photo from RAS Plant Based

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: www.vrg.org/restaurant

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

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Blue Tree Café, 612 NW 9th Ave. A, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

“Most liked” items include: Build Your Blue Soul Bowl, Chili with Cornbread Muffin, Crabless Balls, Collard Greens, and Blackeyed Peas. Sides include Fries, Plantains, and Steamed Cabbage. Drinks include Hibiscus Ginger Tea and Mela Watermelon and Pineapple.

Bravocados, 3-368 Main St., Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada

A restaurant with expansive vegan foods and a friendly, fun atmosphere. Some food options include Mushroom Calamari, Bao Buns, and Sam’s Sammie, and a vegan egg sandwich.

Funky Love, 1436 N. Federal Hwy., Ste. B, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Funky Love showcases all vegan, international flair with Burgers, Hot Dogs, Tacos, a Gyro, and more. The very popular Latin Burger offers a patty, melted “Cheddar,” crispy fried onions, plantains, pickled Jalapeños, and Pink Sauce on a Brioche bun. Southern Chick’n Sandwich is a breaded Chick’n Patty, Southern Slaw with cilantro, and BBQ sauce on a Brioche. Have you ever had a Thai Hot Dog? Here’s your chance to try one. Enjoy a “sausage” and bun, sweet Thai coleslaw, peanut sauce, red bell peppers, fresh cilantro, and chopped peanuts. One of their most popular Hot Dogs is the Venezuelan with “sausage,” bun, Guasacaca Sauce (Venezuelan Guacamole), Pink Sauce, mustard, cabbage, fried crispy onions, and “bacon” flakes. Also popular is the Colombian Hot Dog with many of the same ingredients, except it has cilantro sauce and Pineapple Sauce instead of Guasacaca Sauce. Mushroom Tacos feature grilled Portobello, pickled red onions, and Chimichurri Aioli. Tinga Chick’n Tacos has grilled King Oyster shrooms, grilled onions, avocado, and Chipotle Aioli. Both come with fresh cilantro. The Mediterranean Gyro is “sausage,” lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, pickled onions, Feta Crumbles, and Tzatziki sauce on a warm grilled Pita. Want to cool off with something sweet? Dessert serves up GF Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches in Cookies and Cream, Mocha Almond Fudge, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Inika Foods, 2410 Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors, FL 33305

Family owned and operated, with “globally inspired vegan meals.” Entrées include Lebanese Oasis Platter (tabouli made with quinoa, blackeyed pea salad, chickpea salad, hummus, and stuffed grape leaves); Thai Green Curry (rice, creamy coconut curry sauce, veggies, AND fried tofu); Lentil Mushroom Meatballs (homemade lentil mushroom meatballs, with marinara sauce and pasta topped with vegan cheese); Japchae (Classic Korean dish made from gluten-free sweet potato noodles, stir-fried veggies, and fried tofu); Shawarma (shawarma “lamb” made from soy flour grilled with mushrooms and onions; coleslaw, various empanadas; various pizzas.

La Chia Vegana, 121 S. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460

A lighthearted Latin Fusion restaurant with friendly employees and delicious food. Some of the items served include empanadas, Cubanito Rico, fruit smoothies, and tasty vegan desserts such as Coconut Guava cake.

Matchaful, 184 Prince St., New York, NY 10012; 217 Mulberry St., New York, NY 10012; 87 Christopher St., New York, NY 10014; and Whole Foods, 450 W. 33rd St., New York, NY 10001; Clean Market, 240 E. 54th St., New York, NY 10022; and Clean Market, 250 Vesey St., 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10281

With its cafes offering a moment of Zen amidst the bustle of New York City life, the thought and intention behind Matchaful’s “farm-to-whisk” matcha elevate this Japanese drink from a unique coffee alternative to an experience that will ensure you never look at a cup of tea the same again. There are several ways to enjoy their matcha, from the more classic Matcha Au Lait (matcha with water and plant-based milk) or Cold Foam Matcha (made with oat or almond cold foam and maple), to the more creative concoctions, such as the Fountain of Chai, made using house made chai, reishi, maple, vanilla, cinnamon, and oat milk. Matcha also makes its way into some of their smoothies, like the Emerald Sunrise Smoothie, which also includes almond milk, hemp seeds, cacao, cacao nibs, dates, and flaxseeds. To add more sustenance to teatime, Matchaful also offers a range of yummy pastries and snacks, including donuts (flavors include Matcha, Yuzu, and Chocolate Pistachio), a matcha brownie, parfaits like the Matcha Sunflower Butter Oats Parfait, and the Earth Glow Soft Serve (which includes cashews, oat milk, taro, and blue spirulina). For those who can’t completely abandon the coffee habit, they also have a small selection of coffee drinks, including a mushroom cold brew and lattes and cappuccinos. With matcha offerings like these, though, even hard-core coffee drinkers may find themselves craving a green pick-me-up.

