Baltimore Vegan Drinks

•

Tue May 14

May Bmore Vegan Drinks Door Prizes!

This month for the event tomorrow night, Wed. May 15th, 2013 from 7pm to 9pm at the Judge’s Bench, we are excited to announce our door prizes ~

First, we have a collection of FIVE organic cotton tee-shirts from Compassion Over Killing - which means FIVE lucky winners! Shirts come in two designs: one is the popular “Ask me why I’m Vegetarian?” and the other is Compassion Over Killing’s logo. Shirts are available in sizes ranging from a ladies’ extra small to a men’s large. Some are gray, others navy blue. Winners will be able to choose from the shirts we have on hand. Each shirt is valued at $20.

We are also excited to have a wonderful book donated by Compassion Over Killing, Animal Impact by Caryn Ginsberg. Engaging stories and practical how-tos make Animal Impact a must-read for anyone who cares deeply about helping animals. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of today’s most respected animal advocates are making a difference. An innovative, easy-to-remember framework summarizes key points for action. Newcomers can get a fast start to high-impact advocacy. Veterans in the field will benefit from fresh ways of thinking, as well as new methods to apply. The lessons are useful for individual advocates, volunteers, frontline staff, program and campaign managers, executive directors, board members, and funders. This book retails for $25.00.

Compassion Over Killing (COK) is a national nonprofit animal advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC with an additional office in Los Angeles, CA. Working to end animal abuse since 1995, Compassion Over Killing focuses on cruelty to animals in agriculture and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world for all of us, both human and nonhuman. Compassion Over Killing has served as an unwavering force bringing about positive changes for animals and thanks to our many generous supporters, we’ve come a long way in our short history: starting as an all-volunteer club and evolving into a national voice for animals.

Still want more? We’ve got it!

For our dog-loving attendees, we have a basket of handmade, organic and all-natural pet grooming products from Ptaya.

This collection of canine bliss contains Protective Paw Butter, Elbow Balm, Refreshing Coat Spray, Brightening Shampoo and Lavender Conditioner. Your pooch has never looked, felt - or smelled better! Ptaya products are made by the good folks at Eco Sevi Vegan Bodycare, locally in Baltimore. The basket of Ptaya products is valued at $65.00

Ready to win? You gotta show up and be present for the drawing, which will happen in the middle of the event, right around 8pm tomorrow night.

See you at The Judge’s Bench!!

•

Fri May 10

So, what IS Baltimore Vegan Drinks?

We get that question a lot .. check out our FAQ and feel free to reach out! We’re a friendly bunch and happy to answer questions!

What is Baltimore Vegan Drinks? Baltimore Vegan Drinks is a happy hour for vegans, vegetarians, and the veg-curious. There’s no cover charge, and there are 100%-vegan snacks, entrees and more. And of course there are awesome vegan drinks! Our group is part of a national Vegan Drinks outfit with events in dozens of cities. Vegan Drinks’ mission is to bring together diverse people to build new friendships and promote the sharing of resources.

Who attends the events? Show up and introduce yourself! Everyone is welcome. Vegans, vegetarians and the veg-curious all attend Baltimore Vegan Drinks. Vegan drinkers come in all ages and ethnicities, and from all over the Baltimore and D.C area. You do not have to drink alcohol to enjoy our events, many of our guests come just for the tasty food and great company! There are options for everyone and many of our locations are family-friendly.

Who operates Baltimore Vegan Drinks? The Baltimore chapter of Vegan Drinks was started by a fella named Paul in 2009. Paul ran the show for several years, then moved to California. The trio of Susie, Teresa and Ian took over for him, and then more recently, the events have been picked up by the team of Rissa, Nicole, Kat and Nathaniel. Our first event was in December 2012. We have some great volunteers, too, like Anna, Briana and Jess. Wanna help out? The events are lots of work to create and we’re happy for volunteers!

When and where does Baltimore Vegan Drinks happen? The events move monthly to different locations in and around Baltimore. Basically, a vegan-friendly restaurant hosts our group and offers a delectable veggie menu for the night with a drink special. Preivew photos of the menu are posted in advance, as well as our incredible doorprizes!

Aren’t all alcoholic drinks vegan? Definitely not! Many beers, wines, hard ciders and liquors use a variety of animal products in their processing. The main culprits are isinglass (dried fish bladders), gelatin (from boiled cow’s or pig’s hooves and sinews), egg whites, chitin (from lobster and/or crab shells), casein (a protein from milk), and bull’s blood. They’re used in a process called fining — when unwanted leftovers, like solid particles (such as grape skins or stems in wine, for example) and degenerated yeast cells, are removed from the brewing process. These elements settle on their own, but fining agents quicken the process and makes them easier to remove. This is done to end up with a better tasting and more presentable final product. In the U.S., alcoholic beverages are not required to list ingredients on labels, including fining agents. Some companies have started to either skip the fining process (they feel fining removes too much flavor & complexity) or substitute the traditional agents with a natural clay called bentonite, or diatomaceous earth, which is sourced from fossilized algae.

Bull blood is currently illegal for use in France and the USA, however wines from other European or South American vineyards may still contain it. Some specialty beers, liquors and meads also contain honey or milk/cream and even eggs (think egg nog!). Many colored liquors contain carmine, which is ground beetles. If you want to double check your drinks, use Barnivore.com or vegansommelier.com Also try VeganXpress or Green Vegan iPhone/iPad apps.

Please feel free to reach out to us!

