| eLifelines March 2011 - Five Chances to Get Great Veggie Fare |
| Sunday, 09 January 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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March brings us a mix of old and new, with a few familiar comforts and some new events for the GTA. Back for not one but two classes this month is Amy Symington's Health Starts Here cooking series, where she'll show you how to make hearty and cleansing plant-based meals. If it's sweets you prefer, don't miss the third Vegan Rock on March 31st - a benefit concert and bake sale for the Toronto Vegetarian Association put on by a generous TVA volunteer. If you're starting to feel the winter blues and have spring on your mind, here's a couple of things to look forward to: The first ever Toronto Veggielicious is happening in mid-April, and the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale follows just after, starting April 23rd! The timing is perfect, with vegetarianism getting more and more media coverage and gaining popularity once again with Oprah's latest vegan cleanse. Don't Miss These Upcoming Events!Vegan Rock is happening on March 31st, and the first Veggielicious starts April 9th. Find out more in the TVA in Action section or on Facebook.
This Month...
TVA in Action - Vegan Rock, Veggielicious, Health Starts Here Cooking Series Continues, Directory Updates In the News - Oprah Puts Veganism on the Map, Greater Focus on Veg Diets in New Dietary Guidelines in USA Animal Advocacy Profile - Watching Over the Animals of High Park: Bonnie Shulman Nutritious Food of the Month - Cinnamonful Recipe - Raw South Asian Date Balls Discount Spotlight - Panacea Reader's Corner - Submit Your Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale Listing, Reader's Classifieds, Readers Restaurant Reviews
TVA In ActionUpcoming Events
Vegan Rock! Vegan Rock is back again! Come hear some great live music and sample some tasty vegan treats at this benefit concert for the Toronto Vegetarian Association. The concert will feature local veg artists Dream Awake, More Than Breathing and Hush Money, plus there will be a pay-what-you-can vegan bake sale. When? Thursday, March 31st at 9 pm Where? The Boat (158 Augusta Avenue, in Kensington Market) How much? $10 Find out more on Facebook.
March Cooking Classes Chef Amy Symington's "Health Starts Here" cooking series continues in March with not one, but two classes! Every attendee will get to sample everything made in class as well as take home a copy of each recipe demoed. What/When? Spring Cleaning – Cleanse Your Body with Rejuvenating Foods! Recipes for this class include: Clean the cobwebs with a green tea smoothie, Feel PHO-tastic: bringing this famous noodle soup home and feeling great about it, Decadent yet light: bananas in a coconut dream sauce. Sunday, March 20th from 2 to 4 pm. Like a Lion and a Lamb – Consuming Hearty, Filling Foods That are Gentle on Your Health Recipes for this class include: Lemony Lentil Salad with a red pepper & thyme dressing, Black Bean and Chipotle Stew, Homemade Spelt Bread. Sunday, March 27th from 2 to 4 pm. Where? Whole Foods teaching kitchen, located at 87 Avenue Rd. Cost: $30, including samples of all dishes and copies of recipes used (or $100 for all four winter/spring 2011 classes - see veg.ca/healthyeating for details on all four classes). Registration? Please call 416.944.0500 for more information or to register. Unless otherwise stated, please register in person at the customer service desk or by phone. Space is limited to 14 students so don't delay. Visit veg.ca/healthyeating for full details on Amy's Health Starts Here Cooking Series running from January to April, 2011. Toronto's First Veggielicious! When? April 9-24th, 2011 Where? All over the city! How much? Meal costs vary by restaurant. Find other veg-related event listings at veg.ca/events. TVA Group EventsThe Dinner Social Group will hold their next meeting at Le Commensal (655 Bay Street) on Thursday, March 17th at 7 pm. Please RSVP by the Wednesday before the event to 416-544-9800 or tvadinner@veg.ca. The Durham Lakeside Vegetarian Group will meet for a dinner at the Garden Grove in Oshawa in April. Details soon to be posted here. The Raw Meetup Group is holding a potluck on Saturday, March 12th at 6 pm, near Yonge and Eglinton. Click here for more information and to RSVP. The North York/York Region Group will meet for dinner at Gourmet Vegetarian Restaurant (280 West Beaver Creek Drive in Richmond Hill) on Wednesday, March 30th at 7 pm. All ages, and new, experienced & transitioning vegetarians welcome. Please RSVP to yorkregion@veg.ca or 416-636-5757. Directory UpdatesHold the phone! There's a new vegan Latin eatery in Kensington Market serving "fish tacos" and coconut-lime doughnuts! And you have your fellow TVA members and volunteers to thank for finding plant-based treats at cafes, coffee shops and grocers around Toronto! Apparently Cool Hand of a Girl on Dundas St. West has a grilled tofu sandwich with organic coleslaw, Mylk Uncookies near Cabbagetown has raw vegan treats and makes their own almond milk, and Wanigan Market in Brampton sells Daiya cheese.
