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| eLifelines April 2010 - Get Out and Get Active |
| Friday, 09 April 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A lot has happened since March, and a lot more is coming before May! TVA has been in the public eye hosting lectures for students, and using media outlets like the Toronto Star and T.O Night to ask omnivores to join the Meatless Mondays campaign. But in April we'll still continue supporting people who are ready to adopt a vegetarian diet through events like the Health Starts Here Cooking Series, and a bake sale to during the World Wide Vegan Bake Sale. During Compassion Week in May, we'll encourage people to consider adopting a vegetarian diet not only by luring them with delicious food and impressive health benefits, but also by highlighting the ethical concerns with eating animals. If the lives of animals interest you as well, make sure to check out our animal profile of the month on ducks and exciting news for elephants in India! Don't Miss These Upcoming Events!The World Wide Vegan Bake Sale will happen on May 1st. Nimisha Raja takes you around the world with her Health Starts Here Cooking Series. Find out more in the TVA in Action section or on Facebook. Please note that a memorial for Ashli Taylor will also be held on April 17th. Details are posted in the Reader's Classified's.
This Month...
TVA in Action -TVA Events (Health Starts Here Cooking Series, World Wide Vegan Bake Sale, Compassion Week and numerous social group events), TVA media appearances, directory updates In the News - Elephants get moved from zoos to sanctuaries in India Animal Profile of the Month - Ducks: A Lot to Quack About Nutritious Food of the Month - Jump for Jicama Recipes - Jicama, Watercress and Avocado Salad with Spicy Citrus Vinaigrette Discount Profile - Panacea: 5 % off with the TVA Discount Card Reader's Classifieds - Memorial for Ashli Taylor, Rawlicious Restaurant Looking for Franchise Owners
TVA In ActionUpcoming EventsHealth Starts Here Cooking Series Join health coach Nimisha Raja of Evolving Appetites as she takes your taste buds on an exotic journey of flavours from around the world. Nimisha is a Heart Health Speaker for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and an Education Alliance Member of The Cancer Project. The themes of the classes are: Eating for the Earth: Healthy Planet, Healthy Bodies Eat Right for Your Heart Under the Sultan's Tent Mamma Mia! Vegan Italian A Healthy Taste of Thai All menus are 100% plant based, low fat and full of fibre. You’ll receive copies of the recipes to take home, and sample everything we make in class. Nimisha’s teaching style is fun and relaxed, and she always provides additional resources for you to explore after class. She’ll explain the nutrient value of the ingredients in each recipe and answer your nutrition related questions. When? 7 to 9 pm on April 22, May 6, May 20 and May 27 (see veg.ca/healthyeating for full class descriptions) Where? Whole Foods teaching kitchen, located at 87 Avenue Rd. How much? Classes are $30 each or all 4 in the series for $100. Space is limited to 14 students, so don't delay. More Information and Registration: A full description of each class and their dates can be found at veg.ca/healthyeating. Call Whole Foods at 416-944-0500 to register for any of these unique classes. Unless otherwise stated, please register in person at the customer service desk or by phone.
World Wide Vegan Bake Sale TVA will be participating in the World Wide Vegan Bake Sale by hosting a bake sale during Resource Centre hours. There will be plenty of baked (and maybe some raw) goods to satisfy. Come on by and purchase some treats, or better yet get in the kitchen and create to help TVA out. All proceeds go to the Toronto Vegetarian Association. When? Saturday, May 1st from 1 to 4 pm Where? The TVA Resource Centre (17 Baldwin Street, 2nd floor) Want to bake something? You're invited to bring a batch of vegan baked goods to contribute to the bake sale! Email tva@veg.ca if you're interested in helping out. As a new and exciting initiative, the TVA is happy to announce that we will be launching Compassion Week in the spring of 2010. Dedicated to spreading the word about compassion for animals through a variety of engaging initiatives, the TVA has a lot in store for this special week. It will kick off with a talk by Michael Greger on May 28th, and there will be a wide range of exciting events planned for the following week including a photographic exhibition opening, a culinary cook-off and more! The week will culminate with a Compassion Marketplace being held on the final day! Be sure to stay informed by checking out www.compassionweek.ca in the coming weeks. Find other veg-related event listings at veg.ca/events. TVA Group EventsNew social group! The TVA Reading Group is back up again. Love to devour good books and great food in fabulous like-minded company? If so, we've got a group for you. Come and join TVA Reads, our new monthly Monday evening reading group. The first session will take place on May 17, where there be a vegan potluck and discussion on ideas for what books we would like to delve into. Queen-Ossington area. Please RSVP to Shân at tvareads@veg.ca for location details. The Dinner Social Group will hold their next meeting at Green Earth Vegetarian Cuisine (385 Broadview Avenue) on Thursday, April 15th at 7 pm. Please RSVP to tvadinner@veg.ca. The York Region/North York Vegetarian Group will hold their next meeting at Gourmet Vegetarian Restaurant (280 West Beaver Creek Drive, at HWY 7) on Wednesday, May 19th at 7 pm. Please RSVP to yorkregion@veg.ca or 416-636-5757. The York Region/North York Veg Group welcomes new and experienced vegetarians, and anyone wishing to make a transition to a vegetarian lifestyle. All ages welcome. The Durham Lakeside Vegetarian Group will hold a lecture, "Everyday Vegan Meals", at Richters Herbs Nursery on Sunday, April 25th at 2 pm. Please RSVP to durhamlakesidegroup@veg.ca. For details on all upcoming Durham events visit veg.ca/durham. The Vegetarian Networker's Group is looking for new members to help get things rolling. Email Tom Salsberg if you'd like to help him launch this new TVA social group. Look Out Toronto - TVA is on the Loose!
