VRG-NEWS: The Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter
Editor: John L. Cunningham
Volume 5, Issue 11
November 2001
CONTENTS
1) Notes from the Editor
2) New Products from Natural Products Expo East
3) Shop Online at The Mail Order Catalog and Help The VRG!
4) Recipe of the Month: Indian Curry Tofurky
5) Calcium Summit II
6) November/December 2001 "Vegetarian Journal" Online
7) Please Support The VRG
8) Upcoming Vegetarian Events and Conferences
9) Internships Available at VRG
About The Vegetarian Resource Group
About "VRG-News"
1) NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
I don't know whether it's the nip in the air, the falling leaves,
or the return to standard time, but it has really hit home to me
in the past week that the holiday season is nearly here. This is
the time of year that Americans will get together with families
and friends, or even their local vegetarian organization. The
following articles offer new takes on some Thanksgiving favorites
that I hope will inspire you: Crazy About Cranberries
<http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2000nov/2000novcranberry.htm>,
Sweet and Savory Sweet Potatoes
<http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj99nov/99bsweet.htm>, and Must
Pumpkin Always Be Pie?
<http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vjpumpkin.htm>.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I'd like to remind Maryland members
that The Vegetarian Resource Group will be celebrating its 20th
annual pre-Thanksgiving Potluck on Sunday, November 18th! The
dinner will be held at 5:30pm at St. John's Church, St. Paul and
27th Streets in Baltimore. Admission is $3 per adult and a vegan
dish that will serve four or more people. Children are free.
Please write the recipe on a 3X5 card and bring a serving utensil
for each dish. For more information, call (410) 366-8343 or e-
mail us at vrg@vrg.org. I look forward to meeting you there!
This month also marks the traditional beginning of holiday gift
shopping. For those of you too tired or timid to endure the
stressful shopping malls, we are bringing back the Vegetarian
Resource Group's Holiday Gift Packages
<http://www.vrg.org/catalog/holiday.htm>. Find the perfect gift
for the vegetarian in your life, without leaving home!
For the denizens of the northern hemisphere the cold weather is
fast approaching, if in fact it has not already arrived. Not too
long ago, staying warm in frigid temperatures meant wearing
leather, wool, and down. But now, advances in textile technology
have created alternatives that are warm, cruelty-free, and in
some cases, environmentally friendly. Next month we'll take a
look at some of the cooler (or should I say hotter?) products
available. In the meantime, if you want to share your favorite
cold weather gear tips, e-mail me at johnc@vrg.org.
2) NEW PRODUCTS FROM THE NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO EAST
Although there may have been fewer exhibitors than last year, the
energy was still high at Natural Products Expo East in Washington
D.C. There were quite a few new and interesting vegetarian
products to be found:
We occasionally receive inquiries about vegan candles. OneNest
<http://www.onenest.com> has stepped up to the plate to fulfill
that need with their line of natural soy candles. They offer
scented pillar candles, scented votiffs, and scented cinnamon or
vetiver pot candles.
Heartland Fields <http://www.heartlandfields.com> introduced
their new line of organic soy meat analogs. Soy Barbeque, Soy
Ground Beef, Soy Sausage, Soy Steak Tips, and Soy Taco Filling,
may be showing up in the refrigerator case of your local Natural
Foods Store around the beginning of the new year. I tried soy
taco filling, and can attest that it was quite good.
Premier Harvest <http://www.premierharvest.com> showcased their
own Meatless Meal Kits, including: Chili, Sloppy Joe, and Taco.
However, their Vegan Brownie Mix and Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie
Mix may be more along the lines of what the people in this office
are looking for.
For those of you in the Northeastern U.S., Kettle Cuisine Soup
<http://www.kettlecuisine.com> now offers thirteen different
fresh, refrigerated vegetarian soups. With names like Caribbean
Mango, Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini, and Wild
Mushroom and Barley, one can't help but hope that they expand
their market soon.
Road's End Organics <http://www.chreese.com>, the makers of
Macaroni & Chreese, featured their new Nacho Chreese Dip.
Available in mild and spicy varieties, it is dairy free, fat
free, and high in Vitamin B-12.
The MagicSoy Dairy Free Cheesecake <http://www.magicsoy.com> from
EchoTop, Inc., topped my list of guilty pleasures for the expo.
It compared quite favorably to my memory of supermarket freezer
case cheesecakes.
Edward & Sons <http://www.edwardandsons.com>, the makers of vegan
gummy bears and vegan sprinkelz, have done it again with their
Vegan Organic Waffle Cones and Waffle Bowls. Perfect for
portable frozen desserts!
3) SHOP ONLINE AT THE MAIL ORDER CATALOG AND HELP SUPPORT VRG!
We are pleased to announce our new online affiliation program
with The Mail Order Catalog for Healthy Eating. They have been a
pioneer in promoting vegetarian food, and carry a wide variety of
vegetarian meat alternatives (including Tofurky), pantry items,
and cookbooks. Now, if you shop at The Mail Order Catalog by
clicking on the link below, or from the link on our website, 10%
of the price of your purchase will be donated to The Vegetarian
Resource Group.
