Category: News & Events

Ah, the May long weekend. That magical time when we alternate periods of frenzied spring cleaning with periods swilling beer on a lawn chair.

And what a delightful coincidence that our collection for the Great Glebe Garage Sale should be happening at the very same time.

Just think, you’ll be surrounded by the casualties of your spring purge, while being just drunk enough to donate items that your sober, stingier self would try to sell on kijiji.

Now, before you go getting all mad at us for being manipulative, try to remember that all the proceeds from the event will go to Project Jessie (who keeps stray companion animals out of the hands of animal experimenters) and to the Ottawa Food Bank.

So I’m going to give you the drop off details in a second. But first my other asks:

1) We’re looking for bakers. 90% of the thousand dollars we made last time came from the bake sale. Because for some weird reason the same person who will squawk about paying $3 for a CD player will cheerfully shell out $5 for a brownie. I’m not criticizing – I’m the same way. But if any psychologists out there are reading this and can explain this phenomenon to me, I’m all ears.

2) We’re looking for volunteers to staff the table. You’ll have to put baked goods in bags. Maybe put some other things in bags. Maybe haggle a bit with the customers if you’re feeling feisty. Or you can secure your place in heaven by volunteering to set up the table/tent (at 6 am) or break down the table/tent (at 4 pm).

3) Come buy stuff! I’ll have my ubiquitous scones. Markey will certainly bring something delicious but so insanely complicated that it takes her all night to make and causes her to arrive at the event overtired with crazy eyes and hair. And if you’ve never experienced the little slice of madness that is the Great Glebe Garage Sale, I promise you won’t regret making the trek.

Ok, so now back to the garage sale donations: You can drop stuff off this Saturday, May 18th, from 2-6pm at 236 Bayswater Avenue. Email me (at ncva.events@gmail.com) if you need to bring it by another time.

If you have something big, like furniture or something that won’t fit in a Hyundai Accent, please bring it right to the Garage Sale – that will be on Saturday May 25th in the Glebe. We’ll be set up on Percy Street between Glebe and First Avenue. Do yourself a favour and come early – if your car is in the Glebe at 8 am on Garage Sale Day, you ain’t getting out ’til 4. it gets that packed.

So: prospective bakers, donors, & volunteers, email me at ncva.events@gmail.com or Markey at markeyisapunk@yahoo.com. And check out the facebook event, too!

And remember, spring cleaning and beer this weekend! Animals’ lives may depend on it!

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning in spring and I know all of our minds are starting to turn to VegFest 2013.

They are, right?

Well, if they aren’t, chop chop folks.

So, as you know, the NCVA isn’t hosting the event this year, so I’ve just been observing the organizational shenanigans from a safe and comfy distance thus far. However, since the NCVA is going to have a pretty big presence there, we’re now seriously gearing up our own organizational activities.

I thought I’d let you all know how it’s going so far, just to get you all excited and ready to leap into action as soon as I start begging for volunteers.

First, I should tell you to head over to the VegFest/YogaFest 2013 website since I’m only going to be talking about the stuff I’m helping organize – ’cause I’m self absorbed like that. I should particularly point out that they’re still taking vendor applications and presentation applications. So if you know someone who wants to vend or present, send ’em on over there – veg-related presentation applications will be passed on to us.

Okay, so cool thing number 1, we’ll have an auditorium inside St. Paul’s University building. We will have some speakers. Confirmed so far is Élise Desaulniers. She’ll be giving both an English and a French presentation on her new book Vache à lait: Dix mythes de l’industrie laitière. We’ll also be having a mini film festival on vegetarian and animal protection issues. Confirmed so far are Fork over Knives and Vegucated. Also under consideration are Earthlings and Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. Suggestions for other films are welcome!

Oh, and if any tech savvy lady or gent out there wants to volunteer to run the films and speakers’ tech, please let me know. You will be revered evermore as the awesomest volunteer in the known and unknown universes, and so beloved that we’ll probably ask you to do it again next year!

Cool thing number two: the NCVA’s table. I know that a table sounds kind of boring, but this table is going to kick the collective ass of all the other tables there. There will be costumes (worn by you), food bribes (made by you), literature (handed out by you), all culminating in a stampede of new vegans (converted by you – way to go!).

Cool thing number three: food demos. This is kind of all being worked out still. Anyone who wants to do a vegan food demo should fill our the “presentation application” on the VegFest/YogaFest website. Just to make sure they’re all in the same place so I don’t schedule a tempeh marinating demo at the same time as the principal organizers do, because wouldn’t that be embarrassing!

