VSS eNewsletter, 8 May 2007

www.vegetarian-society.org

 

 

VSS News

Participate in the VSS Forum

Big Crowds at VSS Stall at Suntec Exhibition

Statement on Global Hunger

 

Other News

New Nutrition Site Launched

Third Asian Vegetarian Congress – November 2007 - Taiwan

Cooking with Sophia

Fast and Rejuvenate at Titi Eco Farm Resort – Malaysia

Another High-End Restaurant Features Veg

Veg Food Goes Mainstream

Food Demo, Tasting and Talk – 20 May

Sharp Words from a Life-Long Vegetarian

 

VSS News

Participate in the VSS Forum

The VSS Online Forum provides a venue for you to share ideas and information about veg-related topics: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/forums

 

Big Crowds at VSS Stall at Suntec Exhibition

The VSS stall at LianHe Wan Bao’s Beauty & Healthcare Fair 2007, 5-6 May was very popular, with lots of people coming by to snap up our educational materials, such as VCDs, flyers and stickers. Plus, about 80 people signed up to receive the free eNewsletter you’re reading now. Thanks to LianHe WanBao and to everyone who staffed the VSS stall.

 

One person who came by wants to invite us to do a similar exhibition at his CC and do talks at a primary school near the CC. If you have other ideas for venues for VSS educational materials and activities, please contact info@...

 

Statement on Global Hunger

VSS has signed on to a statement on the problem of Global Hunger. This statement, initiated by the European Vegetarian Union, will be sent to the U.N. later this month. One piece of background information is that in many European countries a large amount of money is spent to subsidize meat production.

http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/events/evutalks/2007-manifesto.php

Not all vegetarian activists agree with everything in the statement. For example, the tone is a bit harsher than we would have liked. Also, Dr Stephen Walsh, Science Officer of the International Vegetarian Union – http://www.ivu.org – correctly criticized the following sentence in the statement:

"The production of meat is uneconomical and can only be maintained with
huge financial subsidies, leading to harsh social injustice."

Here is what Stephen wrote:
I believe meat would continue to be produced and consumed on much the same  scale as now even if all subsidies were removed. Agriculture is a very small part of GDP in developed countries but meat consumption is a strong part of the culture in these countries. EU subsidies through the Common Agricultural policy amount to some 70 billion US dollars and global subsidies reach about 250 billion US dollars. These are certainly big enough numbers to distort world agricultural markets but amount to only about 200 US dollars per person in the developed world. If these
subsidies were withdrawn then global agricultural markets would adjust quite readily to meet the entrenched demand.

If, for example, subsidies were withdrawn in the European Union then: some inefficient EU producers would stop producing; there would probably be some further shift in EU production from cattle (land intensive and hence benefiting most from subsidies linked to area) to poultry (feed intensive); there would be a further shift to use of imported feeds (already high, particularly for soya); and there would probably be an increase in land purchase in developing countries by multinationals.

I doubt, however, that global meat consumption would alter significantly, much less cease. A suitable alternative might be: ""The production of meat is inherently inefficient and incompatible with resolving our pressing environmental problems and resource conflicts."

 

Other News

New Nutrition Site Launched

Dr Neal Barnard and his colleagues at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine - http://www.pcrm.org - have launched a new site to provide nutrition information with a vegetarian perspective: http://www.nutritionmd.org/index.html

 

Third Asian Vegetarian Congress – November 2007 - Taiwan

The Third Asian Vegetarian Congress will be held 3-7 Nov 2007, in Kaohshiung, Taiwan. The conference theme is “The Spiritual Perspective on Vegetarianism”. A wide range of speakers from Asia and beyond are scheduled to address the gathering. Also, included are exhibitions, cultural performances, yoga, massage and, of course, lots of delicious vegetarian food.

 

For details and to register, please visit: http://www.tianfoor.com

 

Cooking with Sophia

Probably the only restaurant in Singapore with a collection can for VSS is Mdm Sophia Teh’s New Green Pasture Café on Level 4 of Fortune Centre, one of Singapore’s veg oases.

 

Once again, Sophia has kindly agreed to share her considerable culinary expertise with the public via a Mandarin language cooking class.

 

Dates: 3, 10, 17, 24 June (Sun)

Time: 3-6pm

Investment: $200 (4 classes, include dinners)

 

Menu

 

3 Jun:

Sweet and Sour Kebab

Briyani Premium

Underground Salad

 

10 Jun:

Millet-Broccoli Soup

Grilled Abalone Mushroom with Sweet Sauce

Steamed Golden Tofu Custard

 

17 Jun:

5-Grain Buckwheat Congee

Yaki-Tori

Heavenly Soup of Vermicelli

 

24 Jun:

Green Pasture Pasta

Rojak da' Ganges

Coco nuts about Sweet Potato Ball

Fragrant Red Rice

 

Bonus Dishes:

Soup Rejuvenac

Vietnamese Sushi Rolls

 

Fast and Rejuvenate at Titi Eco Farm Resort – Malaysia

Ananda Marga Yoga Centre - http://www.anandamarga.org.sg - is sponsoring a 4-day trip to Titi Eco Farm – http://www.titieco.com.my/default.htm - in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The trip includes fasting lessons and yoga.

 

Depart 27 May (Sun) and return 30 May (Wed). Price: S$350 (adults) and S250 (kids). For details, call Mamata at 9751-6910 or visit http://www.anandamarga.org.sg/files/TitiEcoFarm.doc

 

Another High-End Restaurant Features Veg

Sze-Chuan Court restaurant in Raffles The Plaza hotel is the latest high-end restaurant to offer a special veg menu. For the entire month of May, they are advertising ‘The Beauty and Spirit of Vegetarian Dining’: http://edm.singapore-plaza.raffles.com/EDM/Vegetarian_Dining/index.html

 

For reservations: 6431-6156.

 

Veg Food Goes Mainstream

As this article about the U.S., from the Associated Press news service, shows, it’s not just in S’pore that veg food is going mainstream.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_5754952

 

Food Demo, Tasting and Talk – 20 May

Adventist Community Service presents a vegetarian cooking demonstration and tasting on 20 May (Sun), 4pm to 7pm (dinner provided) at 6 Ashwood Grove (Woodlands), S. 739956. The special fee is $20.00 per person. Also included is a short health talk on the nutritional value of the food that will be demonstrated and cooking demo on veg sushi, healthy salad, apricot candy, vegetarian pomfret, and sumptuous wild rice.

 

To register, sms Mark Chan at 9743.8362. The first 20 registrants qualify for a lucky draw.

 

Sharp Words from a Life-Long Vegetarian

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper invites readers to write in about something that ‘makes their blood boil.’ Below is what one vegetarian wrote. One great bit is this one: “I am sure you are all right, I am sure that it [meat] tastes great, but perhaps it is worth considering that taste is just not a good enough reason to be a carnivore.”

http://www.smh.com.au/news/heckler/no-bones-about-it-ive-been-vegetarian-since-conception/2007/05/01/1177788141954.html

 

No Bones about It, I've Been Vegetarian Since Conception

Eliza Twaddell
May 1, 2007

 

I AM A vegetarian. Before you say anything, let me answer all of your questions. Trust me, it will save everyone a lot of time.

 

I am a vegetarian because I believe that it is wrong to eat animals. My mum and brother are also vegetarian but my dad eats meat.

 

No, I have never eaten meat. No, I am not kidding. I have been a vegetarian since birth. I am 21 years old.

 

No, to the best of my knowledge I have never accidentally eaten meat. No, I don't wish that I ate meat. Yes, if I was in a aeroplane crash and had been starving in the jungle for three weeks and there was no possibility of imminent rescue I would eat meat to survive.

 

Any more questions? No? I didn't think so. I know this because I have had this conversation with so many people over the past 21 years that it is an easy one to predict. The thing that gets me is I can't understand why anyone wants to eat meat.

It is a total mystery to me. Every day I seem to discover a new reason not to.

 

Seriously, just think about it for a second. I am sure it really does taste great, everyone keeps telling me, but think about all the reasons not to.

 

Eating meat is bad for the environment. It is irrefutable; meat eaters are responsible for more greenhouse gases than vegetarians, not to mention land clearing, bird flu and mad cow disease.

 

Raw meat is disgusting, so is cooked meat a lot of the time. Surely even non-vegetarians would have to agree with that.

 

Need I go on? OK, I will. Tapeworms are commonly contracted from undercooked meat; too much red meat increases the risk of some kinds of cancer and there are high levels of cholesterol and fat found in many meats. I don't think I need to explain the health problems that they can cause.

 

More? Still not convinced? Are you sure? OK, you don't have to support the killing of animals that, while not necessarily cruelly treated, are certainly not living as nature intended; then there's the high incidence of salmonella bacteria in chicken meat ...

I won't go on, but the next time I tell someone I am vegetarian, maybe, just maybe, they could consider all of the good reasons to be one before they start trying to convince me that I am missing out on some vital part of life.

 

I am sure you are all right, I am sure that it tastes great, but perhaps it is worth considering that taste is just not a good enough reason to be a carnivore.

 

I hope this gives you some food for thought. Enjoy your dinner tonight.

 

 

Click here for a large list of vegetarian eateries

 

Click here to notify us of new places

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this Newsletter is solely for the consideration of the subscribers, and does not constitute an endorsement by VSS.

 

Read back issues at: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/newsletter.htm

 

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VSS eNewsletter, 14 May 2007

www.vegetarian-society.org

 

 

VSS News

Volunteers Needed for Vesak Day Exhibition

VSS Giro Scheme

Letter to Mind Your Body Editor

 

Other News

International Vegan Fest – Karnataka, India - 30 Sep–6 Oct

Going Vegan for 30 Days

Inter-Religious Vegetarian Food Fair
Last Call for Tofu Haiku Contest

It’s About Reducing Risk

Vegetarian Oasis in Bangkok

VSS News

Volunteers Needed for Vesak Day Exhibition

VSS is a secular organisation, but we welcome opportunities to work with religious organisations. The past few years, VSS has had an exhibition as part of the Vesak Day events at Bright Hill Temple, a.k.a. Kong Meng Shan - http://www.kmspks.org/kmspks/index.htm

 

The exhibition helps us to reach out to many half-convinced folks. It opens on the evening of 30 May and continues throughout the night and until 6pm the next day. Volunteers are needed. Everyone is welcome: no need to be Buddhist or to speak Chinese. To volunteer: volunteer@...

