6 Friday, August 30, 2019 brooklintowncrier.com Dinnertime with vegans Plant-Based Eating by Sheree Nicholson If I could give one piece of advice to people who invite vegans for dinner, it's don't worry so much about what you're serving. This summer, I've been to dinner parties and cottages and it seems to cause the host (ess) a lot of stress. I love people, so just being invited makes me grateful. The last thing I want is for someone to worry about it. After all, food is the side dish to an event. I'm okay just to eat vegetables (unbuttered) and salads, and if you want to grab a premade vegan burger from the store, then that works, too. Thinking I need a burger or a single source of protein on my plate as a meat replacement is not how I eat anymore. Sometimes I just use brown rice and veggies as my protein source or a combination of hummus, raw vegetables, and salads. I rarely even think about protein. When I ate meat, every meal started with whether or not we were going to have beef, chicken, or fish, and how it was to be prepared. As a new plant-based eater, I did focus on a bit of protein but now I just eat a variety of foods. My needs are covered. Here are some tips to make your plant-based dinner less stressful for you; Honey is not vegan, which might seem silly, but hardcore vegans won't eat it. If a recipe calls for honey, it can be replaced with agave nectar or Maple Syrup. Dairy (cheese, butter, milk, and yogurt) is not vegan, but vegetarians do eat dairy. If doubtful about whether or not your guest will eat it, place the cheese on the side and people can add it to their salad or meal. Fish and seafood are not vegan. Most bread is vegan, but not all. Check the label as occasionally eggs are used as a binder in buns and bread. Being vegan does not mean we're gluten-free. Some people think they are synonymous. In fact, gluten is the protein in wheat and is therefore plant-based. Store-bought salad dressings can be tricky as some contain honey as a sweetener. Farm Boy, for instance, has dressings that aren't full of preservatives and a few don't include honey. There are many premade burgers or "chicken-less" nuggets. Eaten in moderation (as they are generally highly processed), they will make life easier for you when you're hosting. I had the new Beyond Meat burgers this summer and enjoyed them. I love tofu. Lots of people tell me they hate it, but I eat it all the time. Last week I went to a friend's cottage, and they barbequed seasoned extra-firm tofu slices. They were delicious. Always use extra firm tofu for cooking and grilling as it holds together well. Here's a link to my go-to homemade salad dressing. It's vegan, gluten-free and delicious: https://dreenaburton.com/recipes/recipe-dreenas-hummus-salad-dressing/ Sheree's hack: Double the hummus salad dressing recipe and use the dressing as a condiment on rice bowls during the week. Community Calendar Sat., Sept. 14: 10 am-4 pm: Brooklin Harvest Festival At Grass Park. See page 4 story for details. Sat., Sept. 21: 9 am-3:30 pm- Thickson's Woods Nature Festival Fun for the whole family! Learn about nature from the experts! Guided nature walks, bugs and botany ID, live wild animals and birds to meet, arts and crafts, silent auction, bake sale, refreshments, Thickson's Woods merchandise, and more! Tickets at the gate: $5 adults, $2 children, $10 family (cash only). Thickson's Woods is at the foot of Thickson Road, south off Hwy.401 in Whitby. For more information visit www.thicksonswoods.com Sat., Sept. 21: 5-11:30 pm - A Night at WindReach Farm Celebrating 30 years of providing impactful programs and services to those with physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities. Featuring The Dan Clancy Band, with Dan, a four-time Juno award winning band Lighthouse. Opening night with Durham's Highland Creek Pipe Band, led by former NHL goalie Glenn Healy who will be the evening's Emcee. Tickets available online at www.windreachfarm.org Tues., Sept 24: 6:30-7:30 pm (4th Tuesday of each month) Teen Advisory Group at Brooklin Library Whitby Library's Brooklin Branch seeks Teen Advisory Group members to share ideas, and assist with special events and programs. Grade 7-12 students earn community service hours. No registration required. For information, email: teenservices@whitbylibrary.ca Sun., Sept. 29: 7:30-9 pm: Trivia Night At MichaelKelly's Eatery on Winchester and St. Thomas $20 per person cash only. Teams of 4-6 ONLY. Each team receives a large pizza and an order of garlic bread, with a beer per person. Winning team members each get a $10 gift certificate to MK's. Register by emailing your name and number of team members