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We’re Hiring: Community Outreach & Office Assistant​

Looking for work? TVA is hiring through Canada Summer Jobs for a Community Outreach & Office Assistant​!   ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION Founded in 1945, the Toronto Vegetarian Association (TVA) is Toronto’s go-to resource for all things veg! ​For 75 years, the TVA has worked to inspire people to choose a healthier, greener, more compassionate lifestyle through plant-based eating. An important part of spreading the plant-based message during the pandemic is through our digital outreach program (online, social media), virtual events such as the Veg Food Fest (September 11-13) and through the publication of the annual Veg Guide in print, online and app forms.​ POSITION SUMMARY The Community Outreach Assistant will be primarily responsible for engaging with the local plant-based community by assisting with the planning and execution of the Veg Guide to optimize the number of businesses willing to list their vegetarian and vegan options to serve the community. Secondly, they will be responsible for assisting with outreach, mainly through some digital support for the virtual veg food fest and other administrative tasks in support of these programs. The Community Outreach Assistant will assist the Community and Engagement Coordinator regarding tasks including; answering questions about the… Read More

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Discount Profile: Parka Food Co.

After a brief closure during COVID-19, Parka is back open again, and even has two cute tables set up on the sidewalk so you have somewhere to sit and enjoy their delicious take-out! At first, I found the menu overwhelming. I wanted all the different items they have that involve potatoes and vegan tartar sauce, but I figured I might as well choose just one potato dish so that I could try a variety of other foods too. I decided to go with the potato burger, which, in addition to the crispy potatoes and tartar sauce I’ve mentioned, also comes with pickles and guacamole on a light and airy bun. No burger would be complete without a side, but since I was already having some potatoes, instead of fries or poutine (which, believe me, were very tempting) I ordered the cauliflower fritters. I loved the crispy, crunchy batter contrasting with the soft cauliflower centre. The portion size was just perfect to go along with the burger, and the creamy dipping sauce was cooling and refreshing. Of course, Parka is famous for its variety of unique mac and cheeses, so how could I leave without trying at least one? I decided… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Black Beans

Care of Andrea Howe of glowingongreens.com Beans are certainly a magical fruit due to their nutritional content, but especially the black bean, being a popular legume used all around the world. It can be found in Mexican cuisine, veggie burgers, chilies, and more. Its significance may be deceiving, because even though it’s small, it is packed full of important nutrients. Black beans are famous for their fibre content. Fibre can help regulate stools, lower blood sugars and weight, as well as decrease the risk of heart disease and various cancers including bowel, colon, breast, and prostate. Just one cup of black beans contains 15g of fibre, which is half of your recommended daily intake. Black beans are also full of vitamins, specifically B vitamins. These vitamins, including thiamin and niacin are important for growth and development in children, as well as for our brain health. Finally, black beans are a great source of plant-based protein, as well as rich in iron, with about 4 grams of iron in every cup. This makes them an important ingredient for vegetarians/vegans, women, and infants. The soft texture makes them a great snack for infants, but make sure to add a little lemon juice… Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Food of the Month Uncategorised Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

August Social Group Events

TVA Reads is our vegetarian book club! They will be having a socially-distanced get together in Christie Pits Park this month. Email tvareads@veg.ca to get the details and to RSVP. Vegetarians in Their Twenties has been meeting regular during COVID-19 with Virtual Happy Hours on Zoom every Friday at 6 pm, and this will continue through the month of August. Visit their Facebook Group or email vitt@veg.ca to join in! The East End Veggie Social Group has two upcoming Virtual Dinner Parties: August 1st and 15th! Visit their Facebook Group to stay up to date on announcements of these events and others. Read More

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Steppin’ to the Beet: TVA’s Virtual Fitness Challenge

Run, walk, or bike 5k, 10k, a half or full marathon, or a duathlon distance of your choice, to raise funds for the Toronto Vegetarian Association in celebration of World Vegetarian Day! When does my run/walk/bike take place? World Vegetarian Day is Thursday, October 1, but you can pick any day from Saturday, September 19 to Saturday, October 3 to complete your personal fitness challenge.  What does a virtual fitness challenge mean? Are we doing this together, in person? You will complete your fitness challenge on your own, on the day of your choice, although of course you may have one or two friends or family members who are also interested in signing up for the same challenge and you could complete it together! But don’t worry, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to meet and chat with others who are completing the challenge throughout the summer, both in person and online. See more details below! Where does my fitness challenge take place? Once again, this is up to you! You could simply step outside your home for a 5k walk, or perhaps you have a trail or route you’ve always dreamed of doing, like a bike ride… Read More

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Discount Profile: Veggie Planet

