May 2023
news, events, & more

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In this issue:
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ANIMALS: Beyond a Vegan Diet
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MAKING CHANGE: Unleashing the Power of Veganic Gardening
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EVENT: Dineout at Blossoming Lotus, May 19
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RESTAURANT CORNER: Daily Fuel
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RECIPE: Mac ‘n’ Cheese Sauce
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EVENT: Orenco Potluck, Vegan Ice Cream & Gardening Motivation, May 14
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EVENT: Eastside Potluck, Factory Farm Moratorium bill update, May 21
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EVENT: Plant-based Portland Meetup, May 30
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EVENT: Westside Potluck/Annual Meeting, June 18
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Beyond a Vegan Diet
By Donna Reynolds
Did you know that you can often help the animals and the planet each time you make a purchase simply by choosing those products and companies that don’t use or test on animals?
Besides your kitchen, consider keeping animal products out of your clothes closet, your bathroom cupboard, your living room, and even your garage, as companies insist on using animals in a variety of different items either directly in their products or when they test their products on animals. For example, by using today’s materials, we no longer have to depend on feathers and animal skins to stay warm and dry, and with simple, safe, old-fashioned home solutions, we don’t need to use chemical-laden, animal-tested cleaning products to wash ourselves or our homes.

Choosing products that don’t harm animals isn’t that hard and can be quite economical. When looking for a new car recently, I was pleased to be able to help the animals and save money by choosing cloth seats on the car instead of leather. And when looking for a vegan shampoo at a beauty products store, I saw several choices which were very competitively priced with the non-vegan brands.

Yet sometimes being kind to animals when buying products takes a little more research, which can occasionally consist of just checking the label. Vegan shoes and clothing have advanced so much that often the label itself is all that can distinguish the vegan leather, wool, and silk from their animal versions.
So when you need more toothpaste, dishwashing detergent, or a new pair of hiking boots, be sure to check out these lists and websites first to make sure you’re supporting the companies that also support the animals and the planet.
Peta - A massive, searchable database for cruelty-free companies and products
Leaping Bunny – Multiple resources including a compassionate shopping guide, cruelty-free app, and useful links
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Unleashing the Power of Veganic Gardening
Boost Your Garden's Health with Natural Fertilizers and Surprising Sources of Nutrients

