The Vegetarian Resource Group Blog

Planting Pride: Chicago’s First Veggie Pride Parade

Posted on June 11, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

By Aileen McGraw, VRG Intern

Armed with my pleather jacket, broken camera and twin sister, Keara, I register for Chicago’s first Veggie Pride Parade just in time to embark from Grant Park. Grabbing a nametag, I join the ranks of other “Hello, my name is” vegans, vegetarians and supporters of plant-based diets.

The Veggie Pride Parade’s inaugural year was 2001 in Paris. Since then, the parade has spread internationally with locations in New York and Ontario. June 2, 2012 marks the first annual Chicago Veggie Pride Parade (CVPP), sponsored by ChicagoVeg and other prominent Chicago vegan and vegetarian businesses and organizations.

“We are vegans. We are vegetarians. We are the change.” I begin the parade following this handwritten mantra. Passing vendor booths including those of The Original Soul Vegetarian and The Chicago Diner, I see some of what makes this city’s vegan community so vibrant. Chicago boasts vegan diners with roots in the 1980s, a hybrid soul food restaurant and raw juice bar. Chicago truly innovates wholly and sustainably.

Making the Columbus Drive to Roosevelt Road turn, I inevitably notice participants of the CVPP costume contest. With VeganMania’s Tofu Man leading the way, bananas, what I’ll call asparagus, and happy-to-be-alive farm animals pepper the crowd. The event’s soundtrack provides me with clips of conscious conversation. I hear one couple voice their opinions on corporate money as another marcher enthusiastically proclaims, “skip the middle cow!”

Continuing onto the main stretch of South Michigan Avenue, I hasten my pace as event coordinators ask us to parade “just a little bit quicker.” We fall slightly behind schedule while a No Meat Athlete takes pictures, seemingly undaunted. At route’s end, my sister and I separate from the crowd, most of who return to hear speakers including holistic health promoter Karyn Calbrese, activist and writer Marla Rose, and Marisa Buchheit, Miss Chicago 2012.

After a quick photo-op with Tofu Man, we depart. Still feeling veganly inspired, we take the Red Line train to the Belmont stop with one goal in mind: shakes. Cookie dough peanut butter shakes from The Chicago Diner, to be exact. Our own grand finale captures what I consider to be the success of Chicago’s Veggie Pride Parade premier. My sister, self-proclaimed meat and cheese enthusiast, downs a Temptation Vegan Ice Cream confection without reservation. She confesses recent interest in going more (or even full-fledged) vegan. Like the CVPP’s stated mission, today’s event is about encouraging “everyone, vegan or not, to come and walk, socialize, learn, and of course celebrate the Veg lifestyle with us.”

Vegan in Argentina

Posted on June 08, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

By Ann Austin, VRG Intern

During the summer of 2011 I was going to live in Ushuaia, Argentina, the closest city to Antarctica for about 6 weeks. I would stay with a host family of four and volunteer every day at a pre-school called Dailan Kifki. Although Ushuaia was going to be my final destination, there were no direct flights to the area from the United States. So I first flew into Buenos Aires and stayed there for a couple days before departing once more for my home-to-be.

In Buenos Aires I stayed with a friend of my host’s in Ushaia. A lot about Buenos Aires reminded me of New York; drivers’ disregard for pedestrians, the subway, old museums, streets and sidewalks crowded with people waking at fast pace, and most importantly the hundreds of restaurants. In Buenos Aires I had no trouble finding food to eat. There were vegan and vegetarian restaurants aplenty where I could find meals I was used to as well as vegan versions of traditional Argentine cuisine. Two restaurants that I especially liked were called “Noble y Natural” and “Kensho” and they served all vegan food. Buenos Aires was only a stopping point, however. The big capital city would not be anything at all like the small, remote town of Ushuaia.

In Ushuaia, the food situation was a lot different than in Buenos Aires. Because Ushuaia is located in such an isolated area and the temperature is always so cold, there isn’t much produce that is grown anywhere nearby. Argentina is one of the highest meat-consuming countries in the world and, in Ushuaia especially, it was very difficult to find vegan food. But it was still possible. One of the reasons it was so hard for me to find food for myself at the beginning was because, for the first couple of weeks at least, I wasn’t looking for any. The family I was living with made me food when they ate their meals. There was always food I was able to eat, but the meals did not have much nutritional value. Most nights I would have polenta or some type of white pasta for dinner. Although the family was respectful of my wishes to not consume any animal products, it was difficult to get all of my nourishment from the food I was eating at practically every meal. I gained weight consuming empty carbs every day and I found it was hard for me to stay healthy eating only the food they made for me.

