eLifelines - June Edition

Tuesday, 19 May 2009

June 2009 - Run, Eat, Learn and Speak with TVA

Welcome to the June edition of eLifelines. This is a month to welcome in the summer season with a number of great events, as our volunteers lead the way by hosting everything from a bake sale, to a greek-themed banquet, and even a raw BBQ! But the images of summer don't stop there - we've got some directory updates that will make you want to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

Don't Miss These Upcoming Events!

TVA is a partner in the EcoSavvy Festival the weekend of June 19-20th, and we're taking part in the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale on June 20th as well! Plus, it's time to start training for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Register now and you'll be reimbursed for your registration fee! Find out more in the TVA in Action section or on facebook.

This Month...

TVA in Action - There's lots of excitment and action happening with TVA this month, it's hard to know where to start! TVA is a partner in this year's EcoSavvy Festival at Mel Lastman Square, and we hope you'll join us! And if your sweet tooth is calling, make sure to drop by the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale happening on Saturday, June 20th. TVA members are invited to take an active role by bringing some baked goods of their own to sell at the bake sale!

Do you like to spend your summer out for a run? Spend some time in the next couple of months training to run on behalf of TVA in thr Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. The first ten people to register for the race and pledge to raise $150 or more for TVA will be able to register for FREE, so make sure to read on to find out how to register today! We're also proud to announce that TVA was nominated one of the top five things the Metro's readers love about Toronto.

In the News - The vegetarian movement continues to grow, with more announcements coming from Farm Sanctuary about positive legislation enacted to improve conditions for farm animals. These new laws are signs that things are changing, and what better representation of a growing awareness of the benefits of a vegetarian diet than an entire city announcing a meatless day every Thursday!

Nutrient of the Month -The Not-So-Complex Dilema of B-Complex Vitamins

Recipe - Banana Molasses Ice Cream from The Vegan Scoop

Visiting Farm Sanctuary - A Life-Changing Experience, Even for the Converted

eLifelines Readers Corner - We want to hear your thoughts on eLifelines! What do you enjoy? What bores you? What would you like to see more of? Let your voice be heard!

Contact Us

TVA in Action

Upcoming Events

EcoSavvy Festival

The Toronto Vegetarian Association is proud to be a partner of the second annual EcoSavvy Festival, hosted by Enlightened Events. This free event helps consumers make informed choices, while also promoting local, sustainable businesses and organizations. Attendees can peruse the variety of ecomerchants, eat organic food, and even catch an eco-fashion show.

A full event description, including schedules of speakers and workshops, can be found at the Enlightened Events website.

When? Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th from 4 to 10 pm

Where? Mel Lastman Square (North York Subway Station)

Want to volunteer for TVA at the EcoSavvy Festival and other community events? Sign up for our volunteer enewsletter at veg.ca/volunteer.

Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale


Just one possibility to be found at the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale

Calling all TVA bakers! As you may have heard, vegan baked goods are taking over the world from June 20th-28th. The Toronto Vegetarian Association is participating in this worldwide extraveganza with a bake sale on June 20th, outside of the TVA office and Vegetarian Haven at 17 Baldwin Street, from 12 to 2 pm.

We are asking TVA members to join us by baking up some delicious treats or by bringing their pocket change to exchange for decadent vegan delights. The bake sale will take place in front of Vegetarian Haven (17 Baldwin st) from 12-2pm. If you'd like to participate as a baker, please email torontoveganbakesale@gmail.com by June 13th. A list of contributors will be posted on the side bar of the RC Blog, so that you can see what others are baking and what's in need.

Visit the Resource Centre blog on a regular basis to keep up to date on these and other special events!

Franco-Green-Greek!

In anticipation of the first Durham Vegetarian Festival (happening in early August), the Durham Lakeside Vegetarian Group is hosting a French and Greek themed Fundraising Banquet on July 6th. The $25 ticket includes a three course, vegan meal, live music, dancing and door prizes. Due to limited seating, tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting the group at dlveg08@live.ca. Find out more details about the banquet (including the menu!), and the Durham Vegetarian Festival on the Durham Lakeside Vegetarian Group's page.

Find other veg-related event listings at veg.ca/events.

Join TVA in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon!

For the first time ever, TVA is participating as a featured charity in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, on Sunday, September 27th. You can join our team of runners, and walk or run in the 5k, half-marathon (21k), or full marathon (42k) to raise funds to support vital programs like our healthy eating talks, and printing the vegetarian directory. Plus, it's a great opportunity to demonstrate that vegetarians are strong, active, athletic and healthy!

