1) VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP RESEARCH AND NEWS

• 2020-2025 DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS RELEASED; HAS BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FEATURES
• TRYING TO LOSE WIEGHT? TRY A VEGAN WEIGHT LOSS PLAN!
• VEGAN RECIPES FEATURING CITRUS FRUIT
• RISK OF VIRAL PANDEMICS FROM CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS AND WET MARKETS
• FEEDING VEGAN FOOD TO THE NEEDY IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
• LATIN AMERICAN VEGAN FOODS HIGH IN CALCIUM
• CAULIFLOWER STEAKS
• VEGAN JACKFRUIT RECIPES
• and so much more!

RISK OF VIRAL PANDEMICS FROM CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS AND WET MARKETS

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/22/risk-of-viral-pandemics-from-concentrated-animal-feeding-operations-and-wet-markets/ ]

SUPPORT ONE WORLD CAFE IN BALTIMORE CITY, MARYLAND AS WELL AS OTHER VEGGIE RESTAURANTS IN THE USA & CANADA

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/21/support-one-world-cafe-in-baltimore-city-maryland-as-well-as-other-veggie-restaurants-in-the-usa-canada/ ]

BEST LATIN AMERICAN WEBSITES WITH INFORMATION ON CALCIUM IN THE VEGAN DIET

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/21/best-latin-american-websites-with-information-on-calcium-in-the-vegan-diet/ ]

DETECTING EGG WHITE AND PIG GELATIN IN AGED RED WINE

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/20/detecting-egg-white-and-pig-gelatin-in-aged-red-wine/ ]

RESEARCHING POSSIBILITIES AT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP: ODETTE OLIVARES SANCHEZ'S VRG INTERN EXPERIENCE

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/20/researching-possibilities-at-the-vegetarian-resource-group-odette-olivares-sanchezs-vrg-intern-experience/ ]

VEGAN RECIPES WITH MASA HARINA

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/19/vegan-recipes-with-masa-harina/ ]

DELIVERY APP FEES AND SUPPORTING VEGAN RESTAURANTS

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/18/delivery-app-fees-and-supporting-vegan-restaurants/ ]

CHILIES IN VEGAN RECIPES

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/15/chilies-in-vegan-recipes/ ]

STOP BY WARD OF HEALTH AND ENJOY VEGAN CUISINE IN HARRISBURG, PA

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/14/stop-by-ward-of-health-and-enjoy-vegan-cuisine-in-harrisburg-pennsylvania/ ]

IN HONOR OF NATIONAL PIZZA WEEK ENJOY THESE VEGAN PIZZA AND CALZONE RECIPES

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/14/in-honor-of-national-pizza-week-enjoy-these-vegan-pizza-and-calzone-recipes/ ]

2020-2025 DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS RELEASED; HAS BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FEATURES

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/13/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-released-has-both-positive-and-negative-features/ ]

VEGAN RECIPES FEATURING CITRUS FRUIT

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/12/vegan-recipes-featuring-citrus-fruit-2/ ]

CAULIFLOWER "STEAKS"

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/11/cauliflower-steaks/ ]

RICE SPICE BLENDS

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/11/rice-spice-blends/ ]

LUXURIOUS RISOTTO

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/08/luxurious-risotto/ ]

THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP'S MEMORIAL AND HONORARY GIFT PROGRAM

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/07/the-vegetarian-resource-groups-memorial-and-honorary-gift-program-5/ ]

PERFECT PILAFS

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/06/perfect-pilafs/ ]

TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT? TRY A VEGAN WEIGHT LOSS PLAN!

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/06/trying-to-lose-weight-try-a-vegan-weight-loss-plan-2/ ]

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK: VEGAN JACKFRUIT-BASED RECIPES

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/05/you-dont-know-jack-vegan-jackfruit-based-recipes/ ]

FEEDING VEGAN FOOD TO THE NEEDY IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/05/feeding-vegan-food-to-the-needy-in-baltimore-maryland/ ]

LATIN AMERICAN VEGAN FOODS HIGH IN CALCIUM

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/04/latin-american-vegan-foods-high-in-calcium/ ]

NUTRITION HOTLINE: I'M SCHEDULED FOR ELECTIVE SURGERY IN A FEW MONTHS. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE I CAN CONTINUE TO FOLLOW MY VEGAN DIET IN THE FIVE DAYS THAT I WILL BE IN THE HOSPITAL?

