Market on South doubled its vendors last year and continues to serve the local vegan community.

By Charlotte Skipper | on December 29, 2023

When the tenants of Market on South, Valhalla Bakery and Dharma Southern Kitchen moved out in April, it seemed like the popular vegan collective located at 2603 E. South St. might be gone for good.

But a resurgence came in June, in the form of four new vendors working together to enhance the Orlando vegan community while using sustainable practices and supporting dozens of local small businesses.

Market on South now consists of Vegan Scoops, Retro Roast, Main House Market and The Kind Cleaver. Customers can grab a hearty sandwich, wash it down with a craft kombucha and take home a slice of cheesecake for dessert without eating a single animal product.

Yeneisy Lopez, co-owner of Vegan Scoops, said the four businesses first knew each other through pop-up markets and retailing with each other before reviving the beloved collective.

Were all vendor friends first, Lopez said.

Along with its fully vegan menu, Market on South aims for sustainable practices. Jamie Jarlson, co-owner of the sustainable coffee shop Retro Roast, said customers can receive discounts by bringing reusable cups or by joining a glass jar program, keeping the glassware their drinks come in and returning it (or reusing it) at a later date. She said with vegan foods and sustainable practices, it all works toward a better environment.

It all really ties together with the sustainability aspect, Jarlson said. They all work hand in hand, and I just want people to see that here.

Brandon Wood, owner of Main House Market, uses Market on South as a home for vending fresh kombucha, beer and wine. He said although he doesnt strictly adhere to a vegan diet, he appreciates working in a collective that can introduce him to new foods and improve his own lifestyle in different ways. For people who claim themselves as carnivores, Wood urges them to consider the ways a vegan substitute may be just as tasty.

The meat doesnt have any flavor alone. What you flavor it with is what gives it the taste you love, Wood said. We add in those flavorings and spices to give it the taste you would want, and theres actually more protein in it than just a piece of chicken.

Even with traditionally unhealthy foods like ice cream and baked goods, Lopez said making a better version allows more people with various diets to enjoy an outing to grab a treat. However, she said that even with a vast number of options for vegans, the Orlando vegan community still has room to grow.

I think its strong, but it hasnt reached its peak yet, Lopez said. I know big things are coming though, and I think it will help the vegan community to be even more exciting and have more options available.

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Doubling up - The Community Paper

Veganuary 2024: How to Go Vegan, and Stick to It  Green Queen Media

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Veganuary 2024: How to Go Vegan, and Stick to It - Green Queen Media

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Vegan activist Tash Peterson found herself in some controversy on Christmas Day, culminating in a tense standoff with West Australian police at the doorstep of the house where she was spending the holiday. The altercation unfolded as officers sought to arrest Peterson in connection with a recent protest at a Perth shopping mall.

Source: Tash Peterson/YouTube

Video footage posted by Peterson on Monday captured a heated exchange between her and a male officer at the front door. The officer informed her of her arrest on suspicion of criminal damage related to a protest at a local butcher shop. Peterson had posted a video of herself pouring fake blood over a glass display case of meats during the Sunday demonstration.

The arrest took a turn when officers requested the white T-shirt worn by Peterson during the protest as evidence. A dispute ensued over whether the police could enter the house without a warrant. An older woman, asserting her rights, insisted that the officers couldnt enter without proper authorization. The officer argued their authority to search for evidence at the location of the suspects arrest.

After a disagreement, Peterson eventually retrieved the garment featuring a graphic depiction of a pig in a slaughterhouse beneath the slogan End this Holocaust. Subsequently, she underwent a pat-down by a female officer before being placed in the back seat of an unmarked police vehicle.

In a Facebook post accompanying the video, Peterson shared the confiscation of her new shirt and disclosed the charges against her: Criminal Damage and Disorderly Conduct. She emphasized the temporary nature of the stage fake blood used in the protest. Peterson is scheduled to appear in court on January 8th to address the charges stemming from the controversial incident.

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Vegan Activist Tash Peterson Arrested Following Protest at a Butcher and Christmas Day Standoff with Police - One Green Planet

Dec 25, 2023, 10:43AM IST

Vegan treats can be just as festive and delicious as traditional ones! Here are six vegan Christmas treats you might enjoy making at home:

Use plant-based butter and replace eggs with flax eggs for a classic gingerbread cookie. Decorate them with vegan icing or try a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and non-dairy milk.

Melt vegan chocolate and spread it on a lined baking sheet. Top with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies. Let it cool and break it into festive, minty pieces.

Make a creamy and rich vegan eggnog using coconut or almond milk, sweetened with maple syrup or agave. Add a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon for that classic eggnog flavour.

