This all vegetable chili comes from VRG member Nanette Blanchard and is very easy to make. It stays warm no matter how long the game lasts. If you have leftovers, mix them with some whole wheat macaroni for an easy chili mac. Serve this chili with cornbread or crackers, grated vegan cheese, diced onions, and lots of hot sauce.

Slow Cooker Vegan Chili
Serves 10-12

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder, optional
1 jalapeno, minced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
2 cups low-sodium tomato juice
Two 14-oz cans diced tomatoes
One 15-oz can pinto beans, drained
One 15-oz can kidney beans, drained
One 15-oz can black beans, drained
2 cups frozen corn
Salt, to taste

In a saute pan, saute onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until soft. Add chili powder and ancho chile and cook for another minute. Pour this mixture into 6 quart slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the vegetables are tender.

The Vegetarian Resource Group produces a wide variety of handouts for children of all ages. Here are links to some of these materials. Share them with a veggie youngster today!

My Vegan Plate Coloring Page: http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/MyVeganPlateCP.pdf

Veggie-Friendly Memory Cards for Kids: http://www.vrg.org/family/memory_cards.php

Veggie Counting Game for Kids: http://www.vrg.org/family/memory_cards_math_game1.php

Deadline is in February!

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 vegetarianism/veganism in their schools and/or communities.

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 2015. Deadline is February 20, 2015. We will accept applications postmarked on or before February 20, 2015. Early submission is encouraged.
See: http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm

Are you looking for vegan chocolate gift boxes for Valentine’s Day? Below are some suggestions to help you out.

Chocolate Decadence, an all-vegan store in Oregon and an online store, has a wide variety of vegan chocolates.
See: http://www.chocolatedecadence.com/happy-valentines-day

Pangea, an all-vegan store in Maryland and an online store, has a wide variety of vegan chocolates.
See: http://www.veganstore.com/category/vegan-valentine

Premium Chocolatiers, an all-vegan online store, has vegan chocolate for adults and children.
See: http://www.premiumchocolatiers.com/valentines-c-28.html

Rose City Chocolates offers a wide variety of vegan chocolates in heart-shape boxes.
See: http://www.rosecitychocolates.com/vegan-valentines-products.php

Sjaak’s Chocolates, an all-vegan online store, offers a wide variety of vegan chocolate.
See: https://sjaaks.com/categories/show/Valentine%27s+Day

Vegan Essentials, an all-vegan online store, offers a wide variety of gift boxes.
See: http://store.veganessentials.com

Are you or someone you know raising a vegetarian or vegan child? If so, you may want to join a network of parents interested in exchanging ideas on various vegetarian/vegan topics including: finding a vegan summer camp, vegan dining options at theme parks, what can I pack in my child’s lunchbox, how have you and your child dealt with the dissection issue in school, can you recommend a veggie-friendly pediatrician or dietitian, is there a veggie children’s group in my area, etc.

For more information on this online Yahoo Group see: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/vrgparents/info

For those of us who are experiencing cold winter months right now, warm beverages are a must early in the morning. Below are two hot drinks you can prepare quickly in your microwave. These recipe are from Vegan Microwave Cookbook, by Chef Nancy Berkoff. You can purchase this creative cookbook from The Vegetarian Resource Group here: http://www.vrg.org/catalog/

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
(Serves 4)

1 quart soy or rice milk
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate powder (about 4 Tablespoons)
¼ cup organic sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Place all the ingredients in a 2-quart container or bowl and stir.
Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes or until hot. Stir and serve.

Mowcow Tea
(Serves 3)

1 teaspoon orange juice concentrate
½ teaspoon organic sugar
2 Tablespoons instant tea (powdered)
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups water

In a small cup mix together all the ingredients except the water.
Stir well to combine and set aside.
Place water in a large container or 2-quart casserole and boil. (This should take 3-4 minutes, depending on your microwave.)
Stir tea mixture into water until well blended. Pour into individual cups.

Our friends at Field Roast have created a parody of a fast food commercial. Enjoy!

Join for 2 years and receive a FREE copy of Vegans Know How to Party!