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/04/nutrition-hotline-im-scheduled-for-elective-surgery-in-a-few-months-what-do-i-need-to-do-to-make-sure-i-can-continue-to-follow-my-vegan-diet-in-the-five-days-that-i-will-be-in-the-hospital/ ]

GROW PARSLEY IN YOUR HOME AND USE IT WHEN COOKING!

[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/01/grow-parsley-in-your-home-and-use-it-when-cooking/ ]

2) THE ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY NUTRITION PROGRAM IS RECRUITING UNDERACTIVE, VEGAN MALES TO EXAMINE THE EFFECTS OF PROTEIN ON NITROGEN BALANCE AT THE PROTEIN RDA (0.8g/kg/d)

They are seeking underactive, vegan males, aged 25-40 years old for this study.
Participation is Voluntary and Includes:

• Two in-person laboratory visits to ASU's downtown Phoenix campus, exactly 6 days apart.
• You will complete diet recalls and health questionnaires
• You will eat a predetermined and provided diet consisting of frozen, microwavable vegan meals for 5 days and collect a 24-hour urine sample on the final feeding day.

You will receive a $50 amazon gift card for your participation.
If interested, please complete their screening questionnaire here:
[ https://asuhealthpromotion.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEJ1WiRV2wJ0boF ]

3) NEW DIETARY GUIDELINES

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a document that is produced every 5 years and serves as a statement of current federal policy on the role of dietary factors in health promotion and disease prevention. It is used as the foundation for federal nutrition education materials, by schools, the food industry, and many others. During the process of updating the Dietary Guidelines, the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) appoint a committee of scientists to review current scientific evidence related to diet and to create an extensive scientific report. Interested groups and individuals comment on the scientific report.

This report is used to inform the Dietary Guidelines which are written by the staff of the USDA and DHHS See the rest at:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/01/13/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-released-has-both-positive-and-negative-features/ ]

4) A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS

Thanks to the following volunteers for all your hard work with The Vegetarian Resource Group, including posting to social media, writing blog posts, research, presentations, restaurant research, clerical work, writing HTML, contributing to our vegan parents group, doing media interviews, editing, photography, performing nutrition analysis, helping with our newsletters, reading scholarship essays, and more!

To volunteer at VRG, please contact us at [email protected] To support The Vegetarian Resource Group's outreach, donate at [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ]

• Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD
• Ksheetisha Bhat
• Amy Burger
• Anayeli Camacho
• Cathy Conway, MS, RD
• Keryl Cryer
• Carole Hamlin
• Clarissa Hauber
• Suzanne Hengen
• Audrey Hunt
• Nina Lehr
• Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
• Laura McGuiness, MLIS
• David Milner
• Julie Neild
• Lucia Rivera
• Marcia Schveibinz
• Angela Weber

5) VRG HIGHLIGHTS

VRG's Nutrition Advisor Reed Mangels, RD, PhD, presented a webinar on vegetarian diets for 170 staff members of the New York State WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. As part of that webinar she debunked some myths about soy for children. This inspired her to post a blog entry specifically about soy safety and children. It can be read here. [ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/12/31/soy-and-children/ ]

VRG Researcher Jeanne Yacoubou assisted a food scientist consultant for food companies with information concerning whether certain ingredients were vegan.

We donated "I Love Animals and Broccoli" and "El Arco Iris Vegetariano" coloring books to a fledgling not for profit who is coordinating a pro vegan lifestyle promotion with six local restaurants by putting together an informational packet to distribute to families as they pick up their meals. This is a simple way for you or your organization to help spread the word about the benefits of veganism.

We had six winners in our 2020 video contest. See all the videos here:
[ https://www.vrg.org/veg_videos.php ]

We continue to send vegan and vegetarian information to prison inmates all over the country.

Eric Sharer MPH, RD, CDN was interviewed on veganism for the Environmental Directions radio program. This show has been ongoing since 1977.

6) FEEDING VEGAN FOOD TO THE NEEDY

During these hard times, vegan restaurant Land of Kush is graciously giving vegan meals to various food programs in Baltimore. Each meal is $5 to $15. Once they reach a goal of $500 they can distribute a minimum of 50 meals. This supports a vegan restaurant and those in need, as well as promoting a healthy and ethical vegan diet to new audiences. You can donate at [ https://www.vrg.org/donate ] and write in the comments section "For Land of Kush Vegan Food Program." We'll then pass on the money and help sponsor a vegan community meal.

