Exploring the Future of Protein: Spirulina & Seaweed

Algae Could Help Feed The World…Taste The Change!

WHEN: Sunday, March 23rd | 5:30pm

WHERE: Pepe’s Bistro | 3227 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE 68502 | get directions

Spirulina, a blue-green microalgae, is one of the highest quality, most easily digestible sources of complete protein known to man; ounce for ounce, it provides ~65% vs. ~25% for beef. Its efficiency is unmatched; a farmer can produce 1kg of spirulina in a week vs. six months for 1kg of beef. And NASA has given it a thumb’s up! Seaweed, a macroalgae, is also a nutrient powerhouse with a radically shortened production timeframe.

But, the question remains: HOW DOES ALGAE TASTE? Join us at Pepe’s Bistro to watch a short documentary (Dutch Weed Burger (trailer above)) featuring various NYC chefs and their takes on seaweed burgers and more, then taste test a few special items for yourself. This is a FREE event; seating is limited.

Some interesting reading:

• Dutch Weed Burger World Premier @ DC Environmental Film Festival 2014
• Dutch Weed Burger Website
• Forget Fuel, Algae Could Help Feed the World
• Thais Grow Spirulina on Their Roofs
• EnerGaia: Fresh Packaged Spirulina
• Algae Industry Magazine
• Home Grown Spirulina Superfood Systems

Central NE Veggie Potluck @ The Chocolate Bar in GI!

We will be celebrating the 1st NVA Central NE veg potluck in Grand Island!  Come casual and bring your favorite dish!

WHEN: Sunday, March 16, 2014 | 3pm

WHERE: The Chocolate Bar | 116 W. 3rd St., Grand Island, NE 68801 | get directions

The Chocolate Bar was our first choice of venue, partly because of the atmosphere, and their interest in establishing a stronger Vegan client base!

Feel free to bring: A main course, a side dish, a beverage or a desert. We are shooting for around 30 guests. You can RSVP through Meetup or Facebook.

• Water glasses will be complimentary.
• Soda Pop, tea, and lemonade will be for sale.
• If someone would prefer to bring a beverage to serve feel free.
• Try to remember to bring serving utensils!

Something to look forward to – VEGAN CHEESECAKE!!!

Please bring a note describing your dish; vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, etc. Please avoid nuts as some members have severe allergies. Really looking forward to seeing everyone and getting to know the Vegans/Vegetarians who live in Central Nebraska!

EVENT: 2014 Chili Cook-Off!

The Nebraska Vegetarian Association is hosting our 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Jan. 25th 2014 at the Benson Community Center in Omaha. Please RSVP as soon as you can and spread the word!

• Meetup Event: http://veg.gy/1spq8
• Facebook Event: http://veg.gy/lFQcb

You may either:

• Bring a batch of your best vegan chili for the competition, or …
• Bring a delicious side dish (or drink) to go with the chili, such as cornbread, salad, fruits, veggies, crackers, chips, etc.

Everyone will have the opportunity to try each batch of chili, then vote on which chili they liked the best. First, second, and third-place winners will receive prizes!
As usual, please remember to label your food item(s) with known allergens (e.g. soy, wheat) and whether it’s vegan or lacto-ovo vegetarian. Please avoid nuts as some members have severe allergies.

Hope to see everyone there!

EVENT: Omaha/Lincoln End of Summer Platte River Potluck!

It’s time for our annual Omaha & Lincoln get together! Platte River State Park is a good halfway point, and a fun place to spend the day!

Bring a dish to share, and we will have a lunchtime potluck picnic at the Turkey Shelter! Please, label your dish vegan or vegetarian, gluten free, and/or other known allergens or dietary concerns. Please, try to avoid dishes containing nuts, as some families have extreme allergies. If you would like to comment on our event pages on Facebook or Meetup with what you are planning to bring, that would be great!

After lunch, there will be a short meeting discussing the NVA.. while we have everyone together 😉

More details about this potluck can be found on the event pages on Facebook or Meetup.