In the NewsOprah Takes a Vegan Challenge in FebruaryVeganism got another round of celebrity exposure in February when Oprah took a one-week vegan challenge, and got 378 staff on board as well! While we know making a commitment to plant-based living for life is an even greater goal to achieve, several staff members noted that taking the one-week challenge has had an impact on their diet. In fact, Oprah herself said that she is now “veganish” and that she is implementing Meat-Free Mondays in the cafeterias at Harpo Productions as well as ensuring that a vegan option is always available. Click here to read an article with full coverage. New American Dietary Guidelines Give More Attention to Veg DietsThe Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine reports that updated dietary guidelines for Americans now devote two full pages to vegetarian and vegan nutrition. But even better - they acknowledge that a plant-based diet has positive health implications such as a reduction in obesity and heart disease. Click here to read the new guidelines.Animal Advocacy ProfileKnow someone you want to nominate for the Animal Advocacy Profile? Tell us about someone in the community doing inspiring work for animals. Ducklover Bonnie: AKA Bonnie ShulmanYou probably recognize Bonnie's name from her past column in eLifelines, the Animal Profile of the Month. It's no wonder Bonnie was so well equipped to write monthly profiles on farm animals, as her life is deeply entwined with advocacy work on behalf of animals of all species. She's most familiar though, with ducks, and specifically the ducks who make their home in Toronto's High Park. Click here to read about Bonnie's work watching over and caring for not only the ducks of High Park, but other wild and caged animals as well. Nutritious Food of the MonthCinnamonfulCare of Amy Symington Surely something this good must be bad for you? Not in this super spice’s case. Smoothies, pancakes, nuts, curry, Moroccan stew, jerked tofu, rolls, sticky buns, puddings, and tea - cinnamon is the master of all things spiced. It has a sharp and spicy, but woody, sweet aroma and flavour that is used worldwide in almost every culture on our great planet. Whether it is sweet or savoury cuisine, cinnamon plays no favourites and can star in or simply enhance appetizers, entrees, sides or dismal desserts alike. Besides being the most infamous spice for its potent characteristics, cinnamon has a grocery list long of health benefits. It is filled to the brim with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and weight loss powers. Ka-pow! One teeny teaspoon of this ground glory has the equivalent antioxidant level to that of ½ cup of nutritiously acclaimed blueberries, helping to keep evil diseases at bay. Its anti-inflammatory properties also ward off serious ailments such as Alzheimer’s and heart disease while simultaneously combating annoyances like pesky allergies and pain or stiffness in muscles and joints. Studies have shown cinnamon and other super spices in a heroic light, testifying that they promote satiety and the boosting of metabolisms, which in turn aids in the battle of the bulge. Don’t forget that when your food packs a flavourful punch you don’t feel the need to add any additional fat, sugar or salt to be satisfied. On top of these victories, cinnamon also comes to the rescue with everyday ailments as well. Over many centuries (particularly in Chinese medicine), nausea, diarrhea, colds and digestive issues have been said to fall victim to cinnamon’s wrath. And it doesn’t stop there. As of late, research is underway to prove that cinnamon aids in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels. Although commonly overlooked due to its “normalcy,” cinnamon is a super food in disguise. Sprinkle some in your smoothie, coat your nuts in it, throw it into your savoury sauces and always make room for it in your breakfast treats, baked goodies and desserts! Click here to join TVA and receive the print Lifelines, which offers more nutritional info, recipes and cookbook reviews. Find more nutritional information at veg.ca/nutrition. RecipeRaw South Asian Date BallsCare of Amy Symington
Ingredients:
Find links to more recipes at veg.ca/recipes. Discount SpotlightShop 'Till You Drop at Panacea: 5% OffBeen somewhere on the discount card list lately? Tell us a story about your visit and the delicious food you tried and it could be featured as the next Discount Spotlight.
