Join us for a spook-tacular evening brought to you by Vegan Scouts in collaboration with Try Vegan PDX. Other contributors include Out to Pasture Sanctuary!

What is Harmless Halloween? Harmless Halloween is a Family-Friendly Halloween Event designed for all ages! Enjoy a delightful day filled with fun activities, where all sweets, treats, and food options are perfectly harmless— 100% vegan, containing no animals or animal by-products in their ingredients.

Join us for a celebration of kindness and creativity, perfect for families looking to embrace a compassionate Halloween! This event is open to all (Vegans, Vegetarians, & the Veg-Curious!)

Family Friendly Halloween Costumes are highly encouraged!!!

Event Highlights:**Free Admission** $5 Suggested Donation. Enter to win Raffle prizes with your donation!

Vegan Scouts will host Halloween-themed carnival games , spooky decor, photo ops, a raffle, and more!

Try Vegan PDX is back with their 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat—don’t miss the treats from our generous community members! Wear your best Halloween costumes for trick or treating! If you are interested in volunteering at the Trunk or Treat, contact us!

Out to Pasture Sanctuary will offer a Halloween craft table and a delightful Cupcake Walk for all ages.

Location: Leaven Community Center, 5431 NE 20th Ave., Portland. 4:00 to 7:00 pm

Curious about tasty ways to use tofu? Rhonda and Hans Wrobel, owners of Higher Taste, will be putting on a special demonstration at the Cornelius Public Library on tofu, and how they transform the high-protein, low-calorie, and versatile plant-based food made from healthy soybeans into some of the most delicious, innovative, and unimaginable cuisines you've ever experienced! Higher Taste a natural foods company based in Cornelius, Oregon, has been producing vegan and vegetarian burritos, sandwiches, and salads for 37 years now, and currently sell them in 5 states in the Pacific Northwest.

Location: Cornelius Public Library, 1370 N Adair Street, Cornelius

Come meet new friends or see old ones at the Northwest VEG Westside Potluck. You can come just to the potluck at 5:00 pm, the program which will start at 6:15 pm, or both.

For the program, we will watch the 41 minute long documentary and have a discussion about Let Us Be Heros - The True Cost of Our Food Choices that looks at the health and environmental impact of our diets and lifestyle choices.

Directed by Rebecca Cappelli and Abhi Anchliya, Let Us Be Heroes shares the stories of athletes, entrepreneurs, activists, and experts in the food and fashion scenes, among others, in a bid to empower people to make positive changes.

“We are the leaders of the world we want to live in,” filmmakers wrote. “Let us be heroes.”

Location: WHUUF, 8470 Southwest Oleson Road, Portland

Food As Medicine – Santa Cruz brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, and experts from various fields to explore the latest scientific findings, clinical applications, and practical insights related to plant-based diets.

Learn the latest information on plant-based nutrition, the effects of diet on chronic disease prevention and control, and about designing an optimum plant-based diet for patients and clients in a clinical setting. This conference is designed for healthcare professionals, offering continuing education credits for many health care professionals, but others with strong interests in nutrition and health are welcome to attend. Key Speakers include Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Columbus Batiste, Dr. Rak Jotwani, Dr. Elise Atkins, and Maria Jose Hummel, Ph.D.

This conference is presented by Eat for the Earth, with Northwest VEG, Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine as co-sponsors.

Invite your friends for a chance to meet, learn, and enjoy time with like-minded friends at the new Marriott at the Waterfront in Vancouver.

All are welcome including children. We will order off the menu as they have added vegan items for us and several other dished can be prepared vegan.

Please RSVP on Meet-up to give our host company an idea of how many will be showing up.

Location: 333 W. Columbia Way, Vancouver WA

Time: 5:30- 7:30 pm

Ticket sales are now live for the Compassionate Living Festival. Visit https://nwveg.org/clf for more information and to purchase tickets.

This mini-VegFest will have food, speakers, vendors, cooking demonstrations, and classes, all celebrating 20 years of Northwest VEG providing community for people seeking to move to a healthier, sustainable, compassionate plant-based diet. If you are interested in helping to plan and carry out this event, please send an email to Volunteer@nwveg.org.

Note the date - Tuesday, September 24. Let’s try again: last month we had technical issues and could not present Linda Tyler’s talk. This month Linda will join us live from her kitchen (over Zoom). Normally our potlucks are on the last Wednesday of the month, but this month we will have the potluck on Tuesday the 24th due to Linda’s schedule. Linda teaches college classes from her fully-equipped kitchen, and she will be live for questions and answers.

The potluck begins at 5:30 with the presentation beginning at 6:30.

For the potluck, please bring a plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert; a card listing its ingredients; and plates and utensils for your use. If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4-6; increase the amount 4 servings for each additional person in your party/family.