To join the Toronto Vegetarian Team or to find out more information, contact Barbi Lazarus at 416-544-9800 or blazarus@veg.ca. Once you decide whether it's the 5 km, Half-Marathon 21 km, or Full-Marathon 42km that you would like to run, you can start the 2-Step Sign Up Process.

The first 10 people to register and pledge to raise $150 or more will be able to register for the event for FREE, so sign up today!

Visit our official charity page to find out more about running in the event, or sponsoring a runner on the team.

TVA Group Events

The Durham Lakeside Vegetarian Group will meet at Mexico Lindo (74 Simcoe Street North in Oshawa) on June 3rd at 7 pm. Please RSVP to dlveg08@live.ca. Find all the details on the Durham Lakeside Vegetarian Group's page.

The Dinner Social Group will hold their next meeting at M & B Yummy (1263 Queen St W, at Brock) on June 18th at 7pm. Please RSVP at 416-544-9800 or tvadinner@veg.ca.

The York Region/North York Vegetarian Group will be holding a vegetarian potluck on June 22nd at 6:30 pm, at a member's house in Richmond Hill. Please RSVP to yorkregion@veg.ca, and to request location details.

The Toronto Raw Food Meetup Group is holding a raw BBQ on June 27th at 1 pm, near Bayview Subway station. For more information visit www.meetup.com/raw-food-living-food-toronto/.

Join one of TVA’s social groups.

TVA Donations at Work


Lifelines columnist Tikka Smiley with family at the Volunteer Picnic

On May 24th, TVA held a social picnic for volunteers to celebrate the amazing work they do inspire people to choose a healthier, greener, more peaceful lifestyle. TVA has always been a grassroots organization, and volunteers continue to play a lead role in everything from giving us a presence at outreach events, to writing for our newsletters (both print and online), to helping with the coordination of fundraising events.

Volunteers in these capacities and more joined us at High Park for a picnic lunch of falafels, fruit and East-Asian inspired noodle dishes, care of generous community businesses that included Sol Cuisine, Vegetarian Haven, Green Earth Cuisine and Sunflower Kitchen.

Of course, even an event FOR volunteers wouldn't have been possible without the help of our volunteers. TVA's Volunteer Recognition Team were the masterminds behind the planning and execution of this event, which successfully kicked off the outreach season with a bang!

To join our volunteer list, visit veg.ca/volunteer.

In the Media

The Toronto Vegetarian Association was voted number two when the Metro's Sunnyside feature asked people to vote for what they love most about Toronto! Following just behind High Park, which won the number one spot, we were honoured for our long history and for holding North America's largest vegetarian food fair. See the article for yourself here.

Directory Updates


Vegetarian Haven's colourful patio, under the TVA office.

A new vegetarian Indian restaurant has been found in Mississauga, called Chat Hut, and Pulp Kitchen is on it's way to a new location, still along Queen Street East.

There's good news for those with a sweet tooth: A new bakery, Organic Oven Bakery and Cafe, which has plenty of vegan items has opened at Yonge and Lawrence. Stacey of Live on Chocolate is now making raw, vegan chocolate truffles being sold at two locations in Toronto: LPK's Culinary Groove at 718 Queen St. East and The Beet Organic Market and Cafe 2945 Dundas Street West.

Govinda's Vegetarian Club has opened at 243 Avenue Road.

Check out our Patio Page to find vegetarian eateries where you can dine under the sun this summer.

Stay in-the-know as more updates are announced one our directory updates page.

In the News

Another Success for Farm Animals in the US

Maine has now become the sixth state to begin prohibiting certain forms of cruel and extreme animal confinement in the US. Maine's bill will ban veal and gestation crates. Other states that have introduced similar legislation include California, Florida, Arizona, Oregon and Colorado, and Farm Sanctuary reports that bills are also in the works in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Ghent Introduces Weekly Meatless Day

The Belgian city of Ghent has introduced a weekly meatless day, where civil servants and elected councillors will opt for vegetarian meals.This initiative came out of the city's realization of the impact that meat consumption has on the environment. Read all about the initiative, supported by the Ethical Vegetarian Alternative, in Mail Online.

Nutrient of the Month

Care of Karen Soper, RNCP and Lisa Pitman

The Not-So-Complex Dilema of B-Complex Vitamins

B-Complex refers to eight water soluble B vitamins including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), cyanocobalamin (B12), folic acid, and biotin. It's easy to understand why people are often concerned about ensuring they are meeting their daily requirements for B-Complex vitamins, as they are essential for supporting the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat, and proteins, enhancing the immune and nervous system function, maintaining healthy skin, nerces, eyes and liver, and promoting cell growth and division (including that of the red blood cells that help prevent anemia). B-Complex vitamins also maintain muscle tone within the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small and large intestines) and support and increase the rate of metabolism.