EVENT: Lincoln Summer Potluck

After our Omaha Potluck Picnic at the end of June, we’ll be having an all ages lunch potluck at the Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Church in early July – bring your favorite dish with a copy of the recipe to share!

Please label dishes with known allergens and indicate whether they’re lacto-ovo vegetarian or vegan. (Vegan dishes are encouraged!) We ask that nuts be avoided, since some members are severely allergic.

Additional parking is available both on 63rd St and across 63rd St at Pius High School, if necessary. Donations of any dollar amount to help cover the cost of renting the space would be greatly appreciated!

If the weather’s nice, we will set-up outside!

More details about this potluck can be found on the event pages on Facebook or Meetup.

EVENT: Omaha Summer Potluck Picnic!

Bring a dish to share, a blanket to sit on, and meet us at the park!

Please label your food item(s) as vegan or vegetarian and list ingredients used, as well as any allergens present. Due to allergies, please avoid using nuts.

If you can, please bring your own reusable plate/bowl and utensils. Supplying your own beverage is also recommended.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend! Members will be eligible to win door prizes! Bring friends and family, and spread the vegetarian love ♥

More details about this potluck can be found on the event pages on Facebook or Meetup.

EVENT: Garden to Table: Growing and Eating Locally

This May the Nebraska Vegetarian Association is holding its first (and free!) educational activity!

Join us at the City Sprouts House to learn about the City Sprouts community garden program and the art of growing one’s own produce. If you’ve been thinking about starting a garden but aren’t sure where to begin or have some burning questions, or receive produce through a CSA that you aren’t sure how to prepare, this is your chance to get some answers!

The agenda for the event (with opportunities for questions throughout) is as follows:

• Walking tour of City Sprouts House, community garden, and farm plot
• Discussion of which foods grow well in Nebraska, and their nutritional benefits
• Cooking demonstration incorporating foods that can be grown locally

More details about this educational event can be found on the event pages on Facebook or Meetup.

Family, friends, and well-behaved children are more than welcome to attend, so spread the word!

EVENT: Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale!

It’s Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale Week! We are participating by throwing a bake sale at one of our favorite locations, McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe. 
The sale will run from 10am-1pm, or earlier if treats are sold out.

Bakers are needed and appreciated! As per the rules for the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale, all treats should be vegan (egg and dairy free). If you can provide baked goods, please drop them off at McFoster’s at 10am the day of the sale, or make alternative arrangements with us. If you need some pointers for baking vegan, click here!

Proceeds will go to Feline Friendz, a feline trap, neuter, return or adopt organization here in Nebraska. For more information on Feline Friendz, or to donate to them directly, please visit: http://www.felinefriendz.org/

More details about this bake sale can be found on the event pages on Facebook or Meetup.

Hope to see you at the bake sale! Look for us upstairs!

EVENT: Lincoln Spring Potluck!

Come join us for the Nebraska Vegetarian Association’s first official event in Lincoln!

We’ll be having an all ages lunch potluck at the Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Church – bring your favorite dish with a copy of the recipe to share!

As with our Easter potluck, we will be having door prizes! To show our appreciation to those who have helped us cover our organization’s operating costs by becoming dues-paying members, we’ll be giving out merchandise and coupons from our generous donors to a few lucky, randomly-selected winners in attendance.

If you haven’t submitted your membership dues yet and would like to put your name in for door prizes, you can submit your dues online or via mail. (Members also receive the right to vote on major organizational issues and for officers in elections, and to run for office themselves.)

More details about this potluck can be found on the event pages on Facebook or Meetup.

Spread the word!

EVENT: 2013 Easter Family Potluck!

In March the Nebraska Vegetarian Association is hosting a free, fun-filled Easter celebration in Wildwood Park! We will be having an all-ages potluck/social gathering and a vegan treat-filled egg hunt for kids! Singles and childless couples are, of course, more than welcome to join. Friends and family are too, so spread the word!


Donations of one or two dollars to cover the cost of egg hunt supplies would be greatly appreciated! Parents are encouraged to bring enough egg-gathering baskets for their kids.

More details can be found on the potluck’s event pages on Facebook or Meetup.

Hope to see everyone there!