Location: 4505 E 18th St., Vancouver

Come to the potluck at 5 to meet old friends and make new ones, and/or at 6:15 to hear a fascinating talk by Northwest VEG member Sharon Methvin on what she found on her recent post-pandemic trip to China. Sharon will discuss the rapid shift in dietary and lifestyle behaviors in urban areas of China. There has been a post-pandemic explosion of western fast-food chains, delivery apps, and increasing desire for meat and dairy, engineered foods, and purebred pets. This rapid shift has led to increasing incidences of obesity and undernutrition, environmental degradation, and companion animal abandonment. Sharon will then conclude with the potential implication of these trends and why it might not be all doom and gloom as Chinese youth continue to adopt western practices.

Location: Stone Tower SDA Church, 3010 NE Holladay St., Portland

For the potluck, please bring a plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert; a card listing its ingredients; and plates and utensils for your use. If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4-6; increase the amount 4 servings for each additional person in your party/family.

Invite your friends for a chance to meet, learn, and enjoy time with like-minded friends at the Nom Nom Restaurant & Grill in Vancouver.

All are welcome including children. We will order off the menu as many items can be prepared vegan.

Please RSVP on Meet-up to give our host company an idea of how many will be showing up.

Location: Nom Nom Restaurant & Grill, 801 C St., Vancouver, WA 98660 5:30 - 7:30 PM

We are repeating this excellent presentation so our friends on the west side will have a chance to hear it. Come for the potluck at 5:00 or the program at 6:15, or both. Following the potluck, we are very pleased to have Dr. Jason Sherbondy present to us about diet and lifestyle choices and how they influence cognitive health, as well as how we can build and maintain cognitive reserve. Dr. Sherbondy will be sharing information from the blue zones (areas where people live exceptionally long), along with the health program that doctors Dean and Ayesha Sherzai use at the Alzheimer’s prevention program in Loma Linda, California.

Dr. Sherbondy is a Naturopathic Physician with over 15 years in practice, and is passionate about nutrient dense whole food plant based lifestyles.

Location: Orenco Unitarian Universalist Church, 6815 NE Birch Street, Hillsboro, OR

Join us in Vancouver for our monthly potluck and presentation by the Gracious Vegan, Linda Tyler as she discusses the nutritional values of these lightly-processed foods and how they can be used in everyday meals.

The potluck begins at 5:30pm with the presentation beginning at 6:30pm.

For the potluck, please bring a plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert; a card listing its ingredients; and plates and utensils for your use. If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4-6; increase the amount 4 servings for each additional person in your party/family.

Please RSVP so we will know how many places to set for our guests.

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 East 18th Street, Vancouver, WA, 98661

Please note that our potluck location and day has changed to where we have a full kitchen and plenty of space. We now meet on the last Wednesday of the month at UUCV. Stay tuned, in the future we may have to change days to accommodate our speakers.

Join our active and fun group meeting. Invite your friends for a chance to meet, learn, and enjoy time with like-minded friends at the most exciting new vegan restaurant/bar to come to Vancouver.

All are welcome including children. We will order off the menu as 3 Howl’s menu is entirely vegan!

RSVP on Meet-up to give our host company an idea of how many will be showing up.

Come meet new friends or see old ones at the Northwest VEG Westside Potluck. Program Change: Daniela Lais had to cancel her presentation, but we are thrilled to have our own co-founding Northwest VEG members Rick and Linda SantAngelo, who will discuss their recent two-week health retreat at True North Health Center. Both came back with life-changing health improvements that their physicians have not been able to produce. They will discuss their experiences and amazing results they witnessed in other patients there.

True North provides medically-assisted fasting, feeding, educational, and spa services so that we can find our best level of health and maintain it. Their feeding and fasting programs are legendary for resolving many health disorders and establishing the optimal state of health that is possible for each of us.

Linda has served as the NW VEG treasurer for over 20 years. Over the years Rick has served in support positions and currently publishes the NW VEG newsletter.

You can come just to the potluck at 5:00 pm, the program which will start at 6:15 pm, or both.

Location: WHUUF, 8470 Southwest Oleson Road, Portland

Please note new night and location. Potluck at 5:30, presentation begins at 6:30

For the potluck, please bring a plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert; a card listing its ingredients; and plates and utensils for your use. If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4-6; increase the amount 4 servings for each additional person in your party/family.
This month’s presentation:

Video by Cyrus Khambatta and Robby Barbaro, authors of Mastering Diabetes The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes

Highly recommended by Dr. Neal Barnard

RSVP

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver
4505 E 18th Street, Vancouver, WA

Rescheduled from June 16. Come for the potluck at 5:00 or the program at 6:15, or both. Following the potluck, we are very please to have Dr. Jason Sherbondy present to us about diet and lifestyle choices and how they influence cognitive health, as well as how we can build and maintain cognitive reserve. Dr. Sherbondy will be sharing information from the blue zones (areas where people live exceptionally long), along with the health program that doctors Dean and Ayesha Sherzai use at the Alzheimer’s prevention program in Loma Linda, California.

