Over the weekend our local library in West Hollywood hosted a vegetarian cooking seminar conducted by the very friendly and well informed volunteers at Green Menu. Attendees came from all walks of life. The turn out was quite large and the vast majority were non-vegetarians.
Chad and Modesty, the heads of Green Menu, gave a very informative speech regarding societal misconceptions of vegetarianism, how essential and non-essential amino acids work in the body and how switching to a vegetarian lifestyle can be beneficial to the environment and our bodies. They referred to research conducted in Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s, “The China Study”, to back their claims. Chad briefly surmised Chapter 3 of the China Study in which a study was conducted on rats who were introduced to the most dangerous carcinogen in existence—aflatoxin. Chad encouraged the audience to do their own research on vegetarianism as a healthy lifestyle. The rats were separated into two groups for study. One group was given a strict vegetarian diet while the other group was given a meat based diet. The rats given the vegetarian diet survived while the meat eating group, died.
Shortly thereafter, the cooking presentation began. We learned how to make spring rolls consisting of carrots, cabbage, faux ham and dried black mushroom wrapped in rice paper. In addition we were also taught how to make a very delicious seasoned seaweed wrap filled with faux ham, ketchup, Japanese mayo, stringy carrots, lettuce and cucumber. We met new friends, though not vegetarian, were still very interested in making dietary changes.
Modesty informed us that Green Menu is a non-profit organization designed to provide discounts to vegetarians through a discount card. She also explained that they have been around only a year and continue to expand their client base. Whole Foods is a participant at certain locales. She confirmed that they are partnered with several restaurants and grocery stores that fall under three categories: Vegetarian, Vegan and Vegetarian friendly. Participating vegetarian outlets are located in California, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
This burgeoning organization provides its members with discounts of up to 20% and is only $25 for the year, making a membership an incredibly valuable purchase. The list of restaurants and locations is impressive, and for those who dine out frequently, one can save up to $200 per year by being a Green Menu card carrier. They conduct numerous hands on interactive cooking classes and have very friendly volunteers all over the country. Wendy, a volunteer with Green Menu was eager to provide info on the organization and quite amicable.
In short,Green Menu is a very ethical, fun, social and socially conscious group. For more information visit their face book page https://www.facebook.com/greenmenu and sign up on their website to receive all the veggie discounts and perks offered by this lovely outfit.
govegetarianista86