We received this note from Kelsey Maloney at PAX. Note: If you live in Baltimore, Maryland and are interested in hosting vegetarian exchange students, you can contact Meredith Safford at 410-382-5359 or email [email protected]

Good afternoon! My name is Kelsey Maloney and I work for PAX. PAX- Program of Academic Exchange is a Department of State designated nonprofit international high school exchange organization. Each year PAX facilitates in the placing of some of the best students from over 70 countries around the world. Students are given the opportunity to study in the US for one academic school year, thus promoting cross-cultural learning.

I am writing to you today to share with you a unique opportunity in which I hope you will share with your members. We are currently looking for host families that can accommodate vegetarian students for the upcoming 2013-2014 academic school year. We at PAX feel the best suited families for these students are those who are familiar with a vegetarian diet and lifestyle. All of our students have gone through tremendous screening and have interviewed at length to be admitted into our program. Students come with full medical insurance and are responsible for all personal expenditures. We ask that host families provide living arrangements, a suitable study environment, and participation in family meals.

Hosting is a unique and rewarding experience that builds bridges, creates life-long friendships, and connects the world one family at a time. This is an opportunity to experience a foreign culture right in the comfort of your own home!

If you know anyone interested in hosting for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year please pass this information along.

For additional information I encourage you to visit our website at http://www.pax.org/

I have also attached a “quick link” about host families below:
Host family Q&A

Thank you so much for your time, help, and consideration.

With the greatest appreciation,
Kelsey Maloney

Noam Lautman is one of the winners of our 2013 video scholarship! Noam stated, “I became interested in vegetarianism when I was about 10 years old. My uncle and his family took me to an upscale fish restaurant where they ordered lobster on a bed of rice. I had never seen such a thing before, and it was quite a shock to see a whole lobster sitting there, just as advertised, on a bed of rice. I could hardly look at it and went to eat at another table. Later my father told me that to cook a lobster, people buy it live and dump it in boiling water. That was my introduction to trying to eat in a more humane manner.”

To see other winners, visit: http://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php

By Karen Leibowitz, VRG Intern

When choosing a university to attend, among the several factors to consider – residence life, level of class intensity, location, etc. – food is at the top of several people’s list. As a vegan, it was crucial for me to find a school where plenty of vegan options were available. Fortunately, James Madison University (JMU), located in central Virginia, is one school you can count on having vegan (and lots of vegetarian) options available.

JMU has won 3rd and 4th place in the Princeton Review for best campus food. Their East Campus Dining Hall has ranked 5th best college dining location in the country. Needless to say, the vegan food available is extremely tasty but also very healthy. The vegan options do not consist of many processed foods like mock meats and cheeses, but rather whole foods as much as possible. Stir-fry stations offer a variety of
ingredients to choose from: brown rice, onions, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, locally-made tofu. Burritos, veggie burgers, and hummus bagel sandwiches can be found almost anywhere on campus. Both buffet-style dining locations have elaborate salad bars, which include locally-grown lettuce, and a separate vegan/vegetarian station with menu items that vary everyday. Some of the vegan menu items include Moroccan vegetable stew, cauliflower curry soup, pot pie, sushi, and sloppy Joe’s. Vegan oatmeal cookies are a big hit, even among non-vegans, and one of the dining halls whips up a batch of vegan brownies every now and then. My favorite meal to order is the Falafel Fanatic salad which is a spinach and romaine salad with freshly made falafel, chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, topped with a large dollop of red pepper hummus, with everything piled on top of a whole wheat pita.

The food staff are very accommodating to vegan diets as well. Earlier in the spring, one of the soups featured was Cuban Black Bean soup. I asked the chefs if the soup was vegan. They were very friendly and helpful in finding out who cooked it and where the recipe was archived. It turned out the recipe called for sour cream, but they offered to make a small batch without sour cream just for me!

While vegan options at JMU are not as fancy as some of the pacific Northwestern universities, for an East coast school, you will be pleasantly-surprised at the sizable amount of delicious options available. In addition to the many vegan items on campus, the city of Harrisonburg has many vegan-friendly restaurants and a very vegan-friendly food co-op in walking distance.