Dr. Sherbondy is a Naturopathic Physician with over 15 years in practice, and is passionate about nutrient dense whole food plant based lifestyles.

Location: Stone Tower SDA Church, 3010 NE Holladay St., Portland

For the potluck, please bring a plant-based (no animal products, including honey) main dish, salad, or dessert; a card listing its ingredients; and plates and utensils for your use. If you come alone, figure the amount to serve 4-6; increase the amount 4 servings for each additional person in your party/family.

Join our active and fun group meeting. Invite your friends for a chance to meet, learn, and enjoy time with like-minded friends.

All are welcome including children. We will order off the menu as they have many vegan and vegan-option items on their menu.

RSVP on Meet-up to give our host company an idea of how many will be showing up.

Come join us July 4th for our annual vegan picnic potluck at the Evelyn Schiffler Memorial Park in Beaverton. Bring the whole family as there will be games and more—for all ages! See old friends and meet new ones.

Once again, Northwest VEG will be supplying free vegan ice cream for this event.

This month our speakers will be Rick and Linda SantAngelo who will discuss their recent two-week health retreat at True North Health Center. Both came back with life-changing health improvements that their physicians have not been able to produce. They will discuss their experiences and amazing results they witnessed in other patients there.

True North provides medically-assisted fasting, feeding, educational, and spa services so that we can find our best level of health and maintain it. Their feeding and fasting programs are legendary for resolving many health disorders and establishing the optimal state of health that is possible for each of us.

Linda has served as the NW VEG treasurer for over 20 years. Over the years Rick has served in support positions and currently publishes the NW VEG newsletter.

PLEASE NOTE: Vancouver potlucks will now be held at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver at 4505 E 18th Street, Vancouver on the last Wednesday of the month. This change gives us access to a full kitchen. Time: 5:30-7:30 PM

Changed Program: Due to a schedule conflict, Jason Sherbondy’s presentation on mental health and diet/lifestyle is postponed to the July 21 Eastside Potluck. Instead, we will show the new summary version of the award-winning documentary “Eating Our Way to Extinction”. This 35-minute film explores the environmental impact of industrial animal agriculture. It argues that our current meat consumption habits are unsustainable and contribute to problems like deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The film travels the globe, showcasing the environmental destruction caused by raising animals for food. It also features interviews with scientists and experts who discuss the link between animal agriculture and climate change. While the documentary doesn't shy away from the ethical concerns of factory farming, its main focus is the environmental impact. It ultimately proposes a shift towards more plant-based diets as a key solution to ecological collapse.

You can come just to the potluck at 5:00 pm, the program which will start at 6:15 pm, or both. Just prior to the program, Northwest VEG will hold a short annual membership meeting, announce the results of the Northwest VEG board election, and give a brief update on the status of the organization and upcoming events.

Location: WHUUF, 8470 Southwest Oleson Road, Portland

Join us for our next Dineout May 31st at 6:30 pm at Yuan Su Vegetarian Restaurant, a hidden Portland gem serving delicious Chinese-American food. Despite the word “vegetarian,” the menu is 100% plant-based and super tasty! The restaurant is spacious, quiet (conducive to conversation), and has plenty of parking. Your biggest challenge is to choose from the very interesting and extensive menu as there are so many choices!

The entrees are meant to be shared family style, plus there are combo dishes for individual meals. Combo #1 is so tasty, it includes a yummy Spring Roll, Veggie Ham Fried Rice, Veggie Beef with Broccoli, and the best Sweet and Sour Chicken (not too sweet, not too sour). You also can't go wrong with the basic Tofu with Veggie dish. The appetizers are delicious, too, and include a perennial favorite—Veggie Five Flavor Bean Curd Skin (yuba). Come find your favorite items!

Because of limited space, pre-registration is necessary. Click here to register.

Juliete Palenshus is committed to the achievement of a vibrant and thriving community. She serves as a community leader and champion for well-being in her roles as the Community Engagement Director for Thrive Umpqua, Executive Director of UC-VEG, a Community Advisory Councilor for the Umpqua Health Alliance, and a member of the Umpqua Valley Arts Association Board of Directors and 2018 Summer Arts Festival Chair. Graduating with honors from Central Washington University, Juliete earned a degree in International Relations, with minors in Spanish, Latin American Studies, and Environmental Studies. Her professional background includes government, social services, and nonprofit management.

We may have a few spaces available

With some cancellations, we may have a few spots open for Michael Greger’s talk. If you have not registered and would like to attend, please email peter@nwveg.org and we will either get you registered or put you on a waitlist.

