BY CASEY BROWN

I transferred to the University of Maryland, College Park from Georgia Southern University during my sophomore year, and I was immediately overwhelmed with the number of vegan options there were on this campus. Coming from a rural school in the south, I was not used to having a selection of vegan options other than some fresh fruit or a side salad. Since I transferred to UMD as a sophomore, I never ate in the dining halls on campus. However, the Assistant Director of UMD Dining Services, Bart Hipple, was kind enough to inform me about the various vegan options that are offered on campus.

Students who live in traditional housing on campus are required to have a meal plan.These are unlimited meal plans for each of the three dining halls: The Diner, South Campus Dining Hall, and 251 North Dining. Within each of the dining halls, students have access to many vegan options including quinoa, pasta, soups, salads, smoothies, and more

Each of the dining halls allows students to select from a variety of foods. For breakfast students have access to cereal with soy milk, bagels, vegan cream cheese, a vegan smoothie, and multiple other options. The lunch and dinner menu is very vegan friendly, and students can opt for pasta with tofu and veggies, stir-fry, vegan soup options that rotate throughout the week, beans and bean salad, lentils, a salad bar with a variety of fresh fruit, veggies, beans, dressings, and grains, and much more. Sprouts is a fully vegan station within The Diner and their menu is offered in each of the dining halls. They serve vegan versions of chicken, burgers, tuna salad, beef chile, and more. By making a combination of these foods, students will have access to a wide variety of vegan meals

Students are also welcome to contact dining services to discuss the options that are available in the dining halls, so they can become more familiar with the menu. Dining services is willing to work with students individually to determine foods that they can eat according to their dietary preferences. UMD posts the dining menus online, and it specifies whether or not certain items are vegan. You can view the menus here http://dining.umd.edu. In addition to their online menus, they have electronic menus within the dining halls that state whether an item is vegetarian/vegan friendly.

For students that are not on the meal plan, there are plenty of restaurants located in STAMP and additional cafes throughout campus. The STAMP Student Union has a variety of chain restaurants including Moby Dick, Subway, and Saladworks, which offer vegan options. Moby Dick has a hummus appetizer, salads, falafel, a veggie platter, and veggie kabobs with rice. (Be sure to specify no cheese or side of yogurt cucumber dressing with these options). At Subway you can easily customize a sandwich loaded with vegetables, and Saladworks allows you to customize your own salad as well. Taco Bell even released a vegetarian menu recently that can easily be customized for vegan options. These include multiple burritos, a veggie bowl, or beans and rice. By removing the cheese and certain dressings, these options can be made vegan-friendly.

If you are in a hurry, you can always grab some trail mix, fresh fruit, or other snacks from the Union Shop. There are also thirteen cafes located on campus, which are supplied with fresh vegan options daily. These include sushi, salads, sandwiches, and various other snacks you can take on the go.

The MD Food Co-op is located in the basement of STAMP, and it is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for vegan food. They offer a daily hot special, which ranges from burritos to ‘make your own tacos.’ They also have fresh-made sandwiches and salads, which include a falafel wrap/salad, a TLT (made with tempeh), a Tofurky club sandwich, and a Mediterranean wrap/salad. Their fridges are stocked with almond milk, fresh produce, kombucha, coconut water, organic juices, and flavored iced teas. They also sell snacks like Clif bars, muffins, trail mix, dried fruit, and dairy-free chocolate! They offer a wide variety of bagels with vegan butter or vegan cream cheese, which make a great breakfast option. If you’re tight on cash, you can even volunteer at the Food Co-op in exchange for food credit!

In addition to all of the vegan options on campus, there is also an entirely vegan restaurant, NuVegan, located right off of campus under The Varsity Apartments. This is a short walk from campus, and it offers a wide selection of vegan food including burgers, macaroni, lasagna, orange “chicken,” and much more! They also have smoothies, milkshakes, cookies, brownies, and many other dessert options!

While adjusting to a new college can sometimes be difficult, one thing you definitely won’t have to worry about at UMD College Park is where to find vegan food!

By Taffy Gonzalez

We just went on a Carnival Cruise (Triumph). The Dining Room staff was amazing. They created a custom vegan meal for our son every night, using such things as tofu and quinoa. It seemed like the chef used it for creative freedom, rather than a burden. The vegan dinners were always very pretty and tasty. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and supportive of our son being vegan…gave him a big hug at the end rather than treating him like he created more work!

For lunch aboard the ship our son hit the Mexican place mainly and had black bean burritos. Since meals are pre-paid, he would eat a few burritos as a vegan teenage boy eats a lot! There was also a stir-fry place that had tofu. For breakfast there were plenty of vegan items to get by.