 

VSS Giro Scheme

To provide ongoing support for VSS’ education efforts, please join our giro scheme:

http://www.vegetarian-society.org/downloads/vssgiro.pdf

 

Letter to Mind Your Body Editor

Last week ‘Mind Your Body’, the Wednesday ‘Straits Times’ supplement, had an article about what blood donors can do so as to have sufficient iron. A VSS member wrote to ‘Mind Your Body’ in response. This type of response is a good example of what we mentioned last month about making our vegetarian voices heard.

 

I refer to your article on the 9th of May 07, "Donating blood? Watch what you eat" for Mind Your Body.

 

The article mentioned that:

"One problem, however, is that the iron contained in veggies is not easily absorbed by the body, so vegetarians who want to give blood should take Vitamin C supplements as they help with iron absorption.

 

I thank you for your concern about vegetarians. Your intention to help vegetarians and give them some health tips on how to get enough iron is commendable. However, I disagree with the statement that "vegetarians who want to give blood should take Vitamin C supplements as they help with iron absorption".

 

While it is true that meat contains heme iron that is better absorbed than the non-heme iron found in plant foods, iron deficiency anemia is no more likely to occur in vegetarians than non-vegetarians. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C at the same meal enhances non-heme iron absorption, but that does not mean that vegetarians who want to give blood should take Vitamin C supplements. The fact is that vegetarians do not necessarily need to take Vitamin C supplements. A healthy vegetarian diet will include a good amount of vitamin c consumed from natural foods such as some fruits and vegetables.

 

Hence, although the advice to consume more foods rich in vitamin C is correct, the advice that "vegetarians who want to give blood should take Vitamin C supplements as they help with iron absorption" is incorrect and may give the public a false perception that a vegetarian diet is not nutritionally adequate, when in actual fact, the converse is true.

 

Since iron deficiency anemia is no more likely to occur in vegetarians than non-vegetarians (refer to source attached), perhaps the emphasis on vegetarians to take vitamin C supplements or eat more foods containing vitamin C is misplaced, although with good intentions.

 

Perhaps your newspaper would like to clarify this issue in the next publication to set some perceptions right about a vegetarian diet.

 

To learn more about vegetarian nutrition, visit the Journal of the American Dietetic Association:

http://www.adajournal.org/article/PIIS0002822303002943/fulltext

 

I look forward to your reply. Thank you

 

Other News

International Vegan Fest – Karnataka, India - 30 Sep–6 Oct

From 30 Sep to 6 Oct, the Indian Vegan Society will host the 11th International Vegan Festival at the RNS Residency in Murdeshwar, Karnataka, India. For more info, visit the Vegan Festival website http://www.ivu.org/veganfest 

                                                                               

Going Vegan for 30 Days

Here’s an account, with photos, of one American’s attempt at being a vegan. Results were mixed, but you can see that the experience had an impact: http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Features/cold_turkey

 

Inter-Religious Vegetarian Food Fair
Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza will be the venue for an inter-religious vegetarian food fair, Sat 26 May, 10am to 8pm and Sun 27 May, 10am to 5pm. On offer will be vegetarian delicacies featuring Chinese, Malay, Indian, Western cuisine and more! Plus, there will be stage performances from different races and religions, a cultural exhibition and exciting games.

 

Last Call for Tofu Haiku Contest

The Toronto Vegetarian Association is hosting a Tofu Haiku contest which they call a "celebration of the classical poetic form of haiku and the ancient culinary marvel known as tofu." Entries will be judged by well-known members of North America's literary and vegetarian communities. Winning submissions will receive tofu-related clothing, publications and food products. The best Tofu Haiku will be published on www.tofuhaiku.com. 

Deadline for entries is 21 May. Details at www.tofuhaiku.com. 

 

It’s About Reducing Risk

Here’s a condensed version of an article which originally appeared in the most recent newsletter of the Vegetarian Resource Group: http://www.vrg.org

The article deals with colorectal cancer. One point to notice is that diet may reduce risk, but it does not eliminate risk. Many factors are involved in health; diet is only one.

Did you know that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States? Taking this into consideration, it is essential for us to know the ways we can reduce our risk. Although vegetarians tend to have a lower rate of colon cancer, it's still important to be aware of simple dietary changes that may further decrease the risk of developing colon cancer. This relates to a recent study finding which shows that high fruit intake is potentially beneficial in reducing the risk of colorectal adenoma. 

Some might wonder about the difference between adenoma and cancer. An adenoma is a benign tumor that can lead to colon cancer. Adenomas can be detected in the earlier stage by a screening method called colonoscopy. According to the American Cancer Society's and other medical organizations' screening guidelines, for people with no identified risk factors, 50 is the right age to begin regular screening for colorectal cancer.

Results of a recent study suggest that high fruit consumption may have an overall protective effect against colorectal cancer. As a safety net, try to include at least four to six servings of fruit a day as a snack or along with meals. Stock up your refrigerator with a variety of fruits to have as snacks. Add fresh fruits to your breakfast cereals; enjoy a fruit smoothie after a long day. 

An active lifestyle can also help fight against colorectal cancer. We can start this by walking around the neighborhood, gardening, vacuuming, and doing other household chores. 

This study is one of many that show that an increase in the amounts of fruits is beneficial in prevention of colon cancer. Antioxidants in fruits also have protective effects against heart disease and high blood pressure. These are all good reasons to eat more fruits! 

Reference

Austin GL, Adair LS, Galanko JA, Martin CF, Santia JA, Sandler RS. A diet high in fruits and low in meats reduces the risk of colorectal adenomas. J. Nutr. 2007;137: 999-1004

Vegetarian Oasis of Bangkok

Here a tip from Susan Amy, one of the authors of the VSS cookbook, ‘New Asian Traditions Vegetarian Cookbook’

While I was in Bangkok recently, a Thai friend, who is also enthusiastically vegetarian, took me to a centre set up by the Vegetarian Society of Thailand. I must say I was so impressed by what I saw. Inside an open-sided building, rather like a wet market in Singapore, could be found a complete food centre - all veggie, of course - a wet market with many organic vegetables and fruit, a veggie supermarket, a book shop, a sustainable clothes shop, food court, etc., etc.

Thai food is very healthy in many ways. There are lots of fresh raw greens, oil added after cooking, a variety of flavours (spicy, sour, salty, sweet, bitter, stringent).

This oasis can be a little hard to find. My friend recommends two ways to get to the place: subway and taxi. You can take the subway to the Kamphaeng Phet station and use Exit #1. Take a right turn behind the exit. It’s about 5 minutes walk. Look for a warehouse-looking building. By taxi, tell the driver to take you to Thailand’s Vegetarian Society at Chatuchak Sunday Market. Tell the driver that the place is behind Chatuchak Market.

 

Click here for a large list of vegetarian eateries

 

Click here to notify us of new places

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this Newsletter is solely for the consideration of the subscribers, and does not constitute an endorsement by VSS.

 

Read back issues at: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/newsletter.htm

 

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VSS eNewsletter, 22 May 2007

www.vegetarian-society.org

 

 

VSS News

Registration Now Open for Organic Tour – 22 Jul

Letter to the Forum Page from ‘Spiderman’

Translators Wanted

Web Links

 

 

Other News

Inter-Religious Vegetarian Food Fair

Food & Fun Fair for Ramakrishna Mission – Sun, 3 Jun

Words of Wisdom from a Nobel Laureate

Back to the Future for Mars Bars

Poem – ‘Call Us by Our True Names’
Blood Donation Star Is Vegetarian

 

 

VSS News

Registration Now Open for Organic Tour – 22 Jul

As part of Singapore Meatout Week, 21-29 July, an Organic Tour will be held on Sun, 22 Jul. This is a repeat of similar events held in the past, and each time, it has been a full bus. This year, the bus leaves from Outram Park MRT at 8.30am. Along the way, we visit organic farms and organic shops, and have lunch and dinner at organic restaurants.

 

The regular price is $50; and for VSS members and those who pay before 1 Jul, the price is $45. To make payment, please send a crossed cheque payable to “Vegetarian Society (Singapore)” to Vegetarian Society (Singapore), 10 Collyer Quay, #11-06, Ocean Building, Singapore 049314. Please note that this address is for correspondence only. To save money, VSS does not have an office.

 

For more info: info@...

 

Letter to the Forum Page from ‘Spiderman’

To the delight of children of all ages, a frequent visitor to VSS exhibitions and other VSS events is Spiderman, a.k.a. Chris Turner. Chris published the following letter in yesterday’s Sunday Times.

          Spiderman is every child’s favourite hero, but he has been “hijacked” by fast-food chain Burger King. This aggressive advertising campaign targets the most vulnerable members of our society – our children – by luring them with toys in the hope of securing a lifetime of patronage.

          SMRT and most cinemas allow these Spiderman advertisements from Burger King. But should people have a right to feel safe from the clutches of fast-food companies when they are riding on the MT or watching a movie with their children, with the kids clamouring for a fast-food meal on seeing a Burger King ad?

          Perhaps I am the only parent who wants to protect children from the lure of fast food. There have been studies linking fast food with increased incidence of obesity and illnesses in children.

          In light of Burger King’s ad campaign, it is also ironic that actor Tobey Maguire, who plays Spiderman, is a vegetarian in real life, as reported in your article, “Tobey or not Tobey” (Life! May 2).

          So I doubt that Spidey will be “loving it” when it comes to fast food.

 

Translators Wanted

VSS needs help translating some of our materials from English to Chinese, Malay and Tamil. We also need help with doing the layout of brochures, etc. in languages other than English. If you have the expertise and are willing to donate your services, please contact info@...

