December 2023

news, events, & more



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In this issue:


  • HEALTH: Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook
  • MAKING CHANGE: Food for Life Global
  • MAKING CHANGE: What Should I Get…?
  • RECIPE: Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts


EVENTS:

  • Vancouver Potluck–Linda Tyler’s New Cookbook, Dec 7
  • Westside Potluck and Winter Talent Show, Dec 17
  • Orenco Potluck, Jan 14
  • Eastside Potluck, Jan 21

Linda Tyler’s New Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook

Linda Tyler, Ph.D., the Gracious Vegan is a longtime NW VEG member, cooking enthusiast, writer, and coach, and has been providing a recipe each month for this newsletter. She is now publishing The Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook with 80 recipes, each accompanied by a full-color photo. Lindas cookbook is available for pre-order now, with exclusive bonuses which are available immediately, but which will no longer be available after early February, when the book is released. The bonuses include two e-books, two mini-posters, and access to five videos. Read further for how to order.

 

Linda writes that inflammation can play a dangerous role in chronic diseases, but the good news is that we can reduce inflammation through eating a healthy plant-based diet. The recipes cover all meals and a delicious array of flavors and cuisines and are centered on foods known to play especially helpful roles in the fight against inflammation, including ginger, turmeric, garlic, berries, citrus, and high fiber foods such as legumes and whole grains.

 

Linda will be at the Dec 7 Vancouver potluck, where you can ask her questions about her cookbook and inflammation, pre-order her book, and get the bonuses that come with pre-ordering. Linda will also be at the February 18 Westside Portland potluck but it will be too late to pre-order and get the bonuses. However, you can buy her book at the potluck via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, cash, or check, but not credit card. The holidays are coming, so you may want to consider this book as a gift for a friend or family member—or for yourself! Click here to pre-order the cookbook now and receive the bonuses.

By Susan Hanson

Food for Life Global is a food relief organization that provides over one million vegan meals to people around the world every day, to people who are malnourished and to those who are victims of man-made or natural disasters.



Food for Life (FFL) began in India in 1974 when an Indian Swami saw street children fighting with dogs over food and declared that no one should go hungry within 10 miles of a temple. His followers around the world expanded his wish into a global network of food kitchens, mobile vans, and cafes. Food for Life now has an international network of 250 projects in 65 countries and has offices in Delaware and Slovenia.


They started helping in disaster situations in 1994 when volunteers risked their lives to provide hot meals to the people in the war-torn city of Chechnya, serving over two million meals during the next two years. They were the first to respond to the tsunami in 2004 in Sri Lanka and India, and more recently they have fed people in Ukraine due to the war there and in Morocco after the earthquake this year.



The mission of FFL is to address the root cause of hunger and other social issues through teaching equality of all life through the distribution of plant-based meals prepared with loving intention. At some of their projects they conduct nutrition classes, support feeding rescued animals, operate organic gardens, and provide school services.



They serve more meals for less money than any other food relief organization, the food is always prepared the day it is served—and it is all plant-based! FFL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is 100% funded by volunteer donations. The organization is now doing a major fundraiser called Let’s Keep Them Smiling. If you click the link there is a video that explains in more detail what Food for Life Global does including providing volunteer opportunities, becoming an advocate (like Paul McCartney), starting your own project, and offering emergency relief.

"What should I get Aunt Tilley for Christmas? I know! A membership to Northwest VEG!"

Yes, folks, whether it's a friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor, there is someone you know who would benefit from a NW VEG membership. It comes with a monthly newsletter featuring recipes, restaurant stories, event announcements, and typically one or more of the following: health and nutrition info, updates on the environment, and relevant animal news. NW VEG events include monthly potlucks with a variety of programs, dineouts at local vegan restaurants, special events such as our annual 4th of July picnic with free vegan ice cream, and more! It's an excellent gift for anyone, ranging from veg-curious to committed vegan, at just $25 (tax deductible) for an individual membership.


To give a membership, go to https://nwveg.org/membership and click on “GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP.” Fill in your information on the “Gift a Membership” block. Scroll down to the “MEMBER INFORMATION” block. This is the recipient’s information. Fill out their information, and then scroll directly down to “PROCEED TO PAYMENT” in the green bar. Fill out your payment information and click “JOIN.”


Thank you very much for your support of Northwest VEG!

Sweet and Spicy Thyme-Chipotle Mixed Nuts


By Linda Tyler


The Gracious Vegan

Who would have thought that thyme and chipotle powder would go so well together? These nuts make an awesome hostess gift, a holiday gift for someone at the office, a great nibbler appetizer for a party, and a snack to keep for yourself. You can easily control the spiciness level, so don’t be intimidated by the inclusion of chipotle powder.