For information on dining options at other colleges, visit: http://www.vrg.org/blog/category/college/
For more information on college dining options, visit: www.vrg.org/journal/vj97jan/971coll.htm

By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS
VRG Research Director

An online reader commented on our website that a P.F. Chang’s chef in Pennsylvania had told her “‘We can’t guarantee that any of our dishes are vegan because we use egg wash in our sauces.’” Since this was contradictory to what P.F. Chang’s had told us in the past, we contacted the restaurant chain to see if there had been a change in menu ingredients or preparation methods.

The Marketing Coordinator at P.F. Chang’s told us that he had consulted with the nutritional team who responded in May 2013:

I am guessing the chef mixed his line of thought as all the proteins contain egg in the marinades and the majority of the sauces contain chicken broth and ‘whey” protein (milk). Also, regarding “vegan” due to the use of sugar, and depending on the level of “vegan” the customer is…it would be the sugar that would limit the rest of the menu items after we sort out all of the chicken broth and dairy.” Our Guest Service is another avenue for these types of inquires. They can be reached at [email protected].

The VRG asked P.F. Chang’s to clarify whether this response applies to their vegetarian-labeled dishes. We received this reply:

The only dishes that do not contain animal products (animal protein, eggs & dairy) are the menu items noted on the menu as vegetarian: Coconut Curry Vegetables, Buddha’s Feast, Ma Po Tofu, Stir Fried Eggplant and Vegetarian Fried Rice…[The sauces in these entrées] would still contain sugar and thus we would not refer to them as “vegan” …[but] only “vegetarian” due to the way in which sugar is processed. Each dish is made to order with clean equipment and while the possibility of cross contamination in all restaurants is possible due to the presence of all ingredients/allergens our vegetarian recipes would not be altered and thus would not contain animal proteins/broths, egg- or dairy-based ingredients.

On P.F. Chang’s menu, viewed online in June 2013, several appetizers and side dishes as well as the entrées listed above were labeled “vegetarian” with a special icon:

Vegetarian Appetizers at P.F. Chang’s:

• Chang’s Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps
• Spring Rolls
• Edamame

Vegetarian Side Dishes at P.F. Chang’s:

• Spicy Green Beans
• Shanghai Cucumbers
• Spinach Stir-Fried with Garlic
• Garlic Snap Peas
• Sichuan-Style Asparagus
• Asian Tomato-Cucumber Salad

P.F. Chang’s provides nutritional information on its website: http://www.pfchangs.com/images/Nutritional%20Info/ChangsNutritional.pdf.
The vegetarian icon appears in the nutrition chart next to all vegetarian item listings making it very easy for nutrition-conscious vegetarians to use.

Other recent VRG articles about P.F. Chang’s:

• “No Ghee” Says P.F. Chang’s
• P.F. Chang’s Vegetarian-Labeled Dishes: Oyster Sauce is All-Vegetable; No Honey, Egg or Dairy Present
• P.F. Chang’s ‘Vegetarian’ Entrées Contain No Animal Ingredients
• Who’s the Veggie-Friendliest of Them All?

The contents of this article, our website, and our other publications, including the Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company employees or company statements. Information does change and mistakes are always possible. Please use your own best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. Further research or confirmation may be warranted.

For the latest news on fast food and quick service chains, visit http://www.vrg.org/fastfoodinfo.php

To support our research, donate at http://www.vrg.org/donate

We’re looking for a reliable part-time IT Jack or Jill of all Trades with problem-solving skills to maintain and update the following in Baltimore, Maryland:

1) Hardware
2) Hardware troubleshooting
3) Software support
4) Networking
5) Network security
6) Website
7) Numerous related tasks as necessary

Knowledge of the following helpful: Linux, Microsoft Windows, Excel, Access, Adobe Creative Office, Microsoft SQL, HTML, computer networking, DNS, WordPress, backups, printer hardware, scanners, Bookstore software, and working with volunteers.

Please send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to The Vegetarian Resource Group, Att. IT Administrator job; [email protected]

By Kitty Jones, VRG Intern

One of the best ways to spread the idea of vegan (or vegetarian) eating is simply by giving people vegan food to try! Not only do they literally get a taste of vegan food, but they are left with a positive impression of the lifestyle; who doesn’t like smiley people giving away free snacks?