There are many more cool things to come, of course. I’ll keep ya’ll updated as things progress.

In the meantime, may the fourth be with you!

Remember those cartoons where a character’s conscience would appear as a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other?

Ever had your vegan conscience tested like that?

Where the angel says, “Eat kale, run a marathon, sprout something! It will make you a good person and a role model for veganism and not a drain on the public health system.”

And you pretend to listen while the devil surreptitiously feeds you cinnamon buns with extra icing?

No? Just me?

Well, get ready, because the smackdown between the angel and devil vegan in all of us will be happening this weekend.

By some bizarre coincidence, Plant Power 2013 and the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale are both scheduled for Saturday, April 20th.

So which will it be folks? Plant Power with Dr. Greger’s sensible health advice and Rich Roll’s buns of steel? Or the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale with its cheerful disregard for all sensible health advice and some big fat buns of cinnamon?

Actually, Plant Power sold out a while ago. So you might as well just suck it up (your gut, that is) and go to the bake sale. And if you’re feeling guilty, don’t. Proceeds from the sale go to the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and the Otesha Project (which I’d never heard of before but has something to do with bikes and theatre and eco-friendly youth – awesome!).

See? A good deed even your little vegan devil will love. Oh, and if you want to guarantee your spot in vegan heaven, I think the bake sale organizers are still looking for bakers 🙂

As part of the NCVA’s package for supporting Plant Power 2013, we got a ticket to the event.

The NCVA board members are, of course, far too selfless and honorable to keep it for themselves. And while giving it to a loyal volunteer seemed a good option, there was the fear that it would cause all non-recipient volunteers to immediately sprout fangs and descend upon us in an angry flapping mass.

So we decided to auction it off and give the proceeds to charity. Specifically, we’ll add the extra cash to the pancake breakfast revenue that we’ll be delivering very shortly to the Fauna Foundation Chimpanzee and farm animal sanctuary.

The minimum bid is $50 (the retail price). Email your bid to ncva.events@gmail.com. Bidding will close Monday, April 15 at 8 pm. I (Erin) will then email the highest bidder and provide instructions for how to pay for the ticket online. If there’s a tie for highest bid, we’ll randomly pick a winner from the tied bids.

It’s sure to be an awesome event, even if you’re not a health & fitness buff. Dr. Greger is a great speaker – and Rich Roll looks like a super hero and I’m pretty sure he was also on Quantum Leap!

THE HIGH BID IS CURRENTLY $100 (as of 7:11 pm, MONDAY April 15)

Good morning pancake lovers!

Just wanted to remind everyone of this Saturday’s vegan pancake/waffle breakfast and to provide some logistical details.

The what, where and when are already posted here.

Some other important stuff:

1) The event runs from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. We’ll be cooking the whole time so don’t all feel compelled to show up right at 9:30. 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00…basically whenever you drag your sorry self out of bed is good by us.

2) Parking: It’s in a residential area, so there’s a goodly amount of street parking. Worst case scenario is you’ll have to walk a few blocks. And really, given you’re about to eat about a pound of starch, that may not be a bad thing. And hey, see that wee blue thing in the picture – a bike rack! From what I understand, this is a very hippie building (in a good way), so I’m sure there are lots more of those around. Here’s a map.

3) Plates, utensils, cups, mugs. We’ll have disposable stuff. But won’t you be setting an excellent example for the youngsters if you bring your own re-usable stuff?

4) We’re also going to have samples of  Nelakee vegan bacon and Yves’ vegan sausage links. Unfortunately, there will be a one-piece per person limit on these  because they’re damn expensive. We’re mostly just bringing them so neophyte veggies can try them out; and because we want the hipsters to come and apparently they don’t go anywhere there’s not bacon. We’ll cook batches throughout the day so latecomers can try ’em too.

5) We’ll have a donation jar for Fauna there, in case you want to make a bigger donation. Which you will if you are a good person and not going to hell.

6) Don’t forget we’ll be collecting garage-sale donations for the Great Glebe Garage sale (proceeds to Project Jessie)

7) Fabric: What? Yes, fabric. Turns out there’s a fabric sale going on in the area and the organizers asked us to let our breakfasters know. Just in case they need some fabric to make, say, some larger pants. Check out the ad below.

Remember weekends when you were a kid? Snuggled in front of the television with your loyal dog or protesting cat, watching Saturday morning cartoons while your mom (see footnote) prepared stacks of fluffy pancakes and crispy strips of deliciousness that you didn’t realize at the time were dead pigs leaching carcinogens?