As for the tours, one of our tours was very supportive and we didn’t even have to tell them he was vegan as there was so much to eat and there were plenty of options. The other tour was not understanding of vegan folks, but our family and another veggie family talked to the Carnival Cruise Director and they were so appalled by this that they refunded money and let us know all of the senior people at Carnival who would be looking into this. He was genuine with his concern.

All in all, our son who was extremely worried he would starve; however, he ate very well each day. Be sure to tell the head waiter as soon as you board the ship of your vegan needs. We did and as a result had a vegan dinner for us that first night.

If you work in the natural foods industry and are attending Natural Products Expo East at the Baltimore Convention Center September 22-24th, please drop by The Vegetarian Resource Group booth on Level 300 in the Non-Profit section. We’d love to meet you!

By Alicia Hückmann, VRG intern visiting from Germany

These are some of the tips I wish someone had given my parents when I became a vegetarian at the age of 17 and finally vegan a year later. I was very lucky to have my own apartment (and fridge!) during my transition because I no longer depended on my parents providing vegetarian/vegan food. While my family tolerated (or rather ignored) my decision to become vegetarian, they would get me into loud arguments for choosing a diet that is “known to cause deficiencies.” Today, about two years later, this has stopped but they still won’t taste any of the dishes I make, let alone let me cook for them once in a while.

At that time, I was mature enough to understand that my family only reacted in this way because they deeply care about me and want me to be healthy; however, their approach showed me that they had little faith in my ability to take responsibility for my own life. For teenagers who struggle to be regarded as independent young adults, this is one of the worst things that can happen. As a teaching student who has been running classes for 12-18 year-olds, I know how sensitive teenagers react to teachers or parents who make them feel like they are not being taken seriously. Showing teenagers that you think their opinions matter on the other hand contributes immensely to a positive class atmosphere. Teenagers who become vegetarian stand up for their personal values and for what they think is right. Their decisions are often based on profound knowledge about the animal industry, health, and the environment and show that they are critical thinkers who do not mind swimming against the tide. For this reason, I think that everybody who is willing to do the transition deserves support and encouragement by their family and friends.

I think the most important thing is supporting your teenager and their decision. When children go through puberty, they are likely to start isolating and estranging themselves from their family. A teenager that is unable to join family dinners because of their diet and thus forced to prepare their own meals is in even greater risk of doing so. In order to prevent your child from feeling excluded, you could introduce meatless days on which you let your teenager create a menu for the entire family and help them prepare it. Cooking together is a great way of bonding with your child and showing them that you have faith in their skills. Once you create a trusting and respecting relationship with your teenager, it will also be easier to speak openly about your concerns and worries.

LexVegFest (October 1, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 2312 Palumbo Dr, Lexington, KY 40509) is the first annual VegFest in Lexington and central Kentucky sponsored by GA Sanctuaries and Housewarmings. Our mission is to celebrate and promote plant-based lifestyles for health, environment, and compassion for animals. LexVegFest will feature local speakers, delicious food and drink, vendors, cooking demonstrations, informative exhibitors, children’s activities and more. Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lexingtonvegfest/ Contact: [email protected]

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: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at:
www.vrg.org/donate

Cashew Cow
16 S. Eastbourne Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85716
They specialize in non-dairy “ice cream” derived from a cashew base. Choose from many flavors including Vanilla, Strawberry, Lemon Poppyseed, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Cookies & Cream, and many more.

Chuminh Tofu & Veggie Deli
1043 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104
Chef Tanya opened Chuminh Tofu & Veggie Deli to provide the public with healthy and ethical food. There are many different menu options ranging from sandwiches and smoothies to traditional Vietnamese plates. Try the Pad Thai or the Bún Tàu Xào!

Equelecua Cuban Café
1120 W. Florence Ave., Unit C
Inglewood, CA 90301
Equelecua offers authentic Cuban cuisine with a vegan twist! Owner Caro Lafaurie and Chef Julito Ortega transformed traditional Cuban dishes to meatless masterpieces. Be sure to try the Alitas (the spicy agave wings) or the Camarones al Ajillo. Equelecua is conveniently located within walking distance to LAX.

Grow Your Roots
220 Terence Matthews Cres.
Ottawa, ON K2M 0E2
For breakfast dine on Nola Granola Parfait, Morning Scramble, bagels, and more. For lunch or early dinner enjoy soups and salads, Panini, BBQ tofu, veggie burger, and more. Weekend brunch items include Apple Pie Panino and waffles.