I first did vegan food sampling with Action for Animals in Seattle. We had set up a table on the sidewalk to give out free veggie hotdogs because it was National Hotdog Day. Most organizations and individuals do food sampling on special days or specific occasions. I do them every Friday evening in front of my local grocery store. I think it’s a lot of fun and it is not too hard for anyone to do themselves!

The first and sometimes most difficult step is to find a location to sample. Some people pass out samples on the sidewalk, on their campus, at events or shows, in their school cafeteria, outside stores, or wherever people are that might be receptive. Always make sure you have permission to pass out food. You may have to fill out an application or permit. If you’re tabling at an event or with an organization, check if food is allowed. Chances are you can have whatever you want at your table. If you want to table at a grocery store check with the manager ahead of time to make sure that it is okay. With stores they often don’t believe that you just want to give away free food (your only motive being the promotion of vegan or vegetarian diets). Employees may tell you that you can only do sampling on public property, which might be far away from the store entrance; if that’s the case you might try speaking with the manager of the store again or asking a different store. When I began tabling at my local grocery store they told me I couldn’t. So I did anyway and now I’m friends with the assistant manager and a bit of a store-wide celebrity. This method may not always be successful.

The next step is to get all your materials together. First you will need a small card table, or a bigger one if you’re doing a big event, like the Great American Meat Out. You should also get fliers about what you’re doing. You can get great fliers about going vegan and health, animals, the environment and more from groups like Action for Animals, Vegan Outreach, PETA, The Vegetarian Resource Group, etc. I personally use “How you can help animals” and “What’s wrong with dairy and eggs” fliers from Action for Animals. Make sure the fliers you get are appropriate for the food you’re handing out. For example you wouldn’t want to hand out Tofurky sausage samples along with “Fishing Hurts” fliers. Don’t forget to have a sign somewhere that says “FREE VEGAN FOOD SAMPLES” or something along those lines to get people’s attention. Depending on the food you’re sampling, you may or may not need gloves. I have rarely needed gloves because I choose to sample food using tooth picks or with sample cups. If you’re directly touching food, use gloves. I recommend using biodegradable ones (yes, those exist) if you need them. You may also need toothpicks, small sampling cups, and a trash/compost container. People often want coupons for the products if they like them. You can contact the companies and ask for coupons to give away. Companies are often more than happy to give you free coupons and people are more likely to buy vegan food if they have coupons.

Next, decide what food you want people to try! Remember that the people sampling this food may not have ever eaten vegan food so you want to make sure it’s something tasty. Even though you may love kale chips or almond butter spirulina sandwiches (I sure do!) these types of foods are not food for sampling. Some people are adverse to veganism because they feel they have to change their whole lifestyle; that’s why it helps to show them that there are vegan versions of all their favorite foods. Foods like Tofurky deli slices and sausages, vegan yogurt, soymilk and almond milk, and vegan brownies or cookies are more likely to get people interested in vegan eating. If you have foods that require cooking, like Tofurky sausages, cook them ahead of time and keep them warm until sampling in some sort of container. With frozen or cold foods, such as Tofutti Cuties, keep them cold in a cooler until it’s time to give them out. Don’t leave samples that need to be refrigerated sitting out for a long time and don’t use them a second day if they weren’t kept consistently cold. Try to cut your foods into bite-sized samples. For example, I cut Tofutti cuties in half and Tofurky deli slices (on small pieces of bread with Vegenaise on them) into fourths when I’m sampling.

It is always very helpful to have someone working with you. Ask your friends if they would like to help you, even if you think they don’t care about vegan activism. A lot of my friends who are not vegan still enjoy helping me sample vegan food. Plus, if there is more than one person at the table one can hand fliers to each person that takes a sample while the other person talks to people or hands out samples.

In my experience, I usually set up a table with the samples in cups or on a tray with toothpicks in front of the packages of the products. I have a sign or two on the sides of the table that say “FREE VEGAN HOTDOGS” or “FREE SOYMILK,” or whatever it is that I’m sampling. People can take samples right off my table or tray while I also hand them directly to people walking by. Sometimes people want to talk to me or have questions about why I am giving away free food or about vegan eating. Your answers will vary from mine, but I always explain that I don’t work for the company and am doing this activity because I care and want people to eat vegan food. I also have a food handler permit (a card that certifies that you know proper food handling techniques), however I doubt this is necessary for most people, as I’ve never been asked for it.