7) MARYLAND EVENTS

VEGAN BOWL FACTORY OPENS

There's a new Vegan Indian delivery/pick-up option in Baltimore.
[ https://www.facebook.com/Vegan-Bowl-Factory-102965968278754 ]

Offering a variety of vegan fare, the Vegan Bowl Factory is located at 3105 St. Paul St., Baltimore. They are open everyday for delivery or curb-side pick up from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm. You can order from Grub Hub, Doordash, Uber Eats or Postmates. Their phone number is (914) 217-1965. Note they are operating out of a non-vegetarian restaurant space.

THE VEGGIE TABLE

All vegan all the time, the Veggie Table is located in Baltimore near Hollins Market. Phone (443) 881-5262 [ https://www.veggietablebmore.com/ ] Open for pickup Wednesday - Friday from 1-6 pm; Closed Tuesday - Saturday. They have a diverse menu including breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as catering.

STEM FARM AND KITCHEN OPEN FOR BUSINESS

STEM Farm + Kitchen is a chic food hall counter serving modern twists on plant-based foods. Their website is here: [ http://stemfarmkitchen.com/ ] . For more information see our blog here: [ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/12/04/stem-farm-kitchen-review/ ]

MARYLAND VEGAN RESTAURANT WEEK RUNS THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2021

Support local veggie restaurants and non-veggie establishments offering special vegan menus this month. Find participating restaurants here: [ https://www.mdveganeats.com/ ]

Some of the dishes you can order online and pick-up include vegan soul food from Land of Kush in Baltimore City; organic vegan cuisine from Great Sage in Clarksville, MD; vegan burgers and sides at PLNT Burger in Columbia and Silver Spring, MD; vegan pizza from Paulie Gee's in the Hampden section of Baltimore City; vegan and gluten-free baked goods and savory dishes from Harmony Bakery also in the Hampden section of Baltimore City; and fresh cold-pressed juices from Revive in Frostburg, MD.

VEGUARY - AFRO-VEGAN SOCIETY TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

BALTIMORE, MD - The Afro-Vegan Society (AVS) will mark Black History Month this year with "Veguary," a series of free programs highlighting the contributions of Black trailblazers and the many benefits of vegan living in Black communities. As part of the celebration, they are also promoting a month-long pledge to commit to vegan living during February. AVS will provide resources, support, and community to those who take the Veguary Pledge with vegan recipes, online cooking demonstrations, virtual education sessions and panels, daily email updates, live Q&A sessions, exclusive prizes and discounts from vegan brands, and interactive check-ins through their Veguary Facebook group - all provided free of charge.

There are over 20 Black vegan speakers confirmed for this event so far including:
Seba Johnson, history-making Olympian; Dr. Milton Mills, critical care physician featured in the documentary What the Health; celebrity chef Rain Truth, and Dr. Ruby Lathon, certified holistic nutritionist also featured in the documentary What the Health. Some of the major themes to be explored during Veguary include: transitioning to vegan living, the legacy of plant-based traditions in Black communities, plant-based health and wellness, making plant foods accessible in marginalized communities, the global + environmental impact of our food choices, and veganism as a part of a holistic world view to resisting oppression in all of its forms

Additional information can be found here [ https://www.afrovegansociety.org/veguary ]

8) OTHER EVENTS

PLANT-BASED PREVENTION OF DISEASE CONFERENCE

Registration coming soon for two events at two locations. The first is May 21-23, 2021 at EMU in Ypsilanti, Michigan and the second June 25-27, 2021 at NCSU in Raleigh, North Carolina. There is limited in-person attendance or you can attend from home via Livestream. More information about these events is here: [ https://mailchi.mp/48a0802476d4/preview-of-2021-p-pod-conference-programs-2808541?e=b1924014a7 ] . Their website is here: [ https://www.preventionofdisease.org/ ]

9) VRG SCHOLARSHIPS FOR U.S. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 20, 2021

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group will once again this year award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. High School Students who have promoted veganism/vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000 will be given. Entries may only be sent by students graduating from high school in spring 2021. The deadline for submissions is February 20, 2021. We will accept applications postmarked on or before February 20, 2021 but early submission is encouraged! Scholarship applications can be emailed to [email protected]

For details on the contest see: [ http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]

10) BALTIMORE LEGISLATION TO CAP DELIVERY FEES CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH

Great letter to the editor from Naijha Wright-Brown. Naijha owns Land of Kush with her husband and head chef Gregory Brown.
See here:
[ https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-0111-land-kush-20210108-ivjrdoj7qvgltmebybugzrkitq-story.html ]

11) NEW BIGGER CHARITABLE TAX BREAK FOR 2021

There's good tax news for charities and donors in the year-end spending package Congress passed. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes an above-the-line tax deduction for gifts of cash to charity of up to $300 for individuals and up to $600 for joint filers for 2021.

