Veg Capital announces an investment in vegan ready meal startup Jam n Vegan. The brand produces a range of culturally inspired dishes inspired by chef Kyle Parchments world travels and has already gained a following in the UK, racking up over 1000 positive reviews.

We have big visions for the future of Jam n Vegan and are thrilled to be joining this journey, Matthew Glover

The brands continually expanding range includes both traditional and unfamiliar dishes from around the world with a vegan twist, including Jackfruit Mutton with Rice and Peas, Drunken Laska Noodles (pictured below), Tuk Tuk Tikka, Thai Mango Curry, This is Not Butter Chicken, East African Bean Stew with Jollof Rice, and Caribbean Mac n Cheez with Jerk Crumb.

Veg Capital led the seed round with a 200,000 investment and will join the board to help Parchment to expand his team, starting with a marketing manager to further grow the brand and expand reach, and diversify routes to market to bring retail and food service distribution in addition to the current D2C home delivery service.

Says Veg Capital co-founder and MD Matthew Glover: Kyle has managed to capture a mood with his range; it is a true celebration of our world of wonderful and diverse cultures. And just as importantly, he is a master of flavour, working his magic to create dishes that are both unique and delicious.

Glover adds, At Veg Capital we have all been inspired by how Kyle has overcome the odds to build his company from his mums kitchen to where it is now. We have big visions for the future of Jam n Vegan and are thrilled to be joining this journey.

Kyle Parchment is excited about his brands new direction: I may not have been dealt the best cards in life, but I was brought up to have the deepest respect for culture, and I want to honour this with my food, and prove that with passion, dedication, and determination, the sky is the limit. Im so excited to welcome Veg Capital into the Jam Fam and am bursting with ideas to celebrate all the beautiful differences in the world through taste, sound, and vision.

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Veg Capital Invests in Young Chef's World Cuisine Inspired Vegan Ready Meals - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine - vegconomist - the vegan...

This rich, vegan chocolate tart recipe has a unique, short olive oil crust as it usesolive oil instead of vegan butter, and it is divine.

Made with adelicious combination of salted peanuts and dark chocolate, this vegan chocolate tart is a beautiful centrepiece for a party.

Want more vegan recipes?Try 3 issuesof Vegan Food & Living magazine for just 3!

The combination of peanuts and chocolate is a blissful flavour pairing thats both rich and sweet, yet salty and nutty at the same time.

To make this vegan chocolate tart recipe even more spectacular, we have decorated it with seasonal fruit. Not only does this add to the delicious flavours of this vegan dessert, butit looks elegant and fit for a fancy vegan dinner party.

Berries work particularly with chocolate, but you could also use bananas instead to make a yummy salted chocolate, peanut and banana tart. If you use bananas, cut them when you serve the vegan tart to avoid them going brown.

All you dinner guests will love our vegan chocolate tart recipe, including non-vegans.

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Vegan Salted Chocolate Peanut Tart Recipe - Vegan Food and Living

Move over Portland, Oregon theres a new vegan capital of the world. According to online cooking resource Chefs Pencil, Brighton and Hove has been named the new global vegan hotspot for the first time.

This marks the first time that Chefs Pencil has not named Portland or Bristol, UK as the vegan capital, and Brighton and Hove reportedly beat out other top contenders such as Seattle, Washington in the U.S. and Berlin in Germany.

Why Brighton and Hove? According to Plant Based News, this city has more than 240 vegan- and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, including popular spots for plant-based pizza and even sushi.

The data showed a recent drop in vegan-related searches after years of growth, but sales of plant-based foods have still been increasing. Chefs Pencil researchers believe this is due to growing interest in flexitarianism, an adaptable diet that reduces overall meat intake in favor of more plant-based foods without eliminating animal products entirely.

As flexitarianism becomes more mainstream, with 40% of European meat eaters planning to eat less meat, its no longer only vegans and vegetarians who are recognizing that every meal is an opportunity to eat more sustainably, said Carlotte Lucas, corporate engagement manager at the Good Food Institute Europe.