I have found that people are very receptive to leaflets and the idea of eating vegan when they’re literally eating vegan food. Occasionally someone will dramatically spit out whatever you’ve given them, but just brush it off and let them know there are lots and lots of foods that don’t contain animal products, which they might like better. People are almost always happy to try the samples and only rarely have I ever been given a hard time. If someone is rude to you or antagonizing you, just ignore them. If they’re finding fault with you (which often happens when people feel guilty for eating animals), just remind them you’re doing the best you can and let it go. The most common negative comment I hear is “the plants that made this felt pain too”, which I don’t take seriously at all (clearly they don’t either if they’re eating the sample) and I often say that there is no need to kill and eat animals and give them a flier.

In case you don’t have the money to buy vegan food samples, or to pay for the fee for a table at an event (if it costs you anything), or to buy leaflets, I recommend checking out VegFund.org. VegFund is a non-profit that gives activists small grants in order to buy the supplies they need for vegan food sampling, video outreach and other projects to promote veganism. I have used VegFund for almost all of my food sampling events.

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Jack Norris, RD, a vegan dietitian and author, recently contacted me to ask if there have been any studies of the amount of vitamin A in breast milk from vegan women. There are no published reports of studies of the vitamin A content of vegan breast milk. Although vitamin A is only found in nature in animal products, plants contain precursors of vitamin A including beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Humans are able to convert these carotenoids into active vitamin A.

Breastfed babies could get the essential nutrient in several ways:

1. Their mothers eat foods (and/or take supplements) containing precursors of vitamin A. The mothers’ bodies convert these precursors into vitamin A and this vitamin A (possibly along with vitamin A from the mothers’ stores) goes into breast milk.
2. Their mothers eat foods (and/or take supplements) containing vitamin A and this dietary/supplemental vitamin A (possibly along with vitamin A from the mothers’ stores) appears in the milk.
3. Their mothers eat foods containing precursors of vitamin A. These vitamin A precursors appear in the milk and the infants make vitamin A from these precursors.

The first scenario clearly takes place and is relevant for vegans. Lactating women who are given foods high in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, have more vitamin A in their breast milk (1,2). If a breastfeeding woman has generous amounts of beta-carotene in her diet, it is likely that her baby will have adequate vitamin A status (3). This is the most likely way that breastfed infants of vegan women get adequate vitamin A.

The second scenario is not really an option for vegans, at least in terms of food sources of vitamin A. Vitamin A is only naturally found in foods derived from animals. Supplemental vitamin A may be synthetic or derived from animals (4). Vegan supplements containing a mix of vitamin A and vitamin A precursors are available.

The third scenario seems possible but we don’t know for sure that it takes place. The first step – vitamin A precursors appear in milk – definitely happens (1, 2, 5) but we don’t know for certain that babies are able to make vitamin A from precursors of vitamin A (6). It doesn’t really matter since mothers are clearly able to make vitamin A from plant precursors.

The bottom line – Vegan women who are breastfeeding should make sure that their diet includes good sources of precursors of vitamin A. These are foods rich in beta-carotene such as winter squash, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and green leafy vegetables. Dietary fat is needed to promote beta-carotene absorption so it is important that lactating women not overly limit dietary fat.

References:
1. Khan NC, West CE, de Pee S, Bosch D, Phuong HD, Hulshof PJ, Khoi HH, Verhoef H, Hautvast JG. The contribution of plant foods to the vitamin A supply of lactating women in Vietnam: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Apr;85(4):1112-20.
2. Haskell MJ. The challenge to reach nutritional adequacy for vitamin A: Beta-carotene bioavailability and conversion – evidence in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;96(suppl):1193S-203S.
3. Canfield LM, Taren DL, Kaminsky RG, Mahal Z. Short-term beta-carotene supplementation of lactating mothers consuming diets low in vitamin A. J Nutr Biochem. 1999 Sep;10(9):532-8.
4. Yacoubou J. Vegetarian Journal’s Guide to Food Ingredients. http://www.vrg.org/ingredients/index.php#vitamin_a
5. Canfield LM, Guiliano AM, Neilson EM, Blashill BM, Graver EJ, Yap HH. Kinetics of the response of milk and serum β-carotene to daily β-carotene supplementation in healthy, lactating women. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;67:276–83.
6. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001.

