VRG-NEWS: The Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter
Volume 21, Issue 12

December 2017

By Whitney Blomquist

CONTENTS

  1. SUPPORT VEGAN EDUCATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS
  2. VRG WISH LIST
  3. VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS
  4. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
  5. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE VRG VOLUNTEERS
  6. VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP OUTREACH
  7. A WINNER OF THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP 2017 VIDEO CONTEST
  8. FAST FOOD QUESTIONNAIRE
  9. FREE TUB OF BEANS FROM BETTER BEAN FOR VEGETARIAN JOURNAL AND VRG-NEWS READERS
  10. OTHER UPCOMING VEGETARIAN/VEGAN EVENTS
  11. VRG ON SOCIAL MEDIA
  12. BECOME A MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY DONOR FOR VRG
  13. ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP & VRG NEWS

1) SUPPORT VEGAN EDUCATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS

Donate at [ http://www.vrg.org/donate ]

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2) VRG WISH LIST

  • Volunteers to read scholarship entries for our 2018 contest, please contact [email protected]
  • Reprinting I Love Animals and Broccoli Coloring Book ($2,000 needed)
  • Reprinting El Arco Iris Vegetariano in Spanish ($1,500 needed)
  • Reprinting Be Kind to Animals Bumper Stickers ($900 needed)
  • Vegetarian Resource Group Outreach Booth at American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, attended by 10,000 health professionals. We're able to educate and put materials into the hands of 1,000 registered dietitians and other health professionals. ($4,000 needed)

You can make a donation at [ http://www.vrg.org/donate ] and specify in the comments section what you would like your donation to go to. Or, mail to

VRG
Box 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203
or call (410) 366-8343 Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM East Coast time.

Thank you for the donors who enabled us to reprint copies of My Vegan Food Plate. These have been used by health professionals, teachers, low income feeding programs, health fairs, and in school textbooks. Email us at [email protected] if you would like copies to distribute. See:

http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/MyVeganPlate.pdf ]

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3) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS

  • Healthy Vegan Pregnancy Tips,
  • Starbucks Vegan Bowl,
  • Vegan Resources in Spanish,
  • Test your Vegetarian Knowledge with The VRG Online Quiz, Vegan Boots Available in the USA,
  • Finding Vegan Friends Using Social Media,
  • Feeding Vegan Toddlers,
  • Vegan Meal Delivery Service,
  • School Lunch Ideas,
  • Free Beans,
  • and More!
SUPPORT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP THROUGH AMAZON SMILE
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/12/01/support-the-vegetarian-resource-group-through-amazon-smile-3/ ]
WRITING ARTICLES FOR UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPERS TO POMOTE THE VEGGIE LIFESTYLE
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/30/writing-articles-for-university-newspapers-to-promote-the-veggie-lifestyle/ ]
FOODPLAY TRACKER BANDS: Encourages individuals to eat at least 5 colorful fruits and veggies every day
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/30/foodplay-tracker-bands-encourages-individuals-to-eat-at-least-5-colorful-fruits-and-veggies-every-day/ ]
VRG BOOTH AT EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOD DAY IN EVERETT, WASHINGTON
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/29/vrg-booth-at-everett-community-college-food-day-in-everett-washington/ ]
ORDERING VEGAN FOOD AT NON-VEGAN RESTAURANTS
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/28/ordering-vegan-food-at-non-vegan-restaurants/ ]
YOUR FAVORITE COFFEE DRINK TURNED VEGAN
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/27/your-favorite-coffee-drink-turned-vegan/ ]
CONSIDER GIVING A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER A VEGAN COOKBOOK FROM THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP BOOK CATGALOG!
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/24/consider-giving-a-friend-or-family-member-a-vegan-cookbook-from-the-vegetarian-resource-group-book-catalog-3/ ]
FRUITIVE®: CERTIFIED ORGANIC VEGAN RESTAURANT IN VIRGINIA & WASHINGTON, DC
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/24/fruitive-certified-organic-vegan-restaurant-in-virginia-washington-dc/ ]
VEGAN MEALS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/23/vegan-meals-for-college-students/ ]
SCHOOL LUNCH ADVICE FROM A 10-YEAR-OLD: Beyond the PB&J!
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/22/school-lunch-advice-from-a-10-year-old-beyond-the-pbj/ ]
VEGAN MEALS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME FROM TRIFECTA
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/21/vegan-meals-delivered-to-your-home-from-trifecta/ ]
FEEDING A VEGAN TODDLER
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/21/feeding-a-vegan-toddler/ ]
HOW YOUNG VEGANS CAN FIND VEGAN FRIENDS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/20/how-young-vegans-can-find-vegan-friends-through-social-media/ ]
WE'VE COMPILED A LIST OF ONLINE SHOPS AND STORES SELLING VEGAN BOOTS IN THE USA
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/17/weve-compiled-a-list-of-online-shops-and-stores-selling-vegan-boots-in-the-usa/ ]
PLEASE GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP INCLUDING VEGETARIAN JOURNAL TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/17/please-give-a-gift-membership-including-vegetarian-journal-to-family-and-friends-this-holiday-season/ ]
PLANT-POWERED FAMILIES IS AVAILABLE IN THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP BOOK CATALOG!
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/16/plant-powered-families-is-available-in-the-vegetarian-resource-group-book-catalog/ ]
OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES CONCERNING INGREDIENTS
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/14/obtaining-information-from-customer-service-representatives-concerning-ingredients/ ]
FREE BEAN
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/13/free-beans/ ]
JOIN THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP PARENTS AND KIDS FACEBOOK GROUP!
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/13/join-the-vegetarian-resource-group-parents-and-kids-facebook-group/ ]
VEGAN OPTIONS AT GARBANZO®
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/10/vegan-options-at-garbanzo/ ]
FROM THE WARSAW GHETTO TO A LIFE OF COMPASSION
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/09/from-the-warsaw-ghetto-to-a-life-of-compassion/ ]
PLEASE DONATE TO THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP THROUGH THE COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC) OR YOUR LOCAL STATE CAMPAIGN.
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/09/please-donate-to-the-vegetarian-resource-group-through-the-combined-federal-campaign-cfc-or-your-local-state-campaign-2/ ]
EARTH BALANCE SHORTENING STICKS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT ANY SIMILAR PRODUCT?
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/08/earth-balance-shortening-sticks-are-not-available-does-anyone-know-about-any-similar-product/ ]
TEST YOUR VEGETARIAN KNOWLEDGE WITH THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP'S ONLINE QUIZ!
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/07/test-your-vegetarian-knowledge-with-the-vegetarian-resource-groups-online-quiz/ ]
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR VEGAN INFORMATION IN SPANISH? IF SO, THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP HAS PLENTY OF MATERIALS.
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/06/are-you-looking-for-vegan-information-in-spanish-if-so-the-vegetarian-resource-group-has-plenty-of-materials/ ]
VEGAN/VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP'S ONLINE GUIDE TO VEGGIE RESTAURANTS IN THE USA AND CANADA
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/03/veganvegetarian-restaurants-have-been-added-to-the-vegetarian-resource-groups-online-guide-to-veggie-restaurants-in-the-usa-and-canada-3/ ]
STARBUCKS® DEBUTS VEGAN BOWL AT SELECT LOCATIONS
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/02/starbucks-debuts-vegan-bowl-at-select-locations/ ]
WATCH A VIDEO INTERVIEW OF HEALTHY VEGAN PREGNANCY TIPS BY REED MANGELS PhD, RD
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2017/11/01/watch-a-video-interview-of-healthy-vegan-pregnancy-tips-by-reed-mangels-phd-rd/ ]

