Prizes: Sept 2007 – Aug 2008

Those who signed up between Sept 2007 and Aug 2008, completed the Veggie Challenge, and filled out two very short surveys (one before and one after) had a chance to win one of the following prizes. See our current prizes page for the latest prize offerings.

Note: some are still being assigned. It takes time to process the entries and contact people.

Books

Three prizes: $20 for a vegetarian book
Won by ___  (Jan/Feb)
A cheque for up to $20 will be awarded upon the winners sending us a receipt for a vegetarian book. See our page of recommended books and cookbooks available from Amazon. Intended for those living outside of Canada, where there are already several prizes (see below).

Vegetarian Tastes of Toronto
Won by Emily (July/Aug)
This popular cookbook has sold over 7,000 copies. Unfortunately it is now out of print, but you can win one here! It features over 150 kitchen-tested recipes that are delicious, healthy, dairy-free and easy to make.
(3 copies available, $10 value each,
free delivery within Canada).

CalciYum!
Won by Lissy (July/Aug)
A cookbook with delicious calcium-rich dairy-free vegetarian recipes. See Amazon.com for user reviews (5 stars). This book is now out of print, but the authors have generously donated us their last copies for the Challenge. (3 copies available, $28 value each, free delivery within Canada).

Brendan Brazier’s The Thrive Diet
The Veggie Challenge Team would like to thank Penguin Canada for donating copies of Brendan Brazier’s new book The Thrive Diet. Read reviews at the Penguin website. Five stars at Amazon.ca. (4 copies available, $24 value each, free delivery within Canada).

“An authoritative guide to outstanding performance, not just in top-level athletics, but in day-to-day life… A state-of-the-art program for top health.”
—Neal Barnard, M.D., President, Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine

ReFresh
reFresh is a new edition of Ruth Tal’s first book, Juice for Life. Completely revised and updated, reFresh offers the reader a sumptuous selection of the best recipes found on the restaurant’s menu today, all in a gorgeous full colour package that reflects the award-winning style and design of the restaurants themselves. $20 value. Donated by Fresh by Juice for Life.

Vegetarian restaurants

Six prizes: $20 for vegetarian dining.
A cheque for up to $20 will be awarded upon the winners sending us a receipt from a vegetarian restaurant. To find a restaurant near you, see our excellent World links page or our detailed pages for Southern Ontario. The receipt may be mailed or emailed (by attaching a digital photo of it). Intended for those living outside of the Toronto area, where there are already several prizes (see below).

Toronto Area Gift certificates:

Commensal (a $20 gift certificate, and three for $10)
655 Bay St. (n. of Dundas, enter on Elm),
416-596-9364
Excellent selection of salads, entrees and desserts - over 100 exotic and traditional dishes priced by weight. Delicious dessert bar includes: soya cheesecake, tapioca pudding, fresh fruit and much more.

Udupi Palace (a $40 gift certificate)
Won by Amanda (July/Aug)
1460 Gerrard St. E. (w. of Coxwell)
416-405-8189
Authentic South Indian vegetarian cuisine. “Udupi specializes in dosas, lacy crepe-like wraps made from fermented flour that measure up to 24 inches in diameter.” Menu also features pakoras, veggie curries and uthapam (sweet rice-flour pancakes). Everything can be ordered vegan. Located in Little India.

Vegetarian Haven ($30)
17 Baldwin St., 416-621-3636
“Asian Fusion” cuisine. Over 100 flavourful vegan dishes. Excellent selection of desserts. Inviting summer patio partly shaded by trees overlooking Baldwin Street. Cozy dining room and friendly service.

Annapurna ($20)
1085 Bathurst St. (at Dupont), 416-537-8513
South Indian specialties, many vegan and macrobiotic entrees.