Karmah
343 Kerr St.
Oakville, ON L6K 3B7 Canada
At the end of each day, Karmah donates its compost and uneaten food to local animal sanctuaries where animals were saved from slaughter, so satisfy your hunger and eat for a good cause! Food is prepared daily, juices are pressed on site, and desserts are created fresh in the restaurant’s bakery. All food and beverages are vegan and soy free with some gluten-free options available. Food includes bowls, tacos, and wraps. A wide variety of beverages includes juices, smoothies, hand-crafted nut milks, and coffee drinks sure to please all tastes. Dine in or grab and go.

Munch On and Beyond
1346 Wetmore Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78247
Five individual businesses have partnered together under one roof to bring a variety of vegan, gluten-free, grab-and-go meals, snacks, sweets, and drinks. My Tea Soul features tea and baked goods; Enlighten Veggie Food offers gluten free and vegan food, like burgers, tacos, and ice cream; Viva Vegeria sells vegan tamales and Golden Horn of Plenty is a resale shop, benefiting San Antonio dog rescue.

Nourished Food Bar
131 Dean A McGee Ave. Ste. 115
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
A small space focusing on take-out with limited seating. While the structure of the menu will stay relatively the same — hearty salads, soups, snacks/bites — the ingredients used will change often, depending on the season and what we can buy from local farmers. Some items that have been available include house-made cashew cheese, hummus sandwich, potato leek soup, and kale salad. Everything is gluten free as well.

Plant Matter Kitchen
162 Wortley Rd.
London, ON N6C 3P7 Canada
Lunch items include Mac & Cheese, Curry Wrap, Veggie Burger, pizza, soup, and more. Dinner cuisine includes Pizza with side soup and salad, Shepherd’s Pie, Caesar Salad, and more. Sunday brunch dishes include Breakfast Burrito, Mega Bowl, and more.

Press Food & Juice
426 Rhode Island St.
Buffalo, NY 14213
Choose from fresh produce and have a juice cold-pressed especially for you or buy one of the pre-bottled juices from the refrigerator; miniature shot-style juices are also available. Press offers a variety of breakfast, lunch, and snack items, including coffee, tea, pastries, salads, wraps, and soups. Dessert items include ice-cream, smoothies, and cocoa. An open kitchen allows patrons to see the food being prepared. All ingredients are organic and all food items are vegan; many food items are prepared raw. Some gluten free options are available. Menu availability changes often, so check their Facebook page or call for a current menu.

The V Spot
12 Millers Ln.
Dundas, ON L9H 2S9 Canada
This vibrant café serves a wide variety from fries smothered in their chili affectionately referred to as “Hot Mama’s Three Bean Chili” to a Coconut Curry Chickpea wrap. You can also get a quick boost with their fair trade coffee or cool down with a refreshing Berry Patch smoothie made with coconut water. Sit cozy indoors or enjoy a bit of sun on their private back patio. The V Spot is perfect for a quick and delicious lunch solo or with friends.

Vegan’s Delight
3565 Boston Rd.
Bronx, NY 10469
Enjoy Dal Patties, Wheat Meat Curry, Ital Stew Peas, Ginger Beer, Sorrell, and more. They are located off the next-to-last stop on the 5 train in the northern Bronx.

Virtuous Pie
583 Main St.
Vancouver, BC V6A 2V1 Canada
Virtuous pie offers a heavenly yet sinful dining experience. What better place to indulge than a vegan restaurant serving mainly pizza and ice cream? Their pizzas range from a standard/not-so-standard Margherita pie made with cashew cheese and fresh basil to one called Stranger Wings topped with crispy buffalo cauliflower and vegan blue cheese. Their ice cream has eclectic flavors like Basil and Peach Jam. Sit back and enjoy plant based pizza served on hand-made pizza plates in a crisp, modern atmosphere.

Stock up on your favorite veggie products from The Vegetarian Site this month! For the full month of September 2016, The Vegetarian Site will give 10% of their sales to The Vegetarian Resource Group!

The Vegetarian Site sells vegan footwear, belts, wallets, bags, and other accessories, food products, books, personal care items, plus much more. They are always adding new items in their store.

Try the one cent sample of PARMA! VEGAN PARMESAN.

Support The Vegetarian Resource Group by shopping online at: http://www.thevegetariansite.com

By Heather Francis, VRG Volunteer

Traveling to Screamer’s Pizzeria went smoothly; from Penn Station we headed to downtown Brooklyn. We jumped on the A train heading downtown on 8th Avenue express and got off at Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street and then transferred to the G train heading up to Brooklyn-Queens Crosstown. When we reached Nassau Ave./Manhattan Ave., we got off and headed up the stairs. Immediately in front of us was a huge Blue Sign that had a vertical sign saying “Vegan,” with Screamer’s in small print.