Ras Plant Based, 170 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10012

Enjoy sambusas, red lentils, collard greens, yellow split pea stew, and more along with injera (Ethiopian bread). They also offer Ehiopian coffee and various bowls.

Unicorniverse European Bakery and Cafe, 2400 S. I-35 Frontage Rd. #130, Round Rock, TX 78681

Afternoon tea weekdays includes a selection of seasonal finger foods and desserts served on a three-tier tower with choice of tea.  Also does private parties and makes custom cakes. Café items include Lemon Pepper Tofu Toast (toasted croissant, garlic hummus, lemon pepper tofu, mozzarella, sautéed onions, spring mix, spouts, lemon aioli); Sicilian Avocado Toast (toasted focaccia, avocado, sautéed garlic, tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella); La Verte Sandwich (croissant, pesto, mixed greens, tomato, avocado, feta, Just Egg or Tofu); Tuscan Panini Sandwich (Focaccia bread, portabello mushroom, spinach, mayo, provolone, sautéed onions, garlic).  Features two salads (Mediterranean, and Crispy Chickpea, and “Magic Quinoa Bowl.” Many different kinds of hot and cold drinks.

Mango Stir-Fry photo by Rissa Miller

Each issue of Vegan Journal includes a Vegan Cooking Tips column by Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD. In one issue Nancy offers tips on preparing vegan dishes with mangoes.

Read the column here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue2/2022_issue2_cooking_tips.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal, visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

istockphoto-178381336

Stone fruits are abundant during the summer. Debra Daniels-Zeller previously wrote an article for The Vegetarian Resource Group titled Stone Fruit. Enjoy these recipes:

ANISE POACHED PLUMS AND CHERRIES

COUSCOUS SALAD WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS

COOL AND SPICY STONE FRUIT SOUP

GINGER-PEACH SCONES

SPICY PEPPERS AND NECTARINES WITH SEITAN OVER RICE

STRAWBERRY PLUM SAUCE

ALMOND-NECTARINE PUDDING

SAUTÉED BALSAMIC CHERRIES

Find the recipes here: Stone Fruit

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Samosas from Woodlands

By Akua Oppong, VRG Intern

I recently had the pleasure of visiting a Vegetarian Indian restaurant in Gaithersburg called Woodlands. The atmosphere of the restaurant was warm and calming, and the decor was elegant and colorful. Vegan options are indicated on the menu, and there are a variety of them

I went with my family and we all ordered samosas first, our go-to appetizer at Indian restaurants. Samosas are a light, triangle-shaped pastry filled with potatoes and peas. It was very satisfying, with a warm, soft inside and a crispy outside. Next, I ordered Chana Masala with white basmati rice and Onion Dosai, and my family ordered Vegetable Biryani and Kadai Bhindi.

Chana Masala is one of my favorite Indian foods. It consists of chickpeas cooked in a flavorful curry. The Chana Masala at Woodlands was delicious to eat with the rice and samosas. Onion Dosai is a thin, savory crepe that can be eaten with numerous sauces. The Onion Dosai I ordered was very large, which is perfect for sharing with others. It was also crispy and slightly sour, with both mild and spicy sauces to eat it with.

Vegetable Biryani is a colorful, mixed rice and vegetable dish, and Kadai Bhindi is an okra stew. The Vegetable Biryani was fun to eat because of the numerous colors in it, and my sister and I agreed that it was very light and fluffy. The Kadai Bhindi had a nice tomato taste to it, along with a touch of spices and roasted okra. My family and I all thought that it tasted similar to the Ghanaian okra stew that we eat at home. Overall, we all enjoyed our experience at Woodlands and would recommend it to vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking for great Indian food.

Woodlands Restaurant Website: https://woodlandsrestaurants.com/

Vegetarian Restaurant Guide: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Vegan Health, a website that I contribute content to has added a useful new resource which is in keeping with the website’s mission to provide:

• Reviews of the scientific literature related to the health benefits of a vegan diet.
• Discussions about concerns related to vegan nutrition.
• Recommendations for nutrients that can be low in the diets of some vegans.

The new resource, Nutrition Tips for Vegans, consolidates essential nutrition information that a vegan needs to know into one article. The article addresses protein, iron, calcium, iodine, selenium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, B12, and D. There are links to more extensive information about these nutrients. Colorful graphics illustrate plant sources of protein, vitamin C, and calcium. The article includes recommendations for supplements for vegans.  Vegan Health is a credible resource that provides evidence-based information about vegan nutrition.

photo from Freepik

The Internal Revenue Service states that individual retirement arrangement (IRA) owners age 70½ or over can transfer up to $100,000 to charity (such as The Vegetarian Resource Group) tax-free each year. These transfers, known as qualified charitable distributions or QCDs, offer eligible older Americans a way to give to charity. For those who are at least 73 years old, QCDs count toward the IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year. You need to have your IRA trustee send the money to the charity directly, and not to you first. You do not need to itemize your taxes for this benefit. For more information, see https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/qualified-charitable-distributions-allow-eligible-ira-owners-up-to-100000-in-tax-free-gifts-to-charity

This is not legal or tax advice, for which you should speak to your financial and legal advisors.