 

Web Links

A VSS member compiled the following list of web links

 

VIVA! (VEGETARIANS INTERNATIONAL VOICE FOR ANIMALS)

Activist organization - http://www.viva.org.uk

 

VEGETARIAN & VEGAN FOUNDATION (VVF)

Monitors and explains the increasing amount of research linking diet to health

http://www.vegetarian.org.uk

 

FACTORY FARMING (by VIVA)

Exposes the meat industry

http://www.factoryfarming.org.uk/whatis.html#

 

VEG SOURCE

Contains huge amounts of information, including links to well-known veg doctors and researchers, including Prof Colin Campbell

http://www.vegsource.com/articles/archive.htm

 

VEGAN OUTREACH (VO)

Activist organization specializing in distribution of flyers

http://www.veganoutreach.org

  

‘LIVESTOCK'S LONG SHADOW’

UN report on the meat industry’s damage to the environment

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20772&Cr=global&Cr1=environ

 

VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP

Another big site, with lots of information

http://www.vrg.org/index.htm

 

VEGETARIAN NUTRITION DIETETIC PRACTICE GROUP (VN DPG)

A sub-group of the American Dietetic Association

http://www.vegetariannutrition.net/index.htm

 

VEGETARIAN-NUTRITION INFO

Set up by the Nutrition Dept at Andrews University

http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info

 

GO VEG

Set up by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

http://www.goveg.com

 

EPIC (EUROPEAN PROSPECTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO CANCER AND NUTRITION)

http://www.iarc.fr/epic/index.html

 

THE VEGETARIAN SITE

All aspects of vegetarianism are covered

http://www.thevegetariansite.com

 

PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE

Prof Colin Campbell is on the board

http://www.pcrm.org

 

ANTI-VEG SITE

http://www.biblelife.org/abrams2.htm

 

 

Other News

Inter-Religious Vegetarian Food Fair

Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza will be the venue for an inter-religious vegetarian food fair, Sat 26 May, 10am to 8pm and Sun 27 May, 10am to 5pm. On offer will be vegetarian delicacies featuring Chinese, Malay, Indian, Western cuisine and more! Plus, there will be stage performances from different races and religions, a cultural exhibition and exciting games.

 

Food & Fun Fair for Ramakrishna Mission – Sun, 3 Jun

The Ramakrishna Mission - http://www.ramakrishna.org.sg – has been serving Singapore for many years: Boys' Home (since 1942), Sarada Kindergarten (since 1992) and Wings Counselling Centre (since 1995). The mission serves vegetarian food exclusively.

 

On Sun, 3 Jun, from 9am-5pm, they will be holding a fundraising fair at their premises at 179 Bartley Road, S. 539784. For details: 6288.9077, office@....

 

Free buses will be available from 10am-3pm from Aljunied and Bishan MRT stations. Otherwise, buses are 22, 24, 28, 62, 76, 79, 80, 93, 158.

 

Words of Wisdom from a Nobel Laureate

J.M. Coetzee won the 2003 Nobel Prize for Literature. He offers the following words of wisdom for those who wish to make the work a better place of all animals: http://www.voiceless.org.au/About_Us/Misc/About_Us

 

Steadily, and not so slowly any more, we are making progress. One day, not in our lifetime perhaps, but in a future that is not unforeseeable, animals of non-human species will be born into a world in which they stand a fair chance of living a life that is happy by their own standards and fulfilling.

When that day comes, they will not look back with gratitude to the human beings who helped to make this dispensation possible, that is to say, who helped to restore a decent life to them. But that does not matter. We are a species whose nature it is to look back; other species have what they consider to be more important things to do with their time than looking back.

Back to the Future for Mars Bars

The maker of Mars bars and other candy has abandoned plans to use animal rennet in the bars: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6673549.stm The about face apparently was a result of a campaign led by the UK Vegetarian Society. Thus, Mars bars have returned closer to what we hope to see if the future: a world where our fellow animals are not killed for human food.

 

Poem – ‘Call Us By Our True Names’

Here's a poem with inspired by a poem by the well-known author Thich Nhat Hanh titled “Call Me By My True Names”:  http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/music/callme.html

Call Us By Our True Names

The last time you ordered me for dinner,
you forgot my true name.

I am not some wonton.
Please call me by my true name -
I am “Pig”.
I wish you saw how lovable I was.
You might have given me a personal name too.
Please remember I was killed unhappily,
even as you eat me happily.
For I loved my life, just as you love yours.

I am not some nugget.
Please call me by my true name -
I am “Chicken”.
I wish you saw how lovable I was.
You might have given me a personal name too.
Please remember I was killed unhappily,
even as you eat me happily.
For I loved my life, just as you love yours.

I am not some burger.
Please call me by my true name -
I am “Cow”.
I wish you saw how lovable I was.
You might have given me a personal name too.
Please remember I was killed unhappily,
even as you eat me happily.
For I loved my life, just as you love yours.

I am not some fillet.
Please call me by my true name -
I am “Fish”.
I wish you saw how lovable I was.
You might have given me a personal name too.
Please remember I was killed unhappily,
even as you eat me happily.
For I loved my life, just as you love yours.

I am not some foie gras.
Please call me by my true name -
I am “Goose”.
I wish you saw how lovable I was.
You might have given me a personal name too.
Please remember I was killed unhappily,
even as you eat me happily.
For I loved my life, just as you love yours.

Before you order me for dinner next time,
please remember my true name.

 

Blood Donation Star Is Vegetarian

Last issue, this eNewsletter contained a letter debunking myths about vegetarians and blood donation. Below is an interview with Goh Joo Heng (goodman48@...), one of Singapore’s top blood donors. 

 

1. How long have you been a vegetarian?

10 years

 

2. What led you to go veg?

I realised it was cruel to shed the blood of animals to enrich my own.

 

3. What kind of veg are you?

Vegan

 

4. When did you first become a blood donor? What kind of blood donation do you do?

My first donation was during junior college about 15 years ago. I started donating frequently after becoming a vegetarian. I have donated whole blood, plasma and platelets. Now, I donate mostly platelets and occasionally whole blood.

 

5. How many times have you donated blood?

Around 140. 83 times through the blood bank/mobile service and around 60 times platelets at SGH (Singapore General Hospital).

 

6. Why do you donate so often?

To save more lives and to return to the universe as much blood as possible that I have taken.

 

7. Do you worry that donating so often will make you weak?

I don't feel weak so there is no reason to worry. I monitor my haemoglobin level and serum iron store. So far, I have always passed the haemoglobin level test prior to blood donation. My most recent haemoglobin level on 8 May 07 was 14.8 g/dl, well above the 12.5 g/dl required for blood donation.

 

Recently, I also took a serum iron test to make sure my iron store is ok. The test also turned out to be ok.

 

8. How do you obtain enough iron?

I don't pay particular attention to getting enough iron. A healthy vegetarian diet will take care of itself.

 

9. Do you make a special effort to obtain other nutrients?

Yes, as iron alone is insufficient. Vitamins such as B12, folic acid, minerals such as copper and potassium are also required.

 

I take nutrient dense food such as whole grains, sweet potatoes, spirulina, vegetable juice, raw salad, vitamin B12 and sea minerals.

 

10. Have you ever encountered doctors or others who have counselled you to eat meat? If so, how did you respond?

No, they don't have a reason to do so as I rarely need to visit the doctor, and I’ve passed all the haemoglobin and iron level test.

 

My omnivore sister also donates blood, and she sometimes failed the haemoglobin level test and couldn’t donate. I asked her to drink vegetable juice and her haemoglobin level increased and she could donate again.

 

Eating meat to boost the iron level has side effects. Meat is loaded with pesticides, antibiotics and growth hormones. It can also result in excessive iron, which is dangerous.

 

11. Do you do anything sporty?

I exercise almost every day, usually rope skipping on weekdays and jogging or swimming on weekends. I can still do 12 chin ups at my current age of 32. In my recent In Camp Training, we took the IPPT test. I did the most number of chin ups and clocked the fastest 2.4 km run timing (under 11 mins) in my platoon. I was the only vegetarian.

 

12. Have you received any special acknowledgement from the Blood Bank?

Yes, the bronze and silver award from the blood bank. I have clocked 83 times at the blood bank so I should receive the Ruby Award soon. My 60 donations at SGH are not recorded in blood bank database so these are not counted. If these are included, I am only short of around 10 donations to the Champion of Champion award which only a small handful of people in Singapore have achieved. I think the number is less than 20, and they are much older than me.

 

13. Do you have any advice for vegetarians considering blood donation?

They should eat a healthier vegetarian diet consisting of whole grains, sweet potatoes, and salad and drink vegetable juice. I suspect vegetarians failing the haemoglobin test are eating the typical unhealthy vegetarian diet of white bread, white rice, noodles made of white flour, white sugar, processed and fried food. Basically, vegetarians who don't eat much vegetable can't be expected to have rich enough blood to donate.

 

To enrich the blood, take more red fruits and vegetables such as beet root, apple, black grapes, watermelon, red dates, red dragon fruit, red rice and goji berries. They can also take chlorophyll-rich food such as dark green vegetables, chlorella, spirulina, and wheatgrass. For plasma or platelet donors, coconut water is a good replenishment.

 

Those with further queries can post their questions on the donorweb forum:  

http://forums.donorweb.org

 

I am the forum moderator there and will do my best to answer the questions.

 

Also on the donorweb forum, a female vegetarian has shared her tips on increasing the haemoglobin level for blood donation.

 

http://forums.donorweb.org/showthread.php?t=41

 

Click here for a large list of vegetarian eateries

 

Click here to notify us of new places

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this Newsletter is solely for the consideration of the subscribers, and does not constitute an endorsement by VSS.

 

Read back issues at: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/newsletter.htm

 

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VSS eNewsletter, 28 May 2007

www.vegetarian-society.org

 

 

VSS News

Vesak Day Exhibition

Love Us, Not Eat Us Stickers Work Their Magic

Rojak for Meatout Week

Meatout Week Discounts

 

Other News

New Book – Cancer Cured Naturally

Graceful Living with Autoimmune Disorders – Mandarin Workshop

Health Retreat in Thailand

Food Reviewers Wanted for Veg Website

Four New Outlet Listings

Is Veganism Healthy?

