VSS eNewsletter 10 August 2010
 |
||
10 August 2010 |
|
|
| VSS NEWS World Vegetarian Congress in Jakarta, 1-6 Oct Talking with Hossan Leong Pasir Ris Mangrove Stroll The VSS InBox The Power of Asking GENERAL NEWS August Classes from Wholesome Living Is ‘Vegan’ India’s New Food Mantra for the Hip? World Environment Day 2010 Post Conference Screening The Meat Paradox What They Didn’t Tell Us About the Clinton Wedding ‘Cats in Flats’ Charity Photo Showcase Raw Foods with Maria at Genesis A Note of Caution – B12 |
Which vitamin supplements are good for us and which aren't? Dr Michael Greger gives his take in an interesting quiz format. Also learn why Chelsea Clinton's wedding was music to our ears. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to drop us a line here. Subscribe to this newsletter here. Unsubscribe here Visit us at www.vss.sg  VSS members enjoy discounts at these fine restaurants and establishments. |
|
 |
||
|
World Vegetarian Congress in Jakarta, 1-6 Oct |
||
|
The International Vegetarian Union’s World Vegetarian Congress will be held in Jakarta from 1-6 Oct: http://www.wvc2010.org. It’s a great opportunity to connect with vegetarians in other countries. And, you’ll be amazed at the size of the veg movement in Indonesia. People from 51 Indonesian cities are planning to attend, with a special emphasis on university students. For instance, IVS (Indonesia Vegetarian Society) and the Nutrition Department of the Public Health Faculty of University of Indonesia are organizing a national scientific writing competition on the topic of "Vegan Nutrition & Health: Concepts and Controversies". Congress events will be reported by national television: Metrotv (www.metrotvnews.com). We want to have a good turnout of overseas delegates in order to impress tv viewers, as well as the Indonesia government officials who will be attending the Congress. Plus, we want to show our gratitude to our Indonesian hosts for putting on such a big event. For more on veg conferences all around the world, see |
 |
|
|
Talking with Hossan Leong |
||
|
Hossan Leong is a well-known figure on the SG entertainment scene. These days, among his other activities, he shares breakfast DJ duties on Gold 90FM. On 4 Aug, he told listeners that he was thinking of going veg and wondered where vegetarians get their protein. One VSS member heard this and sms-ed others, three of whom called in and shared ideas with Hossan on the air, including nutrition information and facts about noteworthy Singapore vegetarians, such as M Rameshon, our marathon record holder and Ang Hwee, one of our most noteworthy weightlifters. (See our Wall of Inspiration for photos of Ang Hwee, Rameshon and others: VSS plans to follow-up by sending Hossan a hamper with some veggie goodies to eat and some VSS literature to provide food for thought. Please stay tuned weekdays 6am-10am to hear what Hossan does next and see if we can help more. |
 |
|
|
Pasir Ris Mangrove Stroll |
||
|
VSS’s next outdoor adventure will be a stroll along the boardwalk at Pasir Ris Park on Sat, 28 Aug, beginning at 3pm. The stroll will take us through a mangrove habitat. Details at www.vss.sg  Top |
 |
|
|
The VSS InBox |
||
|
After hearing about our Pasir Ris Park mangrove stroll, one reader sent in these tips for veg food, especially Thai, at Downtown East. For Thai food lovers, you can try out Basil Inn @ Downtown East (near Entrance to the resort & swimming pool). It's a non-veg stall, but able to make pretty good veg dishes. The cook is Thai lady. Try the veg tomyum, black olive rice, garlic-pepper tofu and lemongrass drinks.. You can also request veg versions of any meat-based dishes on the menu using tofu to replace meat. Price is reasonably ok. Limited seats. Just Acia in Downtown East (near the Japanese buffet) serves some veg food too, from $5++ set meal with free flow drinks and ice-cream. The spinach tofu & rice is good; kimchi cheese noodles can also be made vegetarian. |
 |
|
|
The Power of Asking |
||
|
Here’s a tip we picked up at http://www.vegan.com/blog/2010/07/20/ animal-advocacy-and-the-power-of-asking - It pays to ask, such as some people may just be waiting for someone to ask them to go veg once a week or to eat less fried food. We show that we care about people, when we ask. We show that we have high expectations for people, when we ask. So, please give it a try. VSS is asking you. Top |
 |
|
 |
||
|
August Classes from Wholesome Living |
||
|
Here are Chef Oh’s classes for August, just in time for the Mooncake Festival. 14 Aug Sat 10am -1:30pm Wholesome Bakery For details, please visit Also, Chef Oh is doing classes for one of Singapore’s top culinary schools, Palette Sensations: Last but not least, be sure to see the pictures of Chong Fah’s super cute veg baby: |
 |
|
|
Is ‘Vegan’ India’s New Food Mantra for the Hip? |
||
|
Yes, says the following article from Outlook magazine: http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?266462 There’s even a pizzeria in Mumbai with cheeseless pizza (see photo). |
 |
|
|
World Environment Day 2010 Post Conference Screening |
||
|