The food (even more than the language) was the toughest aspect to get used to. And not just the food itself, but the timing of the meals as well. The members of my host family didn’t eat breakfast, and if they did it was something very light. I, however, could not make it through the day without something to eat in the morning. I had to have food in my stomach before I set off for work at the pre-school. I usually had whole-wheat bread with jam. Most people I met would go about their days having eaten little or no breakfast and then around noon they’d have a light snack. The family I stayed with would come home after school/work and have a pretty heavy snack between 3 and 5pm. This is when mate, a beverage made from dried leaves of the yerba mate plant, is drunk. It’s usually consumed with crackers, cookies, pastries etc. I was usually hungry by the time I was done working, so I would have crackers with the mate. Dinner was eaten late, usually around 9 or 10pm. It was an interesting contrast to my normal eating habits in the US. I enjoyed the challenge of the new experience, but it was still extremely difficult to adjust to.

Eventually I began going shoppping by myself at the local grocery store. I’d buy almonds, bananas, apples, and other snack foods that I could bring with me to the school. But the food was not very fresh. I often could not find good quality fruits and vegetables. Almost all the fruits were badly bruised or rotten. However, in my last couple of weeks in Argentina I discovered a natural foods store called Iacasi only a few blocks away from where I lived. I was so happy I had found it. It had EVERYTHING. Dried fruits, nuts, lentils, vegan cookies, whole wheat and buckwheat pasta, candies, I even found some dulce de soja (the vegan version of dulce de leche) which tasted just as good as the real thing. I was finally able to find healthy food. The only problem was that it was expensive so I could only get a few items at a time with the money I had. The health food store became my haven for a while. I regret not having found it sooner. I probably could have stayed healthier in Argentina had I been able to chose my own food from the start. My experience in Ushuaia, though challenging, gave me a lot more courage to advocate for myself when it comes to food. I realized that I shouldn’t rely too heavily on others and that I should be the one taking control of my diet. Though there were not too many good options for me, I still gained a lot of knowledge
about Argentine culture and its foods (even the kinds I didn’t get to eat).

Veggie Pride Parade, New York

Posted on June 08, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

By Rebecca Kaplan, VRG Intern

Vegetarians and vegans showed up in full force on Sunday May 27, 2012 for the fifth annual NYC Veggie Pride Parade. Hundreds of proud vegetarians marched from Greenwich Village to Union Square park to show their support for vegetarianism.

According to the parade’s press release, the parade was a venue for people who are vegetarians to come together with one united voice, whatever their individual reasons are for choosing not to eat meat. To whit, a variety of organizations were represented at the parade, from a group of Seventh day Adventists, who choose not to eat meat for religious reasons, to Mercy for Animals, an animal-rights organization. The Vegetarian Resource Group was there with plenty of information about the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle for any passersby who were curious, or vegetarians who wanted to learn more.

VRG volunteer Dorothy Kenney, who has been with the organization for two years, came out to represent the organization and answer questions. For a man who dabbled with a vegan diet but was unable to find food that would fill him up, she recommended VRG’s vegan food pyramid (http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/MyVeganPlate.pdf). Several grandparents of vegan and vegetarian children were grateful to receive information packets with guides for vegetarian children (http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/veganpregnancy.php). And for people who had a limited understanding of vegetarian, such as one man who asked, “Do vegetarians eat fish?” there was Vegetarianism in a Nutshell (http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/nutshell.htm).

The event drew a great crowd, and vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike lined up to sample the delicious free vegan fare that some booths were giving away. All of these aspects, as well as the people wearing bright Pea and Carrot costumes (give peas a chance!) drew attention from the general New York crowd, which helped accomplish the parade’s goal: to “see vegans and vegetarians come out of the shadows once and for all,” Pamela Rice, the organizer of the parade, said in a press release. To volunteer at VRG outreach booths, please contact Mary at [email protected].

To support VRG outreach, please donate at https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565.

For information on VRG internships, see http://www.vrg.org/student/.