I walked into the Pizza shop starving, ready to dig into pizza. The shop is small, but has a lot of character. The pizza shop is identical to a hole in the wall pizza shop you may stop in. We glazed over the menu which was on a huge mirror stretching from the door to the cash register. My girlfriend and I wanted to purchase an entire pie and we decided on Buffalo Cauliflower and a vegan take on Hawaiian Pizza.

After waiting twenty minutes, we were handed a glorious box filled with pizza. The toppings filled almost every space mounting over gooey vegan cheese and red pizza sauce. We devoured the freshly baked pizza pie. My first slice was the Hawaiian pizza and it was superb. The pineapple and vegan ham had the perfect amount of sweet and savory. I decided that the buffalo cauliflower one was my favorite. I had never had buffalo chicken with ranch, and trying the buffalo cauliflower pizza topped with ranch, was a new experience itself along with trying this 5 star rated pizzeria. The crust on any pizza is a factor in deciding whether or not it’s worth to come back, and I know that I personally will be traveling to Brooklyn again to one day try another one of their specialty flavored pizzas. They even have vegan cannoli’s on the menu, which is something I’m dying to try.

A cool part about the location of this place, is the ice cream store next door: The Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream shop. This ice cream shop has a whole blackboard full of vegan ice cream flavors to choose from, and after devouring two or three slice of delicious pizza, who can say no to gourmet ice cream? I definitely didn’t.

For more information on this restaurant please visit: http://www.screamerspizzeria.com

If you would like to learn more about dining out in New York as a vegetarian or vegan, go to the VRG’s online restaurant guide at http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/New_York.php or visit our national restaurant guide at www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

JOIN US AT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP VEGAN THAI DINNER IN BOSTON AT MY THAI VEGAN CAFE
Sunday, October 16, 2016, 6 PM

The Vegetarian Resource Group will host a vegan Thai dinner
at My Thai Vegan Café in Boston on Sunday, October 16, 2016 during the
annual meeting of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Meet VRG
advisors Reed Mangels PhD RD, Catherine Conway MS RD, Debra Wasserman,
and vegetarian dietitians from around the country. All are welcome.

MENU:
Tom Kha, Thai Coconut Soup with tofu
Thai Mango Salad
Nam Prik Kaeng Kari with tofu (Yellow Curry) and brown rice
Pad See Ew. Wide rice noodles with Chinese broccoli and vegan gluten.
Fruit cocktail for dessert or other fruit
Tea and cold water

This will be a plated sit down dinner.

TO RESERVE: Send $30 person (includes tax and tip) (Under eight is half
price) with names of attendees to The Vegetarian Resource Group,
P.O. Box 1463,
Baltimore, MD 21203.
Call (410) 366-8343.

You can also pay at www.vrg.org/donate and write Boston Dinner in the Comments.
Refunds after September 30th only if your seat can be replaced.

Hope to see you there!

Here are Reed’s comments after the event:
Thank you to the Toronto Vegetarian Association (TVA) for inviting me to speak at their wildly successful Veg Food Fest. While in Toronto, I learned that the TVA was founded in 1945 and that this was the 32nd Veg Food Fest. The Fest has a beautiful venue at Harboufront Centre on the shores of Lake Ontario. Although more than 50,000 people attend the festival, it is so well-run and there are so many helpful volunteers that lines move quickly and it is easy to get from one area to another. Vegan food is celebrated at the festival with lots of free samples and cooking demos. Name a cuisine and it’s likely that you’ll find it being sold. I saw Ethiopian, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, French, Rastafarian, Greek, and so much more in addition to vegan burgers, dogs, pizza, mac and cheese, doughnuts, cheesecake, ice cream, cookies, and on and on. It was hard to decide between all the delicious choices but I enjoyed a souvlaki wrap from Through Being Cool Baking Co. and a kale salad with roast chickpeas and a tahini dressing from Green Zebra Kitchen.

Besides great food, the festival also features many non-profits and an extensive book store. I was honored to be on a panel with Michael Greger, MD; Tushar Mehta, MD; and fitness guru John Lewis. We spoke to a capacity crowd about vegan health and nutrition. The next day I spoke about raising happy and healthy vegan children. Reed also commented: You can’t tell it from the photo but we were under a big tent with a crowd of several hundred people, more outside, about 90 degrees and 100% humidity!

Mark your calendars now – TVA’s Veg Food Fest is an event not to be missed. It will happen next in Fall, 2017. In the meantime, check out their Vegan Bake-Off and Veggielicious in the spring.

The photo from the panel was taken by Alex Bez
Instagram: vegan_eh