Chefs Pencil relies on data from Google Trends to determine vegan trends around the world, and searches showed the highest interest in veganism in Brighton and Hove. Researchers from Chefs Pencil also found that the UK was leading the world as the most popular country for vegans, followed by Germany, Austria, New Zealand and Australia. The U.S. landed in the eleventh spot on the list.

Its no surprise that the UK tops the charts, as many restaurants, even major fast food chains, are offering a growing amount of vegan items on their menus. Consumers can also find vegan options at every grocery store in the country.

The amount of choice these days is mouth-watering, said Derek Sarno, head of plant-based food innovation at the UKs largest supermarket chain, Tesco, as reported by Plant Based News. Almost every category within supermarkets now has plant-based options, making it easier than ever for those considering or switching to embracing more meat-free days of the week.

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Is This City the New 'Vegan Capital of the World'? - EcoWatch

Pregnancy cravings have soon-to-be moms hunting down some interesting foods. From pickles to ice cream to anything spicy, you never know what the baby is going to be hungry for! And actress Shay Mitchell (whos expecting her baby any day now) even shared her favorite pregnancy snacks.

Well, her assistant, Alexa Davis, was actually the one revealing the snacks in a recent TikTok on Mitchells account. Davis gave us a glimpse into her shopping basket, revealing some of Mitchells go-to snacks. And the best part? All three snacks are plant-based.

Plant-based foods arent just deliciousthey also come with a significantly smaller environmental footprint. In other words, plant-based foods are associated with fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller water footprint. Plus, moving away from animal agriculture benefits plants, animals, and ecosystems.

And incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet doesnt just benefit the planet: It benefits your health, too. According to our previous research, plant-based foods help reduce the risk of heart disease and boost proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Here are Shay Mitchells yummy plant-based pregnancy snacks, so you can add them to your grocery listwhether youre expecting or not.

Yes, this first one is simplebut delicious! According to Davis, kiwis happen to be one of Mitchells pregnancy cravings. Perfect timing: Kiwifruit is in season throughout the spring.

And were in luck. Kiwifruit made the Environmental Working Groups (EWG) Clean Fifteen list this year. According to the EWGs analysis, the produce on that list contained the smallest amount of pesticides.

Next on Mitchells craving list are chicken nuggets, but not just any chicken nuggets: jackfruit chicken nuggets from Jack & Annies.

Jackfruit is a common plant-based meat alternative. It can replace chicken or pork, and its commonly found in BBQ jackfruit sandwiches, tacos, and even curry.

Its a versatile meat alternative, and it even comes with a small environmental footprint. According to our research, just 1 kilogram of jackfruit emits 0.9 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Thats about 48 times lower than the carbon footprint of cattle.

Last but not least, a fresh fruit bowl topped with Tajn seasoning is one of Mitchells ultimate pregnancy snacks.

To re-create this bowl (and satisfy your own cravings) youll need chopped watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, and mango. Put the chopped fruit in a bowl and top with Tajn, and youve got yourself a flavorful snack.

Plus, you can customize this fruit bowl to your likingand you can use fruits that are in season right now! A few spring fruits to add to your bowl are bananas, kiwifruit, pineapples, and strawberries. And some summer fruits to add are blueberries, cantaloupe, cucumbers, honeydew melon, and even tomatoes.

Hey there! Want to help us change the world every day through easy, achievable, eco-friendly tips and tricks? Sign up for the Brightly Spot and join our movement of over a million changemakers.

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Shay Mitchell Just Shared Her Top 3 Pregnancy Snacksand They're All Vegan - Brightly

This means that vegans can order most of their favorite pizzas from Papa Murphy's, with the slight modification of using vegan cheese instead of traditional cheddar or mozzarella. The chain will be using Violife cheese, according to Chew Boom. The non-dairy creamery has been an innovator in bringing dairy-free cheese to pizza chains, with restaurants such as Pizza Hut experimenting with their plant-based cheese in the past (via Violife).

A dairy-free cheese alternative has been long-awaited at Papa Murphy's, as the chain announced that it would partner with Violife back in October 2021. According to VegOut Mag, vegan cheese was tested at a select number of locations before it was launched nationwide. Vegans have become crafty in finding ways to make their own traditional Take 'N' Bake Pizzas dairy-free, with some adding their own plant-based cheese at home before baking (via Vegan & Raw Food Blog). However, after months of waiting, customers can now get dairy-free cheese on their Papa Murphy's pizza.