To make direct donations to VRG and support vegan education and research, donate at www.vrg.org/donate

Share this handy poster with family and friends. You can also print it out and post it on your refrigerator. See: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/VeganDietsinaNutshellPoster.pdf

We recently stopped in at Govindas in Richmond, Virginia, and greatly enjoyed their vegan Thali. The eggplant pakora was delicious, as well as the bean stew served with rice and a roti.

Govindas is located at 812 W Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23220. They are open Sunday through Friday for lunch and dinner (they close between these two meals). Information can be found here: https://www.govindarichmond.com/

Also, be sure to check out VRG’s online restaurant guide to veggie restaurants throughout the USA and Canada: www.vrg.org/restaurants

photo from Kind burger

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: www.vrg.org/restaurant

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

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Essen Kitchen, 1 Findlay St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

Breakfast choices abound with Bowls, Wraps, and Scrambles—tofu-based, with spinach, roasted potatoes, and spicy mayo, there are a few varieties. The Bowl showcases chorizo. The Wrap has peppers and onions. Breakfast Sandwich is a “sausage patty” with Hollandaise sauce on a house made biscuit. Two other savory dishes are Poutine–seasoned potatoes, spinach, mushroom gravy, sautéed mushrooms, onions, and “mozzarella” or Homemade Biscuits & Gravy with mushroom gravy, roasted potatoes or tofu scramble with peppers and onion. Sweet starts include Belgian Waffle with either pure maple syrup, house made berry compote, or black pepper syrup, House made Carrot Walnut Cake or Evolve Bake+Shop’s vegan Coffee Cake topped with cinnamon crumble. Lunch and Dinner menus are basically the same. Andie’s BBQ Bowl is Smokey Truffle Mac topped with BBQ jackfruit, a drizzle of BBQ sauce and maple dill coleslaw. Mushroom Burger and Chips—is a Beyond patty, grilled mushrooms & onions, melted “provolone cheese” and smoky aioli on a grilled Cubano bun. Cincinnati Chili is made from lentils, Beyond beef, tomatoes, kidney beans, and a classic combination of Cincinnati chili spices, cocoa and cinnamon, topped with onions, and shredded “cheddar.” Buddha Bowl offers Brussel sprouts, edamame, roasted butternut squash, beets, quinoa, toasted chickpeas, and tahini lemon dressing. Pesto Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque features House-made Basil Walnut Pesto and ‘Mad cheese’ on sourdough with creamy tomato coconut bisque. (Beyond) Grilled Brat arrives on a toasted hoagie roll with grilled onions, bell peppers and mustard, and sauerkraut on the side. Ready for Dessert? To name a couple, there are Mini Cheesecakes by Love Thy Desserts in flavors like Death by Chocolate and Lemon N Lime, an almond flour-based, Snicker Bar–agave and date sweetened, with many organic ingredients including peanut butter and more.

Eve Olive, 5281 Rutherford Rd. #102, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5N9, Canada

Globally inspired cuisine, handcrafted with many gluten-free options. Some Starters include Stuffed Greek Mushrooms–Cremini mushrooms filled with tomato, onion, mozzarella, house-made feta, and garnished with stuffed green olive (gluten-free) or Crispy BBQ Cauliflower Bites (GF) Beer battered with whisky infused BBQ sauce. A GF Salad option is Vietnamese Noodle with greens and cabbage over vermicelli rice noodles, home-made sesame hoisin vinaigrette, fresh cilantro, mint, roasted cashews, and sesame seeds. Handhelds include a Beyond Meat Burger or Pulled Pork Style Mushroom Sandwich—Stir-fried organic oyster mushrooms with BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and Cajun potato wedges, yam fries, or Caesar salad. One Main is Thai Coconut Curry with tofu, bell peppers, bamboo shoots, green beans, and onion, over linguini rice noodles with basil. Tom Yum Hot Pot has similar ingredients, except it has mushrooms and cilantro and a tomato based broth with dried seaweed, instead of curry. There’s also Souvlaki or Greek Goddess Plate–Greek salad with house-made feta, lemon roasted rosemary potatoes, oyster mushroom kalamari, house-made hummus, and tzatziki, along with pita or celery sticks. Sweet Potato Rosé Ravioli with cheesy cashew cream rosé sauce, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and chili flakes is another option, as is (GF) Penne with Truffle Cream Sauce with house-made cashew cream, spinach, cremini mushrooms, and truffle oil drizzle. There’s also a handful of Pizzas to choose from. Can’t wait to hear about Dessert? A couple they have had are Decadent Lemon Tart Pie with berry garnish (GF) and a Decadent Chocolate Cake with coco whip and berry garnish (GF), but you’ll have to visit to find out for sure!