Create decadent chocolate truffles by mixing melted vegan chocolate with coconut milk and a touch of vanilla extract. Roll them in cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut for a delightful finish.

Make a vegan-friendly pecan pie filling using ingredients like maple syrup and coconut oil. Pour them over a crust made from dates and nuts to create delicious pecan pie bars.

These powdered sugar-coated cookies, also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies, can easily be made vegan by using plant-based butter and replacing dairy with non-dairy alternatives.

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6 Vegan Christmas Treats To Try At Home - WION

There was once a myth that vegans were weak. In recent years, however, there has been growing awareness of the huge athletic potential plant-based diets can give you (thanks largely to high profile vegan athletes and documentary The Game Changers).

Its now widely acknowledged that a plant-based diet can have huge benefits for sporting performance. As well as personal anecdotes and scientific research, mountains of trophies and medals are proving that veganism is a recipe for sporting success. In 2023, vegan and plant-based athletes won world championships and ultramarathons without supporting the cruelty of animal agriculture industries. Here are seven of the top achievements by vegans and plant-based eaters in sport in 2023.

Whether running hundreds of miles or battling in brutal bare-knuckle fights, these athletes are all powered by plants. Living proof that vegans get enough protein, they are faster, stronger, and more successful on healthy plant-based diets.

Vegan athlete Jaqueline Geihe won gold at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championships in October. She fought her way to the Adult blue belt Featherweight (56.5kg) category.

I feel like it is important to see a vegan athlete winning competitions because even though there are already many amazing famous athletes and Guiness record holders on a plant-based diet, too many people still hold prejudices against individuals following this lifestyle, Geihe told PBN.

In April, vegan ultra-runner Austin Meyer took first place at the Zion Ultra 100km (62 mile) race. This grueling ultramarathon saw athletes race around the Zion National Park in Utah, with only experienced ultra-runners eligible to compete.

After completing the course in just over 10 hours, Meyer told Plant Based News (PBN): Eating a plant-based whole foods diet has allowed me to increase physical stress in training, and simultaneously, recover faster. This is due in part to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the food, which lead to reduced muscle damage.

In July, a 66-year-old vegan athlete secured first place in a 48-hour ultramarathon in Massachusetts. Trishul Cherns, who ran 142.5 miles (229 kilometers), credited his plant-based diet for his success.

Cherns has broken more than 110 Canadian ultra-running records. In an interview, he told Canadian Running: My success definitely comes from my diet. Im a vegan, and thats an anti-inflammatory diet. Im trying to prevent inflammation in my body because these are stressful events, so Im trying to make it as easy as possible.

The year 2023 has been quite a time for vegan athlete Lisa Gawthorne. In March, she won gold at the European Duathlon Championships. Then at the end of April, she brought home another gold medal from the Duathlon World Championships in Ibiza.

Vegan for more than 20 years, Gawthorne competes with Go Vegan emblazoned on her clothing. After her European Championship success, Gawthorne told PBN: Its my 20th veganniversary so what better way to celebrate that than with a European win to prove that veganism has a very valid place for supporting peak performance in sport, fitness, and athletics.

In November, vegan fighter Po Denman became Thailands straw-weight bare-knuckle boxing champion. Now ranked as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, she credits her plant-based diet as improving her performance and training.

Not only did it fuel me for the fight night, but also throughout the training regime, she is reported as saying. I feel light and I can train hard. I never measure the exact amount of what I eat but I make sure that in a meal, I just have a variety of food.

After last years success, the Vegan Strong PlantBuilt once again stole the show at the 84th Mr. America Sports Festival in Atlantic City. The plant-powered team took home 41 medals, including 32 first-place wins in Powerlifting, Strongman, CrossFit, and Kettlebell.

Mr. America provided a great opportunity for us to prove that plants have all the protein you need to be strong and healthy and to fuel wins at the highest levels said Giacomo Marchese, Vegan Strong PlantBuilt co-founder. We more than doubled our wins from last year, and competitors asked how we were doing it.

Plant-based tennis player Novak Djokovic won his 24th major singles title in September. By lifting three of the four majors in 2023 the Australian Open, French Open and US Open the 36-year-old equalled Margaret Courts record.

Djokovic has said that he cut out animal products after suffering from allergies since he was a child. He was listed as an executive producer on The Game Changers.

