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Food and Recipe of the Month: Microgreens

Care of Andrea Howe, of Glowing On Greens Microgreens are an exciting, fairly new ingredient to add to our meals. Due to their small size, they are more concentrated, meaning they have higher levels of vitamins and antioxidants when compared to their mature, full grown counterpart. Microgreens come in different varieties, including alfalfa sprouts, broccoli shoots, amaranth, and watercress. They are a crunchy and delicious ingredient to add as a garnish, or to include in salads and sandwiches. Microgreens have become popular due to their beautiful addition to meals, and their nutrient profile. Studies of microgreen have found they have up to 40 times higher the antioxidant level compared to their more mature versions. Higher levels of antioxidants in the diet can lower the risk of many chronic diseases and cancers, including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. These crunchy greens also contain fibre, which can help to lower the risk of various diseases and cancer. Along with benefits to your health, microgreens are a fun way to add an extra element to your dish, along with added benefits to your health. Try using them as a garnish to your soup, stew, or in this Warm Sweet Potato Couscous… Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Food of the Month News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Nutrition Uncategorised Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

March 2021 Social Groups

TVA Reads is holding their next Zoom book club on March 17th at 6:30 pm. They’ll be discussing The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson. Email tvareads@veg.ca for more info and to RSVP. The Toronto Starch Solution Group meets the first Friday of each month at 7 pm on Zoom. Their March meeting is Friday, March 5th. If you are interested in learning more about health promotion and maintenance through whole foods, plant-based eating, join them, bringing your questions, struggles, or success stories to share. Email starch.tva@gmail.com for the Zoom link. Read More

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Black & Caribbean Owned Veg Restaurants!

UPDATED February 2021! There are so many great Black & Caribbean owned restaurants and businesses in Toronto! Carolyn, Patty Queen at Choose Life Foods has put this list together for us, be sure to check all these great businesses out! Who is your fave? V’s Caribbean Restaurant 1221 Weston Rd, York, ON M6M 4P7   One Love 854 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5R 3G2   Ital Vital 741 Pharmacy Ave, Scarborough, ON M1L 3J4   Veggie D’light 160 Baldwin St #1, Toronto, ON M5T 3K7   Celebrity Pure Vegetarian Address: 1474 Eglinton Ave W, York, ON M6E 2G5   Irie Veggie Takeout Address: 2593 Eglinton Ave W, York, ON M6M 1T3   Vegan Jerk The Pickering Markets 1400 Squires Beach Rd, Pickering, ON L1W 4B9   Shola Vegan I Thali 2768 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1L7              … Read More

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February Veg Guide Updates!

Happy February! We made it through a cold, locked-down January, and think that is deserving of a treat! Here’s some great places you can check out, enjoy!   Khau Gully 1991 Yonge Street This omnivore Indian restaurant at Yonge and Davisville has an amazing vegan menu, including vegan butter chicken, vegan naan, and much more! They offer takeout and delivery, and did we mention VEGAN NAAN? We’re excited!    Plant Lyfe 998 Queen St. E. This spot on Queen E. in Leslieville offers all vegan hot + cold drinks and foods (including smoothie bowls, toasts, baked goods and specials). Plus, when spaces open up again they have a beautiful lounge and meditation studio, offering classes as well! We can’t wait to take a class and have a juice after!    Tapi Go! 835 Bloor St. W. Tapioca Crepes are a staple Brazillian street food, and Tapi Go!, a new spot in the Annex offers vegan options in their sweet, and their savoury crepes, and they’re seriously tasty! We like the Vegan Rainbow Tapioca: Traditional white base… Read More

Filed under: Front page post News Uncategorised Veg Directory Updates

Food and Recipe of the Month: Roasted Beet and Potato Salad

Care of Andrea Howe, of glowingongreens.com  Beets take the prize for the prettiest and brightest vegetable. Their bright red colour and earthy taste can be a great addition to salads, juices, or roasted on their own. Beets are a root vegetable and are generally harvested at the end of the summer and late fall. Like other root vegetables, they can be stored for many months and be a great addition to our diet in the winter months. Beets have an impressive list of nutrients that provide many benefits to our health! Their bright red colour comes from a pigment called betalain, a unique antioxidant not found in many other red fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants have been seen to have anti-inflammatory effects, and to reduce oxidation in the body. Basically, they can help fight harmful factors in our body that can lead to the development of disease. Beets are also exceptionally high in nitrates, which play a role in lowering blood pressure, enhance exercise performance, and reduce inflammation. Finally, beets are packed full of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that is important for immune function and skin repair. While beets contain many benefits, their antioxidant content is what is… Read More

Filed under: elifelines Food of the Month News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Nutrition Uncategorised Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