The Toronto Vegetarian Association has been marching through the city with vigour, demonstrating that choosing a vegetarian diet is healthy, easy and delicious. We're excited to announce two media achievements since last month. Our new Meatless Mondays campaign was profiled in the Toronto Star's Entertainment and Living Section. The article discussed Toronto's campaign as part of the larger national and international movement to get people to go meat free at least one day a week if they're not yet ready to make the commitment to adopting a vegetarian diet full time. Also part of the Meatless Mondays campaign, we've now got our very own weekly spot in the free daily paper, T.O Night! TVA volunteers Amy Symington and Nimisha Raja will be making sure that the paper's readers at least consider going meatless on Mondays by contributing a plant-based recipe to the "Make This T.O Night" column. We've also been spreading the word about the ethical reasons for going meatless through Food for Thought: the Ethics of Eating. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of a strong volunteer team led by Liz Rice, this educational speaker series, originally aiming to reach an audience of university and college students and now branching out to high school students as well, emphasizes the importance of students incorporating issues of animal ethics into their lives and their studies. The series kicked off with two talks in March: one by Dr. David Sztybel titled "Ethical Veganism" at the University of Toronto, and a classroom lecture by Doug McNish to culinary students at George Brown College. Click here to stay up to date on the activities of Food for Thought. Directory Updates Vegan Danish Bakery (7718 Yonge Street, www.vegandanishbakery.com) writes: “We're vegan, we're Danish, and we bake! So, we started the Vegan Danish Bakery!" They sell vegan chocolates, breads, cakes, pastries, Danish-style burger patties, spandour, kransekage, and marzipan treats! They even carry Ami brand vegan dog food. It's also been confirmed that numerous Second Cup locations are indeed carrying Sweets from the Earth products. A full list of locations is posted in the April directory updates. And discount card holders will be pleased to hear that Annex Hodge Podge (258 Dupont St., www.theannexhodgepodge.com) is now offering a 10% discount off their catering services. They are a mom and pop style cafe that offers gourmet soups, innovative salads, freshly squeezed juices, wraps, desserts, grilled sandwiches, and what they claim to be the "Best vegetarian catering in Toronto. ”
Stay in-the-know as more updates are announced on our directory updates page. In the NewsSan Francisco Adopts Meatless Mondays On April 6, 2010, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution encouraging city residents to go meat free on Mondays. Titled "The VegDay Resolution", it was introduced by In Defense of Animals and the San Francisco Vegetarian Society, and successed with unanimous support! Numerous San Francisco restaurants have already begun participating by offering discounts and specials on Mondays, such as Amici’s Pizza who are offering 10% off any vegan pizza. Good News for Elephants in India Best Friends Animal Sanctuary reported in their latest magazine that India has voted to send all elephants currently living in zoos and circuses in the country to wildlife parks or sanctuaries. This will mean healthier, happier lives for 140 elephants currently living in 26 zoos and 16 circuses in India. The decision came in response to complaints from animal rights activists; proof that change really can happen at the hands of dedicated activists. Animal Profile of the MonthCare of Bonnie Shulman
Ducks: A Lot to Quack AboutIt’s hard to know where to begin when I write about ducks, because ducks are my personal obsession. On my flickr site I have thousands of pictures of ducks. Here in Toronto we are blessed to have many types of ducks either living here permanently or dropping by on their travels. Nutritious Food of the MonthJump for JicamaCare of Lisa Pitman April is a challenging month in Toronto, not as difficult as February mind you, but there is a tangible anticipation in the air that we will soon be able to enjoy fresh, local produce. However, our seasonal markets don't open until the end of May or beginning of June. So, what do you eat while you patiently wait for the warmer weather to nurture our fields full of fabulous local food? Why not discover a new ingredient that you might pass over when farm fresh produce is readily available? One ingredient you might consider is jicama (pronounced hee-ka-ma). Over the last month I have been amazed by the number of people who have not experienced the unique flavour and texture of jicama. It is a globe-shaped, root vegetable