We are are Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Facebook: Baltimore Vegan Drinks Twitter: BmoreVegan

Instagram: bmorevegan

Or send us an email at bmorevegan@gmail.com

•

Everyone had a great time at the One World Cafe when we held Baltimore Vegan Drinks there on Earth Day, April 22nd. We had a record number of attendees packed into the tables and the 2-page menu of vegan offerings was a huge hit! The special cocktail of the evening, Blueberry Nectar Surprise, was very popular. Congrats to the winners of our door prizes from Max & Ruffy’s organic dog treats, Biggs & Featherbelle natural bath and beauty products, and Flax Seasonings spices. And thanks again to the One World Cafe for hosting this amazing event - three words: Vegan Cupcake Tower!

•

Baltimore Vegan Drinks is proud to say that one of our own, Kat, was a bigtime winner at the recent Vegan Mac’N’Chz Bake-Off on April 21st in Baltimore. In a field of about 20 competitors, Kat’s decadent Siracha Mac-N-Cheez took second place from the Judges’ panel and won People’s Choice for best vegan mac! The event was sponsored by Baltimore Animal Rights Federation. Congrats, Kat - we are so proud of you!!!! Now, how can we get your secret recipe… :)

•

Recognize!!!! Going through some old magazines, we recently discovered that Vegetarian Times did a piece on the national phenom that is Vegan Drinks! (The back issue was Dec. 2012)

Get online and find a Vegan Drinks near you! And if you are in the Baltimore/DC area, please come out and join us! We get together every month ~ all are welcome! We are a very friendly group!

•

Baltimore Vegan Drinks had a booth at the 1st ever Kale-A-Rama Vegan Festival in Greenbelt, Md., on Saturday April 20th. The kale-themed festival offered all-things kale - including kale juice, kale donuts (made by A,B,C, Vegan), and even kale you could wear! There were live entertainers, food booths, animal rights groups and more. We were excited to have gorgeous arrangements - with kale- created by Local Color Flowers to give away as raffles prizes. Congrats to the winners! Our group had a terrific time at the Kale-A-Rama and can’t wait for next year!

•

On April 27th, Baltimore Vegan Drinks was proud to be part of the 3rd annual Baltimore Veg Fest, sponsored by The Humane League and UMBC Vegetarians. Thousands of folks came out on this sunny spring day to eat vegan food, listen to amazing speakers and mingle with other vegans, vegetarians and veg-minded friends. Vendors included bath/beauty companies, vegan chocolates & bakeries, a food truck, animal rescues and many, many more! As part of our table, we held a raffle for two prizes: A huge basket valued at $100 with all the fixins’ for Blood Orange Mojitoes and a $20 gift certificate from Liquid Earth. Congrats to the winners and a big thanks from us to our volunteers, Anna and Brianna who helped at the table all day! Be sure to check online and see when the 2014 Baltimore Veg Fest is posted - you won’t want to miss it!

•

Fri May 3

Join us for Vegan Drinks at The Judge’s Bench on May 15, 2013, from 7pm to 9pm. The address is 8385 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043.

•

Baltimore Vegan Drinks (May 15)

Vegan Drinks is a happy hour for vegans, vegetarians, and the veg-curious. You can RSVP on the Vegan Drinks Facebook page for the Wednesday, May 15th Vegan Drinks to be held at The Judge’s Bench.

There’s no cover charge, and there are 100%-vegan appetizers, burgers, chili, burritos and more. And of course there are awesome vegan drinks! This month’s special is a flight of four microbrews!

So mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 15th. Festivities are from 7-9pm.

The Judge’s Bench is located at 8385 Main Street, Ellicott City. MD 21043. Please note that this event is in Howard County, in Historic Ellicott City. There are no City Buses that run into this area, so we are offering to help arrange carpools via the Facebook page.

There is plenty of street parking and there are two lots nearby. Please check out the website for Historic Ellicott City if you’d like more details or a map.

Hope to see you there! And please remember to RSVP on Facebook!

•

Mon Apr 22

April Door Prizes! Woo-hoo! GOOD STUFF for tonight’s Baltimore Vegan Drinks event at One World Cafe, 100 W University Pkwy, Baltimore, MD 21210, from 7pm to 9pm.

Rinse away your troubles with a 16 oz. jar of soothing Mind Soak from Biggs & Featherbelle - loaded with sea salts, and the essential oils of sandalwood, lavender and fennel. For the shower, we have bar of Barbados handmade soap for face and body, scented with pink grapefruit and sweet orange essential oils. All Biggs & Featherbelle products are locally made in Baltimore. They are health conscious company that promotes the healing elements of Mother Nature by creating body care products free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and additives. Quality ingredients and research are infused in every handmade Biggs & Featherbelle product.

Next, amp up your game for spring and summer with loads of Omega-3 - by sprinkling Organic Flax Seasoning on your meals. This stuff is not only delish, but great for you! Using Flax Seasoning you will be able to add flavor andnutrition to all of your meals allof the time. Each blend is packed with the health benefits of flax seed. Flaxseeds have been shown to promote heart health, good cholesterol, healthy blood sugar levels, and more. Flax Seasoning products use all organic ingredients, are gluten-free, vegan, and contain no GMOs or preservatives. Three flavors included in prize: Sensational Seasoned Salt; Mighty Maple Cinnamon; and Amazing No-Salt All Purpose Blend. Made in nearby Virginia.

The folks at Max & Ruffy’s are passionate about healthy hounds. They make uncompromised dog treats using only the freshest 100% organic, non-genetically modified organisms (non-GMO), and human-grade ingredients. Max & Ruffy’s mission is to be the preferred source of vegan, eco-friendly, non-outsourced, and nutritious dog treats that lend to the health and well-being of companion animals. The prize includes four bags: Coconut/Molasses/Flax; Banana & Coconut; Pumpkin Patch and Pizza. Be sure to check out Max & Ruffy’s for your canine companion’s snacking needs! Locally handmade in Arlington, VA.