 

 

VSS News

Vesak Day Exhibition

Check out VSS’s Vesak Day exhibition at at Bright Hill Temple, a.k.a. Kong Meng Shan - http://www.kmspks.org/kmspks/index.htm

 

The exhibition helps us to reach out to many half-convinced folks. It opens on the evening of 30 May and continues throughout the night and until 6pm the next day. Everyone is welcome: no need to be Buddhist or to speak Chinese.

 

In particular, the VSS exhibition features mock ups of four new sculptures, as well as other new educational materials. Donations are greatly appreciated to help build the intended high quality artwork in plastic [or resin].

 

VSS is a secular organisation, but we welcome opportunities to work with religious organisations.

 

Love Us, Not Eat Us Stickers Work Their Magic

For more than a year, VSS has been distributing the ‘Love Us, Not Eat Us’ stickers and decals, which are sent all over the world by Singaporean T Y Lee. T Y recently passed on this great story from a decal recipient in the U.S.:

 

I promised that when I got the decals I would let you know. And WOW!! Did they go over great. I didn't have enough, but I did manage to save one for our break area at work. It’s funny though, the day the stickers came, a guy brought over a bucket of KFC for the office, and no one ate a piece. Thank you so much!

 

For more information on the stickers/decals: http://www.loveusnoteatus.com

 

Rojak for Meatout Week

One of the features of this year’s Singapore Meatout Week will be the promotion of tasty, healthy versions of rojak, as a dish Singapore can be proud of and can showcase for the world. The current plan is this:

 

a.      We encourage veg outlets and others to develop their own distinctive version of rojak

b.      All the outlets gather together during Singapore Meatout Week to share their rojak with the media

c.      During Singapore Meatout Week, VSS publicizes which outlets are offering rojak.

 

If you know outlets that would like to participate, please ask the outlets to contact info@...

 

Meatout Week Discounts

Once again this year, for Singapore Meatout Week, 21-29 Jul, The Brownie Factory will be offering a 15% discounts on their vegetarian and vegan brownies:

Triple Chocolate Brownie (Vegetarian - Egg-free)
An egg-free Chocolate Brownie topped with dark and white chocolate chips

Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownie (Vegetarian - Egg-free)
An egg-free Triple Chocolate Browne topped with Chocolate Fudge and dark and white chocolate chips

Vegan Chocolate Brownie
Egg and dairy free Chocolate Brownie topped with Chocolate fudge made with soy milk.

 

Here’s the necessary info: B2 08-4A Food Hall Takashimaya Department Store, 391 Orchard Road S238873. Operating Hours: 10am - 9:30pm daily.

 

If you know other outlets that would like to offer discounts, for Singapore Meatout Week, please ask them to contact info@...

 

Other News

New Book – Cancer Cured Naturally

This past weekend’s Singapore Book Fair saw the launch of local author and vegetarian activist Betty L Khoo-Kingsley’s inspiring and informative new book, titled ‘Cancer Cured Naturally’. The book mixes inspirational tales of personal triumphs over cancer with useful knowledge about why and how to adopt a plant-based diet.

 

Obtain your own autographed copy and meet Betty in person at either of the following two times:

 

1. Sat, 2 Jun, 2.30 to 5 pm, Kampung Senang’s Holistic Lifestyle Centre – Blk 106,Aljunied Crescent, #01-205. Tel: 6749.8509, (Corner Aljunied Rd & Geylang East – Bus 155 or 5 min walk fr Aljunied MRT) Ample HDB parking – enter Aljunied Cres.

 

2. Sat, 9 Jun, 3-5pm, Yogi Hub, 16 Madras Str, Little India, behind Tekka Mall (7 min walk fr Little India MRT).

 

Betty’s book is also available at major bookstores. Additionally, in keeping with Betty’s strong credentials as a environmentalist, the book is printed in an environmentally friendly manner.

 

Graceful Living with Autoimmune Disorders – Mandarin Workshop

Event:          Graceful Living with Autoimmune Disorders (Mandarin)

Style:           Hands-on experiential health workshops

Date:            Sun 17 Jun

Time:            10am – 1pm & 2:30 – 5:30pm

Venue:          Toa Payoh Central CC (TPYCC), 93 Toa Payoh Central, S. 319194

Info:             T 6741 9293 / http://www.shanyou. org.sg

 

Health Retreat in Thailand

Adventist Community Services is offering a 3D/2N health retreat at Farm Chokchai, Thailand, 150 km from Bangkok, Aug 8-10, (Wed to Fri). The price is $280.00, which includes 6 vegetarian meals, a farm tour, 5 health lectures with notes and 2-way airport transfer. (Flights are separate.)

 

The 5 health lectures focus on:

1.  Using plant-based foods to boost immunity

2.  Exercising – the proper way

3.  Weight loss – the natural way

4.  Transiting to a meatless diet

5.  Balancing stress & rest.

 

For enquires or registration: Please email markchan@... or call 9743.8362.

 

Also, Adventist Community Services is offering two books in PDF format in CD.

 

1. International Meat Crisis, by Vance Ferrell. The 174-page book examines why meat is not safe for human consumption.

 

2. 6 short recipe books in 1 CD (in PDF format)

Simple meal ideas for health- -free from animal products

Book 1: Bountiful breakfasts

Book 2: Salads, toppings & spreads-- meal planning

Book 3: Pastas & potato dishes

Book 4: Entrees & casseroles

Book 5: Chinese, Mexican & more!

Book 6: Deserts & healthy treats for children!

 

This CD is available to VSS eNewsletter subscribers for only $10.00. For info, email Mark Chan markchan@....

 

Food Reviewers Wanted for Veg Website

Near the top of the Veggie Food Outlets page of the VSS web, http://www.vegetarian-society.org, we list three other sites that provide info on veg eateries in Singapore. One of these is Veg Dining: http://vegdining.com/Home.cfm

 

The site also includes reviews. In fact, they are looking for people to submit mini-reviews of their favorite restaurants in Singapore, as they're updating their listings. And, they're also looking for paid freelance veg*n (vegetarian and vegan) travel writers.

 

For info, contact VegDining directly: info@...

 

Four New Outlet Listings

Thanks to a couple readers for sending in the following info.

 

1. Lohan Vegetarian Delight

Address: KK 18 Makan Place, Blk 18 Bedok South Road, #01-87

Postal code: 460018

Nearby landmarks: Temasek JC

Nearest MRT: Bedok

Buses : 12, 38, 229

Days the outlet is open: 7 days

Hours it is open on those days: 11am-10pm

Do they serve brown rice? Yes

Is the food organic? No

Do they use MSG (ajinomoto)? optional

Do they use onion & garlic? No

Do they use eggs? No

Do they use dairy products? No

Phone numbers – landline/hp: 6448.6428, 9047.5348

Do they deliver? No

Do they cater? Yes

Date you collected this information: 27 May 2007

 

2. Eight Treasures Vegetarian

Address: 282 South Bridge Road

Postal code: 053381

Nearby landmark: Next to Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar

Days the outlet is open: 7 days

Hours it is open on those days: 11am-9pm

Do they serve brown rice? Yes

Is the food organic? No

Do they use MSG (ajinomoto)? optional

Do they use onion & garlic? No

Do they use eggs? No

Do they use dairy products? No

Phone numbers – landline/hp 6534-7727

Date you collected this information: 27 May 2007

 

3. Xin Yuan Vegetarian in Sin Hiap Huat Coffee Shop,

Address  No. 01-1531, Block 10, North Bridge Road, 1

Postal code: 900110

Nearby landmark: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority Bldg

Nearest MRT: Lavender

Days the outlet is open: 7

Hours it is open on those days: 5am-4pm

Specialty dishes: laksa, bee hoon soup, kway chap, chicken rice

Do they serve brown rice? No

Is the food organic? No

Do they use MSG (ajinomoto)? No

Do they use onion & garlic? Yes

Do they use eggs? No

Do they use dairy products? No

Phone numbers – 9107-4138

Date you collected this information: 14 May 2007

 

4. Pine Tree Cafe

Address: HarbourFront Centre, #1 HarbourFront Centre Maritime Square #03-01/04, Stall #12

Postal code: 099253

Nearest MRT: HarbourFront

Days the outlet is open: 7 days

Hours it is open on those days: 10am-10pm

Specialty dishes: Hakka Lei Char Brown Rice Set

Do they serve brown rice? Yes

Is the food organic? Some

Do they use MSG (ajinomoto)? No

Do they use onion & garlic? No

Do they use eggs? No

Do they use dairy products? No

Phone numbers – landline/hp  6276.2901, 9815.4940

Website: http://www.pinetreecafe.com

Do they cater? Yes

Date you collected this information: 27 May 2007

 

Is Veganism Healthy?

Recently, The New York Times, perhaps the most prominent newspaper in the U.S., published an outside writer’s piece attacking veganism: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/opinion/21planck.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

(free registration may be necessary to access the article)

 

At VSS, we were surprised that such a prominent newspaper would publish such an uninformed piece. Below are two responses from well-known U.S. authorities on vegan nutrition.

 

1.      From Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, Nutrition Advisor, The Vegetarian Resource Group

 

To the Editor:
As a registered dietitian and the parent of two healthy vegan children, I join thousands of other vegan parents in taking issue with recent comments on vegan diets (NYTimes, 5-20-07). I’d like to share some up-to-date information on sources of key nutrients for vegan babies and children. In early infancy, babies, whether vegan or not, thrive on breast milk, with infant formula an option when  breastfeeding is impossible. Vegan toddlers get adequate protein from a variety of foods including dried beans, whole grains, nut butters, and soy products. Vitamin B12 sources include fortified foods and supplements. Calcium comes from greens and from fortified foods like orange juice and soymilk. Interested readers can learn
more about vegan diets from reputable organizations like The Vegetarian Resource Group. Yes, it’s important to be aware of what you’re feeding your vegan child; but this awareness is not limited to vegan parents. In view of the epidemic of childhood obesity, perhaps more parents should be focusing on the quality of their children’s
diets.

----

 

2. From Jack Norris, Registered Dietitian, Editor, VeganHealth.Org

Dear Editor:
Nina Plank's piece "Death by Veganism" (5/21/07) is a classic case of ignorant dietary extremism getting debunked by ignorant dietary extremism. Prosecutor Chuck Boring said that it was not because the child was fed a vegan diet but rather that "The child died because he was not fed. Period."
 
