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I think we can agree!

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In addition to their specialty Rahr items during this visit, Zombie’s regular menu items include some amazing sandwiches – definitely unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before.

If you haven’t visited them yet, do so as soon as possible and support local businesses! You’ll be glad you did! Check out the video below to hear more…

A group of plant-strong curious folks got to experience just that at Whole Foods Market’s “Engine 2 – 28 Day Challenge,” which began on January 23 at three DFW Whole Foods stores, including the flagship Park Lane store.

Rip Esselstyn (photo provided by engine2diet.com)

The Engine 2 Diet, popularized by triathlete, firefighter, and vegan Rip Esselstyn, leads participants on a steady progression to a fully “plant-strong” diet by gradually phasing out certain types of foods. Week 1 – all dairy is removed. Week 2 – all meat. Week 3 – extracted oils (vegetable oils, olive oils, etc). Week 4 serves to re-enforce what is learned the previous weeks and solidify the benefits of living on a whole foods, plant-based diet.

Karen Lukin, Media and Community Relations for Whole Foods North Texas, said the 500 participants that signed up for the program well surpassed their expectations going in. Participants came from all walks of life – friends, couples, old, young. A good number of Whole Foods employees attended, as well as a group from McKinney ISD. It seems there were no boundaries in people interested in improving their health with a plant-based diet.

John Mercer cuts veggies for a soup

So was going vegan for this group a simple walk in the park? I asked John Mercer, Kitchen Manager at the Park Lane location, what people had the hardest time giving up. “Probably the oil, they knew going in that meat would be gone fairly quick, and cheese and dairy. Pretty sure that cooking without oil might have shocked people more than anything else because they didn’t think it was possible, but we definitely handled that.” Indeed, giving up meat and cheese is one thing, but even the majority of vegans still eat oil. But for Engine 2, oil is an enemy. According to the Engine 2 website:

Despite popular belief that oils are good for you, especially Olive Oil, the truth is all oils provide the most concentrated source of calories on the plant. Up to 120 calories per tablespoon! “Heart healthy” olive oil is 15% saturated fat.

Mercer said there were definitely lessons learned by the group about a plant-based diet. Particularly the protein myth – “That most people are getting too much protein, I think that caught them off guard.” Also, it was news to many that cholesterol was only found in animal products – “That if they’re having cholesterol problems and they don’t eat it, their body makes what it needs and not anymore.”

challenge participants listen to the presentation

After visiting with Mercer, I attended the last of the program’s four meetup sessions. A group of almost 40 people gathered to sample Mercer’s new creamy potato salad creation, destined for the prepared foods case later this year, as well as learned about reading food labels. When asked whether or not a bag of whole-grain pretzels were good, participants responded “the fat to calorie ratio is too high…too much oil…too much salt.” Later, asking if anyone could name a type of sea vegetable resulted in multiple responses – “kelp…dulse…kombu.” It was apparent this group took the 28 Day Challenge seriously. When asked how many of the group planned on being plant-strong past the 28 days, almost the entire room raised their hands. It appeared the message of the program was getting through quite well.

Tickets for the program’s celebration event on Friday quickly sold out, but ninety plant-strong graduates will enjoy dinner and a visit from the Engine 2 founder himself, Rip Esselstyn. He will congratulate participants on completing the challenge and no doubt provide encouragement for a happy and healthy plant-based future.

Breakfast options include pancakes, vegan sausage, and tofu scramble. Lunch options include veggie wraps and salads.

Black Vegetarian Society of Texas Cooking Class

Space is Still Available for BVSTX’s Cooking Class for Lovers & Others on Saturday, Feb 11 This Saturday, 11:30 am, Crosby Catering & Coffee Owner/Executive Chef Jeanette Prasifka will conduct the first BVSTX vegetarian cooking class of 2012 at the Nash-Davis Recreation Center, 3710 N. Hampton Rd in West Dallas. The menu is all vegan, and sounds delicious!

The cost is just $10 for BVSTX members and $15 for nonmembers. Respond to this email to reserve one of the few spaces still available and just pay at the door. Contact Donald Moy for reservations at donald.moy@sbcglobal.net.

Eartwise Garden Local Food Festival with Denton Vegan Coop

Denton Vegan Coop will be Will be at the Earthwise Garden’s Local Food Festival this Saturday, 11-7. The DVC will have special Valentine’s Day treats available, along with delicious lunch options. Then, join the DVC for the viewing of the first documentary on Fruitarianism, Pure Fruit, at 7:00 at the Denton Square Donut Theatre. Hope to see your beautiful faces on Saturday!

Meet your soulmate at the festival…

The new Meetup.com group “DFW Veg Dating” is having one of their first Meetups at the festival – maybe you’ll meet the love of your life, just in time for Valentine’s day!

Not that we didn’t already know, but it’s great to see mainstream media taking on stories like this and taste that vegan food can be just as good, if not better, than non-vegan food. Check out the video below (and link to the full story):

Blogger makes dessert so good, it’s hard to believe it’s vegan

The lineup includes vegetarian options and a flexibility to make non-veg items veg-friendly by removing the animal protein. Want to show people that vegetarian and vegan food can be exciting. Sundown will be strategically located next door to the live music venue at 3520 Greenville Avenue. The venue also includes a double decker patio. A selection of 60+ beers and specialty cocktails will compliment the chef-driven casual menu which will be overseen by Granada Theater Head Chef, Patrick Stark. With a background in music, resort and hotel business, Mike has built the Granada Theater philosophy on catering to its customers. You can expect the same kind of great customer service as you would at the Granada Theater. Sundown at Granada will be a great place to meet up with friends, enjoy a delicious meal or unwind at happy hour.

Join the Black Vegetarian Society of Texas for their annual event, Meatout 2012.

This year, the event moves to a bigger and better location at the Dallas Farmer’s Market Event Center, and takes place on Saturday, March 24th, 2012.

The free event includes fitness demonstrations, children’s activities, vegan cooking demonstrations, health screenings, guest speakers, food sampling, and more.

From the event website:

MEATOUT is an international observance helping individuals evolve to a wholesome diet of fruit, legumes, vegetables and whole grains. Our purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet.

Mark your calendars now and don’t miss this great event!

BVStx Meatout 2012
Saturday, March 24th, 2012
10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Dallas Farmer’s Market
1010 S. Pearl Expressway
Dallas, TX 75201