Fevers Plant Based Kitchen, 1021 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Whether you’re the kind of person who likes pizza for breakfast or who prefers an all-day brunch, Fever’s Plant-Based Kitchen has you covered. One of their signature pizzas is the “Girl Mom” pizza, which is topped with spicy sausage, green peppers, onions, spinach, and a buffalo sauce. There is also the option to build your own pizza, with either a garlic butter or a marinara pizza sauce, topped with your choice from a variety of ingredients including mushroom bacon, vegan cashew cheese, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes. No pizza order is complete without wings—cauliflower wings in this case, served with your choice of honey mustard, BBQ, or buffalo sauce. Brunch selections include the Pancake Brunch Platter (3 pancakes, mushroom bacon, fried potatoes, and seasonal fruit). To switch things up a little, make sure to place an order on Tuesday, for the Taco Tuesday entrée—walnut and mushroom meat tacos with radish, lime, guacamole, tomatoes, and cashew cheese.

Kind Burgers, 1305 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio, TX 78214

Though there are lots more than Burgers here, we’ll start there. The Mean Burger is Two smash’d Kind Patties, grilled onions, tempeh bacon, cheddar cheese, and Kind black truffle aioli on a toasted sesame bun. Spicy Patty Melt has two smash’d Kind patties, grilled onions, ‘Swiss’ and cheddar cheese, and Kind Sauce, on toasted sourdough bread. If you don’t want a lonely Burger, kindly pick a Side! There’s Jalapeño Mac & Cheeze with gluten-free pasta and cashew cheese, Fries, Onion Rings, red pepper Hummus & Veggies, and more. Spicy Chick’n is one of a few Salad choices. It offers kale, grilled spicy chick’n, grape tomatoes, roasted corn, black beans, red bell peppers, tortilla strips, pepitas, and spicy dressing. Handhelds include Chick’n Nuggets, a spicy, Shroom Po’boy with Southern fried oyster mushroom and Philly-Soy “beef” strips, Kind Sauce, provolone, grilled mushrooms, onions, and peppers. There’s a Kiddos menu with children’s faves like Chick’n Nuggies, Grilled Cheeze,- even a Teddy Bear Pancake and more. All day every day Brunch includes Green Eggs & Ham – Beet Ham, scrambled JustEgg, Swiss and cheddar cheese, and arugula on grilled artisan bread with a hash brown patty. With some of those same ingredients, Sunnyside Sandwich is a maple sausage patty and cheddar cheeze on a toasted bun. Chick’N & Waffles features a Belgian waffle and fried chick’n patties with seasonal fruit. Got Milkshakes? Coconut, cashew and oat based, there’s Strawberries & Cream, Chocolate Brownie, Oreo Crumble, and Vanilla Glaze.

KINDEE Vegan Thai Food, 3326 Greenmount Ave., Baltimore, MD 21218

Take-out spring rolls, pot stickers, Kaho soi (Northern Thai spicy noodle soup served with tofu puffs, soy curls, crispy noodles, chili paste, shallot, pickled mustard green, lime, cilantro, and spring onions), Pad Thai, Pad Gaprao (Stir Fried Thai basil with mixed mushroom, asparagus in garlic and chili paste, served with vegan fried egg, and rice & quinoa mix.), Thai Black Tea with oat milk, mango and sticky rice, and more. We recommend delivery.

Lindiana’s Southern Vegan Kitchen, 4310 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX 77004

A hearty southern soul food vegan restaurant offering dishes such as Linda’s Famous Boudin Balls, chicken and waffles, and their French toast set.

Malinalli Superfoods, 4528 Whittier Blvd., East Los Angeles, CA 90022

The theme is decidedly Aztec at Malinalli Superfoods, with numerous pieces of native art, and some attire for sale. The menu is focused on signature items such as the Quetzal Torta; the Hunab Ku Bowl; a few different salads with spring mix bases, fruits, seeds, and other ingredients; and a variety of fresh juices and smoothies. (According to reviews, some non-menu items including tacos, nachos, and burritos have also been served on occasion.) Located just east of Home of Peace Memorial Park and Mortuary (on the other side of 710).

Ve Free, 5525 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33127

A lighthearted, modern restaurant offering a variety of tasty vegan food options including mushroom and potato empanadas, milanesas, and different types of pizza.

image by atlascompany on Freepik

Denmark will tax farmers for every cow in a carbon tax on agriculture to encourage people to eat less meat to reduce climate change. For more information, see https://www.aol.com/denmark-charge-farmers-80-per-135541709.html