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7 Times Plant-Based Athletes Triumphed In Sports In 2023 - Plant Based News

When so many types of non-dairy milk exist, why would you go for starchy water instead of an actual milk substitute if you want to make vegan mashed potatoes? One reason you might want to avoid using non-dairy milk is its taste. Many non-dairy milks carry strong flavors that can clash with or even overpower the delicate flavor of the potato; milks like coconut, especially, have a stronger taste to them that can leave your mash tasting more like a tropical dessert than a savory side dish. Potato water, on the other hand, only carries the flavor of the potatoes that were boiled in it, and possibly a little added salt.

There are a lot of reasons you might want to hang onto any extra potato water, some might even be surprising. Potatoes are rich in nutrients such as iron, potassium, proteins, and B6 vitamins, so it stands to reason that potato water would be, as well. You can use the potato water to make a delicious gravyto pour over those mashed potatoes you just made, of course. Potato water is also a useful kitchen ingredient for any situation where you may need a bit of a thickener, such as soup or stew. Use potato water in dough for another layer of flavor; potato bread is a perfect example. Or, water your plants with your (unsalted) leftover potato water it will water and fertilize them in one go.

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Skip The Non-Dairy Milk Altogether For The Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes - Daily Meal

A UNIVERSITY boss has been sacked for starring in vegan-themed porn films.

Dr Joe Gow, 63, recorded raunchy footage with his wife Carmen Wilson under the username Sexy Happy Couple.

He uploaded the X-rated material to the OnlyFans site where it was flagged to management.

Now he has been told to leave his role as Chancellor of Wisconsin-La Crosse University.

Dr Gow and Ms Wilson, 56, run a vegan cooking channel where they host adult film stars as guests then record a follow-up video in which the trio have sex.

Their OnlyFans site promises: Top adult video stars cook, converse and shoot sex scenes with a plant-powered couple.

The journalism professor, who has run the US university for 17 years, is being investigated by an independent law firm.

But he claims his sacking violates his right to free speech.

He said: I was given no due process, they never said what policy I violated, and also there was no hearing.

But university president Jay Rothman described the videos as abhorrent.

He added: We expect our chancellors, as the leaders of these great institutions, to be role models for our students, staff and faculty.

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Uni boss, 63, sacked for starring in vegan-themed porn films in Only Fans side hustle... - The Sun

For some people, Buddhism and Greco-Roman wrestling could be considered contradictory in nature.

While the Bhuddas teachings emphasise calmness and inner peace, wrestling is one of the most abrasive and confrontational sports on the Olympic programme.

But for 22-year-old Netherlands grappler, Tyrone Sterkenburg, its the perfect match.

**My mum is a Buddhist from Thailand and when I was 16 years old, I became a monk for the summer. That greatly improved my mental focus and my spirituality, Sterkenberg, who competes in the 97kg category, told Olympics.com from the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

**It showed me a whole new side of life because I was used to training two times a week, studying and being busy all the time. And then all of a sudden at the monastery I couldnt eat, run or do fast movements.

I used to have rage before my matches and I was always so nervous. But now I actually close my eyes and try to meditate a little bit for the match, to have a little bit more focus and calmness.

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Meet Tyrone Sterkenburg: Greco-Roman wrestler, monk, model, and influencer - Olympics

Japan Art and Bleak Midwinter: Buddhist Monk

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Two stunning art pieces by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi fuse a stunning landscape with a wandering Buddhist monk in the bleak midwinter. Indeed, the religious angle, be it Buddhism, Christianity, or Shintoism, are themes that pop up often in her delightful art.

In the above art piece, a Buddhist monk is on his way to a distant Buddhist temple. Ice, snow, and a freezing wind abound. However, it is of little concern to the Buddhist monk, for holy scriptures await.

The two art pieces are titledBleak Midwinter and the Buddhist Tree of LifeandStunning Bleak Midwinter of Northern Japan.

Interestingly, the Buddhist tree of life is singular in both art pieces. However, one art piece focuses on the Buddhist monk fighting the wintery conditions while the other is focused on a stunning landscape.

Despite this, the singular tree is symbolic in both art pieces.

The holy Buddhist monk Nichiren (1222-1282) said:Life in this world is limited. Never be in the least bit afraid!

Overall, the Buddhist tree of life and nature are interwoven seen and unseen. Henceforth, the mystery of life through the prism of art.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/bleak-midwinter-and-the-buddhist-tree-of-life-sawako-utsumi.html

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http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sawako-utsumi.html Sawako Utsumi and where you can buy her art, postcards, bags, and other products. Also, individuals can contact her for individual requests.

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Delve into the teachings of Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist and Zen priest, as he explores the essence of Zen Buddhism.