Sautéed Collard Greens and Tomatoes

Posted on June 06, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

This great summer recipe is from Vegan Handbook By Debra Wasserman and Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D., which contains over 200 delicious recipes, meal plans, and vegetarian resources for all ages! Purchase a copy »

Sauteed Collard Greens and Tomatoes
Serves 4

1 teaspoon oil
1 pound collards, chopped
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder

Saute all ingredients together over medium-high heat for 7 minutes. Serve warm.

VRG’s 30th Anniversary Celebration at Candle 79

Posted on June 05, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

By Rebecca Kaplan, VRG Intern

The Vegetarian Resource Group held a lunch at Candle 79 on Sunday, May 6, 2012 to celebrate VRG’s 30th anniversary. About 30 members of The Vegetarian Resource Group gathered to discuss VRG’s initiatives, how the organization has grown over the past 30 years, and enjoy the all-vegan samplings at Candle.

With some squeezing VRG occupied almost all of the space on the second floor.

Many guests at the lunch had been involved with VRG for a long time, including Linda Long, the photographer for many of the magazine’s cover photos. She brought with her a bottle of champagne and two candles which read “30”, which was one option for the 30th anniversary cover of Vegetarian Journal this summer.

At the lunch, Debra Wasserman gave a speech filling guests in on many initiatives VRG has successfully completed recently, including providing nursing homes with information on making vegetarian meals. Simply Vegan, one of VRG’s titles, is going into its fifth edition soon, and has sold over 100,000 copies, a far cry from over twenty years ago, when it was first published, and Wasserman said, “many people didn’t even know what the word ‘vegan’ meant.”

The lunch was a great chance for VRG members in New York City to connect. Thank you to Heather Gorn for organizing this event.

Effort to Ban Barren Battery Cages Nationwide

Posted on June 05, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

Last week, S. 3239, federal legislation to reform the egg industry and ban barren battery cages, was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., with a bipartisan group of original cosponsors. The Humane Society of the United States says this bill (identical to H.R. 3798 introduced earlier in the House) will lead to major improvements in the treatment of 280 million hens involved in U.S. egg production, essentially doubling the amount of space per bird, banning inhumane practices such as forced starvation molting, and requiring on-carton labeling so consumers know how hens are raised.

For more information, click here.

Beyond Meat™: Veggie Chicken Strips from a Cumberland, Maryland Company

Posted on June 04, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

by Jeanne Yacoubou, MS
VRG Research Director

Beyond Meat™, from Savage River, Inc., a new meat analog company founded by Ethan Brown and based in Cumberland, Maryland, began out of concern for farm animals. Spending weekends as a child on his family’s farm, Ethan Brown grew increasingly concerned about the plight of animals raised for food. He eventually became vegan. Unsatisfied with meat analogs on the market, he decided to start a company that offered something “more realistic, tastier and cheaper.” He turned to Fu-Hung Hsieh at the University of Missouri.

Fu-Hung Hsieh, biological engineering professor at the University of Missouri, and his assistant Harold Huff, perfected over many years the technology to make a meat analog. They used an industrial extruder to which a powder mix is added to water in certain proportions and heated to a very high temperature such that meat-like striations form. Then the product is quickly cooled so that it will not melt but retain its fibrous, meat-like texture. The entire process takes only seconds. The University sold exclusive licensing rights to Brown.

Made from soy, pea protein, amaranth, and carrot fiber with a few other vegan ingredients, Beyond Meat™ Veggie Chicken Strips, according to Brown, “will appeal to vegans and vegetarians as well as mainstream consumers looking to incorporate meatless meals into their diets while maintaining the taste and texture of meat.” According to product literature, a three oz. serving of Beyond Meat™ Veggie Chicken Strips contains “18 g of complete protein, no saturated or trans fats, and is gluten-free.” It is rich in iron and low in sodium (“260 mg/3 oz. compared to similar products with up to 690 mg/3 oz. serving”). There is no white sugar in the product (the typically corn-derived sweetener, maltodextrin, is listed as an ingredient).

Brent Taylor, Vice President of Corporate Development for Beyond Meat™, told The VRG that “unlike other meat analogs, ours has a visible fiber structure that pulls apart with your fingers…and I can eat it, stand alone, hot or cold, just like real chicken.”

The VRG first learned of Brown’s product in October 2011, when the writer spotted it on the menu at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary’s ThanksLiving: http://woodstocksanctuary.org/news-events/events/thanksliving-2011/. There it was served as Savage River Faux Chicken Rajas in Orange Garlic Mojo. Since then, it has been served in many Mid-Atlantic universities and hospitals.