According to the American Dietetic Association, "Well-planned vegan and other types of vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence." (J Am Diet Assoc. 2003 Jun;103(6):748- 65.) I have met dozens, if not hundreds, of healthy children who have been raised as vegans from birth.
 
As with any diet, parents must make sure their children are getting all necessary nutrients. VeganHealth. org contains helpful information or links for anyone considering a vegan pregnancy or raising their children as vegans. It also has a page showing numerous thriving children who were raised from birth as vegans.
 

---

 

Click here for a large list of vegetarian eateries

 

Click here to notify us of new places

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this Newsletter is solely for the consideration of the subscribers, and does not constitute an endorsement by VSS.

 

Read back issues at: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/newsletter.htm

 

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VSS eNewsletter,  5 June 2007

www.vegetarian-society.org

 

 

VSS News

Organic Trip - Details

A New Version of Rojak Is Born

Holistic Charity Fair – Sat, 16 Jun

 

Other News

Easy Chinese Veg Recipes from the UK

Local Book – Cancer Cured Naturally

Critique of The China Study

Hands-On Baking Course

Dieticians Do Their Bit for the Environment

Global Warming Diet

Indian Vegetarians Cruise into Singapore

 

VSS News

Organic Trip - Details

Here’s the itinerary for the Organic Tour, Sun, 22 July: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/images/organic_trip_ad.pdf

 

Meet 8.30am – at the taxi stand in front of Outram Park MRT, bus leaves 8.45am sharp

 

Fire Flies Health Farm - Visit

Plot 75 Lim Chu Kang Lane 2

 

Spring Orchard - Visit

1 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4

 

L'Organic – Lunch and Shopping

Blk 18, Dempsey Road, Unit A

 

Kin Yan Agrotech - Visit

No. 220 Neo Tiew Crescent

 

Chyuan Shiang Energy – Organic Shop

12 Arumugam Road #05-03, Lion Building B 

 

The Whole Earth Restaurant – Dinner – begins at 5.30pm

593 Geylang Rd

 

Price: $50, VSS members and those who pay before 1 July: $45. Email info@... to arrange payment. This always sells out; so, please hurry to avoid disappointment.

 

A New Version of Rojak Is Born

In our last issue, we asked people to send info on outlets with healthy, tasty versions of rojak. A reader highlighted the following outlet that just launched their rojak:

 

Green Connection@Melleo's Place,  05 Angus Street, Merchant Square, Central Mall, opposite Riversde Point, Tel: 6536.1770, 9622.7887. Buses: 51, 143, 174, 186, 608 (havelock road) 2, 12, 33, 51, 61, 80, 174, 197, 961 (Eu Tong Sen Road). Email: melleosplace@..., Website: http://www.melleosplace.com

 

Why not give their rojak a try? And, please tell us about other veg outlets with tasty, healthy rojak.

 

Holistic Charity Fair – Sat, 16 Jun

Our friends at Kampung Senang Holistic Lifestyle Centre will host a Holistic Charity Fair, Sat, 16 Jun, 11am-6pm, at their premises at Blk 106, Aljunied Crescent, near Aljunied MRT. Taste nature’s healthy vegetarian food, buy at the organic weekend mart, and experience alternative health checks and therapy.

 

VSS will have a stall, selling special raw flaxseed crackers, plus our colourful VSS t-shirt: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/revamp/html/index.php?module=Static_Docs&func=view&f=t-shirt.htm

 

For more info on the fair: 6749.8509, email@...

 

Other News

Easy Chinese Veg Recipes from the UK

Here, courtesy of a reader in the U.K., are some easy veg recipes. Why not try them and find out if easy and tasty can go together:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodmonthly/story/0,,2086219,00.html

 

Local Book – Cancer Cured Naturally

Last weekend, Kampung Senang Holistic Lifestyle Centre held a launch for local author and vegetarian activist Betty L Khoo-Kingsley’s inspiring and informative new book, titled ‘Cancer Cured Naturally’. The book mixes inspirational tales of personal triumphs over cancer with useful knowledge about why and how to adopt a plant-based diet.

 

Obtain your own autographed copy and meet Betty in person this Sat, 9 Jun, 3-5pm, Yogi Hub, 16 Madras St, Little India, behind Tekka Mall (7 min walk fr Little India MRT).

 

Betty’s book is also available at major bookstores. Additionally, in keeping with Betty’s strong credentials as a environmentalist, the book is printed in an environmentally friendly manner.

 

Critique of The China Study

Earlier this year, the VSS eNewsletter ran excerpts from The China Study by Prof T Colin Campbell. Not surprisingly, the book has its critics. Here’s the URL for one such critique. To the critic’s credit, the URL for Prof Campbell’s response is included. http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/China-Study.html

 

 

Hands-on Baking Course

Genesis Health Food Restaurant, 1 Lorong Telok, is offering a 3-session baking course, on Sun, 15, 22, and 29 Jul, 4pm–6pm. ($200 for the Full Course)

 

Session 1: Bread Making

1. Basic bread-making techniques

2. How to create your own bread recipes

3. Basic sandwich loaf, multigrain loaf, herbal breads & oatmeal raisin

 

Session 2: Sweet & Savory Buns, Rolls, & Other Varieties

1. Mini buns—cinnamon rolls, banana date rolls

2. Orange bread

3. Focaccia

4. Garlic bread

5. Fruit loaf

 

Session 3: Varieties of Pows

1. Basic Pow-making techniques

2. How to create your own pow recipe

3. Learn to make vegetable pows, pumpkin pows and “mantou”

 

For details, contact Genesis at 6438.7118.

 

Dieticians Do Their Bit for the Environment

Today, June 5, is World Environment Day!

 

In the spirit of protecting our environment, the current (June 2007) issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association features a new position paper entitled: Food and Nutrition Professionals Can Implement Practices to Conserve Natural Resources and Support Ecological Sustainability.

Some quotes:
"Overall, animal protein production required 25 kcal for each kilocalorie produced as food. Grain protein production requires only 2.2 kcal per food kilocalorie. ...RDs (Registered Dieticians) can encourage eating that is both healthful and conserving of soil, water and energy by emphasizing plant sources of protein and foods that have been produced with fewer agricultural inputs."

Online access requires a subscription to the Journal.

 

Global Warming Diet

A cookbook due at the end of the year targets the way our diet affects global warming. Titled the Global Warming Diet, the book is a collaboration between a chef and a climate change expert. In addition to recipes, the cookbook also contains information such as that it takes 5.5 kilograms (12 pounds) of grain and 2,500 gallons of water to make just a half-kilo (one pound) hamburger. Although it doesn’t seem that the book is 100% veg, it’s in the right direction.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/worldhotnews/read.php?newsid=30035740

 

Indian Vegetarians Cruise into Singapore

The following article from The Hindustan Times, one of India’s leading newspapers, highlights how important vegetarian food is to Singapore’s tourism efforts. First, here’s excerpts from the article:

 

At the Singapore Cruise Centre you will find a couple of very big white ships, brightly lit shops and hordes of wide-eyed Indians There are women in salwar suits in newly acquired branded sneakers, hairy, pot-bellied men in new sneakers too, coy honeymooning couples, and dozens of children zigzagging through luggage trolleys piled high with suitcases and bags of various colours and sizes.

...

The cruise centre is where we set sail from on the Great Indian Vegetarian Cruise that not only offers "Jain food" — a phrase that envelops moong ki dal, aloo ki sabzi, papad, raita, achaar and kheer …

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=42eea74f-ac93-4763-aa91-cc8bc0388ff1&&Headline=The+great+vegetarian+cruise

 

 

 

Click here for a large list of vegetarian eateries

 

Click here to notify us of new places

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this Newsletter is solely for the consideration of the subscribers, and does not constitute an endorsement by VSS.

 

Read back issues at: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/newsletter.htm

 

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VSS eNewsletter, 13 June 2007

www.vegetarian-society.org

 

 

VSS News

Discount Ends 30 Jun for Organic Tour on 22 Jul

Holistic Charity Fair – This Sat, 16 Jun

Rojak Indulgence

Kick-Off Dinner for Singapore Meatout Week 2007

VSS in LianHe WanBao – 18 Jun

 

Other News

Two-Day Family Bonding, Detox & Organic Diet Camp

Graceful Living with Autoimmune Disorders – Mandarin Workshop

New Veg Café Inside a Spa

Buying The China Study

How Many of Our Fellow Animals Die in Production of Veg Food

Malaysia Airlines Fined for Serving Meat to a Vegetarian

Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre Preview Party

Smoothie as Health Drink

Veg Diets and a Healthy Weight

 

VSS News

Discount Ends 30 Jun for Organic Tour on 22 Jul

Here’s the itinerary for the Organic Tour, Sun, 22 Jul: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/images/organic_trip_ad.pdf

 

Meet 8.30am – at the taxi stand in front of Outram Park MRT, bus leaves 8.45am sharp

 

Fire Flies Health Farm - Visit

Plot 75 Lim Chu Kang Lane 2

 

Spring Orchard - Visit

1 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4

 

L'Organic – Lunch and Shopping

Blk 18, Dempsey Road, Unit A

 

Kin Yan Agrotech - Visit

No. 220 Neo Tiew Crescent

 

Chyuan Shiang Energy – Organic Shop

12 Arumugam Road #05-03, Lion Building B 

 

The Whole Earth Restaurant – Dinner – begins at 5.30pm

593 Geylang Rd

 

Price: $50, VSS members and those who pay before 1 July: $45. Email info@... to arrange payment. This tour always sells out; so, please hurry to avoid disappointment.

 

Holistic Charity Fair – This Sat, 16 Jun

Our friends at Kampung Senang Holistic Lifestyle Centre will host a Holistic Charity Fair, Sat, 16 Jun, 11am-6pm, at their premises at Blk 106, Aljunied Crescent, near Aljunied MRT. Taste nature’s healthy vegetarian food, buy at the organic weekend mart, and experience alternative health checks and therapy.