We are thrilled to confirm that we will have Dr. Michael Greger here live in Portland on May 28th to present from his new book How Not to Age. Dr. Greger is the founder of Nutritionfacts.org, producer of more than 2,000 videos on virtually every aspect of healthy eating, and author of 10 books.

There are multiple processes in our body that lead to aging. How Not to Age looks at each of these processes, and how good nutrition can disrupt each one of them. The book provides evidence-based methods to preserve the body functions to help keep you feeling healthy and youthful, both physically and mentally.

Dr. Greger will be signing books, but we will not have books for sale at the event. Please purchase your book ahead of time and bring it with you if you want him to sign it.

We have closed registration because we are at venue capacity, and excited to see the huge response. The event is free, but if you could donate $5-10 at the door or donate online to help pay for the venue and support Northwest VEG, we would greatly appreciate it.

Dr. Greger is an engaging speaker, with a fast-paced, humorous style packed with information. You won’t want to miss this presentation.

Location: Unity Church, 4525 SE Stark Street, Portland.
May 28, 7:00-8:30 PM - Doors open at 6:30

Join us at 5 pm for our Eastside vegan potluck and/or our featured presentation at 6:15. This is a great opportunity to meet other vegans in your community, learn about vegan cooking, and share recipes.

Following the potluck, former Northwest VEG President Peter Spendelow will give a presentation of the environmental impacts of both food and plastic on the environment, how Oregon’s new Recycling Modernization Act may affect this, and the most effective things we as citizens can do to reduce these impacts. Peter has a background in Zoology and has worked as an environmental specialist with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for 39 years, working in the Materials Management program.
Location: Stone Tower SDA Church, 3010 NE Holladay St., Portland.

Christoph Wagner, cellist, and Joanne Kong, pianist, weave together music, reflections and imagery to illuminate how embracing the connections we have to the natural world and all beings can bring about transformative spiritual growth, positive change and planetary healing. The internationally-acclaimed duo has given this presentation at Unitarian Universalist churches around the country, praised for “exceptional technical ability and artistry, and also heartfelt playing and deep soulful connection to the music, the audience, and all beings.” The presentation will include a selection by Portland songwriter Daniel Redwood. All these vegan artists have found powerful ways to use their creative skills to advocate for veganism and the animals, and this will be a truly unique event.

Friday, May 17, 7 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver
4505 E. 18th St., Vancouver, WA 98661

Join us for our bi-monthly potluck at the Orenco UU Church, 6815 NE Birch St., Hillsboro, and partake in all the tasty dishes brought by our participants. At 6:00 pm, following the potluck, we will have Isaac and Chrissy Farias, instructors of the LEAP program (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet), talk about the program being held at Wildwood Farm Sanctuary and many other sanctuaries throughout the country. LEAP is a leadership development program designed to rival 4H and FFA with a focus on animal rights. Isaac will also give an update on the IP3—an initiative petition to criminalize killing animals in Oregon, now changed to IP28 with the goal of being on the 2026 ballot. Come to the potluck, the presentation, or both.

Vancouver’s first 100 percent plant-based restaurant opened last month to a packed house and is a big hit. The location is an historic 100+-year-old house that has been lavishly remodeled in a wicked black-and-mirror wolf theme that is probably the hippest environment in Southwest Washington and the ambiance and food are fantastic!

Celebrate Earth Day Week at the Climate Action Fair. Northwest VEG will have a table at the fair, and former Northwest VEG President Peter Spendelow will be speaking on Food Choices and Global Warming from 12:30 to 12:55. The fair will also feature other speakers and representatives from nonprofit organizations and businesses with expertise in the environmental and climate-centered issues. The fair will be from noon to 4 pm April 28 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland.

Please join us for our April dineout at JUNE in Beaverton on Thursday, April 25 at 6:00 pm. JUNE was formerly one of the Sudra restaurants, but the owner has transformed it into an all-vegan cocktail bar, decorated in the style of 1920s Art Deco. The food is Indian-inspired, and the menu includes “small bites” like Turmeric Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Kale Pakora, and “plates” like the JUNE Burger (Beyond Meat and lentils) and Tempeh Salad. Of course, there is an extensive array of exotic cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. We only have space for 16, so pre-registration is required.

Video Presentation: How Not to Age with Dr. Michael Greger

Share a meal with local vegans and watch a pre-recorded video presentation by Dr. Michael Greger discussing his new book How Not to Age.

Inspired by the dietary and lifestyle patterns of centenarians and residents of “blue zone” regions where people live the longest, Dr. Greger presents simple, accessible, and evidence-based methods to preserve the body functions that keep you feeling youthful, both physically and mentally. Brimming with expertise and actionable takeaways, How Not to Age lays out practical strategies for achieving ultimate longevity.

The potluck begins at 5:30pm and the video presentation begins at 6:30pm. Dr. Greger will not be present in person.

RSVP on Meet-up