Marin VEG
November 2023


November begins the season of gratitude.  May we be grateful for the countless gifts that abound in our lives.  Among a myriad of blessings, I am grateful for you, dear readers, for your caring hearts and your interest in not causing harm in your food choices. 


Saturday, November 18
Thanksgiving Harvest Hoedown
Fundraiser for Rancho Compasion
Support our local farmed animal sanctuary and enjoy an old fashioned hoedown replete with a square dance (live music and caller), a vegan harvest feast by Miyoko and a live auction. Reserve your spot at https://tinyurl.com/ydn86azr

Thursday, November 23
Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck in Santa Rosa
For the first time since the pandemic began, there will once again be a Thanksgiving vegan potluck at Monroe Hall (1400 College Ave.) in Santa Rosa at 3:00.  I attended one years ago, and it was lovely.  This event is free, but please read the instructions on what to bring and what not to bring:  https://www.meetup.com/northbay-vegan/events/296936882/
For more information contact Karen: phone or text: 707-326-0338   Email: wildwren1@gmail.com


The Good Earth in Fairfax and Mill Valley will both be offering to-go vegan meals to pick up for Thanksgiving.  They told me that starting November 1 you can order on line or at the stores.  The meals will include a walnut loaf with gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes and more.  Vegan pies will also be available (pumpkin, apple, and pecan).  Their website is ShopGENatural.com

Marketing Veganism for Men
A new study suggests that different marketing might make vegan choices more attractive to men. Here's an article about this and a two minute video that provides more details on the language used to describe vegan food.
https://vegnews.com/2023/10/vegan-food-masculine-research
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmZTRJTZ4l8

Can Genes Affect our Food Choices?
At the end of the Youtube video above, reference is made to a study linking vegetarianism to our genes.  This study suggests that there might be a genetic reason that some people do not stay on a vegan diet.  I'm skeptical, but here's a story about the  study.  https://neurosciencenews.com/genetics-vegetarian-diet-24916/

Ben Jerry's Changing Dairy Free Ingredients
Ben & Jerry's non-dairy flavors will be changing from a nut and seed base to an oat milk base.  Two flavors will make the switch this fall (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Chocoate Fudge Brownie), and the rest, plus new flavors not yet named, will change next spring.  https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/ben-and-jerrys-non-dairy-ice-cream-recipe-almonds-sunflowers-oats-vegan-dairy-free/


American Diabetes Association Recommends Plant Based Diets
At long last, the American Diabetes Association says a plant based diet is a dietary pattern acceptable for the management of Diabetes.  Dr. Michael Gregor explains what took them so long and how a healthy diet compares to taking medicine.  I always learn something from Dr. Greger's writing.  https://tinyurl.com/y79r9h79

Michele Simon on Effective Altruism and Cell-Cultured Meat
Here is another insightful article from Michele Simon on the downside of effective altruism and its relationship to cell-cultured meat.  She is  one of the contributors to an important anthology called The Good It Promises, The Harm It Does: Critical Essays on Effective Altruism edited by Carol J. Adams, Alice Crary, and Lori Gruen.
https://www.michelersimon.com/articles/sam-bankman-fried-effective-altruism-and-food-tech-bs


Hail and Farewell to Sjaak's Chocolates
Sad, but true: This will be the last holiday season that Sjaak's will be in business. This is the email I received from them.  I could not find the announcement on line.

The story has been life-changing. 

It began days before the pandemic lockdown. We discovered a company making incredible, vegan, and organic chocolate founded by an accomplished chocolatier looking to pass it on. We had much to learn about a new industry, but were excited about updating this almost thirty-year-old company and honoring its legacy.

 

We both stretched and grew, and struggled amidst the global pandemic. We looked internally at ourselves and outward at the world around us. We doubled down on what we believe in—like our commitment to making delicious vegan and organic chocolate—and challenged ourselves to be better stewards of the planet. We invested in our people and strived to provide a supportive and fulfilling workplace. 

 

It has been hard but gratifying work. There have been mistakes and disappointment, but also joy and excitement.

 

I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished, however, we have come to the difficult, but necessary, decision to close Sjaak’s Organic Chocolates. 

This holiday season will be the last. 

 

Thank you so much for being a part of our journey, 

for embracing new ideas, for offering feedback and suggestions, and for supporting this minority woman-owned, small business—we will miss you.

Hopefully, this isn't good-bye forever.

 

With love,

The Sjaak's Team

                                                            

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