I’ll pause while you think back and get all warm and fuzzy with nostalgia.

So now here you are.  You’re vegan or maybe just thinking about it. And since you’re not sure how to cook without eggs and milk, you think going vegan will mean your own children won’t get to experience the pure innocent bliss that is the weekend pancake breakfast. And you’re worried that if you deny them that experience, it will make you a bad parent.

And you’re right. It would make you a terrible parent. Your kids will grow up weird and you yourself will likely go to hell.

But not to worry. The NCVA’s got your back. On April 6th, 2013, the NCVA is hosting our first Charity Pancake Breakfast. For a trifling $10 per person, you and your family can enjoy as many fluffy vegan pancakes as you can eat (or waffles, for you more structured folks), plus a smorgasbord of tantalizing vegan toppings.

“Puffy Pancakes?” you ask suspiciously. And I feel you. I, too, have been mislead by well-meaning but tastebud impaired hippie vegans into believing that the vegan pancake is a hemp-hearted, chia-seeded, hockey puck-like monstrosity that is loved by no part of you but your bowels.

But have no fear. These will be the real deal. So puffy that you’ll have to load them down with syrup and fruit and chocolate chips and whipped cream just to keep them from going airborne.

And if that is not already the height of awesomeness, know that we will scour the markets to ensure that as many of the ingredients as possible are organic and fair trade, as well as vegan. We’ll have a special griddle set up for you gluten-free folks as well!

So here are the details:

What: All you can eat pancakes or waffles (with Saturday morning cartoons on the TV!)
When: April 6th, 2013; 9:30 am – 1 pm
Where: Party Room, 140 Mann Ave., Ottawa (Sandy Hill)
Cost: $10 per for adults, $5 for kids 2-10, infants under 2 years are free; All profits will go the the Fauna Foundation Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
What to bring: Just your awesome self, your mini-me’s (if any), and your morning paper. Also blankets and pillows for the kids to sit on if they want to watch cartoons!
Where to get tickets: Pay at the door (cash only please!).

A couple more things: One – please let us know if you’re coming by saying you’ll attend the facebook event or by emailing me (Erin) at ncva.events@gmail.com. Two: We’ll be doing our first collection for this year’s Great Glebe Garage sale (proceeds to Project Jessie), so please bring any garage sale items you’d like to donate.

Footnote: Sorry for the gender stereotype, but my mom was the fount from which our household’s supply of tasty breakfast foods flowed. My dad did make us breakfasts. However, they consisted of a vile gruel that he referred to as “pudgy” and which he forced my sister and I to eat until our mouths were cemented shut and tears leaked from our suffering eyes.

Local vegan coaching service Wellness Warrior Coaching is bringing Plant Power 2013 to Ottawa on April 20 from 2-6pm. World-renowned vegan ultra-endurance athlete Rich Roll, author of Finding Ultra and Michael Greger, MD, nutrition research expert will help you gain a better understanding of the power of plant-based foods.

What you can expect from the afternoon event:

* World class speakers and a panel so your questions get answered

* Great food from SimplyRaw Express

* Green smoothie demo by Catherine Droessler of Almost Raw Vegan

* Strength training for running demo by John Zahab of Continuum Fitness

* Yoga and Wellness expert Donna Davis will share one of her most powerful techniques to help you harness the energy and focus to connect to sustained peak performance.

* Interesting exhibitors

The event takes place at the Old Ottawa South Community Centre (Old Firehall). Tickets are $50 and the event more than 50% sold out – Check the website for more information and to buy tickets:

http://www.plantpowerottawa.com 

Volunteers needed: A volunteer is needed to run the sound system and projector for the powerpoint/keynote presentations, and another is needed to take photos and video. Volunteers are very appreciated and will get into the event at no cost.

Wellness Warrior thanks contributors Good Guys Tri, Enerjive, Camino, Almost Raw Vegan, Continuum Fitness, Shanti Coffee, terra20 and our sponsors – NCVA, Elation Centre, Sue Bird/Arbonne, Natural Food Pantry and SimplyRaw Express.

 

 

Hi All:

During the quiet moments of your otherwise busy lives, you may have wondered what the heck the NCVA’s been up to for the last six months or so.

Not too many events, relative silence on the blog, the VegFest torch at least temporarily passed to other organizers.

So what’s the deal? Well, you know we lost the incomparable Corrie Rabbe last year. I mean the NCVA lost. She’s still alive and everything (and working at transforming the urban environment over at Permaculture Ottawa).