to: editorofbtc@gmail.com Capacity is 42 people, so registration is first come-first served. Hosted by the BTC with all proceeds to Prostate Cancer Canada Network (PCCN) Durham. Sat., Oct. 5: 7 pm: John McDermott in Concert at St. Thomas' Anglican Church As part of its 150th Anniversary celebrations, St. Thomas is presenting a Harvest Concert featuring well-known tenor, John McDermott. Tickets are available through the church office, (905) 655-3883. Tuesdays: 7:25 pm: Brooklin Toastmasters Club Practice public speaking at Brooklin Community Centre & Library. Contact John Johnstone at jajhj@sympatico.ca or phone 905-683-4439 or Elaine Goulbourne 289-404-8527 at elainegoulbourne@rogers.com 1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesdays Community Care Durham (CCD) Basic Foot Care at St. Thomas' Anglican Church. 905-430-5732 Mon.-Fri. CCD delivers hot or frozen meals. To order: Karen Andrews 905-668-6779 French Family Storytime: Children and their caregivers can join Madame Sue for weekly French Family Storytime! A half hour of French stories and songs, with a dash of English! Drop in at Central Library's Children's Program Room If you have a community not-for-profit event you would like included in the calendar, please email it to editorofBTC@gmail.com with the subject line "calendar." Priority will be given to Brooklin events. Some editing may occur. WORSHIP DIRECTORY Burns Presbyterian Church 765 Myrtle Rd West (just 4 minutes north of Brooklin) 10am Worship, Kids Zone Fun & Nursery Care "Discovering God, Sharing God's Love" 905.655.8509 www.Burnschurch.org Brooklin United Church 19 Cassels Rd. E. Sundays 10:30 am Sunday School & Nursery Care Come catch the Spirit! www.brooklinunited.ca 905.655.4141 Renaissance Baptist Church of Brooklin 40 Vipond Road (Just West Of Library) Sunday Worship & Kids Program 10:30 am We're here for Brooklin! 905.655.4554 www.brooklinrbc.ca Brooklin Village Church At Brooklin High School, 20 Carnwith Drive W. Sundays, 10:30 am Our Mission is to share the love of Christ as we live out our calling to become more like Him. www.brooklinvillagechurch.com St. Thomas' Anglican Church 101 Winchester Road East Sunday Services: 8:30 and 10:30 am Sunday School & Nursery Program (10:30am) Wednesday 10:00 am Communion & Healing Service Celebrating 150 years in Brooklin 'Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we welcome you!' 905.655.3883 www.stthomasbrooklin.ca Whitby Meets With Provincial Government On Priorities A Whitby delegation led by Mayor Don Mitchell recently met with provincial Ministry leaders on local issues of importance, including the impact of growth and removal of tolls on Highway 412. The meetings took place during the 2019 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference held August 18 to 21 in Ottawa. Meetings were held with Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, and Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney, as well as with New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath. A delegation led by Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy also met with Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott regarding the need for a new hospital. Key asks from the Town included: Changes to the regulations set out in Bill 108 (More Homes, More Choice Act) to ensure that growth and essential services are not compromised; Help to improve traffic flow and the transportation network in Whitby, particularly through the removal of tolls on Highway 412, lease or ownership of Baldwin Street (from Winchester Road East to Brawley Road West) to the Town, and reduction of tolls on Highway 407; Funding support for a new, full-service hospital for Lakeridge Health in Whitby; and, Consistent and predictable funding and grant programs to support the development of growth- related municipal infrastructure, such as a new North Whitby Sports Complex. "As a Town, we are committed to making Whitby the best place to live, work, play and visit," said Mayor Don Mitchell. "Partnership at all levels of government is critical to enabling us to continue to build the kind of community we all love to live in. Provincial support of these four priorities will make a true and positive difference to Whitby and its residents." "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 and published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 • editorofbtc@gmail.com The Brooklin Town Crier is locally owned and operated and is a publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: 905.655.7642 Email: brooklintowncrier@gmail.com Next Issue: Friday, September 13, 2019 Deadline: Friday, Septeber 6, 2019