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Papa Murphy's Newest Menu Addition Is A Win For Vegans - Mashed

Creative director Candyce Fritsch enjoys utilizing her artistic abilities at 2nd Shift Brewing.

Feast 5 is a weekly column introducing you to some of the best chefs, bartenders, makers, farmers and more around the region. Have a recommendation for someone who should be featured? Email us ateditor@feastmagazine.com.

Candyce Fritsch, the new creative director of 2nd Shift Brewing, is bringing her artistic skills to the world of beer.

Fritsch has a degree in graphic design and worked in California for 20 years before coming to St. Louis. She is also a newcomer to the beer industry but has adapted quickly.

Everything I learned has kind of just been on the fly, she says.

As creative director, she manages the brewerys social media and designs the packaging and labels for beer.

Being a working artist is difficult; doing things that you like and being paid to do them, she says. So I just have that luxury of creating art that I like and that Im proud of.

Here, Fritsch dishes on the St. Louis food scene and shares her love of a despised candy.

Whats the best thing youve ordered at a local bar or restaurant recently? I went to Tree House for dinner and got the fundido dip. The server kind of urged me into getting it, and that is the most impressed Ive been by food in a while. Tree House is vegan, and the meat/cheese replica isn't always comparable to thereal thing, but it was beef, cheesy, and then they have chopped tomatoes and onions on it and just serve it with tortilla chips. Its like something you would get in a Crockpot at a Super Bowl party. Just like comfort.

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Feast 5: 2nd Shift Brewing's Candyce Fritsch talks vegan dip, olive oil and a love of black licorice - Feast Magazine

If you are on a vegan diet, you will have to go for some specific protein supplements that will give you the right kind of nutrients without making any compromise with your existing diet plan. With options like pea protein, rice protein and more available for vegans, you can easily find the ideal pack of protein powder even for your special diet needs. If you are looking for a pack of pea protein powder for your fitness needs, you have plenty of options available online. We have a list of some of the most popular choices in pea protein powder packs that you can consider for your fitness needs. Choose from this list to buy the perfect options when you are shopping for your fitness essentials online.

AS-IT-IS Nutrition Pea Protein Isolate

OZiva Organic Plant Protein

bGREEN by MuscleBlaze Plant Protein Powder

Mypro Sport Nutrition Plant Protein Powder Pea & Brown Rice Protein

Fast&Up Vegan Plant Protein

MyFitFuel MFF Plant Pea Protein

Urban Platter Pure Pea Protein Powder

Unived Pea Protein Isolate

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Pea protein powder: Trusted options for vegan fitness enthusiasts - Times of India

Mayonnaise is one of the most divisive of all condiments you either love it or hate it but no matter what side you fall on, there is no denying that this integral condiment is a pantry staple that's not going anywhere.Mayo is acore ingredient in most popular dressings and dipping sauces and can elevate a regular sandwich effortlessly. While it's abundant on grocery shelves, it'sa bit more difficult to find many vegan mayo options.

Vegan and dairy-free mayo is agrowing area of thevegan market but it might surprise you to know that it has been around for decades. Vegan mayooriginally became popularinthe surge of independent vvegan cafs in the 1970s. The founders of the Follow Your Heart Cafe popularized their non-dairy mayoiteration in 1970 eventually growing to become one of the biggest players in the vegan world. Fifty years later, Follow Your Hearts Vegenaise is a household brand for plant-based, flexitarian, and non-vegan consumers everywhere.

Since the 1970s, countless companies have joined Follow Your Heart inoffering vegan mayonnaise, butnon-dairymayo can be made from several different ingredients. Plant-based mayonnaise recipes feature all sorts of ingredients including avocado oils, tofu, and aquafaba (chickpea brine) a trend that has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Other popular vegan mayos have attempted to avoid oil-based recipes. Food developers and companies have developed several options that feature oil-free options that instead use nut bases such as cashews. To provide the same flavor as traditional mayo, the recipes will also contain mustard, vinegar, salt, and occasionally liquid sweeteners. JUST Mayo stands out as one of the most experimental varieties, using yellow pea protein and amino acids as its thickening and binding agents.