Yes, it's true that we've spoken about Panacea before, but a recent trip to this vegan wonderland meant we couldn't resist telling you about our most recent visit. Every time you go to Panacea it's like stepping into a new store - they are constantly stocking new products and moving things around to make space for more and more plant-based products. Panacea is more than just a natural food store - it's Toronto's first and only all vegan grocery store. For anyone that opts for a plant-based diet, there's no way to describe the burden lifted off your shoulders when you walk into a store and can freely pick whatever your heart desires from the shelves, without having to read any labels. And although that might sound dangerous to anyone watching their spending, there is of course the bonus that with your TVA discount card you'll get 5% off your purhcases! So what were some of the latest surprises we found on our last trip to Panacea? A wide selection of those decadent Go Max Go Bars (yes, the chocolate bars that replicate name brands like Mars and Three Musketeers), an ever-expanding freezer full of vegan ice cream treats, and...get ready...the new Tofurky vegan pizzas made with Daiya cheese! Panacea stocks them in three different varieties - we tried the pepperoni and yes, it was indeed delicious and the cheese did indeed melt. Of course, that's just the beginning. It's not all about the faux meat and dairy products at Panacea. There are flours, beans and legumes, tofu, natural cleaning products, skin care lines and even cookbooks and clothing from Urban Herbivore. So before you plan your next dinner party, make sure to stop by Panacea to see just how varied your options for compassionate dining are! Veg Status? Vegan Savings with TVA Discount Card: 5% off Location: 588 Bloor Street West (just west of Bathurst) The TVA Discount Card is available to members of the Toronto Vegetarian Association. Find a full listing of participating locations here. To join TVA and/or purchase a discount card, make a tax-deductible, online donation or phone the TVA office at 416-544-9800. Reader's CornerSubmit Your Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale ListingThe Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale is happening April 23rd to May 1st. You know what this means don't you? It's time for you to put your creative juices to work and plan a vegan bake sale! During the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale, groups and individuals from across the world hold vegan bake sales. You choose the venue, what to sell, and how to use the proceeds. You can hold it on any day during the period, and even on more than one day if you like! Anyone can join in! We'll be compiling a listing of local events and we'll share them with you in the April issue of eLifelines, so if you're planning a bake sale of your own somewhere in or around the GTA, please let us know by sending an email to admin@veg.ca. Click here to read more about this global event and to get some ideas and inspiration! Reader's ClassifiedsApartment for rent: Top floor (2 large rooms + private washroom) of century home for rent In Roncesvalles. $750. Click here for the listing on Craigslist.Try some new vegan snacks by nūd fūd! This company was created by a Holistic Nutritionist frustrated with the lack of tasty and healthy snacks available. Snacks are raw, vegan, organic, fruit-sweetened, grain-free, and hand-made locally in Toronto! Available at many locations in and around the GTA. www.nudfud.com Borrowed, blue, and vegan too: Rose Pedals Vegan Weddings is dedicated to providing vegan resources to couples who are looking to tie the cruelty-free knot. Click here to learn how to submit your proposal or wedding story; or to be listed as a vendor. A Vegetarian/Vegan Retirement Home is looking for a volunteer assistant to write their newsletter for the Seniors home and community, focusing on seniors wellness and nutrition. Please call Elaine at 416-614-7221. Reader's ReviewsVeg-Friendly Dining East of East: The Sleepless Goat in Kingston Care of Sally Grande Cooperatively owned, the Sleepless Goat in Kingston feels like a well-worn community café from the 1970s. Even on a frigid day in January, there was a line-up of eager customers of all ages waiting to get a table. The chalkboard menu specializes in coffees and desserts (half were vegan), but the entrées were mostly vegetarian. Although their web-menu lists a few items for omnivores, there wasn't much evidence of meat on the chalkboard. Their schedule is a bit quirky, and customers do their own "clean-up" but the food is well worth the wait. This stop is a must for regular 401 travellers between Toronto and Ottawa.Join the Toronto Vegetarian Association today!
Founded in 1945, the Toronto Vegetarian Association is a volunteer-driven charitable organization devoted to providing information and support to people who are interested in making healthier, greener, more peaceful food choices. By becoming a member of TVA, you'll support vital programs such as the largest annual vegetarian food fair in North America, the vegetarian directory, a volunteer-run vegetarian resource centre and the Veggie Challenge. You'll also receive our quarterly print newsletter Lifelines, and be entitled to a free, customized subscription to VegE-News. Plus, you'll have the option to purchase our Discount Card, offering savings at over 80 veg-friendly businesses in the GTA. All donations of $20 or more are tax-deductible. Join the Toronto Vegetarian Association today and help us inspire people to choose a healthier, greener, more peaceful lifestyle.
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