Cooking classes (in or near Toronto)

 
Indian vegetarian cooking class
(two prizes)
Each prize consists of one class that includes four dishes with recipes and other handouts. The four dishes will be enjoyed as a dinner at the end of the class. Classes start at $75. Held in Toronto. (two $50 gift certificates).
Ayurvedic Indian cooking

Indian, Thai or Mexican vegetarian cooking
Develop a better understanding of spices using wholesome, unprocessed and natural ingredients. Hands on. Classes start at $65 and are offered in Oakville, Toronto and Vaughan. ($60 gift certificate)
Healthy Gourmet Indian Cooking

Vegetarian groups

 
Six prizes: $20 for joining a vegetarian group
A cheque for up to $20 will be awarded upon the winners sending us a receipt from a vegetarian organization. Of course, we recommend Toronto Vegetarian Association where you will receive Lifelines, our quarterly newsletter filled with news, articles, recipes, restaurant review, event information, and much more. But you are welcome to join any other veggie group around the world, see our Vegetarian Organizations page.

Prizes for inspiring stories

Those who write a short story (35 to 350 words) about how their week went will have a chance to win:

$60 towards a vegetarian cooking class.
A cheque for up to $60 will be awarded upon the winner sending us a receipt from a vegetarian cooking class. To find a class near you try doing a google search or see our cooking class page for the Toronto Area. The receipt may be mailed or emailed (by attaching a digital photo of it).

The Big Carrot ($100 gift certificate)
348 Danforth Ave. (e. of Broadview), 416-466-2129
The gift certificate may be used for purchasing from their excellent selection of natural foods, buying delicious stuff from their in-store vegetarian cafe, or put towards their popular vegetarian cooking classes.
   The Big Carrot specializes in organically grown, GMO-free + environmentally safe products. They are Toronto's largest Canadian worker-owned co-op. Open daily.

Four-course catered meal ($150 value)
Vegan Delights (416-491-6781) will arrange a personalized menu with the winner at a mutually convenient date and time anywhere in the Toronto Area. For up to 10 people depending on the exact menu. The four courses are the recipients' choice: Salad, soup, main, dessert or exchange the dessert for appetizer/side dish. To maximize the value, the recipient can opt to pick up the meal.

A one night stay at Hidden Valley Farm
1-888-624-0315
Quiet country retreat on a 120 acre certified organic farm. Enjoy delightful vegan and vegetarian meals made with vegetables, berries and herbs from the kitchen garden. Located near Georgian Bay and the Bruce Trail. Accessible by bus. The prize includes an overnight stay for a couple and breakfast ($80 value).

Whole Foods Market ($200 gift certificate)
87 Avenue Rd., (n. of Yorkville),
Toronto, 416-944-0500
Supermarket-sized natural and organic grocery store located in an atrium space in Yorkville. Huge selection of dairy-free ice creams and vegetarian frozen dinners. In-store bakery, pizza oven, deli counter, and sushi bar. Open daily.

Grand prize

Those who complete our six month follow-up survey will have a chance to win:

SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker
The top story of the year will win a SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker with Deluxe Tofu Making Kit. This automatic machine makes a variety of delicious milks in 13 minutes for pennies a glass. Rated #1 in independent reviews. Prize includes a free tofu kit.
($225 value, free delivery within North America).

You may enter the Challenge at any time. A new set of prizes will be posted after the end of the current time period. For previous prizes and winners see our Prizes page for Sept 2006 to Aug 2007.

Note (Aug 2009): We are currently several months behind on assigning prizes.

• For every two months (Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb, March/April, May/June, and so on) there will be a random draw of at least four prizes for those who have completed the Challenge during one of those time periods, and filled out two simple surveys (one before and one after). See "Prizes for completing the week" above.
• There will also be an additional special prize awarded every six months for three of the stories that we feature as separate posts on our website. When featuring stories we look for ones that are inspiring and honest. We also like to have a visual element to go along with them. We may ask you to send a photo of yourself or some of the food that you ate, or a link to a YouTube video. Because more than three stories are featured every six months, the winners will be determined by a random draw. See "Prizes for inspiring stories" above.
• Those who complete our six month follow-up survey will be entered into a random draw to win the grand prize. These draws will take place roughly every six months. See "Grand prize" above.
• Unless otherwise specified by the prize-donor, prizes must be claimed within 12 months after the date that they are awarded.

We encourage you to support the Challenge by making a donation to TVA. For donations of $20 or more you can receive a bi-monthly newsletter, charitable receipt and the opportunity to purchase our Vegetarian Discount Card.