When JUST Egg (originally Hampton Creek) launched JUST Mayo, Unilever sued the company for using plants instead of chicken eggs. In response, the company released a report with sustainability stats that revealed that vegan mayo produces 157.3 grams fewer carbon emissions than traditional egg-based mayonnaise. The report asserted that conventional chicken egg-based mayo uses 4.3 square feet of land and 278.4 quarts of water more than vegan mayo alternatives.

Choosing vegan mayo significantly lowers the burden on the egg and poultry industry. The New York Times docu-series Life of Chickens detailed the unsanitary, unsustainable, and unsafe conditions of chicken factory farms. By shifting to plant-based mayo, consumers can begin to hold major animal agriculture industries accountable for these unsafe practices.

Vegan mayo is also substantially healthier than traditional mayo. Many shoppers will avoid mayonnaise due to its fatty recipes and high-calorie count. Vegan mayo typically contains 20 to 22 percent fewer calories and no cholesterol in contrast to its animal-based counterpart. For shoppers worried about heart health, most vegan mayo also contains far less saturated fats than conventional egg-based varieties.

With plenty of vegan mayo options to choose from, here is The Beets guide to the best vegan mayos available, and where to buy them.

Chosen Foods earns its healthy-for-you chops by only including heart-healthy ingredients. This vegan mayo is made of avocado oil, aquafaba (the liquid brine of chickpeas), and fava beans. Chosen Foods is healthiest, but not necessarily tastiest since its on the bland side. That makes it a perfect choice for spreading on a stacked plant-based burger or healthier plant-based B.L.T. With 90 calories, it lines up with traditional mayos, but since this plant-based mayo is full of heart-healthy ingredients, go ahead and make it a pantry staple.

Calories90

Total Fat10g, Saturated Fat1.5g

Protein0g

Follow Your Heart is considered the standard-bearer of the vegan mayonnaise parade. With only eight ingredients, their Veganaise plant-based mayo delivers a simple, clean alternative to the essential condiment without forfeiting flavor. Compared to regular mayo, which is made from eggs, Vegenaise is made from canola oil and delivers less total fat and saturated fat per serving (.5 grams for a tablespoon vs. regular mayo which has 1.5 grams). This vegan mayo is an excellent sandwich spread or salad dressing base and if you switch it for the real thing no one will notice.

Calories80

Total Fat9g, Saturated Fat0.5g

Protein0g

Targets house brand, Good & Gather, would have the inside lane for loyal Target shoppers, but we didnt love the taste, and if you look at reviews on the Target site, were not alone. Give props to Good & Gather for the fact that they use pea-protein in the blend (along with Canola oil), and they nailed it with the texture and creaminess. But overall we found the taste to be abrasively sour. Targets vegan mayo is an affordable option that is low in sodium and sat fat. Its tolerable if you spice it up or add hot sauce or use it as a base for coleslaw or a vinaigrette.

Calories90

Total Fat10g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein0g

Who didnt grow up on Hellmanns? Well, what you may not know is that back in 2016 the company introduced its first plant-based version. With over a century of mayo expertise to bring to bear on the task, Hellmanns vegan mayo is tasty and affordable. You can buy a 24-ounce container for $4.99. Though health-minded consumers avoid Canola oil because it is high in polyunsaturated fats (which are less healthy than monounsaturated fats such as avocado oil) this option is popular because of the brand name, plus the fact that it is allergen-friendly and free of soy.

Calories90

Total Fat10g, Saturated Fat1g

Protein0g

If you are avoiding eggs, make sure to grab the Primal Kitchen mayo that is clearly marked vegan, because they also make one that is a blend of avocado and eggs. If your looking for healthier options consider that Primal Kitchens vegan mayo contains the same amount of sat fat and more total fat than leading mayos. However, with six ingredients, this is one of the cleanest options around. This vegan mayo is mouthwateringly delicious, managing to be both creamy and tangy. Making Primal Kitchen a great option for coleslaws and potato salads.