As for the remaining board members, several of us are finding ourselves stretched a bit thin. Past president and maniacally industrious (in a good way) Pamela Tourigny landed her dream job at Terra20, Neil started working for Vegan Cuts in his “spare time”, and I somehow became the co-host of the radio show Animal Voices.

So if any of ya’ll have been thinking about staging a coup to overthrow the NCVA board, now’s your chance!

Or if you’re not the revolutionary type, consider volunteering. You can check our “Volunteering” page for general volunteer opportunities. As for specific stuff, we’re looking for the following:

a) French translators. Vous devez volontaires pour cette tâche seulement si vous pouvez comprendre cette phrase, mais aussi se rendre compte que mon français est très mauvais.

b) VegFest Volunteers. We’re not organizing VegFest 2013, but will still be there in a big way. We’ll be staging cooking demos, showing films, and talking to people about plant based eating. So come help us. You can even make up your own job if you want. Want to paint kids faces to look like farm animals? Great, do that! Want to give a lecture on shopping vegan on a budget? Swell! Want to run around wearing nothing but vegetable-themed body paint? Some of our stodgier board members might get weird about it, but I think it would be charming!

Miscellaneous Awesomeness: Some recent/upcoming volunteer efforts include the Valentine’s Day Potluck (February), the Pancake Breakfast (April), a Veganism 101 course, an Ottawa Veg Guide, the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale (April). The awesomeness of your contribution to the NCVA and local veg community is limited only by your imagination and plant-powered passion.

So now I am going to sit back and wait for all of the emails to flow in from NCVA members who are elated by the thought of serving their local veg community, and brimming with amazing ideas about how to spread the pro-veg message to our fellows Ottawans.

Here they come….

Any minute now…

Français

Ottawa’s premier vegan food and lifestyle event, Ottawa Veg Fest, has drawn more than 10,000 visitors during its four-year run, including more than 3,200 in 2012. However, when its volunteer co-founders both stepped away after its fourth year, the event’s future became unclear.

But Ottawa Veg Fest will live on: The National Capital Vegetarian Association (NCVA), which has run Veg Fest since 2009, is pleased to announce that the 2013 event will be organized by Ottawa Local Motives (OLM). They have a long and successful history of organizing environmental and healthy living events in Ottawa, and will combine Veg Fest with an exciting new event, Yoga Fest and share the theme: “Celebrating a Healthy Ottawa.”

The NCVA will participate as an exhibitor, but will not be involved with the event’s coordination.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Ottawa Local Motives, and have confidence that they will carry on the event in the spirit in which it was founded and executed for the past four years,” says Pamela Tourigny, Veg Fest co-founder and past-NCVA president. “The main organizers have both participated in Veg Fest as vendors in the past, and have a keen understanding of what the event is all about.”

Veg Fest and Yoga Fest will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23, from 10 am to 4 pm, indoors and outdoors on the campus of Saint Paul University (on Main Street). While previous Veg Fests were one day, the combined event will be two days, and will be significantly expanded. There will be speakers and vegan cooking demonstrations, as well as an array of yoga-related activities. The event will continue to showcase many of Ottawa’s finest vegan-friendly products and services.

Anyone interested in exhibiting should contact the new event organizers VegYogaFest@mail.com or 613-239-4951.

More event information is also available at VegFest.ca

Media Inquiries please contact: Heather Garrod – media@vegfest.ca

Français

Red, Pink and White Theme!

Saturday, February 16 at 6:30pm
134 York Street (between Cumberland and Dalhousie in the Byward Market)
Ring the white call button for the party / common room to be let in.

Bring foods that are:

• Red (like berries, watermelon, pomegranate, radishes, heritage red turnip, red cabbage, kidney beans),
• Pink (pasta with a tomato-cream sauce), or
• White (cupcakes with white icing, scalloped potatoes, cauliflour)

or food of any colour that’s heart-shaped or served in a heart-shaped dish.

Photo: Benjamin Thompson

Each person should bring a VEGAN dish (with ingredient list) that serves 10 to 12 people, as well as your own plate, cutlery, and beverage. Also, please bring a serving utensil and a list of ingredients for your dish. Admission is $2 for NCVA members or students with valid ID, and $4 for non-members.

Please note: Everyone is welcome, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or non-vegetarian, but please ensure that the dish you bring is free of animal products. That includes any animal flesh, eggs, dairy/cheese, honey, etc. Consider becoming an NCVA member: Your support is needed to permit the NCVA’s work in the community. Not only that, it entitles the NCVA card holder member to discounts at many of Ottawa’s finest veg and veg-friendly restaurants. For a complete list, or to become a member online click here: ncva.ca/membership