See here for more information: [ https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares ] OR [ https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2020/12/22/new-bigger-charitable-tax-break-for-2021-in-year-end-spending-package/?sh=1c90731e5710 ]

Remember this is not tax, legal, or financial advice. You should always consult a professional in matters such as these.

12) VEGAN VALENTINE'S DAY - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

Where can you buy vegan chocolate on line?
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/02/06/where-you-can-purchase-vegan-chocolate-online-for-valentines-day/ ]

Recipes for Valentine's Day?
[ https://www.vrg.org/press/99janvalentine.htm ]

Other Menu Ideas
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2016/02/12/valentines-day-menu-ideas/ ]

Special Vegan Treats:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2012/02/06/spice-up-this-valentines-day-with-some-special-vegan-treats/ ]

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/02/10/for-valentines-day-moist-chocolate-cupcakeswith-vegan-buttercream/ ]

Share the Love:
[ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2016/01/29/share-your-love-for-delicious-vegan-food-on-valentines-day/ ]

13) WISH LIST

As a non-profit, we can only take on new projects when we are able to get support from donors and our dedicated volunteers. Right now, we are seeking your support for the following:

• The deadline for submissions to our High School Scholarship is almost upon us and we need volunteers to help with the application process. Basically we need people to read essays and write short 3-4 sentence responses. Can you help by reading some scholarship essays for us? Beside helping us, the process provides a positive window to the future. If you can, please let our volunteer coordinator Emilio Gironda now at [email protected]. If you would like more info it can be found here: [ http://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm ]
•  
• Ever consider donating stock to the VRG? Donating stock directly to the VRG may save on taxes. Remember the purpose of this article is to encourage you to consider creative ways to donate to The Vegetarian Resource Group or other nonprofits for outreach projects. It is not intended to be used for financial, tax, or legal advice. More information is available here: [ https://www.vrg.org/blog/2020/05/26/donating-stock-to-the-vegetarian-resource-group/ ]
•  
• Have you wanted to make a gift in honor of a loved one, friend or colleague, but weren't sure which charities were vegan, pro-environment or pro-animal rights? Consider a donation to The VRG as a memorial for a loved one, or way to honor someone's actions with a living tribute. This is perfect for special occasions, such as a wedding, birthday, anniversary or retirement. We will send an acknowledgment to you and the giftee, and your kindness will support our educational outreach programs and help promote veganism [ https://www.vrg.org/memandhon.htm ]

14) BEQUESTS

The VRG depends on the generous contributions of our members and supporters to continue our educational projects. Though the world may not become vegan in our lifetime, we realize we are planning and working for future generations. Your will and life insurance policies enable you to protect your family, and also to provide a way to give long-lasting support to causes in which you believe. Naming The Vegetarian Resource Group in your will or life insurance policy will enable us to increase our work towards a vegan world.

One suggested form of bequest is: I give and bequeath to The Vegetarian Resource Group, Baltimore, Maryland, the sum of __________ dollars (or if stock, property, or insurance policy, please describe).

To be sure your wishes are carried out, be sure to speak with your attorney specifically about writing the correct information into your will.

15) SUBSCRIBE TO VEGETARIAN JOURNAL ON KINDLE OR IN PRINT

Subscribe to the Kindle version of Vegetarian Journal in the USA and United Kingdom.

In the USA, visit:
[ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544727482&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K ]

In the United Kingdom, visit:
[ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1544731957&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K ]

To subscribe to Vegetarian Journal in the USA in printed format, see:
[ https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php ]

16) FOLLOW VRG'S SOCIAL MEDIA

You can keep up with us on ~

• Facebook: [ https://www.facebook.com/thevegetarianresourcegroup ]
• Instagram: [ https://www.instagram.com/vegetarianresourcegroup/ ]
• Twitter: [ https://twitter.com/VegResourceGrp ]

17) ABOUT VRG

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: [email protected] to volunteer
Website: [ https://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 [ https://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/index.php#subscribe ]

If you do not wish to receive the National Email Newsletter, visit [ https://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/index.php#unsubscribe ]

See Unsubscribe at the TOP RIGHT OF THE PAGE. You only need to type in your email address where it says unsubscribe. Then click on Unsubscribe. A confirmation message will be emailed to you.

OR YOU CAN JUST EMAIL [email protected] and state in the subject line: unsubscribe from the national email newsletter.