Discount Profile: bloomer’s in Bayview Village

Discount: 10% off  Veg Status: All vegan Where: 3 locations! This profile features the location in Bayview Village Shopping Mall, but they also have one at 715 Queen St. West and 873 Bloor Street West. Unless you are brand new to Toronto, by now you should be familiar with one of Toronto’s longest-standing all-vegan bakeries. bloomer’s has been delighting Torontonians for years with their array of donuts, muffins, sandwiches, and more. But now, those living north of the downtown core can enjoy their treats too, and even more! On my way to visit my parents, I decided to stop in to perhaps grab a donut or two. I had no idea how large this new location of theirs was and was blown away! In addition to their cases of freshly baked goods, there was an entire wall of freezers packed with all kinds goodies! There are homemade bagels, cream cheeses, pot pies, and ready-to-go full sized cakes. I grabbed a couple of everything bagels which were almost gigantic, as well as a mini curry pot pie which was just perfect heated up on a cold winter’s night the following week. After oohing and… Read More

Filed under: Discount profiles elifelines Food and Restaurant News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Uncategorised

February 2021 Social Group Events

TVA Reads is holding their next Zoom book club on February 17th at 6:30 pm. They’ll be discussing the book Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead. Email tvareads@veg.ca for more info and to RSVP. The Toronto Starch Solution Group meets the first Friday of each month at 7 pm on Zoom. Their February meeting is Friday, February 5th. If you are interested in learning more about health promotion and maintenance through whole foods, plant-based eating, join them, bringing your questions, struggles, or success stories to share. Email starch.tva@gmail.com for the Zoom link.  … Read More

Filed under: News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Uncategorised

Job Posting: Executive Director

Job Opportunity: Executive Director of an Inclusive, Pro-Vegan Non-Profit POSITION OVERVIEW The Toronto Vegetarian Association (TVA) is an inclusive, pro-vegan non-profit organization that inspires people to choose a healthier, greener, more compassionate lifestyle through plant-based eating. The Executive Director (ED) of the organization will have overall operational responsibility for TVA’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission, including updating the organization’s name and branding. The ED reports to the Board of Directors and will work with the Board to develop and implement the organization’s strategic plan. We are seeking someone who is a charismatic leader, a strategic thinker and passionate about the vegan movement. The ED must be highly collaborative, innovative, and have strong relationship building and partnership skills. They must also be committed to continuous growth and improvement, for themselves, for TVA, and for the vegan movement. In addition, the ED should be acutely aware of not only the challenges, but also the opportunities for innovation during these uncertain pandemic times. The ED should have at least three years of demonstrated leadership experience, as well as experience in: strategic planning; program planning and implementation; public relations; team-building and financial management. Special consideration will be given… Read More

Filed under: Front page post News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Uncategorised

Food of the Month: Lentil Walnut Meatloaf

Care of Andrea Howe of glowingongreens.com Winter is a time when we Canadians turn to hearty, warm meals, often using more canned foods. Since our climate is not capable of growing fresh produce all year round, using canned products, like lentils, is a great way to still use local products. Lentils are a nutrition-packed ingredient you should definitely be including in your diet. They are so versatile and because they have a mild flavour, they’re great in most dishes. Lentils are rich in iron, fibre, B vitamins, and a great source of plant-based protein. Just one cup of cooked lentils provides about 18g of protein. Additionally, their fibre content comes in at about 15g for 1 cup, giving you about half of your daily needs. Fibre is a nutrient most people do not get enough of. Increasing fibre in your diet can help reduce blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and the risk of developing various chronic diseases and cancer. Their B-vitamin content also makes them great for our brain. B vitamins, such as thiamine and folate aid in healthy brain development in infants, as well as the maintenance and function in adult brains. Additionally, lentils are a great source of… Read More

Filed under: elifelines Food of the Month News News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Nutrition Uncategorised Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

Discount Profile: Copper Branch

Discount: 10% off  Veg Status: All vegan Where: 18 locations across Ontario! Copper Branch’s food is so delicious and the portions so generous, that going just once over the past couple of months wasn’t enough. I was back after just a few weeks. My partner and I were lucky enough to be passing by the Oshawa location during a lull in COVID cases in the summer, and were actually able to dine in. This location is huge with different dining areas that include both regular tables as well as a more cozy area with a sofa. No matter how many times I go to Copper Branch and tell myself I should try something new, I just can’t ever pass up their signature Copper Bowl. It comes with the most delicious, gooey veggie chicken, plenty of healthy steamed broccoli, and a creamy slaw on top of whatever base you choose (noodles, quinoa, or brown rice). We also enjoyed the classic poutine which could have been a meal unto itself! I loved their style of thinly cut fries, still with some skin left on, and the dollops of gravy and cheese were beyond generous. This is one decadent, saucy poutine!… Read More

Filed under: Discount profiles elifelines News from the Toronto Vegetarian Association Uncategorised