Vegan Curious? Here’s How to Get Started

(StatePoint) Following a vegan diet doesn’t just reduce one’s impact on the environment, it’s associated with a range of health bene ts, making it no surprise that a plant-based food movement is on the rise.

“With more than 100,000 internet searches per month for ‘vegan recipes’ and ‘vegetarian recipes,’ it’s clear there is high demand for plant-based meals,” says Chef Fred Scarpulla, chief culinary o cer at Amy’s Kitchen, an organic and vegetarian food company.

A recent national survey commissioned by Amy’s Kitchen and conducted by Atomik Research nds that 52% of Americans are vegan-curious, and men are even more inquisitive, with nearly 3 in 5 revealing an interest in cutting out animal products.

Every individual may have their own unique reasons, but the survey revealed Americans’ most common motivators for purchasing or eating plant-based foods were their health (55%), a desire to protect the environment (34%) and a preferred taste of plant-based ingredients (28%). No matter why you’re considering a vegan lifestyle, actually adopting one is not always easy. In fact, 72% of parents in households with dietary restrictions say nding prepared foods that meet their family’s needs is very or extremely challenging.

“Cutting down on meat and incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive,” says Chef Fred.

Whether you’re transitioning to a vegan diet, incorporating meatless Mondays into your routine or simply curious about meatless cooking, Chef Fred o ers the following tips to help you get started:

• Don’t restrict yourself: While going vegan may sound like it’s all about cutting foods out, it’s actually an opportunity to explore new avors and ingredients you may not have tried before, and to indulge in vegan-friendly cuisines from around the world, such as Indian food and ai food. Plus, these days, vegan alternatives to a number of favorite comfort foods, like enchiladas, pizza and even mac and cheese, abound.

• Keep it simple: As you build your repertoire of go-to vegan meals, take a mental inventory of your family’s favorite dishes. Many of them may already be vegan, or able to made vegan with a few tweaks. Also, be sure to check out online resources o ering vegan meal plans, which can help ensure your overall diet is balanced, satisfying and delicious.

• Look for shortcuts: Creating meals from scratch is not always possible for busy families. In fact, 56% of Americans want shortcuts to plant-based meals. Luckily, there are a growing number of convenient vegan meal options available. Amy’s Kitchen, for example, is founded on the principle that everyone should be able to enjoy a delicious, convenient meal, even those with dietary restrictions, which is why they don’t use meat, peanuts, sh, shell sh or eggs in any of their recipes, and why they o er gluten-free and kosher options. e brand, which works with farmers using organic and regenerative farming practices to lessen its impact on the planet, has an expanding vegan menu that includes snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner options, making it easy to ensure your diet aligns with your values and your desire to eat healthfully. jazz.org/). Mark your calendars. You won’t want to miss a minute of this year’s “jazzy” fun- lled weekend! e Festival’s Mission Statement includes the words: “Promote jazz music and live performances with educational programs for both listeners and young performers,” said 2005-2008 past president Jim Reiners. “It is so important to keep jazz alive year-a er-year through the younger generations.”

• Get creative: To reduce prep work, follow recipes that start with already prepared vegan foods. Visit amys.com/ eating-well/recipes to access Amy’s Kitchen’s library of healthy vegan recipes.

“Whether you choose to go fully vegan or simply want to incorporate more plants into your diet, rely on solutions that make it easy, convenient and delicious,” says Chef Fred.

To satisfy this mission, the Education Committee works with year round programs designed to build interest among young people and help student musicians. Included in the range of programs and activities over the years have been concerts at many area middle schools and high schools, most notably a series featuring the Denver Jazz Club Youth All-Stars, giving us young people performing for younger people.

“ is year’s Student Musicians Clinic is scheduled for July 27 10:00am to 5:00pm at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive,” said Sandi Simons, Education Committee Chair. “As in the past, there will be professional instruction on virtually every instrument plus ensemble work. e Clinic’s instructors will be past and current festival musicians so students will be learning from some of the top talents in the world of jazz.” e $50/per person tuition for the Student’s Musicians Clinic includes lunch and a full 3-day Festival badge. Payment can be made online at the Tickets Page, by phone (303) 6975467) or at the clinic. Financial Aid is available for the Student Clinic; call via phone for details. Visit the Evergreen Jazz Festival website (https://www.evergreenjazz.org/) for more Student Clinic information. e actual Festival will launch with a free-to-the-public, special two-set educational performance on Friday, July 28 at noon in the Elks Lodge Ballroom. Past opening sessions have featured such jazz notables as John Royen, Louis Ford, James Dapogny, Wende Harston, and others, as well as the e Student Clinic Friday Band and Clinic faculty. rough June 30, a discounted weekend pass for the Evergreen Jazz Festival costs $115.00 per person and can be purchased at the Evergreen Jazz Festival website. e website also details prices for daily ticket passes, which can also be purchased online.

Evergreen resident and jazz enthusiast Sterling Nelson (19292020) was not a musician, but he loved all music, including jazz. While on a cruise with his wife one year, he had a vision of holding a jazz festival in Evergreen and the idea of an Evergreen Jazz Festival struck a chord with him.

A er that fateful jazz cruise, Sterling dared to dream what some thought was the impossible dream… He spent the next year enlisting the assistance of friends to help him turn his music festival aspiration into an Evergreen community reality. He pitched his idea to Jim Reiners who had a background in advertising and Ted Mann, who had a pulse on the community as the Community Relations Chairman for the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce. Ted Mann, the rst president of the Evergreen Jazz Festival (2002-2005), passed away in 2015. However, he and his wife Jeannie (who also served a presidential term in 2012) have always been steadfast advocates of the event.

Wendy Pottho , EJF President, expressed gratitude to Festival sponsors and over 100 dedicated volunteers who donate their time in positions that range from year-long committee assignments to speci c pre-Festival projects to a variety of up-front and behind-the-scenes slots during the Festival itself.

“ e Evergreen Jazz Festival is always looking for new volunteers who love jazz music and have a willingness to work,” said Wendy. “If that describes you and you would like to learn more, call (303) 697-5467.” e rst Evergreen Jazz Festival was held in 2001 and when it all started, many in the jazz world must have thought, “ at Colorado altitude has taken its toll on those guys. Start a traditional jazz festival in this era?” But to the amazement of many, that small group of seven dedicated jazz lovers (Sterling Nelson, Jim Reiners, Ted Mann, Dave Burlingame, Hillary Hutson, Wendell Haynes, and Mike Johnson) did just that!

Come out to the Evergreen Jazz Festival (Friday-Sunday, July 28-through-July 30), where the venues are hot, and the weekend o ers music and musicians that you will like a lot! Enjoy good times with family/friends and lots of razzmatazz… and “all that jazz!”