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4) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

With the holidays approaching, a subscription to The Vegetarian Journal is the perfect, thoughtful gift! The Vegetarian Journal is full of great vegan recipes, new product and book reviews, insight from vegan dietitians, research studies, and interesting interviews. To subscribe visit:

http://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php ]

Some other great gift ideas from the VRG:

‘Be Kind to Animals Don’t Eat Them’ Bumper sticker:
http://www.vrg.org/bookstore/index.php?main_page=index&zenid=60d86c2853e7da57d3f30fab3feb675b&cPath=1&sort=20a&alpha_filter_id=66 ]
A vegan cookbook for the new or seasoned vegan:
http://www.vrg.org/bookstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=e28b836de06a8c121a850c9da9632edc ]
A donation in the name of your loved one:
http://www.vrg.org/bookstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4&sort=20a&page=1 ]

If you’re interested in giving The VRG a gift, please check out our wishlist in section 2 of this month's newsletter. We appreciate your support! [ http://vrg.org/donate ]

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5) A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE VRG VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to the following VRG Volunteers for all of your hard work with The Vegetarian Resource Group's activities including HTML work, restaurant guide entries, writing blog posts, speaking at events and staffing booths:

  • Matt Baker, RN
  • Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD
  • Whitney Blomquist
  • Casey Brown
  • Bekah Campbell
  • Catherine Conway
  • Heather Francis
  • Suzanne Hengen
  • Laneece Hurd
  • Ashley Kerckhoff
  • Emily Klesitz
  • Rebecca Lordon
  • Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
  • Nina Matlasz
  • Laura McGuiness
  • David Milner
  • Bobbi Pasternak, MSN, RN
  • Marcia Pearson
  • Karen Peissinger
  • Carol Porter
  • Michaela Sadlowski
  • Brad Scott
  • Mayur Shah
  • Elsa Spencer, PhD
  • Robin Tate
  • Tina Urban
  • Ilana Wolf
  • Emily Wood, RD
  • Abbie Young

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer and contributing your talents to The VRG, please email our Vegan Volunteer Coordinator, at: [email protected]

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6) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP OUTREACH

We tabled at Everett Community College Food Day in Washington state, which was well attended by nutrition students and other young people.

We answered questions and mailed recipes and information to a caller asking about seitan (wheat gluten). We also responded to requests for materials for a dietitian teacher teaching a course on vegetarianism, and a prisoner seeking information about heart healthy eating. We distributed over 10,000 of our Be Kind to Animals bumper stickers and are looking into reprinting them. We also responded to inquiries about our video scholarship and high school scholarship contests.