Mary Adams, Vice President of Marketing for Beyond Meat™, told us that “…36 northern California Whole Foods Markets will begin using Beyond Meat™ in some of its prepared food items in mid-June 2012.” These items may include chicken wraps, pastas, enchiladas, and salads. In Fall 2012, the product will be available to consumers as a retail item. Further expansion to other Whole Foods Markets, mainstream supermarkets, convenience stores, and similar establishments, is planned.

Soon to be launched by the company is a product called Veggie Beef Crumble first to be used in food service with eventual plans for retail sale. Plans for a pork analog are also in progress.

For updates to Beyond Meat’s™ entry to the marketplace, readers may consult its website: http://gobeyondmeat.com/

For recent press on Beyond Meat™, readers may find out more at these sources:

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 companies. 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 more information on food processing methods and food ingredients and to purchase our Guide to Food Ingredients, please visit our website at http://www.vrg.org/ingredients/index.php

For updates on ingredients and other information of interest to vegetarians and vegans, please subscribe to our e-newsletter: http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews

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To support VRG research, donate at https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565

Can An Exchange Student Live On A Vegan Diet in Costa Rica?

Posted on June 01, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

By Anna Austin, VRG Intern

For three weeks of the summer of 2010 I stayed in Heredia, Costa Rica. Through a program called CPI (Centro Panamericano de Idiomas), I lived with a family and attended classes at a school for five hours a day. Before I started, I filled out a questionnaire with information about medications, allergies, living habits, etc. to determine which family to live with would be the best fit for me. There was also a section about food allergies and restrictions which included the option to select “vegetarian.” I called the school ahead of time to check to see if it was possible to put “vegan” on the sheet. I talked to the people in charge of the school. They said there had been other vegans who had come to the program before and that they would let the family know about my diet. They assured me that it would be more than possible to have them cook vegan meals for me. It seemed like it would all work out perfectly.

The first day I arrived, the family I was going to be living with presented me with lots of food as a way of welcoming me. Unfortunately, none of the food I was offered was vegan. I felt rude refusing their offers, but I was also nervous that the school had not actually informed them of my dietary restrictions. My Spanish skills at the time were not very strong and I had very little confidence in my abilities, so it was a bit of a challenge to communicate with them. Eventually, I was able to make clear that I did not eat anything that came from animals. They asked me if I was a vegetarian. I told them I was, but that I also did not eat dairy or eggs. They understood. They thought it was weird, but they respected it.

The grandmother was the one who made the meals for everyone in the house. She was very kind and always assured me that the dishes were vegetarian. The meals I had while I was there were always delicious. The food was simple. I had black beans and rice just about every day. I ate some type of fruit (usually mango, papaya or pineapple) with every meal. There were lots of vegetables, great coffee, and most of the bread in their house was vegan. There were almost always tortillas and pico de gallo to go with the black beans and rice, so I often just made myself mini burritos.

When I wanted a snack after school there were mini convenience stores nearby that had nuts, chips, dried fruits, or other snack-type foods to munch on. I never got too hungry and I liked to save my appetite for when I got home because there was always a nice meal waiting for me. Sometimes I went out to eat with the friends I made from the school. I could always find something to eat at restaurants. Most had French fries, beans, rice, vegetables, chips, salsa and soups that I could eat, but I still always checked and double-checked with the waiters about the ingredients. Usually I just said I was a vegetarian, but that I was also allergic to dairy and eggs which made things a lot easier.

I think that even if I hadn’t been in an organized program, I still would have been able to find and make myself a variety of meals in Costa Rica. The food seemed really simple to me. Of course, since I didn’t prepare my own food, there’s no way I can be completely sure that the food the family made for me was completely vegan or if they added anything extra for flavor. I don’t know for certain that they understood the extent of the strictness of my diet. I’ll never know. I can just be content in their efforts to make me feel comfortable in their home. That’s really all I care about. I’d like to believe and I DO believe that my diet remained completely vegan throughout that entire stay.

Tips on remaining vegan in a foreign country

  • Be optimistic. You’ve probably heard countless stories about people who have been “unable” to remain vegan or vegetarian in certain situations abroad. Dont get discouraged before you even try. Go into it with an open mind. It may be difficult, but it is possible.
  • Speak up! Ask about ingredients. Don’t be afraid to tell people what you can and can’t eat. If you are going somewhere English is not spoken, learn (or write down) the words for eggs, milk, butter, cheese, dairy, meat, animal fat, chicken, beef, pork, gelatin, etc. in the language of your destination.
  • Bring along some of your own food. You probably want to pack foods that travel well, such as granola bars, crackers, or nuts. It’s always good to have extra snacks in case it becomes difficult to find food you want.
  • Use the internet. Search for vegan/vegetarian friendly restaurants and grocery stores near the area in which you will be staying. Plan out ahead of time how you are going to get there and pay for your food.