<http://www.healthy-eating.com/cgi-
bin/redirect.cgi?goto=/index.html&code=VRG>
4) RECIPE OF THE MONTH: INDIAN CURRY TOFURKY
INDIAN CURRY TOFURKY AND RICE
(Serves 4)
Adapted recipe from The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook
<http://www.vrg.org/catalog/ljvc.htm> By Debra Wasserman
Indian food is spicy and often hot. If you dislike green chili,
simply eliminate it and enjoy a milder form of this recipe.
1/2 teaspoon mustard seed
1 Tablespoon oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 green chili pepper, finely chopped
3 cups Tofurky, chopped into bite-size chunks
Heat mustard seed and oil in a large covered frying pan over
medium-high heat until seeds pop. Add remaining ingredients and
sauté 8 minutes. You may want to add 1/4 cup water or vegetable
broth if mixture seems too dry while sautéeing. Serve with rice
below.
2 cups white basmati rice
4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon powdered cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook all the ingredients in a large covered pot over medium heat
for 30 minutes.
This holiday season, each time you purchase Tofurky Feast, a
donation will be made by Turtle Island Foods to The Vegetarian
Resource Group. More information and delicious holiday recipes
can be found on our website at
<http://www.vrg.org/recipes/tofurky.htm>
5) CALCIUM SUMMIT II
The American College of Nutrition and the National Dairy Council
are co-sponsoring Calcium Summit II, a forum designed to reach
and teach America's youth about the importance of calcium in the
diet. At least 33 leading national and international health and
medical organizations are expected to participate in the January
17 event in Washington, D.C. The summit will focus on calcium
deficiency. Participants will receive updates on basic nutrition
science research and will learn about techniques and tools
designed to help educate America's youth. The meeting includes
presentations by leading health and nutrition experts, including
representatives from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the
National Osteoporosis Foundation, and the Office on Women's
Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information see the NDC web site at
<http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org>.
6) NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2001 VEGETARIAN JOURNAL ONLINE
The NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2001 VEGETARIAN JOURNAL ONLINE articles
include:
Regional Italian and Sicilian Pasta Sauces, Vegan Italia, by
Nancy Berkoff
VEGETARIAN JOURNAL's Guide to Nuts and Nut Butters, By Reed
Mangels, PhD, RD
Vegetarian Action: Vegan Professional Soccer Player Dwayne
DeRosario, by Brian Kluepfel
Read excerpts from back issues online at:
<http://www.vrg.org/journal/>
The JOURNAL features informational and recipe articles, product
and book reviews, news for vegetarian activists, and up-to-date
information about vegetarian health and nutrition. If you are not
currently a subscriber to the VEGETARIAN JOURNAL, why not
subscribe today?
Subscriptions to VEGETARIAN JOURNAL are $20/year in the US
(please inquire for subscription rates outside the US). Accepted
forms of payment, in US funds, are Visa, MasterCard, checks drawn
on US banks, and postal money orders. When joining please send us
your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. If paying
by credit card please include the card number and expiration
date.
If you join online at <http://www.vrg.org/journal/subscribe.htm>
for $30 or more, you will receive a FREE copy of the VEGAN
HANDBOOK, a $20 value! (US addresses only).
If you choose to join by mail, subscriptions should be directed
to:
The Vegetarian Resource Group
PO Box 1463
Dept. IN
Baltimore, MD 21203
Phone: (410) 366-8343
Fax: (410) 366-8804
E-mail: vrg@vrg.org
7) PLEASE SUPPORT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP
In addition to helping over 100,000 people a month on our
website, the nonprofit Vegetarian Group has a multitude of other
projects, such as outreach to registered dietitians and food
service professionals. A few weeks ago at the Annual Meeting of
The American Dietetic Association, Chef Nancy Berkoff, RD, spoke
for VRG to 275 food service staff from around the country. Since
she really knows the practical, they ate up the information. Even
though this was expensive for us to do (flying her out from L.A.,
etc.) via food service we were able to assist tens of thousands
of people. If you would like to help The Vegetarian Resource
Group have an outreach booth at next years' American Dietetic
Association Meeting, please consider sending a donation.
<http://www.vrg.org/donation/donation.htm> It costs $50 to give
out 500 brochures; $80 for 100 senior meal plan booklets; $1,000
to send a registered dietitian to give out information; and
$3,000 for booth expenses. A registered dietitian was so
appreciative of our help a few years ago that she called us and
pledged $2,000 towards this outreach. With your assistance we can
raise the balance for this valuable outreach to thousands of
registered dietitians.
8) UPCOMING VEGETARIAN EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
***********************************************
CLUB VEG PHILADELPHIA: TIME FOR A NEW WORLD VEIW ON NUTRITION
AND HEALTH
November 16, 6:00-9:00PM, 7th Day Adventist Church
8700 Germantown Ave, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia
T. Colin Campbell (Chair of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell
University's medical school and lead researcher for the
Cornell-Oxford-China Diet and Health Project) will present a new
definition of nutrition which he says is easily understood,
scientifically valid, healthful, and easily practiced. He will
dispel claims and counterclaims that constantly barrage the
public and cause confusion.