Vegans Know How to Party is a 384-page book that teaches you how to put on a soiree for vegans and all who enjoy great food! It features over 465 recipes including appetizers, soups, salads, ethnic cuisine, sandwiches, and — of course — desserts like pies, cakes, and cookies! Also has color photos.
See: http://www.vrg.org/party/index.php

Below is a new addition to our ongoing list for Vegetarian and Vegan Options in Senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, and Other Senior Facilities.

To see the complete list for establishment throughout the USA visit: http://www.vrg.org/seniors/senior_vegan.htm

Kaur Ashram Assisted Living, LLC
4538 North 183rd Ave.
Goodyear, AZ 85395
248-310-6052 (cell)
623-399-9665
[email protected]

Assisted Living.
Strictly vegetarian and vegan facility. Can provide raw food diet as needed.
Facility is non-smoking. Located in very serene environment with mountain view, gated community. Semi private and private rooms available. Can accommodate 10 or less residents, with high quality compassionate care.
Please call and arrange facility tour.

The Vegetarian Resource Group has an online guide to veggie restaurants in the USA and Canada on their website. To view the full guide, see: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

Below are some recent vegan restaurant additions.

Apura Juicery & Coffeehouse
22191 Powerline Rd.
Boca Raton, FL 33433
Apura’s name comes from the Greek philosophy of eating unprocessed foods for a sharp mind and healthy body. This plant-based café successfully does this through their use of organic fruits and vegetables while pressing their juice and raw ingredients in their homemade cuisine. Their motto “made with intention” is evident in every product, hand crafted and fresh for each customer. They offer a wide variety of juices like Pear Mojito, cold brewed coffees with unique flavors like Banana Walnut, and plant-based food like their Spinach and Vegan Goat Cheese Salad. Dine in or choose from a variety of take out options!

The Blissful Juice
715 N Fern Creek Ave. Ste D
Orlando, FL 32803
This eclectic café and juice bar offers a raw twist on vegan favorites like falafel, veggie wraps, pasta, and soups. The juices and smoothies are made from organic and local fruits and vegetables. They seek to inspire others to be more conscious about where their food comes from and how it is grown. They implement these same ideals when making their raw vegan cuisine. The Blissful Juice also serves desserts like chocolate chip cookies and truffles.

DF Mavens
113 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10016
Located near the corner of 2nd Ave and St. Marks Place, DF Mavens features a wide variety of dairy free ice creams. Their specialty flavors are either soy, coconut, or almond based. Choices include Key Lime Creme, Shot of Java, or the more classic Madagascar Vanilla Bean. Many gluten free items available. Also on the menu are various juices, sweets, and baked goods. Enjoy any of the grab-and-go items, or sit back and relax with hot soup.

Green Elephant Juicery
150 East Beaver Creek Blvd.
Avon, CO 81620
and
616 West Lionshead Circle
Vail, Co 81657
This organic juice bar offers cold pressed juices, smoothies, and vegan organic food including Kale Avocado Salad, Quinoa Bowl, Collard Enchilada Wrap, soups, and oatmeal.

Khan’s Desserts
733 Porter Rd.
Nashville, TN 37206
Khan’s Desserts is a bakery that offers a breakfast and lunch menu, as well as a juice bar. Their products do not contain any animal products, artificial flavors and coloring or bleached flour. On the dessert menu, you will find several yummy treats like cakes, cookies, and brownies. One item on the menu that you should try is the cactus burrito. It is prepared with black beans, poblano peppers, cactus, avocado, mixed greens, salsa, cashew cheese, and seitan chorizo on a whole wheat wrap.

Porter House
1321 Dundas St. West
Toronto, ON M6J 1X8 Canada
Located in Little Portugal. Porter House features a wide variety of vegan beer, wine, and pub food. Be sure to try a plate of the Beer Battered Potato Dumplings (with beer gravy). Or go for some of the main dishes like the Quinoa Polenta or the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich. Note that the kitchen closes at 11 pm, but drinks are available until 2 am. Outdoor seating available.