7 Book Reviews from Vegetarian Journal Issue 2, 2011!

Posted on May 31, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

These reviews originally appeared in Vegetarian Journal Issue 2, 2011. To subscribe to the Vegetarian Journal, visit: http://www.vrg.org/journal/.

How to Grow a School Garden

By Arden Bucklin-Sporer and Rachel Kathleen Pringle

The authors of How to Grow a School Garden: A Complete Guide for Parents and Teachers are involved with the San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance. They strongly believe that it is important for children to spend as much time as possible outdoors, both to prevent obesity and to connect with nature. When children (and adults) work with school gardens, they hopefully develop a better understanding of the importance of nutrition and health.

The first half of How to Grow a School Garden focuses on creating and developing a school's garden space. The second half of the book includes tips on getting your community involved, raising funds to build and maintain your garden, designing a school garden, and finding the materials you will need. A handful of primarily vegan recipes using crops that may be grown are also featured.

Especially helpful is a section about making the case to build a school garden. Comments include the fact that students who grow their own food are more likely to eat fresh produce and to express preference for these items. Making gardens also encourages creativity and cooperation.

Additionally, the book includes examples of letters to use as guidance when introducing the project to your community or going after funds. Sample garden designs are also offered, as well as lesson plans that teachers can use year-round.

How to Grow a School Garden (ISBN 978-1-60469-000-2) is 224 pages and includes color photographs that will grab your attention. It is published by Timber Press. This book retails for $24.95 and can be purchased online or at your local bookstore. Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

Vicki's Vegan Kitchen

By Vicki Chelf

Vicki Chelf has been a cooking teacher for years, and Vicki's Vegan Kitchen offers a wide range of healthful vegan options. Her creative recipes include Whole Wheat Waffles, Pumpkin Seed Paté, Rosemary and Garlic Focaccia, Petit Coconut-Ginger Scones, Arame-Orange-Watercress Salad, and Chestnut Porcini Bisque. The book also has recipes for Vegan Pesto, Homemade Stuffed Ravioli, Eggplant and Sun-Dried Tomato Pizza, Cajun-Style Okra, Bulgur and Sweet Potato Pilaf, Lentil Pie, Carrot Maple Cake, Melon Sorbet, plus more.

In addition to Vicki's recipes, I was especially impressed with her hand-drawn illustrations. Several of these depict step-bystep instructions to prepare dishes.

Vicki's Vegan Kitchen includes chapters about kitchen staples, cooking methods, and food preparation techniques, such as baking bread. Useful tips are also provided throughout the book. Although nutritional analyses are not provided, most of the recipes appear not to be high in fat.

Vicki's Vegan Kitchen (ISBN 978-0-7570-0251-9) is published by Square One Publishers. The book is 320 pages and retails for $17.95. Purchase this cookbook online or at your local bookstore. Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

Viva Vegan!

By Terry Hope Romero

Latin cooking can go far beyond chips and guacamole dips! Venezuelan-American vegan chef Terry Hope Romero shows you just how festive and inventive Latin cuisines can be with her new book, Viva Vegan!

Among the 200 recipes are Habanero-Melon-Papaya Salsa, Salvadorian Marinated Slaw, Yellow Chile Grilled Tempeh, and Chorizo Seitan Sausages. The book also includes recipes for Braised Brazilian Shredded Kale, Peruvian Potatoes with Spicy 'Cheezy' Sauce, Homemade Soft Corn Tortillas, Black Bean-Sweet
Potato Tamales, Corn-Crusted Pumpkin-Potato Empanadas, and so much more.

Nutritional analyses are not provided; however, most of the recipes are not high in fat. The cookbook includes color photos and offers helpful tips throughout.