On World Environment Day, 5 Jun, 100s of people attended an educational seminar on Global Warming, which included a mix of live speakers and videotaped talks. Among those in attendance were the diplomatic representatives of various countries. Pictured above is one of the speakers, Dr Art-Ong Jumsai. He gave an excellent overview of Global Warming and what can be done to address it. To follow up, highlights of the seminar will be screened on Sat, 14 Aug, 1.30-4.30, at Kampong Senang Holistic Lifestyle Centre and Eco Harmony Kitchen, Blk 106, Aljunied Crescent, Unit 01-205 (walking distance from Aljunied MRT Station). Admission is free and a tea reception will be provided at the end of the programme. |
 |
|
|
The Meat Paradox |
||
|
A new study from the University of Kent has provided direct evidence that people who wish to escape the ‘meat paradox’ i.e. simultaneously disliking hurting animals and enjoying eating meat, may do so by denying that the animal they ate had the capacity to suffer. Read more here: http://www.kent.ac.uk/news/stories/ meat-eaters-study/2010 A group of students at James Cook University (Singapore) are planning a related study among other students at their uni, and a VSS member is helping. |
 |
|
|
What They Didn’t Tell Us about the Clinton Wedding |
||
|
The marriage of Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Hillary and Bill Clinton, received lots of media attention, but one aspect of the wedding wasn’t highlighted: the food. Seems like the standard meal was veg; guests had to make a special request for meat. Kind of the opposite of most wedding dinners, which feature lots of meat, and guests have to make a special request for veg. Let’s hope that Chelsea and her husband’s example is followed by many more brides and grooms. Top |
 |
|
|
‘Cats in Flats’ Charity Photo Showcase |
||
|
Our friends at Cat Welfare Society - http://www.catwelfare.org - are having a photo exhibition to raise funds on Sat, 21 Aug, 11am-3pm, at Room with a View Café and Gallery, 17 Carpenter St (near Boat Quay), Level 5. Here’s from the blurb: There is no denying the allure of the cat as a pet, and more and more of us are opening our hearts and our homes to them. But what does it mean to be a cat owner in our unique urban environment? More on FB at |
 |
|
|
Raw Foods with Maria at Genesis |
||
|
One of VSS’s top food preparation classes this year was conducted by Maria Rivarola whose food was so good even VSS Social Activities Facilitator and chief food aficionado, Kheng Chua, was wowed! Maria learned her skills at Living Light Culinary Institute founded by Cherie Soria - http://www.vegetarian-society.org/node/1366#18 Thanks to Genesis Health Food Restaurant, you have two more chances to witness Maria’s raw food wizardry. Dates and Time: Sun, 15 and 29 Aug, 4-7pm |
 |
|
|
A Note of Caution – B12 |
||
|
By now, readers of the VSS eNewsletter should know that vegetarians need to pay attention to their B12 levels. As Dr Michael Greger explains in this video - http://video.vsh.org/Greger5.html starting about minute 13 - from our friends at Vegetarian Society of Hawaii (see their website for videos of talks by other veg experts), the consequences of low B12 levels are very serious, including death and lifelong incapacitation. Other sources of information on B12 include http://www.vegansociety.com/lifestyle/nutrition/b12.aspx and http://www.veganhealth.org/b12 Here is a summary of a study comparing B12 levels among meat eaters, lacto ovo vegetarians and vegetarians. The findings strongly suggest that vegetarians may be more susceptible to low B12 levels and their consequences. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2010 Jul 21 Gilsing AM, Crowe FL, Lloyd-Wright Z, Sanders TA, Appleby PN, Allen NE, Key TJ. Background/Objectives: Vegans, and to a lesser extent vegetarians, have low average circulating concentrations of vitamin B12; however, the relation between factors such as age or time on these diets and vitamin B12 concentrations is not clear. The objectives of this study were to investigate differences in serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations between omnivores, vegetarians and vegans and to ascertain whether vitamin B12 concentrations differed by age and time on the diet. Subjects/Methods: A cross-sectional analysis involving 689 men (226 omnivores, 231 vegetarians and 232 vegans) from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Oxford cohort. Results: Mean serum vitamin B12 was highest among omnivores (281, 95% CI: 270-292 pmol/l), intermediate among vegetarians (182, 95% CI: 175-189 pmol/l) and lowest among vegans (122, 95% CI: 117-127 pmol/l). In all, 52% of vegans, 7% of vegetarians and one omnivore were classified as vitamin B12 deficient (defined as serum vitamin B12<118 pmol/l). There was no significant association between age or duration of adherence to a vegetarian or a vegan diet and serum vitamin B12. In contrast, folate concentrations were highest among vegans, intermediate among vegetarians and lowest among omnivores, but only two men (both omnivores) were categorized as folate deficient (defined as serum folate<6.3 nmol/l). Conclusion: Vegans have lower vitamin B12 concentrations, but higher folate concentrations, than vegetarians and omnivores. Half of the vegans were categorized as vitamin B12 deficient and would be expected to have a higher risk of developing clinical symptoms related to vitamin B12 deficiency. |
 |
|
| |
||
|
Join VSS and enjoy great discounts on all our events, |
||