By S. Lucas
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Are you looking for a way to make your gardening more sustainable? Have you considered veganic gardening? Veganic (vegan + organic) is a method of growing plants that’s gaining popularity because it’s not only better for the environment, but because it’s an easy and productive method of producing healthy, nutritious plant-based foods.
Traditional gardening and farming typically involve the use of fossil fuel-based chemicals and pesticides, plus animal by-products from factory farms and slaughterhouses, which can harm the soil and the surrounding ecosystems, and contribute to the exploitation and suffering of millions of animals each year. In contrast, veganic gardening relies on plant-based compost, mulch, cover crops, and other natural sources of nutrients. This not only eliminates the use of harmful chemicals and the need for animal suffering, but also promotes biodiversity and supports local ecosystems.
Another effective and little-known method used by many veganic gardeners is the use of one’s own urine as fertilizer. Yes, you read that right! Urine is a rich source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, plus many trace minerals, all of which are essential nutrients for plant growth. By using your own urine as fertilizer, you can reduce your reliance on commercial fertilizers and contribute to a more sustainable gardening practice. Using urine as fertilizer is easy, safe, and free! Simply collect urine in a container and dilute it with water before applying it to the soil surrounding your plants. The recommended ratio is…
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Dineout at
Blossoming Lotus
- Friday, May 19, 2023
- 11:30 AM
- Blossoming Lotus
- 1713 NE 15th Avenue
- Portland, Oregon
Blossoming Lotus is the classic vegan restaurant in the Portland metro area. First opened at Yoga Pearl around 15 years ago, it has withstood changes in location, in ownership, in menu, and those brought about by the pandemic, and is still one of the best vegan restaurants in town. Among the most popular dishes on their current menu are a Lentil Walnut Cheeseburger and Bibimbap, containing broccoli, marinated mushrooms, Korean bbq soy curls, tamari dressing, and brown rice. Other delicious dishes include Chickpea & Kale Salad, Lemon Pepper Pasta, and Spicy Street Tacos. Gluten-free and soy-free dishes are also available.
Pre-registration is required. If you need to cancel, please contact the host listed in your registration confirmation. Click the button below to register.
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Daily Fuel
by Susan Hanson
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Daily Fuel, a food cart turned brick and mortar last year, has some of the healthiest food in Portland (vegan, naturally). On one of my visits I had the Power Bowl—grilled lentil tempeh, red potatoes, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, spinach, grilled corn, tomatoes, purple cabbage, avocados, and more—a delicious rainbow in a bowl. I took half of it home for dinner that night as the portions are quite generous. The goal at Daily Fuel is to make the food as healthy as possible by using many different whole foods. Different colors equal different antioxidants. People rave about the Beastly Nachos, the Buffalo Mac, the jackfruit tacos, and the lentil tempeh burgers. The milkshakes are phenomenal, made with oat milk, 25 grams of pea/rice protein, and according to the menu, contain 55 vitamins and minerals. I had one for lunch on another visit, and I felt so satisfied and healthy afterward. The menu is quite extensive and changes seasonally.
Daily Fuel started as a roaming food cart in 2018. In their first year, they were named one of the top five food carts in Portland. The next year, they moved into the Hawthorne Asylum, a food cart pod, and became very popular. Last year they relocated to a storefront on SE Belmont Street. They completely renovated the space with a bright and funky vibe. The menu is…
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Mac ‘n’ Cheese Sauce
By Linda Tyler
Very low in cholesterol and saturated fat, and free of processed ingredients, this sauce is a double feel-good comfort food. It has a richness and heartiness that many plant-based cheese sauces lack.
Makes about 1 + 2/3 cups, enough for 4-5 servings of macaroni
Soak the cashews in cold water at least 2 hours, or pour boiling water over them, cover, and let them soak 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, boil or steam the carrot(s) until soft. (Microwave with a few Tablespoons water for 2.5 minutes or use stovetop.)
- 1 medium-large peeled carrot, cut into chunks, or 9 baby carrots (3 ounces)
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Chill a Warm Mother’s Day with Vegan Ice Cream plus get some Gardening Motivation!
- Sunday, May 14, 2023
- 5:00 PM – 7:15 PM
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Orenco Unitarian Universalist Church (map)
- 6815 NE Birch Street, Hillsboro, OR
Here's the scoop on Sunday's (sundaes!) ice cream social. Let's honor all moms by going dairy-free and coming together to celebrate mothers, veganism, and our beautiful planet.
Join us in Hillsboro for a vegan potluck on Sunday, May 14th , from 5 PM to 7:15 PM inside at the Orenco UU Church. We had a favorite chili recipe theme planned, but now that the weather promises for it to be a warm one that day, we opted to save the chili for fall, and we are going with summer fare. Channel your warm weather creativity to bring a summery main course, salad, or side dish for sharing, and we will supply the frozen dessert and toppings.
After we eat, we will hear from experienced gardeners Jill Schatz and Stephanie Lucas on how to go veganic this year. There will be handouts and literature, advice, and free seeds and plant starts. If you have some leftover starts at home, bring them along and swap for something new! This is a chance to rev up your planting intentions this year so we can all share the harvest in the fall for the chili potluck.
All our food is plant-based (no animal products, including honey), and we ask that you fill out an ingredients list to include with the dish. It’s up to you to bring your plates and utensils. If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4-6; and increase for each additional person in your party/family. The Orenco Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is hosting Northwest VEG with this event.
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- Sunday, May 21, 2023
- 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
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Multnomah Friends Meeting Hall (map), (new location, just this month)
- 4312 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR
Join us at 5:00 PM for our Eastside vegan potluck and/or our featured presentation at 6:15 PM.
We will be hosting Food and Water Watch Portland area representative Brooke Crouch, to speak about the current status of the Factory Farming CAFO Moratorium bill moving through the legislature. Read more about the issue here. Large scale factory farming is responsible for massive groundwater pollution, water usage, climate-harming methane generation, land use, and the inhumane treatment of animals.
For the potluck, please bring a plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert, a list of ingredients, and plates and utensils for your use.
If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4-6; and increase proportionally for each additional person accompanying you. The location for this is one we have used many times in past potluck events, the Multnomah Friends Meetinghouse, 4312 SE Stark St.
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Northwest VEG is the sponsor of Plant-based Portland Meetup, which is currently meeting online the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. We encourage participants to strive toward a nutrient dense, whole food plant-based diet, ideally including low or no amounts of salt, oil, or sugar (SOS-free). People share their personal stories, discoveries, challenges, and recipes with other like-minded members of the group as we all strive toward a more health-promoting diet. Come check out the next Meetup on May 30th at 7:00 PM!
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- Sunday, June 18, 2023
- 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
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West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (map)
- 8470 Southwest Oleson Road, Portland, OR
Come for the potluck at 5:00 PM or the program at 6:15 PM, or both. Meet our new coordinators, Roz McCallard and Jesse Miller. This event will double as the Northwest VEG annual member meeting with discussion about where we as an organization should be going. Learn more here.
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Northwest VEG
We help educate people about the benefits of a healthy, sustainable, compassionate lifestyle.
We appreciate your support!
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NORTHWEST VEG | nwveg.org |
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