Join Club VEG Philadelphia for a dinner and lecture. The cost is
$28 for the dinner and lecture, or $8 for the lecture only. Club
VEG members receive a $2 discount. Call 484-530-2660 or email
philly@clubveg.org
***********************************************
VEGETARIAN VISION, INC.: NYC VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING DINNER
Join Vegetarian Vision at 6:30PM on November 17 for a Vegetarian
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bombay Palace at 30 W. 52nd St.
(between 5th & 6th Ave.) in New York. The speakers for the
evening will be Robert Cohen and Rynn Berry.
Limited seating is available. For further information and
reservation, call: (212) 971-0653, (201) 792-4421, or (908) 369-
6300
***********************************************
VEGETARIAN SOCIETY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: LIFE-AFFIRMING
THANKSGIVING FEAST
The VSDC invites you to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with hundreds
of people and enjoy a gourmet vegan feast at the Hyatt Regency
Bethesda in Bethesda MD on Thursday 22 November from 12:00-
5:00pm. Colman McCarthy, former Washington Post Columnist, peace
activist, and Director of the Center for Teaching Peace will be
the guest speaker.
Reservations are required. The price of the event (postmarked on
or before 3 November) including tax and gratuity, is $38 for VSDC
adult members and $41 for adult non-members. Children 12 and
under are half-price of the appropriate adult price; the cost is
waived for children under 3. Highchairs are available upon
request. After 3 November, the cost for members is $42 and for
non-members $45. To reserve, please send a check made payable to
VSDC and mailed to: VSDC TG, PO 4921, Washington DC 20008.
For further information, see the VSDC website
<http://www.vsdc.com>
***********************************************
TRIANGLE VEGETARIAN SOCIETY (NORTH CAROLINA): ANNUAL
THANKSGIVING FEAST AND RAFFLE
Join the Triangle Vegetarian Society at the Cafe Parizade (2200
W. Main in Durham), one of the Triangle's finest restaurants, on
Thursday November 22.
For reservations, you can register online through TVS' website
<http://www.trianglevegsociety.com> or by contacting Lauren at
919-363-8595 or lab@korl.com.
***********************************************
MILLENIUM RESTAURANT (CALIFORNIA): VEGAN THANKSGIVING DINNER
216 McAllister Street, San Francisco
The Millennium restaurant creates a gourmet dining experience out
of vegetarian, healthy, and environmentally friendly foods. They
strive to make vegetarian dining fun and exciting. Their cuisine
is influenced by the flavors and styles of many cultures and all
of their dishes are completely animal-free.
This is their most popular event of the year, so they recommend
that you make your reservations early. Call 415-487-9800, fax
415-487-9921, or e-mail info@millenniumrestaurant.com
***********************************************
THE FOURTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON VEGETARIAN NUTRITION
The Fourth Annual International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition
is being held April 8-11, 2002 at Loma Linda University in Loma
Linda, California.
Major conference topics include:
Vegetarian diets and longevity/mortality
Vegetarian diets: current issues
Vegetarian diets and bone health
High soy consumption: good, bad, and indifferent?
Vegetarian diets for all: a solution to the environmental crisis?
For more information contact:
Office of Extended Programs
Loma Linda University
School of Public Health
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-7230
E-mail: icvn@sph.llu.edu
<http://www.vegetariannutrition.org>
***********************************************
9) INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE
Responsibilities depend on background, major if in college, and
interest of applicant. Tasks may include research, writing,
and/or community outreach. Internships are helpful for students
working towards journalism, English, and nutrition degrees.
Business majors can obtain experience related to the business
aspects of a nonprofit. Activists can learn new skills and gain a
broader knowledge, as well as share their expertise. Positions
open throughout the year for all ages (including high school
students if in Baltimore). Internships are unpaid. Send resume
and cover letter to VRG, Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203;
vrg@vrg.org.
*************************************
ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP
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, and book sales. The "Vegetarian Journal," a print
magazine, is a benefit of membership in The VRG. (For more
information, please see the SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2001 "Vegetarian
Journal" online above or view back issues online at
<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
PO Box 1463
Baltimore, MD 21203
Phone: (410) 366-8343
Fax: (410) 366-8804
E-mail: vrg@vrg.org
Website: <http://www.vrg.org>
Donate: <https://skyport.net/vrg/donate.htm>
The contents of this newsletter, as with all The Vegetarian
Resource Group publications, are not intended to provide personal
medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a
qualified health professional.
ABOUT VRG-NEWS
VRG-NEWS is the monthly 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 the list manager, Bobbi
Pasternak, at bobbi@vrg.org. If you have any suggestions, ideas,
or corrections to VRG-NEWS, direct them to vrg@vrg.org. Thanks!
If you are a new subscriber, you might enjoy reading past issues
of VRG News online at <http://www.vrg.org/vrgnews/index.htm>.
If you wish to cancel your subscription to VRG-NEWS, send an e-
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Contents of VRG-NEWS are copyright 2001 by The Vegetarian
Resource Group. The newsletter may be freely distributed in
electronic or print form provided its contents are not altered
and credit is given to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box
1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.