 

VSS will have a stall, selling special raw flaxseed crackers, plus our colourful VSS t-shirt: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/revamp/html/index.php?module=Static_Docs&func=view&f=t-shirt.htm

 

For more info on the fair: 6749.8509, email@...

 

Rojak Indulgence

During Singapore Meatout Week 2007, 21-29 Jul, VSS is organizing what we call the Rojak Indulgence, an opportunity to try a variety of rojak creations from different veg outlets. This is not an event at a particular place. Instead, we will compile a list of the veg outlets who will have rojak on their menu during Singapore Meatout Week 2007. The list will include the price and special characteristics of that outlet’s rojak.

 

Please encourage your fave veg outlet to offer healthy versions of rojak, and pls let us know about their creation: info@...

 

Here’s what one reader sent in:

 

I like the rojak at New Green Pastures (Fortune Centre, 4^th Floor), because it has no fried stuff. I'm not sure of the origins of rojak, but in any case, I was born in Indonesia and to us, rojak is a dish of mixed fruits dipped in sweet sauce and sprinkled with nuts, without the typical fried youtiao and fried tofu that we find in Singapore.

 

Kick-Off Dinner for Singapore Meatout Week 2007

The menu has now been confirmed for the dinner on Fri, 20 Jul, 7pm-10pm, at Doc Cheng’s Restaurant on Level 2 of Raffles Hotel, that will kick off Singapore Meatout Week 2007, 21-29 Jul. Here’s the menu, followed by payment instructions.

 

Chilli Flakes and Herb Infused Tandoor Bread

***

Gazpacho with Vegetable Tempura

and Basil Oil

***

Singapore Rojak Doc Cheng's Style & Stuffed Tomato Confit

***

Grilled Spicy Eggplants with Pak Choy,

Yuzu Reduction and Black Olive Mashed Potatoes

***

Berry Soup with Strawberry Sorbet

 

The dinner is titled ‘Modern Asian Delights - An exciting new era of vegetarianism’. (Thanks for the many reader suggestions on the dinner’s title.) Price: $100. Email info@... to arrange payment.

 

VSS in LianHe WanBao – 18 Jun

An interview with a VSS Exco member is scheduled to appear in LianHe WanBao’s Health Monthly supplement this Monday, 18 Jun. Please consider becoming active in VSS.

 

Other News

Two-Day Family Bonding, Detox & Organic Diet Camp

Kampung Senang Holistic Lifestyle Centre, Blk 106, Aljunied Crescent (near Alunied MRT) is hosting a special opportunity to boost your family’s togetherness and health. Their family bonding, detox & organic diet camp will be held 7-8 Jul, Sat-Sun, 9am-5pm.

 

Fee: Non-members $150/pax, $250/family; KS members – 10% discount. For more info, 6749.8509, email@...

 

Graceful Living with Autoimmune Disorders – Mandarin Workshop

Look for the VSS exhibition at this informative event this Sunday.

 

Event:          Graceful Living with Autoimmune Disorders (Mandarin)

Style:           Hands-on experiential health workshops

Date:            Sun 17 Jun

Time:            10am – 1pm & 2:30 – 5:30pm

Venue:          Toa Payoh Central CC (TPYCC), 93 Toa Payoh Central, S. 319194

Info:             T 6741 9293 / http://www.shanyou.org.sg

Organizer:      Shan You Counselling Centre

 

New Veg Café Inside a Spa

Name of outlet: The Green Room Cafe (Inside Aramsa Spa)
Address: 1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Postal code: S. 569931

Nearby landmarks: Bishan Park II

Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio

Buses: fr Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange, 136, 133, 262; fr Bishan MRT, 410  

Days the outlet is open: 7 days

Hours it is open on those days: 10am-10pm Mon-Fri; Sat-Sun 8am-10pm

Special dishes: Portobello mushroom burger, tom yam beehoon (dry), house salad with orange, walnut, avocado with citrus dressing, mushroom baked brown rice

Brown rice? Yes

Is the food organic? most

MSG (ajinomoto)? no

Onion & garlic? A couple dishes

Eggs? yes, for breakfast

Dairy? no

Phone: 6556-1533

Email: enquiries@...

Website: http://www.aramsaspas.com

Delivery? no

Catering? no

Date information collected: 5 Jun 2007

 

Buying The China Study

Earlier this year, the VSS eNewsletter had excerpts from The China Study, a book that brings together a wide variety of medical research on the health benefits of vegetarian diets. We’ve seen the book at Kinokuniya and Borders. It is now also sometimes available at Genesis Health Food Restaurant, 1 Lorong Telok, near Boat Quay, Tel. 6438 7118.

 

How Many of Our Fellow Animals Die in Production of Veg Food

How many non-human animals are killed in the mechanised cultivation of wheat, soybeans, and other staples of a vegetarian diet? In recent years, some academic research and media reports have discussed the idea that harvesting crops and vegetables kills large numbers of mice, voles and other field animals. Such findings have been thought to call into question the ethical basis of vegetarian diets.

 

However, a new report, published in the Journal of Social Philosophy examines the issue and concludes there is little evidence to support this view. The author, Andy Lamey of University of Western Australia, has kindly offered to send a soft (electronic) copy of the article via email to anyone who writes to him at alamey@...

 

Malaysia Airlines Fined for Serving Meat to a Vegetarian

Here, from the Sydney Morning Herald via the New Straits Times, is a report that Malaysia Airlines was ordered by a Malaysian judge to pay about S$8900 to a lifelong vegetarian from India because they had served him meat after he had requested a veg meal.

 

Maybe we should send this article to our travel agent so that airlines are more careful about our veg meals. More than once, a veg meal that had been requested somehow did not make it on the flight.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Malaysia-Airlines-fined-for-serving-meat/2007/06/09/1181089379939.html

 

Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre Preview Party

Acres hopes to open its Wildlife Rescue Centre soon and is holding a preview party on 24 Jun. Here are the details. Indian veg food will be featured.

 

Date and Time: 24 Jun (Sun), 4pm–8pm

Venue: Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (Directions below)

Ticket Price: $30 (Payment at the door)

 

Pls RSVP by 20^h Jun by sending an email to louis@...

 

The AWRC is beside the Qian Hu Fish Farm (http://www.qianhu.com) (71, Jalan Lekar, Sungei Tengah, S. 698950). Here’s the map (zoom out to get a better picture): http://maps.yellowpages.com.sg/maps/scripts/default.asp?postcode=698950&applicationInd=yp

 

To get to Qian Hu, take Bus No. 172 from Choa Chu Kang Interchange / Boon Lay Interchange or Bus No. 975 from Bukit Panjang Interchange and alight in front of the Home Team Academy (Old Choa Chu Kang Rd). From there, it’s about a 1 kilometre walk to Qian Hu (Follow the sign and turn into Jalan Lekar).

 

There will be pick ups from Home Team bus stop at 3:45pm, 4pm and 4:15pm.

 

Smoothie as Health Drink

Some people make smoothies loaded with artificial flavours, ice cream and other tasty but not so healthy ingredients. The following article from WebMD highlights some ways that smoothies can be healthy:

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/new-face-of-smoothies

 

The article mentions dairy. If you’re staying away from that, try soy milk or nut milks.

 

VSS’ favourite smoothie recipe (we often feature it in our food demos) is on page 88 of our cookbook - New Asian Traditions Vegetarian Cookbook, written by Susan Amy, Kiran Narain, et al. You can find the book at the National Library, at some bookshops (call first), or online at

http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.cfm?SBNum=36146

 

Veg Diets and a Healthy Weight

Here is an interview with IVU (International Vegetarian Union) Science Coordinator, Dr Stephen Walsh - http://www.ivu.org/members/council/stephen-walsh.html - author of ‘Plant Based Nutrition and Health’.

 

Can you please briefly describe a couple studies which suggest that a

vegetarian diet may help people attain a healthy weight?

The most usual studies compare vegetarians with non-vegetarians. Pretty

consistently the vegetarians are a couple of kilograms lighter, and the vegans a couple of kilograms lighter again. A recent example of this type of study was a paper (International Journal of Obesity, 2003; 27, 728–734) from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) study group in Oxford. A follow up study of the same group (International Journal of Obesity, 2006; 30: 1389-1396) looked at change in weight over five years and found that while all dietary groups gained weight with age, the average weight gain for meat-eaters was 2.1 kg while vegans gained just 1.5 kg. People who changed their diet over the five years to include more Animal products gained 2.3 kg while those who moved towards a vegan diet gained just 1.2 kg.

What aspects of vegetarian diets might explain the beneficial effect that vegetarian food might have on weight?

In the EPIC study high protein and low fibre intake were both linked with higher weight. Many other studies have supported a role of higher fibre intake from whole plant foods in avoiding both excess weight and the associated health complications such as insulin resistance and diabetes. 

Is it possible that the relatively higher water content of fruits and vegetables might help people eat less because the water content decreases appetite?

 

It seems unlikely that the water content directly accounts for the benefit as soft drinks are associated with weight gain.  However, the lower calorie density of some plant foods (calories for a given weight/ volume/ amount of fibre) may play a part in reducing calorie intake: it's easier to overeat doughnuts than apples.

 

Being vegetarian is no guarantee that people will attain a healthy weight. What are the other factors involved in achieving a healthy weight, and what is the relative importance of each of those factors?

The most important factor is physical activity. In the EPIC study, very active individuals (exercising for at least an hour a day) showed a weight gain of 1.5 kg while those who were inactive gained 2.4 kg. A combination of a relatively unprocessed vegetarian or vegan diet and an active lifestyle provides a sound strategy for avoiding excessive weight gain in young to middle-aged adults.

Is there ongoing research into the link between vegetarianism and weight? If so, what research questions are being investigated?

The observed differences in weight between vegetarians and meat eaters are pretty well established now. What is still in dispute is why these differences occur and what specific factors linked to a vegetarian diet affect weight. Part of the difference may simply be that vegetarians can't always lay their hands on convenient high calorie snack foods when they feel the urge. Part may simply be that vegetarians are more controlled about their food choices in general and are more health conscious. Part, however, is likely to be the relatively high fibre and moderate fat and protein content of typical vegetarian diets. Ongoing research aims to clarify the relative importance of these and other factors.

Is lower weight always better?