Makes about 4 cups of nuts


Preheat oven to 350°F.


Line a sheet pan with a silicone mat or parchment. Toast nuts on the pan until fragrant and just golden. (They will roast again during the second stage.) Softer nuts (cashews, pecans, walnuts) need less time than harder varieties (almonds). Give almonds a head start of 4-5 minutes before the others if you mix them. Almonds take about 12 minutes; softer nuts take about 8 minutes.


  • 1 pound (4 cups) mixed unsalted almonds, pecans, walnuts, and/or cashews (mix or match however you like)


Meanwhile, combine these in a small bowl and set aside.

  • 1.5 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed in your hand
  • 3/4 teaspoon chipotle powder (this is a mild+ level; use more or less, to your taste)
  • Optional: 3/4 teaspoon salt


In a small bowl, whisk together the following ingredients.

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 3 Tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon tahini (note: you can skip the tahini, but it helps keep the nuts from sticking together)


In a Dutch oven or large skillet, bring the maple syrup mixture to boil. Then add the nuts, stirring to coat. Simmer until no liquid remains, about 3 minutes.


Then add the dry spice mixture, and toss to coat well.


Spread the coated nuts on the same baking sheet and roast until the coating is dry and the nuts are golden, 8-10 minutes. Let them cool on the pan on a rack.

EVENT SECTION

Vancouver Potluck: Linda Tyler and Her New Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook


  • Thursday, December 7, 2023
  • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
  • 16001 NE 34th Street
  • Vancouver, WA (map)


As mentioned above, Linda Tyler, the Gracious Vegan, has a new cookbook being released on February 6, 2024. Come hear her talk about the foods that can help prevent and reverse inflammation. Linda is an engaging speaker, and her recipes have graced many Northwest VEG newsletters. At this potluck, you can ask her questions about her cookbook and inflammation, pre-order her book, and get the bonuses that come with pre-ordering.


The potluck begins at 5:30 PM, and the presentation follows at 6:30 PM. Please bring only plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert, a card listing ingredients; and plates/cups/utensils for your own use. Bring enough to serve 4-6; add 4 more servings for each additional person in your party/family. If you prefer not to share food, you may bring your own meal and dine with us.


Note: No kitchen is available, so please plan on taking your own dishes home to be cleaned. 

Westside Vegan Potluck and the Northwest VEG Winter Talent Show

  • Sunday, December 17
  • 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  • West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
  • 8470 SW Oleson Road
  • Portland, OR (map)

Have a talent you would like to display to a very friendly crowd? Do you play piano? Sing? Mime? Tap dance? Hoola hoop? Beatbox? Juggle? Do magic tricks? The more the merrier! Piano and microphone are available. Sign up here to describe what you are thinking about presenting. No need to sign up if you just want to watch the show.

 

The potluck begins at 5. Bring a vegan dish to share (homemade or store-bought welcome!), list of ingredients, and your own plate and utensils.

 

The talent show begins at 6:15. Join us in appreciating talent in our community including piano, stand-up comedy, original music, and more.

Photo: Ron Clausen. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Orenco Potluck


  • Sunday, January 14, 2024
  • 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Orenco UU Church
  • 6815 NE Birch Street,
  • Hillsboro, OR (map)


Join us in the New Year for a vegan potluck on Sunday, January 14 in Hillsboro. This is a great opportunity to meet other vegans in your community, learn about vegan cooking, and share recipes.


All our food is plant-based (no animal products, including honey), and we ask that you fill out an ingredients list to put with the dish. Please bring your own 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.

Eastside Vegan Potluck

  • Sunday, January 21, 2024
  • 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Stone Tower SDA Church
  • 3010 NE Holladay Street
  • Portland, OR, 97232 (map)


Come enjoy a variety of plant-based dishes and the camaraderie of fellow vegans. For the potluck, please bring a plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert; a card listing its ingredients; and plates and utensils for your use. If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4-6; increase the amount 4 servings for each additional person in your party/family. Northwest VEG potlucks are alcohol-free events, and we start eating at about 5:15. For more information email [email protected].


Parking: Street parking is available around the church, and there is a small parking lot immediately east of the church. Enter this parking lot from NE Holladay. If no space is available, there is a large lot one block east. Enter that lot from NE 31st north of NE Pacific.

Northwest VEG


Enjoy our supportive and friendly community of people interested in vegan, plant-based food and lifestyles.


Click here to join or renew. ~ Click here to donate.


We appreciate your support!

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