The GTA is fortunate to have an abundance of vegan-friendly authentic Indian restaurants. But Veggie Planet stands apart for its unique fusion dishes. Now with two locations (Mississauga and Vaughan), this place has landed a spot on my top favourite restaurant list, surprising me even more every time with how delicious and flavourful everything is. It’s not every day you find pizza on the menu at an Indian restaurant, but imagine having a whole section of the menu full of pizzas! It was almost too much to bear to try and narrow it down to just one to order, but eventually my partner and I settled on the chaat Pizza, which had a sauce flavoured with Indian spices, vegan cheese, and plenty of crunchy pieces of sev. It was a close competition with the Indian masala pizza, we’ll have to try that next time! But first, we started with “appetizers”. I say that in quotations because the portions were very generous, even for someone like me, who has a huge appetite! This was our third time eating at Veggie Planet, and at first I resisted my partner’s suggestion we get the poutine for the third time, arguing that we… Read More

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Food and Recipe of the Month: Spinach

Care of Andrea Howe, of glowingongreens.com  Spinach, a favourable leafy green, is famous for being packed full of non-heme iron, as well as shrinking down into almost nothing when cooked. This vegetable is unique as its mild flavour can be incorporated into almost every type of dish, from smoothies and green pancakes, to pasta and salads. Not only is it impressively versatile, but it comes with an abundance of nutrients. Spinach is an excellent source of iron, which is especially important for infants, pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers, and those not eating meat. Iron travels in the blood attached to hemoglobin to help deliver oxygen around the body. It is best absorbed with vitamin C, so add a little lemon or lime juice over your spinach salad for maximum nutrient benefits. Spinach is also packed with potassium, magnesium, vitamin K, and calcium, which are all important nutrients for strong bone health. These nutrients can strengthen bone density and reduce fractures, especially in older adults and women over the age of 50. Spinach loses volume when wilted and condenses, which is the best way to maximize the benefits of these nutrients. Spinach can be found in various forms, such as… Read More

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

Discount Profile: 852 Curbside Collective

Discount Profile: 852 Curbside Collective TVA members receive 10% off all prepared food The pandemic has made for some challenging times for small businesses. But we’re also seeing some cool, innovative new ways to get things from these businesses. A great example of this is 852 Curbside Collective— a new business comprised of the lovely ladies from Sausage Party, Chau, and Phancy Food. They now offer pickup and delivery services of their prepared meals, as well as a selection of grocery items and products made by other local veg businesses. One of their signature items is their new “stay home” box, a variety of meals packaged together from the three businesses that you can reheat and eat at home. If you want delivery, they offer it weekly in the GTA, with a Friday afternoon cut-off for Sunday delivery; though there’s been other options as well! The first thing I ordered from the collective was their first Stay Home box. This was $150, and was delivered to me on a Sunday by Em and Meagan, two of the owners. They called ahead, and I met them just outside the lobby, where I got a contactless delivery. Once… Read More

Filed under: Discount profiles Front page post Uncategorised Veg Directory Updates

Food and Recipe of the Month: Cilantro Lime Taco Sauce

Care of Andrea Howe, of glowingongreens.com Cilantro, also known as coriander, is an herb many people love or hate due to its particular flavour. Cilantro are the leaves and stem of the plant, and are commonly found in Mexican dishes, while the seed, commonly found in Indian dishes, is named coriander. However, all parts of it can be incorporated into a variety of dishes including soups, salads, and sauces. Cilantro, along with many herbs, are packed full of antioxidants. These immune-boosting components are known to fight damage and inflammation in the body, from viruses, pollution, smoke, and other free-radicals. Antioxidants neutralize and repair the damage, helping reduce risks of cancer formation, as well as slow the growth of existing cancer cells. Along with their free-radical fighting abilities, coriander contains antimicrobial compounds which have been seen in studies to fight certain infections such as salmonella, and urinary tract infections. Additionally, coriander appears to act as diuretic, helping the body flush excess sodium and water which can lower blood pressure and levels of LDL cholesterol. In populations that consume large amounts of coriander, heart disease rates tend to be lower. So, next time your cilantro-hating friends and family members doubt… Read More

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Veg Guide Updates, COVID-19 Edition!

  Hello everyone! We’re here to bring you a special Veg Guide Update; this special COVID-19 post brings you updates on which businesses are open, what they’re offering, how you can get things delivered, where and when you can pick up, and more! Read on to hear about all the great offerings, and what you can to support these awesome local businesses. 852 Curbside Collective https://852cc.square.site 852 Curbside Collective is group of independent female-owned food companies that have collaborated to reinvent their businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, which has had a profound effect on each of their companies.  The collective is fronted by Jane Tran of Chau, Meagan Bowden of Phancy Food & Catering,  and Emily De Beus of Sausage Party Toronto, who have created a physical and virtual store offering grocery products, their signature dishes for customers to re-heat at home, and  “Stay at Home Meal Boxes” that include a curated selection of meals and snacks. The purpose of the collective is to keep small businesses thriving while offering the community a safe alternative to large grocery stores. The store features over 10 products from local… Read More

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