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7) A WINNER OF THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP 2017 VIDEO CONTEST

Theo Lumpkns said,

“Vegetarianism has been my goal for almost as long as I can remember, and my reality for nearly 4 years. Everyday of my life I am reminded of the beauty of living a plant based life, and I want everyone to experience the joy just like I do, for themselves, and for our planet.”
See: [ http://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php#Lumpkins ]

The deadline for the next video contest is July 15, 2018.
See: [ http://www.vrg.org/videoscholarship.php ]

For information about VRG’s College Scholarship Contest,
see: [ http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]

To support The Vegetarian Resource Group scholarships and internships, donate at

http://www.vrg.org/donate ]

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8) FAST FOOD QUESTIONNAIRE

I am currently a student at Liverpool John Moores University writing a business plan for a vegan fast-food restaurant.

I have found your website very helpful in finding out information about veganism.

I am collecting market research and was writing to request whether you would be able to pass on my questionnaire to any vegans you are in contact with.

The questionnaire is very short (less than 5 minutes to complete) and is only applicable to vegans. Deadline is December 8.

The link to the questionnaire is here:

https://ljmbusiness.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3q8iWtu1pvJ1F9H ]

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9) FREE TUB OF BEANS FROM BETTER BEAN FOR VEGETARIAN JOURNAL AND VRG-NEWS READERS

Better Bean is offering a free tub of beans to Vegetarian Journal and VRG-News readers!

Go to: [ https://betterbeanco.com/vegetarian-journal-readers/ ]
Promo Code is: VRGBEANS

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10) OTHER UPCOMING VEGETARIAN/VEGAN EVENTS

HILTON HEAD HEALTH

Hitlon Head Health will offer 4 weeks (one each quarter) that are dedicated to plant-based lifestyle with lectures, cooking demos and excursions that are designed specifically for vegan travelers.

Hilton Head Health is located near the beach on Hilton Head Island South Carolina,

SEDONA VEGFEST 2018
Sedona Performing Arts Center
995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road
Sedona, AZ 86336
January 20-21 8AM — 5PM
Early bird and student discount tickets available at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sedona-vegfest-2018-tickets-37368928471 ]
VEGETARIAN FOOD ASIA
Vegetarian Food Asia (VFA)
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Hall 5F & G
February 1-2 (Thu-Fri) Trade only, February 3 (Sat) Trade & Public
For more information email: [email protected]
7TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON VEGETARIAN NUTRITION
Drayson Center at Loma Linda University
25040 Stewart Street
Loma Linda, CA 92354
February 26-28, 2018

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11) VRG ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow or like The Vegetarian Resource Group on social media and stay up to date on what we’re working on, events in your area, new vegan products and vegan restaurants :

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12) BECOME A MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY DONOR FOR VRG

The Vegetarian Resource Group greatly appreciates the support given by our monthly and quarterly donors. You can join our monthly giving group with a minimum gift of just $10 a month by going to:

http://www.vrg.org/donate ]

You will be part of a network of givers who support our outreach efforts on an ongoing basis. These donations allow us to continue vegan education in a wide variety of venues including schools, doctor and dietitian offices, libraries, various professional conferences, animal rights events, health fairs, environmental festivals, and much more. Thank you for your support! Go to:

http://www.vrg.org/donate ]

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13) ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP & VRG NEWS

Our health professionals, activists, and educators work with businesses and individuals to bring about healthful changes in your school, workplace, and community.

Registered dietitians and physicians aid in the development of nutrition-related publications and answer member and media questions about vegetarian diets. The Vegetarian Resource Group is a non-profit organization. Financial support comes primarily from memberships, donations, bequests, and book sales. The Vegetarian Journal, a print magazine, is a benefit of membership in The VRG.

(For more information, please see the Vegetarian Journal online
http://www.vrg.org/journal/ ] )

If you would like to make a donation, become a member, volunteer, or find out more about The VRG, contact us at:

The Vegetarian Resource Group
P.O. Box 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203
Phone: (410) 366-8343
FAX: (410) 366-8804
E-mail: or to volunteer: [email protected]
Website: [ http://www.vrg.org/ ]

VRG-NEWS is the e-mail newsletter of The Vegetarian Resource Group. This is an announcement list so subscriber messages are not accepted by the list. If you have a technical question about the list, please contact us at [email protected]. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or corrections to VRG-NEWS, please direct them to [email protected]. Thanks. If you are a new subscriber, you might enjoy reading past issues of VRG-NEWS online at

http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/ ]

The VRG is an educational non-profit group providing information on vegetarianism and veganism. To subscribe to VRG-NEWS, go to

http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/ ]

To unsubscribe, or otherwise manage your subscription to VRG-NEWS, go to

http://lists.vrg.org/mailman/listinfo/vrg-news_lists.vrg.org ]
(Go to the bottom of the page where it says "unsubscribe" or "edit options". You do not need a password.)

Copyright The Vegetarian Resource Group 2017 The contents of this newsletter, and our other publications, including 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 statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your own best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

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