Calories90

Total Fat11g,Saturated Fat1.5g

Protein0g

Sir Kensingtons Vegan Mayo deserves to be called aioli because it is a step above the rest with a wonderfully rich and creamy flavor it is almost a dip that you could see being served with cheese fries at a restaurant. This chickpea-based mayo has a bold flavor that works perfectly to create flavorful specialty dipping sauces so use it for your chipotle aioli. Its richness comes at a price: Sir Kensingtons contains as many calories as conventional mayo (90 per tablespoon). Yet this vegan variation is healthier, containing less fat than most with just .5 per serving.

Calories90

Total Fat10g, Saturated Fat0.5g

Protein0g

Wicked Kitchens Garlic Mayo with Carmelized Onion is so tasty and full-flavored that it will convince anyone to love plant-based mayo. Made of rape-seed oil, vinegar, garlic, and caramelized onion flavor, this vegan mayo transforms your favorite plant-based burger into a gourmet experience. Make sure not to start your grilling season without this condiment on hand, since it is going to be an essential addition to your BBQ routine.

Calories80

Total Fat9g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein0g

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The Best Vegan Mayo Brands Review - The Beet

If you're someone who lives with food allergies, dietary restrictions, or both, then you know how difficult it can be to find reliably safe prepared foods. And if you happen to be a vegan with any kind of nut allergy, then you probably know frustrating this can be, as many vegan products such as dairy-free cheeses, spreads and dips, and desserts are based on nuts and variousnut milks. So if you recently bought a pint of Van Leeuwen ice cream's vegan Oat Milk Brown Sugar Chunk, listen up, because the brand just recalled 2,185 containers of this flavor due to the likely presence of undeclared tree nuts.

According to a notice published yesterday by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), 14-ounce containers of this ice cream flavor have been recalled because they might contain trace amounts of undeclared cashews or pistachios. According to the ice cream's ingredients list, its base is made from oat milk, but the FDA reported that a consumer called in a complaint after suffering an allergic reaction. Oat MilkBrown Sugar Chunk ice creams with a lot number of 21V194 and a best by date of 1/13/2023 have been removed from store shelves, and the FDA's notice advises anyone allergic or sensitive to peanuts, chestnuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, or cashews to dispose of the dessert or return it to its place of purchase for a full refund.

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Van Leeuwen Fans Need To Know About This Vegan Ice Cream Recall - Tasting Table

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Wedged into a recliner in the corner of her assisted living apartment in Portland, Skylar Freimann, who has a terminal heart condition and pulmonary illness, anxiously eyed her newly arrived hospital bed on a recent day and worried over how she would maintain independence as she further loses mobility.

There to guide her along the journey was the Rev. Jo Laurence, a hospice and palliative care chaplain. But rather than invoking God or a Christian prayer, she talked of meditation, chanting and other Eastern spiritual traditions: The body can weigh us down sometimes, she counseled. Where is the divine or the sacred in your decline?

An ordained Sufi minister and practicing Zen Buddhist who brings years of meditation practice and scriptural training to support end-of-life patients, Laurence is part of a burgeoning generation of Buddhist chaplains who are increasingly common in hospitals, hospices and prisons, where the need for their services rose dramatically during the pandemic.

In a profession long dominated in the U.S. by Christian clergy, Buddhists are leading an ever more diverse field that includes Muslim, Hindu, Wiccan and even secular humanist chaplains. Buddhist chaplains say theyre uniquely positioned for the times due to their ability to appeal to a broad cultural and religious spectrum, including the growing number of Americans roughly one-third who identify as nonreligious.

RELATED: How Hindu chaplains went from anomaly to necessity

In response, study and training opportunities have been established or expanded in recent years. They include the Buddhist Ministry Initiative at Harvard Divinity School and the Buddhism track at Union Theological Seminary, an ecumenical Christian liberal seminary in New York City. Colorados Naropa University, a Buddhist-inspired liberal arts college, recently launched a low-residency hybrid degree chaplaincy program. Non-accredited certifications such as those offered by the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care or the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, are also popular.

