An Update on Gelatin Top Restaurant Chains for Vegetarians

NOTE FROM THE COORDINATORSMORE SIGNS OF VEGETARIAN CHANGEWe keep seeing proof that there are great changes for vegetarians.Melanie Campbell, one of our nutrition interns, took a look at the2008 American Dietetic Association/American Diabetes Exchangelist. In the 2003 edition, the Meat and Meat Substitutes List gave one line: 1.2cups of beans, peas, or lentils (although tofu and meatless burgers were mentionedelsewhere in the handout). In the 2008 version, there are two pages of “Plant-Based Protein,” including soy-based bacon strips, edamame, falafel, hummus,tempeh, soy-based sausage patties, lentils, soy chicken nuggets, and more!One of our friends was reading a Chinese language newspaper (in Chinese)and happened to notice that The Vegetarian Resource Group was quoted in apositive article about vegetarianism.To bring about change, the world needs people with courage and kindnessin equal measure, and clearly our $5,000 scholarship winners Randon and Sierrahave both (pages 26-27). To be a vegetarian is to take a stand against cruelty anda stand for clean air and clean rivers. To be a vegetarian in high school is especiallycommendable because so many young people want to go along with the crowd.Randon and Sierra are happy to explain their choices and to practice patience asthey teach others the countless good reasons they have to be different. <strong>An</strong>imalsneed people like Randon and Sierra to speak for them. However, choosing vegetarianfood goes beyond speaking up for animals and the planet. The very act ofeating a bean burrito or pouring soymilk on your cereal is worth more than allthe words in the world. The health benefits have been documented, and the listof them grows longer each year. <strong>An</strong>d while the cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, lambs,and fish whose lives are spared because of Randon’s and Sierra’s choices have noway to thank them, we at The VRG admire and congratulate them!Thank you to all the kind people who make change possible, such as:1) Our nutrition intern Melanie Campbell, whose family hunted, gave up redmeat at age 8 after seeing a rabbit killed with a bow and arrow.2) Sponsors of the Eleanor Wolff Internship who enabled Melanie to work here.3) The sponsor of our college scholarships and our scholarship entrants.4) Jeannie, Sonja, and John in our office, who go out of their way for so manycallers and volunteers each day.5) Jane Michalek, who has done volunteer editing for Vegetarian Journal since1996 and helps at outreach booths.6) Jeanne Yacoubou, who has been so tenacious in researching restaurant chainsand ingredients for VRG over the years (pages 14 and 28).7) All our members, volunteers, and supporters in the U.S. and abroad.We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!Debra Wasserman & Charles StahlerCoordinators of The Vegetarian Resource Group4 Issue Four 2008 VEGETARIAN JOURNAL