Anyone with a body mass index (weight in kg divided by height in metres squared) below 19 would probably be better off being a bit heavier. The statistics tend to favour a BMI of about 20-25 as best on average. Lightly built people may be better on the low end of this while heavier built people may be better on the high end. A substantial "spare tyre" of fat around the stomach is always a bad sign but so is being scrawny: "size zero" is far from ideal for health.

We should also be aware that in the elderly weight loss can be a bigger threat than weight gain. Older adults should be careful to ensure that they consume sufficient food and should emphasise protein-rich foods such as oats, soya products, beans, peas and lentils to ensure a good protein intake as calorie intake declines.

 

Click here for a large list of vegetarian eateries

 

Click here to notify us of new places

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this Newsletter is solely for the consideration of the subscribers, and does not constitute an endorsement by VSS.

 

Read back issues at: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/newsletter.htm

 

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VSS eNewsletter, 27 Jun 2007

(if you have trouble reading this issue of the newsletter, you can read

this and other issues of the newsletter at www.vegetarian-society.org)

 

 

VSS News

Earthfest – 07-07-07

Organic Tour Sold Out

Menu for Kick-Off Dinner for Singapore Meatout Week 2007

Exhibition at Tampines Regional Library

Artists Wanted to Help with New Sculptures

VSS at Art Magazine Issue Launch – 15 Jul

 

Other News

New Outlet near Bugis

And One on Serangoon Closes

Hot and Cool Foods

Two-Day Family Bonding, Detox & Organic Diet Camp

International Day of Non-Violence

More on the Anti-Vegan Piece in the New York Times

 

VSS News

Earthfest – 07-07-07

In recognition of the role that vegetarianism can play in protecting the environment, VSS has been asked to take part in Live Earth, an international concert featuring Madonna, Bon Jovi, Genesis, Kelly Clarkson and many others from 7 continents:

www.liveearth.msn.com

 

The goal of this international effort on 7-8 Jul is to spur ourselves into action to slow Global Warming. We in Singapore can take part – free – at One Fullerton, from 1pm, Sat, 7 Jul to 10pm, Sun, 8 Jul.

 

In conjunction with LiveEarth, Earthfest will be held in Singapore, and MediaCorp TV Channel 5 will be broadcasting the entire 24hr LiveEarth concert from 7pm on Sat, 7 Jul. Billed as "concerts for a climate in crisis", this groundbreaking event will be staged across seven countries worldwide. To date, MediaCorp TV Channel 5 is the only free-to-air broadcaster in the world who will be airing the full 24hr event.

http://leafmonkey.blogspot.com/2007/06/liveearth-and-earthfest-070707.html

http://leafmonkey.blogspot.com/2007/06/channel-5-to-broadcast-live-earth-in.html

 

Organic Tour Sold Out L

The Organic Tour on Sun, 22 Jul has sold out. VSS hopes to organize another tour later this year. Thank you for your support.

 

Please participate in the other events of Singapore Meatout Week. See this eNewsletter for details.

 

Menu for Kick-Off Dinner for Singapore Meatout Week 2007

The menu has now been confirmed for the dinner on Fri, 20 Jul, 7pm-10pm, at Doc Cheng’s Restaurant on Level 2 of Raffles Hotel. The dinner will kick off Singapore Meatout Week 2007, 21-29 Jul. Here’s the menu, followed by payment instructions.

 

Chilli Flakes and Herb Infused Tandoor Bread

***

Gazpacho with Vegetable Tempura

and Basil Oil

***

Singapore Rojak Doc Cheng's Style & Stuffed Tomato Confit

***

Grilled Spicy Eggplants with Pak Choy,

Yuzu Reduction and Black Olive Mashed Potatoes

***

Berry Soup with Strawberry Sorbet

 

The dinner is titled ‘Modern Asian Delights - An exciting new era of vegetarianism’. (Thanks for the many reader suggestions on the dinner’s title.) Price: $100. Email info@... to arrange payment. Someone has already called to book a table for 10 pax.

 

Exhibition at Tampines Regional Library

Following successful exhibitions at the Central Library (Jul06) and Woodlands Regional Library (Jan07), VSS has been invited to bring our exhibition to Tampines Regional Library 14-29 Jul. Even if you’ve seen the exhibition before, you’ll want to come again, as we are constantly trying to upgrade it. You might also want to help staff the exhibition.

 

Artists Wanted to Help with New Sculptures

One of the highlights of the traveling VSS exhibition is the Hunger Sculpture http://www.vegetarian-society.org/revamp/html/index.php?module=Static_Docs&func=view&f=worldhunger.htm

 

The sculpture depicts a starving child in order to highlight the fact that meat production means less food available to the millions of malnourished children who are our brothers and sisters.

 

VSS has plans for more sculptures including one that shows an in-some-ways superior species from outer space treating humans much the way we treat other earthling species. Getting a professional sculptor to produce the final art pieces in resin would be very expensive. Instead, we hope to use papier mache to make the figures and then have the figures painted professionally, as that’ll slash the price. To view samples of the process, but not the figures we want to produce: http://users.belgacom.net/papier-mache/pm/agallery.htm

 

If you have the skill to help with this and are willing to spend the time, pls contact VSS at info@...

 

VSS at Art Magazine Issue Launch – 15 Jul

A local magazine has invited VSS members and friends to its upcoming issue launch. The magazine, Forum on Contemporary Art & Society (FOCAS) is titled Regional Animalities. “Regional Animalities concerns the ways in which human/animal places, spaces, ecologies and exchanges are imagined, represented and performed in a range of historic and contemporary contexts in South East Asia.”

 

VSS has a hard-hitting ad in this issue, designed at no cost by a vegetarian at the local branch of the internationally renowned marketing company, Saatchi & Saatchi.

 

The celebratory launch is on the evening of Sun 15 Jul at The Substation Theatre on Armenian Street. No specific time given yet. For more info: focas@...

 

Other News

New Outlet near Bugis

A reader kindly writes of the opening of a new veg outlet

 

Name of outlet: HealthyDIY.com Marketing Yogi House

Address 149 Rochor Road #02-08 Fu Lu Shou Complex

Postal code: 188425

Landmarks: Bugis Village

MRT: Bugis

Buses: 2, 7, 12, 48, 59, 51, 80, 133, 130, 145, 197, 851

Open: Mon-Fri: 10am-7.30pm, Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 11am-5pm, Hols: 11am-4pm

Specialty dishes: Brown Rice Set, Thai Tofu, Sushi Roll

Brown rice? Yes

Organic? Semi-organic

MSG (Ajinomoto)? No

Onion & garlic? No

Eggs? No

Dairy products? Only imported organic milk for their house-made organic yoghurt.

Phone numbers:  6297-1220, 6336-6203

Email: yogihouse@...

Website: http://www.yogidiy.com

 

Do they deliver? No

Do they cater? No

Date you collected this information: June 15 2007

 

And One on Serangoon Closes

Another equally kind reader wrote to inform us that the following outlet has moved out of its premises: Tian Fu Veg. Food situated at Blk 267, Serangoon Ave 3 #02-02.

 

Hot and Cool Foods

We sometimes receive requests for lists of heaty and cooling foods. We can’t say that the following article is 100% correct for 100% of people, but it was sent to us by a local person who studies such matters.

http://www.livingnaturally.com/PDFDocs/w/W6J5BP2J6UGP8KX4DNVGH18X416P2DBA.PDF

 

Two-Day Family Bonding, Detox & Organic Diet Camp

Kampung Senang Holistic Lifestyle Centre, Blk 106, Aljunied Crescent (near Alunied MRT) is hosting a special opportunity to boost both your family’s togetherness and their health. This family bonding, detox & organic diet camp will be held 7-8 Jul, Sat-Sun, 9am-5pm.

 

Fee: Non-KS members - $150/pax, $250/family; KS members – 10% discount. For more info, 6749.8509, email@...

 

International Day of Non-Violence

With the United Nations General Assembly declaring 2 Oct, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, as the International Day of Non-Violence, there is even more to celebrate at the 11th International Vegan Festival (IVF) from 30 Sep to 6 Oct at Murdeshwar, Karnataka, India.

Also, World Farm Animals Day is on the same date (2 Oct), and World Animal Day falls on 4 Oct. At the International Vegan Festival in India, they will be having a peace march on 2 Oct, and more ideas to celebrate and publicise the cause of animals are welcome. All the details and latest updates of the IVF are available at http://ivu.org/veganfest/index.html

More on the Anti-Vegan Piece in the New York Times

Earlier, we printed some discussion of a guest-authored piece which ran in the New York Times, accusing parents who raise their children as vegans of endangering the health and perhaps the lives of their children. Below is a comment by Clark Hoyt, the Public Editor of the New York Times: “The public editor serves as the readers' representative. His opinions and conclusions are his own.” Mr Hoyt accuses the newspaper of bias in not presenting the pro-vegan side of the story.

 

Here’s Hoyt’s piece (free registration may be required). Pls note that his article begins with a discussion of a completely unrelated guest piece by a representative of Hamas.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/24/opinion/24pubed.html?_r=1&n=Top%2fOpinion%2fThe%20Public%20Editor&oref=slogin

 

 

Click here for a large list of vegetarian eateries

 

Click here to notify us of new places

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this Newsletter is solely for the consideration of the subscribers, and does not constitute an endorsement by VSS.