Waldinger, who directs the long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development, discusses how Zen can help people discover the transformative power of impermanence, mindfulness, and the art of relieving suffering. He shares practical wisdom on cultivating loving-kindness, maintaining a beginners mind, and fostering fulfilling relationships.

Whether youre seeking inner peace or navigating relationships, Waldinger offers practical guidance for a more fulfilling existence.

ROBERT WALDINGER: Zen emphasizes community. It's called 'Sangha' in the Buddhist language, and it's really the idea that we practice learning about ourselves and each other by being in relationships with each other, both during meditation sessions and out there in the world.

I am a Zen practitioner. I'm actually a Rshi, a Zen Master. It's a big part of my life, and it is an enormous benefit in terms of how I think about my own life, other people's lives, how I think about my research, and how I think about working with patients.

I would rate the concept of impermanence as, number one, as the greatest hit of Zen Buddhism. Basically, the idea of everything constantly changing. There's nothing to hold onto in the deepest sense.

And that, on the one hand, that can be scary; on the other hand, it can be an enormous relief because we tell ourselves so many stories about who we are, and who we're supposed to be, and how the world is supposed to be, and when we really know the truth of impermanence, we let a lot of that go.

Once we realize that everything is always changing, it helps us be more compassionate to other people because we realize that they are also dealing with all the complexities of a self and a world that's constantly changing.

The Four Noble Truths are perhaps the most iconic teachings of the Buddha. They start with the Buddhist statement. Now, it's often said that, "The Buddha was teaching that you could get to a point where you never suffer anymore." Zen does not teach that.

Rather, what we can do is learn to be with what's unsatisfactory in life, learn to be with unhappiness, even be with pain in a way that makes it more bearable, in a way that doesn't layer on the optional suffering being the stories we tell about how unfair it all is.

For example, that I have back pain or how unfair it is that I've got a cold todaythat all of these things are workable. It makes me a little less likely to blame other people for what's going on in me, and that can be hugely helpful.

When we talk about harmony in relationships. The best definition I know of mindfulness is simple: So right now, for me, that's talking with you. That's the feel of the chair on my back. It's the feel of the air on my skin.

You can work on your mindfulness right this moment, by simply paying attention to whatever stimuli are reaching you. It might be your heartbeat, it might be your breath, it might be the sound of the fan in the roomanything. And simply letting yourself be open and receive whatever is here right now. And you can do that in any moment.

Buddhism talks about the idea of attachment. It's really about holding on tightly to a fixed view of something. Zen teaches that unsatisfactoriness is always there in life, and that we do have preferences, but that what we can do is to insist less that the world be a certain way.

In other words, to insist less that the world be a certain way. I mean, think about in relationships, how much we try to insist that someone else be a certain way that we want them to be, and how much less we suffer if we let that go.

And just assume that that person is allowed to show up in the world as they are, and we are allowed to show up in the world as we are. So this idea of relieving suffering is in Zen, the idea of being able to face towards suffering, looking at it, and living with it in a way that hurts less.

There's a concept of Metta, loving-kindness, in Buddhism, and there are a couple of different ways that it's talked about. One is an explicit skill that we can cultivate. You can do a loving-kindness meditation where you think about another person and you say to yourself, "May you be happy, may you be at peace."

And you do that over and over again, and you come to feel differently about the other person, including about people you don't like very much or you're angry at. So there's that way of actively cultivating a skill.

There's another way, which is simply by becoming more and more aware of your own pain, your own anxious, angry thoughts, your own difficulties. Because what happens when we become more aware of that through meditation, for example, is that we become much more empathic toward other people.

And naturally, that kind of loving-kindness arises, where we see an angry person and say, "Oh, I wonder if that person is having a terrible day," rather than immediately reacting with our own anger. And so that's a different way to cultivate loving-kindness, but it happens pretty reliably through meditation.

And finally, there's a wonderful teaching in Zen about Beginner's Mind. The idea that we let go of all the stories we tell ourselves that we're so sure of. Having a beginner's mind really helps in relationships because it allows us to be curious, it allows us to say, "Okay, there's so much I don't know about this person, let me watch closely. Let me notice what I haven't seen before about this person. Let me find new ways to interact with this person."

And that brings a kind of freshness and openness to relationships that can otherwise easily get stale. Shunryu Suzuki was a Zen Master who had a saying that I love. And what he meant by that is when we can remain open to many possibilities, rather than being so sure that we know what's what, that we become open to surprise, open to new ways of experiencing ourselves and the world, that make us suffer a great deal less than when we are so-called experts.

And the older I get, and the more people call me an expert, the more aware I am of how little I know.

Excerpt from:
A Zen master's guide to crushing pain & unlocking peace - Big Think