Even if you don’t live in New Jersey, you probably know that Hurricane Sandy did a lot of damage to the Jersey shore last year. The area is slowly recovering and businesses (especially those that are veggie or veg-friendly) really need your support. Below is a list of some vegetarian/vegan restaurants on the Jersey Shore, as well as some non-vegetarian restaurants offering many vegan options.

Asbury Park
Twisted Tree Café
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, $-$$.

In Asbury Park, also see: http://www.crustandcrumble.com/
This pizza place offers vegan pizza and vegan sandwiches and pasta dishes.

Beach Haven
Living on the Veg
4 W. Maryland Ave., Beach Haven, NJ 08008
(609) 492-4066
Vegetarian/deli/juice bar. Living on the Veg offers sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more. Located on Long Beach Island, they are open from March through November. Cash only. Open Monday for lunch. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, $.

Belmar
Kaya’s Kitchen
1000 Main St., Belmar, NJ 07719
(732) 280-1141
Vegetarian/international/organic. This mostly 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. 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, $$-$$$.

Ocean City
Bashful Banana Bakery & Café
944 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 398-9677
Café/bakery. Bashful Banana is a very veg-friendly café and bakery, offering non-dairy and vegan options. Their signature item is the Banana Whip, their version of a frozen custard, made only with bananas! Enjoy outdoor dining within walking distance of the beach. Bashful Banana is located on the OC Boardwalk between 9th and 10th Sts. To find them, turn away from the ocean and onto Ocean Colony Walk, a private boardwalk; they are across from The Sindia. Open daily for three meals from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Open weekends in April, May, September and October. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Good Karma Café
17 E. Front St., Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 450-8344
Vegan/organic café/juice bar. Good Karma Café is completely vegan with many raw foods items. They use organic and local ingredients as much as possible. Enjoy Smokey Tofu Wrap, Tempeh Reuben, Cajun Seitan, Pineapple Mango Tempeh, Sweet Chili Tofu, or Chickpea of the Sea. Wheat and gluten-free items are noted. They also have a juice bar and bakery. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, take-out, delivery, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, soymilk, VISA/MC, $.

The fifth edition of Simply Vegan—Quick Vegetarian Meals has just been released! Co-author Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, has completely updated the nutrition section, with information about Protein, Fat, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B-12, Sources of Omega-3 Fats, Weight Loss, and more. New to the book is a full color My Vegan Plate.

Simply Vegan is more than a cookbook. It is a guide to a non-violent, environmentally sound, humane-lifestyle. Authors Debra Wasserman and Reed Mangels make vegan living easy with 160 quick vegetarian recipes, an easy-to-understand and complete vegan nutrition section, meal plans, and a guide to Vegan Shopping online and by mail. Also valuable is a list of the top 15 recipes for calcium, vitamin C, and iron, plus an up-to-date chapter on pregnancy, infants, and vegan children.

When Dr. Mangels and Ms. Wasserman first wrote Simply Vegan, the word vegan was mostly unknown. Today, according to The Vegetarian Resource Group polls, about 25% of vegetarians in the USA are vegan.

Reed Mangels completed her Ph.D. in Nutrition at the University of Maryland. She has worked as a dietitian in hospitals and in the community, and is a past chair of The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She has raised two vegan children.

Debra Wasserman earned an M.A. in International Relations from Georgetown University. She is managing editor of Vegetarian Journal and author of Meatless Meals for Working People and The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook. She has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, and the Discovery Channel. Over 100,000 copies of the classic Simply Vegan are now in print.

To order Simply Vegan visit our online catalog. You can also send $16 to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203, or call (410) 366-8343 9 AM to 5 PM EST, Monday to Friday, to order by phone.

The following is from an FDA press release:

Today, Lightlife Foods in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is voluntarily recalling a limited number of packages of its Lightlife Farmer’s Market Veggie Burgers that may contain an undeclared allergen, milk. Certain packages of the Farmer’s Market Veggie Burgers may have inadvertently been filled with Lightlife Kick’n Black Bean Burgers, which contain an allergen, milk. The milk allergen is not declared on the Farmer’s Market Veggie Burger product label. This product was shipped to food stores and distributors nationwide.

For more information, see the full press release here: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm354453.htm.