But fear not! For vegetarians, getting enough B-Complex is not too complex after all. A diverse and healthy vegetarian diet that is filled with whole-grains, oats, wheat germ, brown rice, nuts, fruits, green vegetables (like asparagus and brussel sprouts), beans and legumes, to name just some options, will meet your requirements. However the complexity does arise with the concern over adequate B12, as without consistent supplementation over the long term, symptoms of B12 deficiency may arise. If you're a fan of faux meat and dairy products, you will notice that many items such as soy and rice milk, veggie burgers and veggie dogs, and deli sandwhich slices, are fortified with lots of B12. But, if your diet is strictly plant based and you avoid these types of products, consider taking a Vitamin B12 supplement.

Find more nutritional information at veg.ca/nutrition.

Recipe

Banana Molasses Ice Cream from Wheeler Del Torro's The Vegan Scoop


Source: Sean Dreilinger

Lisa's tip: If you don't have an ice cream maker, but you do have a blender or food processor, freeze the mixture in ice cube trays. Before serving blend up the frozen cubes in your blender or food processor.

2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced

1 1/2 cup soymilk (almond milk, rice milk or oat milk)
2 TBSP arrowroot powder
2 cups soy creamer (almond cream, rice cream or oat cream)
1/2 cup regular molasses
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1 TBSP vanilla extract1 cup sunflower seeds

In a food processor, puree bananas and 1/4 cup soymilk until smooth.
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup soymilk with arrowroot and set aside.
Mix soy creamer, banana-milk mixture, remaining 3/4 cup soymilk, and both types of molasses in a saucepan and cook over low heat. Once mixture begins to boil, remove from heat and immediately add arrowroot cream. This will cause the liquid to thicke noticeably.
Add vanilla extract.
Refrigerate mixture until chilled, approximately 2-3 hours. Freeze accordig to your ice cream maker's instructions.

Yield: 1 quart.

Find links to more recipes at veg.ca/recipes.

Visiting Farm Sanctuary

A Life-Changing Experience, Even for the Converted

Contributed by Stephanie Bell


	A rescued turkey we met along the tour of Farm Sanctuary

I became vegetarian nearly two years ago mainly for environmental reasons. The “animals are cute” rationale had pull, but was never enough of a reason for me to go veg. It was when I learned of the environmental impact of animal agriculture that I quit meat, cold turkey.

In May, I was invited on a trip to Farm Sanctuary to visit rescued animals. I figured it would be a fun road trip, but I wasn't particularly enthused about seeing regular old farm animals. I didn't expect to be so affected by the experience.

My expectations were exceeded before we even arrived. As we neared Watkins Glen, I was puzzled by the changing landscape as the highway began to wind through hills that seemed too tall and lush for the continent I know. Farm Sanctuary fit right in with this odd landscape; as we drove up to the Visitor's Center (aka the People Barn) we gawked at the grand field spotted not with grazing cows or bales of hay but with large, pink, long-tailed pigs.

As we met animals on the tour, things got stranger. Animals there have feelings, life stories, and personalities, from the cow afraid to twitch its giant head and accidentally take one of us out to the dog-like sheep who nuzzled our legs competing for attention or the goat whose dance culminated in a playful leap of excitement. I fell in love with these animals, wanting to take them home to join my dog and cat at the foot of my bed.

The love the animals radiated was heartwarming, yet each one has a sad story. Our tour guide helped, but the animals told their stories through movements, gestures and the physical markings of their previous lives. The turkeys' crooked toes, missing beaks, and unnaturally large breasts told of horrifying farm methods and breeding practices and the nubs of the pigs’ tails showed us what the stress of captivity can do to animals that are quite emotionally mature, but the most apparent story of abuse was told by the goats' prosthetic limbs. Despite these painful histories, however, they were playful—happy in their new home.

I left Farm Sanctuary feeling joyful for the successes Farm Sanctuary has made possible and more resolve for my plant-based lifestyle than ever before, vowing to never again discount the "animals are cute" rationale when asked by omnivorous friends to explain myself. But I also left feeling heavy-hearted. Each of the animals I'd met represented millions, if not billions, of others living out those painful stories.

Reader’s Corner

eLifelines was launched in January to keep our supporters informed about the activities of the organization, and to engage you in celebrating a culture of vegetarianism in Toronto.

Half way into the year, it's time for us to step back and hear from our readers on what we're doing right, how we could improve, and what you'd like to see featured in the future. We invite you to fill out our eLifelines reader's survey. Click Here to take the survey.

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