 

Read back issues at: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/newsletter.htm

 

To Subscribe: vegsoc_sg-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

To Unsubscribe: vegsoc_sg-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VSS eNewsletter, 3 Jul 2007

 

 

VSS News

Earthfest – 07-07-07 – with VSS Exhibition and 2 Talks

Menu for Kick-Off Dinner for Singapore Meatout Week 2007

Exhibition at Tampines Regional Library

VSS at Art Magazine Issue Launch – 15 Jul

Organic Tour Full, But

Last Chance for Restaurants to Sign Up for Rojak Indulgence

 

Other News

Kampung Senang Thailand Trip

Vegan Cartoonist in The Straits Times

Outlet at Suntec Closes, But

The Obvious Becomes More Obvious – Meat and Global Warming

And Even Gourmets Can No Longer Hide from the Truth

Veg Female Boxer

We (and our fellow animals) Are Winning, But Much Too Slowly

Dinner, Talk, Free Autographed Book – Fri, 6 Jul

 

 

VSS News

Earthfest – 07-07-07 – with VSS Exhibition and 2 Talks

In recognition of the role that vegetarianism can play in protecting the environment, VSS has been asked to take part in the local version of Live Earth, an international concert featuring Madonna, Bon Jovi, Genesis, Kelly Clarkson and many others from 7 continents: www.liveearth.msn.com

 

The goal of this international effort on 7-8 Jul is to spur ourselves into action to slow Global Warming. We in Singapore can take part in Earthfest to be held at One Fullerton, from 1pm-10pm, Sat, 7 Jul, and 10am-10pm, Sun, 8 Jul. Free admission. http://www.greenlive.com.sg

 

MediaCorp TV Channel 5 will be broadcasting the entire 24hr LiveEarth concert from 7pm on Sat, 7 Jul. Billed as "concerts for a climate in crisis", this groundbreaking event will be staged worldwide. To date, MediaCorp TV Channel 5 is the only free-to-air broadcaster in the world who will be airing the full 24hr event.

http://leafmonkey.blogspot.com/2007/06/liveearth-and-earthfest-070707.html

http://leafmonkey.blogspot.com/2007/06/channel-5-to-broadcast-live-earth-in.html

VSS will be doing an exhibition at Earthfest at One Fullerton, and we’ll be speaking there on Sat at 1.05pm and on Sun at 8.50pm. Also, we need help with someone to wear a Batman uniform. We already have Bat Girl and Spiderman. We already have the uniform – muscles included. All you need to bring are black shoes. Contact cturners@... if you can be Batman for a few hours Sat. afternoon.

 

Menu for Kick-Off Dinner for Singapore Meatout Week 2007

Below is the menu for the dinner on Fri, 20 Jul, 7pm-10pm, at Doc Cheng’s Restaurant on Level 2 of Raffles Hotel. The dinner will kick off Singapore Meatout Week 2007, 21-29 Jul. Here’s the menu, followed by payment instructions.

 

Chilli Flakes and Herb Infused Tandoor Bread

***

Gazpacho with Vegetable Tempura

and Basil Oil

***

Singapore Rojak Doc Cheng's Style & Stuffed Tomato Confit

***

Grilled Spicy Eggplants with Pak Choy,

Yuzu Reduction and Black Olive Mashed Potatoes

***

Berry Soup with Strawberry Sorbet

 

The dinner is titled ‘Modern Asian Delights - An exciting new era of vegetarianism’. (Thanks for the many reader suggestions on the dinner’s title.) Price: $100. Email info@... to arrange payment. Someone has already called to book a table for 10 pax.

 

Exhibition at Tampines Regional Library

Following successful exhibitions at the Central Library (Jul06) and Woodlands Regional Library (Jan07), VSS has been invited to bring our exhibition to Tampines Regional Library 14-29 Jul. The exhibition will be open during regular library hours: 10am-9pm. Even if you’ve seen the exhibition before, you’ll want to come again, as we are constantly trying to upgrade it. You might also want to help staff the exhibition.

 

As part of the 2wk exhibition, 14-29 Jul, on Sat., 21 Jul, we’ll have a day of presentations. For details, pls go to:

http://www.nlb.gov.sg/CPMS.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=portlet_2_10_1&portlet_2_10_1_actionOverride=%2FIBMS%2FnewsAndEvents%2FdateSelection&_pageLabel=CPMS_page_events

 

Alternatively, go to http://www.nlb.gov.sg and click on Current Events in the left frame. Then, use the calendar to go to 21 July and scroll down to Tampines Regional Library. The VSS events are in English at 10.30, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm.

 

VSS at Art Magazine Issue Launch – 15 Jul

A local art magazine has invited VSS members and friends to its free upcoming issue launch. The magazine, Forum on Contemporary Art & Society (FOCAS), is titled Regional Animalities. “Regional Animalities concerns the ways in which human/animal places, spaces, ecologies and exchanges are imagined, represented and performed in a range of historic and contemporary contexts in South East Asia.”

 

VSS has a hard-hitting ad in this issue, designed at no cost by staff at the local office of the internationally renowned marketing company, Saatchi & Saatchi: http://www.saatchi.com/worldwide/fast_track.asp

 

FOCAS’s celebratory issue launch begins at approximately 7pm on the evening of Sun 15 Jul at The Substation Theatre on Armenian Street. For more info: focas@...

 

Organic Tour Full, But

The Organic Tour that VSS has organised on Sun, 22 Jul, filled very quickly. Fortunately, someone has offered to organise a second, similar tour on Sun, 29 Jul. Although this won’t be an official VSS event, we encourage people to attend.

 

Last Chance for Restaurants to Sign Up for Rojak Indulgence

During Singapore Meatout Week, 21-29 Jul, VSS is organising what we’re calling Rojak Indulgence to promote rojak as a tasty, healthy, compassionate signature dish for Singapore. Here’s how it works:

 

1. Restaurants and food stalls design their own version of rojak and tell us about it
1. Why is it unique? (no need to send the entire recipe)
2. Price?
3. Photos can also be sent

 

2. We send the information to the media and encourage the media to feature these vegetarian versions of rojak

 

3. We also send the list to the Singapore Food Festival for their website.

 

If you know an interested outlet, please ask them to contact info@... before this Fri. There is no cost to the outlet, and they don’t need to go anywhere or send their rojak anywhere; all they need to do is to put rojak on their menu from 21-29 Jul. For example, the two Ling Zhi restaurants will be participating, as will Ci Yan on Smith Street.

 

Other News

Kampung Senang Thailand Trip

Our friends at Kampung Senang Holistic Living Centre are organising a 10-day Thailand Meditation cum Detox Camp Tour, 9-19 Aug, at Mon Ta Krai Resort & Organic Farm, in Chiang Mai. Cost is $1088/non-member and $1038/member. For more info, 6749.8509, email@...

 

Vegan Cartoonist in The Straits Times

Ever seen the ‘Bizarro’ cartoon that runs in the Life section of The Straits Times? As you might have guessed, the author is a vegetarian. Read more about him in this article from a Canadian newspaper

http://thesuburban.com/content.jsp?sid=13459477311548525396160860556&ctid=1000073&cnid=1011863

 

And, visit http://www.bizarro.com for a collection of Dan Piraro’s work. Be sure to visit the ‘Animals’ page for an explanation of why Dan became vegetarian in 2002, as well as many related cartoons, including one with a pig wearing a t-shirt that says, “Meat Kills (Both of Us)”.

 

Outlet at Suntec Closes, But

A reader wrote in to report that the following outlet seems to have closed:

Kingdom Vegetarian Coffee House, Suntec City Mall T2, #02-544. However, another reader thinks that it may have moved to Blk 139, Tampines St 11.

 

The Obvious Becomes More Obvious – Meat and Global Warming

We apologize for including yet another article on the connection between meat and environmental destruction, but please note the origin of this recent piece, the Business section of the International Herald Tribune, that standby of the international business traveller:  http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/06/business/greencol07.php

 

Please share the article with some bright person you know who remains rather dim on this still-not-well-known reason to go veg. And, here’s a related piece: http://www.european-vegetarian.org/lang/en/news/news.php?id=22476

 

And Even Gourmets Can No Longer Hide from the Truth

First the International Herald Tribune has an article on the link between meat and Global Warming, and now Gourmet magazine’s June 07 edition - http://www.epicurious.com/gourmet/toc - has an article that goes into illuminating detail about the horrible “life” of chickens on factory farms. Great article – even VSS members might learn something new, such as that in the U.S., in 1955, it took chickens about 17 weeks to reach their slaughter weight of 6 pounds (2.73 kilos), and in 2006, it took only 6 weeks before these innocent, thinking, feeling fellow animals were killed. Here’s the article:

http://getactive.peta.org/PETA/devarticle.html

 

It’s great to see an article like that in a magazine for gourmets, as most people think of gourmets as people who care more for their taste buds than anything else, like people who claim that their food is so important to them they’d rather die than go veg because they’d rather be dead than have to give up their meat, regardless of the consequences for themselves or anyone else.

 

And, here’s an article showing changing attitudes (we see similar changes in Singapore): http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/magazine/chi-mxa0527magpetamay27,1,3581744.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

 

Veg Female Boxer

Maureen Shea first won fame as the sparring partner for Hollywood star Hilary Swank as Swank prepared for her award-winning role in Clint Eastwood’s film "Million Dollar Baby”. Now, she’s a top featherweight boxer and a recent vegetarian. She also enjoys reading and writing poems. Here’s more about this surprising person:

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/06/11/141015.php

 

We (and our fellow animals) Are Winning, But Much Too Slowly

Here, courtesy of the eNewsletter of Vegan Outreach - http://www.veganoutreach.org/enewsletter/index.html - is a meat industry perspective on the effort we’re engaged in to convince people to change to healthier, kinder, greener diets.

 

Agribusiness journal Feedstuffs editorialized (Apr 2, 2007): "Very recent developments would suggest that producers are now losing. If producers are losing, others are also losing -- everyone who has a stake in dairy, meat and poultry production... [I]t's not about animal welfare. It's not about cages and stalls... It's about raising animals for food, and the activists' agenda is to end the practice. It will take decades, but they are the ones who are winning -- piece by piece by piece."

 

Dinner, Talk, Autographed Book – Fri, 6 Jul

Last month, we reported on Betty L Khoo-Kingsley’s new book Cancer Cured Naturally with its tales of people here and abroad who have successfully taken a natural approach when faced with cancer. On Fri, 6 Jul, you can hear Betty talk about her book, obtain an autographed copy of book and eat a delicious vegetarian meal – all for $30. The event will be held at LivinGreens, 325 Beach Road (opp Concourse) from 6.30pm-8.30pm. To reserve your place: 9663-3236, imeng62@...

 

 

Click here for a large list of vegetarian eateries

 

Click here to notify us of new places

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this Newsletter is solely for the consideration of the subscribers, and does not constitute an endorsement by VSS.

 

Read back issues at: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/newsletter.htm

 

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