The programs keep expanding, so it seems clear that theres a growing demand from students. And the students appear to be finding jobs after graduation, said Monica Sanford, assistant dean for Multireligious Ministry at Harvard Divinity School and an ordained Buddhist minister.

In the past, Buddhist chaplains were often hired by the likes of hospitals and police departments specifically to minister to Asian immigrant communities. During World War II, they served Japanese American soldiers in the military. Today, however, they are more mainstream.

In a first-of-its-kind report published this month, Sanford and a colleague identified 425 chaplains in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing all major branches of Buddhism, though the researchers say there are likely many more. More than 40% work in health care, the Mapping Buddhist Chaplains in North America report found, while others serve in schools, in prisons or as self-employed counselors.

Two-thirds of respondents reported holding a Master of Divinity, another graduate degree or a chaplaincy certificate. Most of those working as staff chaplains also completed clinical pastoral education internships and residencies in health care and other settings.

Maitripa College, a Tibetan Buddhist college also in Portland, has seen increased interest in its Master of Divinity track since its launch 10 years ago, said Leigh Miller, director of academic and public programs. It appeals to a broad range, from older Buddhists with 20 years of practice to new college graduates who just started meditating, from spiritual seekers to people with multiple religious belongings.

Hospitals and other institutions are eager to hire Buddhist chaplains, Miller said, in part to boost staff diversity and also because they are adept at relating to others using inclusive, neutral language.

Buddhist chaplains are in the habit of speaking in more universal terms, focusing on compassion, being grounded, feeling at peace, she said. A lot of Christian chaplains fall back on God language, leading prayers or reading Bible scriptures.

Meanwhile, training in mindfulness and meditation, as well as beliefs regarding the nature of self, reality and the impermanence of suffering, give Buddhists unique tools to confront pain and death.

The fruit of those hours on the (meditation) cushion really shows up in the ability to be present, to drop ones own personal agenda and to have a kind of awareness of self and other that allows for an interdependent relationship to arise, Miller said.

Buddhist chaplaincy also faces challenges, including how to become more accessible to Buddhists of color. The Mapping Buddhist Chaplains in North America report found that most professional Buddhist chaplains today are white and have a Christian family background, even though nearly two-thirds of the faiths followers in the U.S. are Asian American, according to the Pew Research Center.

Traditional Buddhist communities tend to be small and run by volunteers so they often lack the resources to offer endorsements to chaplains a necessary step for board certification, which is often required for employment.

And non-Christian chaplains can struggle with feelings of isolation and a need to code-switch in Christian-founded health care institutions where crosses hang on walls, prayers are offered at staff meetings and Jesus and the Bible are regularly invoked.

Providence Health & Services, a Catholic nonprofit based in Washington state that runs hospitals in seven Western states, is one Christian health care system seeking to change that.

Mark Thomas, a chief mission officer in Oregon, said the system employs 10 Buddhist chaplains not despite but precisely because of its Catholic identity. The aim is to ensure patients get good spiritual care however it best suits them.

Many patients resonate with some aspect or even just a perception of Buddhism, said Thomas, citing practices like meditation and breathing that can help them cope with suffering. These tools have been enormously valuable.

Laurence, the hospice chaplain at Portlands Providence Home and Community Services, grew up in London and felt called to Buddhism after witnessing poverty, violence and racism as a caregiver in Mississippi.

She said that as more people become unchurched, many patients dont have a language for their spirituality or its tied up with religious trauma. Laurence supports them in whatever way they need, be it through Christian prayer, the comfort of a cool washcloth on a forehead or a Buddhist-inspired blessing.

RELATED: Muslim chaplains forge a new way of thinking about Islam in secular places

For some people the language of Buddhism is a respite, she said. It doesnt have the baggage, and it feels so soothing to them.

Freimann, her patient, said she has practiced Eastern spiritual traditions and therefore was delighted to receive Laurence.

I dont think of God the way traditionally religious people do, Freimann told her during the visit. What a joy youre here. It would be so much harder to talk with a Christian chaplain.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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Buddhist chaplains on the rise in US, offering broad appeal - Religion News Service