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Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc.
38 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, New York 12572 USA -
845-876-2626
Vegetarian - Vegan - Animal Rights - Health - Nutrition - Environment
The mission of the Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc. is to promote the vegetarian ethic in the Mid-Hudson (New York) region, educate the community and aid anyone in the pursuit of a totally vegetarian (vegan) cruelty-free and healthful lifestyle.
Newsletters
Articles From the Fall 1998 Newsletter
Reaching Out With Roberta
Rae has asked me to serve as the nutritional consultant for the Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society. I met many of you at the April dinner and look forward to getting to know more of you.
A bit of a bio: Originally from California and the Midwest, I moved to New York City in 1992 and bought a home in Rhinebeck in 1994. I now go back and forth between these two locations. I have a masters degree in Health Education and have taught science and health in public schools. I also worked for the American Lung Association and was very involved in smokefree programs. For the past three years I have been Health Editor of City Family Magazine. I completed a 2 year professional training in whole foods at Gulliver's Institute in NYC. I teach classes in Eating With Whole Foods and have a dietary consultation program.
Now, let's talk food. A few years ago Vegetarian Times Magazine polled staff members about their own diets. "What do you need to include more of in you diet?" they were asked. Many answered "vegetables". Yes, we are all vegetarians here, but not eating animal products may mean the bagel, hummus, chips, salsa, orange juice and bit o' salad diet. Just as former President Reagan had to learn that ketchup is not a vegetable, let's remember that salsa is not one either. Lettuce is good, but offers only a limited amount of nutrients. There is a wide range of leafy green vegetables such as bok choy, collards, all cabbages, kale, turnip greens that have a multitude of health benefits. Sweet vegetables that include carrots, onions, squash and sweet potatoes provide essential nutrients also. When you have fresh vegetables each day you will be getting vitamins and minerals that your body can really use. Vitamin supplements are often not absorbed or utilized well by our bodies. Fresh vegetables also offer flavor, fiber and, yes, protein too. Sweet vegetables help to tame sugar cravings and the leafy greens are mood elevators - think of them as kitchen prozac. Try a quick saute in either water or good quality cold pressed olive oil. When they turn bright green, the vitamins are most available. Eat as is or add sauteed onion, garlic and a splash of rice vinegar. For a more pungent taste, use umeboshi plum vinegar. If you do not grow your own vegetables, some local farmer's markets are open year round.
When we did the tour of Nature's Bounty Health Food Store in Kingston, we noted that all the soy cheeses or cheese alternatives contained casein, an animal product. I have since discovered the Soymage brand. It is a 100% dairy-free grated parmesan cheese alternative with no casein. Available at most health food stores. Try some on your greens! It's not just for pasta.
Do you have questions about food? You may reach me at 914/876-5598.
Roberta Schiff
Return to Fall 1998 Newsletter
We look forward to
hearing from you
