VegMichigan  Vegan  Potluck  Guidelines   Veganism  Explained:  Vegans  avoid  all  animal  products:  meat,  eggs,  animal  milks,  honey,  gelatin  and  their  derivatives.    Vegan  food  is  a  celebration  of  life  –  it  is  delicious  for  us,  kind  to  the  earth  and  compassionate  to  the  animals.    Donald  Watson  (1910-­‐2005)  coined  the  word  Vegan  [vee’-­‐gn]  in  1944.    “Veganism  denotes  a  philosophy  and  way  of  living  that  seeks  to  exclude,  as  far  as  possible,  all  forms  of  exploitation  of,  and  cruelty  to,  animals  for  food,  clothing  or  any  other  purpose;  and  by  extension,  promotes  the  development  and  use  of  animal-­‐free  alternatives  for  the  benefit  of  humans,  nonhumans  and  the  environment”.    Please Note: This is not a Raw Diet potluck nor do we advocate/promote the raw diet or the “living food” philosophy. This is not to say that we, as vegans, do not eat some raw food as part of a healthy plant-based diet.    

F o r F o r T h o s e W h o D o n ’ t L i k e t o C o o k o r D o n ’ t H a v e t h e T i m e t o C o o k :T h o s e W h o D o n ’ t L i k e t o C o o k o r D o n ’ t H a v e t h e T i m e t o C o o k : Please don’t stress about it because there’s no need to brPlease don’t stress about it because there’s no need to br ing a homeing a home--made food item to a made food item to a

potluck! Simply pick up something on your way to the event from the list below (enough to serve potluck! Simply pick up something on your way to the event from the list below (enough to serve

eight people). This list is not meant to be alleight people). This list is not meant to be all-- inclusive, but just to give you some ideas. Please inclusive, but just to give you some ideas. Please

ensurensure the item(s) you orde the item(s) you order from a er from a restaurant has none of the above mentioned animal products restaurant has none of the above mentioned animal products

in it. in it. - Indian restaurants. Bring an order from your favorite Indian Restaurant. Here are vegan suggestions: aloo

gobi, chana masala, vegetable jalfrezi, dal curry, baigan bharta, tadka dal and gobi manchurian.

- Middle Eastern restaurants. falafel, mujadra, tabouleh, fatoosh salad or vegetable gallaba.

- Local grocery store. Pick up a couple cartons of soy, coconut or rice based “ice cream.”

- Ethiopian restaurants. Delicious vegan stews (alichas) and plaintains. - Japanese restaurants and delis. Vegetarian Nori Rolls or Vegetarian Sushi Rolls. - Vegan pies & cakes.

- Chinese restaurants. Moo Shu Vegetable (a veggie version of Moo Shu Pork), Vegetable Chow Fon (a wide

noodle made out of rice flour) or Stir-Fried Garlic Green Beans. Some Chinese restaurants have delicious mock meats they will substitute for any menu item. Ask that they omit MSG.

- Thai Restaurants. They will substitute tofu for meat in most of their menu items. Specify you do not want

oyster/fish sauce; ask that they substitute with garlic sauce. The curry dishes are especially delicious. - Thai or Vietnamese restaurants. Meatless Spring, Saigon or Summer Rolls with dipping sauce. - Pre-made vegan soup from a restaurant. Many places have vegan chili. - Vegan pizza – many pizza places offer veggie pizza’s using the vegan Daiya Cheese, or just leave off the

cheese.

Please do not bring chips, crackers, bread or a beverage as your only contribution to the potluck. Everyone is coming for a dinner so please contribute something considered a “meal” item and not a “snack.”

The following guidelines help create a pleasant, safe, and learning experience for all who attend:

Ø The potluck starts at 6:00 p.m. Please try to arrive at the potluck on time You can join the online Meetup Group ‘Greater Lansing Vegan Meetup and Dinner Club – sponsored by VegMichigan’ and let us know you plan to attend by submitting an RSVP.

ØØ Your dish must be large enough to adequately serve 8 people. I f y o u a r e a f a m i l y I f y o u a r e a f a m i l y o r a c o u p l e ( 2 a d u l t s ) y o u w i l l b e r e q u i r e d t o s u p p l y t w o d i s h e s t h a t s e r v e o r a c o u p l e ( 2 a d u l t s ) y o u w i l l b e r e q u i r e d t o s u p p l y t w o d i s h e s t h a t s e r v e 8 e a c h o r o n e d i s h t h a t s e r v e s 1 6 . I f y o u o n l y b r i n g o n e d i s h f o r a f a m i l y 8 e a c h o r o n e d i s h t h a t s e r v e s 1 6 . I f y o u o n l y b r i n g o n e d i s h f o r a f a m i l y o r c o u p l e , y o u w i l l b e a s k e d t o d o n a t e $ 1 0 . 0 0 f o r y o u r p a ro r c o u p l e , y o u w i l l b e a s k e d t o d o n a t e $ 1 0 . 0 0 f o r y o u r p a r t y t o p a r t i c i p a t e t y t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e m e a l . C h i l d r e n a g e 1 2 i n t h e m e a l . C h i l d r e n a g e 1 2 a n d u n d e r a n d u n d e r d o n o t n e e d t o p r o v i d e f o o d . d o n o t n e e d t o p r o v i d e f o o d .

Ø If you are bringing hot/warm food, please have it already cooked and/or warmed before arriving. The

oven, stove and microwave will not be available for guests. We don’t want anyone harmed in the making of a potluck J.

Ø Bring hot soups and stews in a crock-pot type warming unit you can plug in when you get to the potluck.

Ø If anyone suspects that a food item brought in is not vegan, let the host know. Many people attending

are new and still learning. Any food item containing animal products will be removed and placed away from guests and will not be served.

Ø If you bring a food item that needs to be divided into serving portions (cake, pie, lasagna, etc.), have it

already cut or do so right away upon arriving. Don’t wait until dinner is being served.

Ø Plates, cups, bowls, flatware, serving utensils, labels for dishes and name tags will be provided for your convenience. When finished eating, please rinse off your plate and silverware in the kitchen area.

Ø Food Safety. Please use fresh ingredients and clean equipment when preparing your potluck dish at

home.

Ø If the finished product isn’t something you would enjoy eating – don’t bring it to the potluck. Do not bring your “leftovers”.

Ø Bring your own vegan beverage of choice. Visit www.barnivore.com for a list of vegan alcoholic

beverages.

Ø If you are unable to bring a dish to share but would like to come and participate in the meal, you may donate $10.00 per person. Children age 12 and under may eat at no cost.

Ø Any distribution of literature or advertising (business cards, flyers), as well as any form of entertainment,

needs prior approval from the host and must be directly related to the VegMichigan mission.

Ø You may not use a VegMichigan potluck to promote your business or sell products/services unless you have been invited to do so by the host and it is directly related to the VegMichigan mission. Any raw diet or “living foods” promotion in any form is not allowed.

Ø Please make sure you have all your personal belongings before leaving the potluck.

DIRECTIONS

Clerical Technical Union-MSU

2990 East Lake Lansing Road, East Lansing, MI (Northeast corner of Hagadorn and Lake Lansing Roads)

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Please bring a recipe card listing all ingredients in your dish.

We want to be able to share your delicious recipes with others!

Thanks so much for your cooperation……….. now let’s party!