Viva Vegan! (ISBN 978-0-7382-1273-9) is published by Lifelong Books and is 285 pages. It can be purchased online from The Vegetarian Resource Group
at www.vrg.org/catalog. Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

Caribbean Vegan

By Taymer Mason

As the title implies, Caribbean Vegan focuses on cooking traditions from islands such as Barbados, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada, and the French West Indies. There are over 125 recipes, including a chapter about condiments and sauces, which play a vital part in Caribbean cuisine. Learn how to make Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, Bajan Pepper Sauce, and Trinidadian Coconut Chutney. Breakfast options include Sweet Potato Drop Biscuits and Banana Fritters, while the entrées chapter lets you sample Jerk 'Sausages,', Lentil Roast, and Jerk Pizza with Sweet Potato Crust. For dessert, try Gingerbread, Barbadian Coconut Turnovers, or Piña Colada Ice Cream.

Caribbean Vegan (ISBN 978-1-61519-025-6) is published by The Experiment, LCC, and is 256 pages. It retails for $18.95 and can be purchased online or at your local bookstore. Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

Kansha – Celebrating Japan's Vegan and Vegetarian Traditions

By Elizabeth Andoh

It is often difficult to find great-tasting Japanese vegetarian food since many Japanese dishes contain fish sauce or broth. Fortunately, Kansha is a terrific book serving up Japan's finest vegan cuisine. This cookbook features stocks and soups, rice and noodle dishes, soybased entrées, desserts, and more. Some wonderful recipes include Festive Flower Sushi Rolls, Miso- Glazed Bitter Melon with Kabocha and Tofu, Candied Sweet Potatoes, and Roasted Rice Dumplings with Sticky-Sweet Soy Sauce.

Kansha (ISBN 978-1-58008-955-5) is a 296-page hardcover book with color photos and is published by Ten Speed Press. It retails for $35 and can be purchased online or from your local bookstore. Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.


Vegan Unplugged

By Jon Robertson with recipes by Robin Robertson

Vegan Unplugged – A Pantry Cuisine Cookbook and Survival Guide teaches readers how to prepare for an emergency, such as a hurricane or earthquake, as well as when you lose power at home.

Chapter 2, "The Five-Day Meal Box," includes menus and a shopping list for non-perishable items that can be stored in a 50- gallon lidded container. Dishes like Corn Chowder and Beat-the-Blahs Black Bean Patties, Curry in a Hurry, and Layered Tortilla Skillet serve four. Many of the recipes require short cooking times (using a camp stove); others, such as Chickpea Spread, Texas Twister Caviar, and Emergency Gazpacho, require no cooking at all.

Chapter 12, "Emergency Preparedness Guide," includes a disaster supply kit list. And Chapter 13, "The Animals Need a Plan, Too," reminds you to have an emergency plan for cats, dogs, and other animals in your care.

Vegan Unplugged – A Pantry Cuisine Cookbook and Survival Guide (ISBN 978-0-9800131-2-2) is published by Vegan
Heritage Press. It is 202 pages and retails for $14.95. You can purchase it online at www.veganheritagepress.com/order.html or at your local bookstore. Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

Sunfood Traveler

By John McCabe

As raw foods establishments become more popular, Sunfood Traveler: Guide to Raw Food Culture, Restaurants, Recipes, Nutrition, Sustainable Living, and the Restoration of Nature will become a valuable resource. This new paperback guide provides information about where to find raw foods restaurants and retreats around the world, businesses that promote raw foods, raw foods websites, raw chef training, and so much more.

In addition, the book features a section called "Random Recipes for a Raw Kitchen" with approximately 70 dishes. These include Cabbage Pumpkin Seed Pâté, Sundried Tomato Butter, Stuffed Red Bell Peppers, Veggie Loaf with Gravy, No Bean Hummus, Marinated Mushrooms, Lemon Pudding, Apple Cobbler, Raw Ice Cream, and Holiday Nog.

Sunfood Traveler (ISBN 978-1-88470-209-9) is published by Carmania Books. It is 376 pages and retails for $13.95. Purchase it online or from your local bookstore. Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

Satvik Indian Vegan Festival

Posted on May 29, 2012 by The VRG Blog Editor

Will you be in India in August? The Satvik Indian Vegan Society is having a vegan festival at their Sthitaprajna Vegan Centre! For more information, see:
http://www.indianvegansociety.com/vegan_festival

Satvik Indian Vegan Festival – 2012

Saturday Aug 18 – Monday Aug 20, 2012
Sthitaprajna Vegan Centre
Byndoor, Udupi Dist., Karnataka, India.

Three days of music and dance, beaches and speeches, excursion and introspection, rains and water, awards, food, fun and much more.

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