review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2025issue1/2025_issue1_macd_out.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/

Nothing beats a creative salad dressing that’s quick to prepare and toss into your salad mixture. Chef Nancy Berkoff has a few suggestions including Indian Curried Grapefruit Dressing, Thai Peanut-Orange Dressing, Retro Green Goddess Dressing, Italian Sun-dried Tomato-Rosemary Vinaigrette, Chinese Sesame-Soy Dressing, Continental Shallot and Caper Dressing, Southwestern Chili Pepper Dressing, and more.

Read the entire article with recipes for these dressings here: vrg.org/journal/vj2014issue2/2014_issue2_QuickSaladDressings.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only: www.vrg.org/member

cucumbers photo from Freepik

Cucumbers can play a supporting role in salads or can be the main event. Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD, offers these suggestions:

• Chopped cucumbers, watermelon, and red onions, sprinkled with balsamic vinegar and either nutritional yeast or crumbled vegan cheese
• Diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes or diced salad tomatoes, cubed avocado, and croutons
• Chopped cucumbers, black olives, cooked and chilled pasta, and either crumbled smoked tofu or veggie crumbles
• Diced cucumbers tossed with fresh dill and either plain vegan yogurt or vegan sour cream mixed with lime juice
• Sliced cucumbers mixed with fresh or roasted fennel and garlic paste
• Diced cucumbers tossed with garlic and ginger paste, minced fresh chilies or bell peppers, and shredded carrots
• Thinly sliced cucumbers and radishes, sprinkled with vinegar, organic brown sugar, and red pepper flakes

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only: www.vrg.org/member

Planning a summer vacation? Our online guide to vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the USA and Canada is a great resource for traveling, or just discovering a new place to eat nearby! Visit: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

If you or someone you know is looking for vegan nutrition information to use during pregnancy and once your child is born, here’s a terrific handout written by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD: https://www.vrg.org/nutrition/vegan_pregnancy_brochure.pdf

You’ll find a sample vegan menu to follow during pregnancy, as well as a feeding schedule for vegan infants, toddlers, and young children.

photo from Smoothie King

Looking to cool down when on the road? Stop off at a Smoothie King and you’ll find many vegan options. See: https://www.smoothieking.com/landing-pages/vegan-mixed-berry/plant-based

Recent topics brought up include:

– The “I need to go grocery shopping” lunch! What are you all packing your kiddos for lunch every day?

– Enter VRG’s 2025 Video Contest

– We’re updating our bookshelf now that my daughters are ready to branch out from early readers. Some of their current favorites are Sprig the Rescue Pig, My Mom Eats Tofu, and Not a Nugget, but they’re ready for stories that offer a bit more of a challenge, while still being age-appropriate for 6-year-olds. We’d love your recommendations for plant-based kids’ books or storybooks that focus on animal compassion. What are your family’s favorites?

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 around the world. 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.

photo from Ethical Wares

Enjoy the outdoors: you may want to go hiking in the USA, Canada, and/or Europe. Below is a list of online stores offering vegan hiking boots and shoes.

Ethical Wares out of Wales in the United Kingdom offers a wide variety of hiking boots See: https://www.ethicalwares.com/footwear/walking-boots-and-shoes/

Merrell in the USA offers some vegan hiking shoes. Search under “vegan hiking shoe or boot.” See: https://www.merrell.com

REI offers several vegan hiking shoes and boots. Search under “vegan hiking shoe or boot.” https://www.rei.com/

Thesus headquartered in Toronto, Canada and will ship hiking shoes for women to Americans. Search under the word vegan boot. See: https://thesusoutdoors.com/

Will’s Vegan Store in London, England offers hiking boots for men and women. See: https://us.wills-vegan-shoes.com/