cultivated in Mexico. Jicama has a brown, parchment-like skin and white flesh. The texture of jicama is incredibly crisp and refreshing, somewhat similar to an apple or water chestnut. In Mexico, slices of jicama are often enjoyed raw, topped with lime juice and a sprinkle of chili powder. While jicama is not going to join the ever-growing roster of superfoods, it does have a unique nutrient profile that makes it a great addition to your diet in the spring when you start to crave lighter fare. It is low in calories (about 50 per cup), high in vitamin C, water-soluble B vitamins and fibre (6 g per cup). Jicama's fibre profile contains inulin which has been linked to improved calcium absorption and the retention of bone mass. The recipe below pairs jicama with two nutrient-dense foods: watercress and avocado. Both have been celebrated for their health-promoting properties. Jicama is primed to absorb flavours and provides the perfect crisp texture for this interesting salad. It would be a great dish to brighten up a brunch this spring. 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. RecipeJicama, Watercress and Avocado Salad with Spicy Citrus Vinaigrette from Isa Chandra Moskowitz of theppk.comNote: If you don't have a food processor to shred the jicama then just slice it matchstick thin. A box grater won't yield the thin uniform shape we're looking for here. Also, use a serrated peeler to peel the jicama, or alternatively, use a paring knife and slice the skin off in sheets.
Salad Ingredients
Optional to garnish:
Directions To make the dressing, combine all ingredients and mix vigorously. If you have a small tupperware bowl with a secure lid you can mix it in there and shake it up. Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes so that the sugar dissolves. Mix or shake again when you are ready to use it. To make the salad, place the shredded jicama in a large bowl. Reserve 1/3 cup of the dressing and pour the rest over the jicama; mix to coat. Arrange a small bunch of watercress on a salad plate. It looks pretty if you keep it bunched together as much as possible and if some of the leaves are hanging off the side (sort of like the long arm of a clock), the stems in the middle and leaves facing outward. Drizzle a little reserved dressing over the leaves. Place a pile of jicama (a cup or so) on the stems of the watercress to secure it. Sprinkle a little shredded carrot (if using) over the top. Place a few half moons of onion on top of jicama. Place a few avocado slices either on top or on the sides. Be creative, you can make it symmetrical or spread it out in a fan on top. Sprinkle peanuts over the top and scatter a few on the plate. Drizzle with a little dressing and garnish with cilantro or mint. Continue with the remaining plates. Find links to more recipes at veg.ca/recipes. Discount ProfilePanacea: 5% off with TVA Discount Card
Do you ever tire of picking up each item that intrigues you in the grocery store, and reading the ingredient list to make sure there are no hidden animal products? Here in Toronto we're lucky to have one grocery store where that's no longer necessary. Panacea is an entirely vegan health food and eco store. Selling everything from grocery items, including flours and grains, canned goods, and frozen foods, to natural beauty and skin care products and even baby diapers and menstrual pads, you can be sure that any product you pick off the shelves will be cruelty free. Truly an oasis for vegetarians, you'll enjoy being able to purchase any product in the store knowing it's entirely plant-based. It's a great place to find both regular grocery items, as well as speciality products like vegan ice creams and chocolates, tofurky roasts and a wide range of vegan cheeses and yogurts. Where? 588 Bloor Street West (at Bathurst subway station) Veg Status? Vegan Savings with TVA Discount Card: 5% 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 ClassifiedsMemorial for Ashli TaylorAshli Taylor, a member of TVA, voice for animals, long-time vegan and inspiration to many tragically lost her life in February 2010. A celebration of Ashli’s life will take place on April 17th at 2 pm, at the Meadowvale Community Centre (Village Room, 6655 Glen Erin Dr., Mississauga). Interment will be in the Garden of Remembrance at Meadowvale Cemetery in Brampton. Rawlicious Looking for Franchise OwnersWe want to make delicious, healthy food available to as many people as possible. We are a fully raw, vegan restaurant that has been operating for 2 years. We are now offering franchises for sale. If you are interested in helping us change the world one mouthful at a time, call 647-349-4510 or email info@rawlicious.ca. 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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