Eating Vegan Food for A Good Cause

I went, I ate, I mingled, all for a great cause: supporting local environmental groups. If only I could figure out a way to nap for a charity...I'd make millions.

First, I hit Blue Moon Mexican Cafe in Wycoff to support the Community Night to benefit Hackensack Riverkeeper. This place is no Pancho's. The manager came over when I had questions for the waiter about what was vegan, which was a perfect opportunity for me to mention they should consider offering soy cheese and tofu sour cream. She didn't even know tofu sour cream existed.

A virgin peach margarita and a cup of black bean soup. Both $4, and both just okay. The margarita was a bit slushy.

A house salad with corn, black beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and tortilla strips, $6.95. This salad was just screaming for an avocado. Next time, I'll just dine at Pancho's and write a check to the Hackensack Riverkeeper. Sorry, Blue Moon!

Then I hit Bergen SWAN's fundraiser at the Hillsdale, NJ borough hall, with tasty food supplied by Veggie Heaven and my favorite, Trader Joe's. There were a few preparations of Trader Joe's meatless meatballs, including two vegan (BBQ and chili sauce) and non-vegan (vodka sauce).

There were also river poems recited and a silent auction, where you could bid on, among other items, cute reusable totes filled with eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Why the reusable grocery bag trend has yet to catch on is beyond me. They sell them for as little as 99 cents at major supermarkets, and everyone in suburbia where I live has a car where they can easily store them.

As a young teenage activist, I participated in a fundraising walk to support Bergen SWAN's efforts to protect land surrounding the local reservoir...a dream that was realized. They have been working to maintain this land and promote environment education for over two decades. Learn more about Bergen SWAN.

Learn more about Hackensack Riverkeeper, which offers paddling activities, bird-walks, and many volunteer opportunities for river clean-ups.

Be a Valentine to Mother Earth

Feast on vegetarian food to support two of my favorite local environmental groups? Okay, if someone needs to make the sacrifice. Sign me up!

Bergen SWAN, whose mission is to preserve the natural lands surrounding the drinking water supply reservoirs in Bergen and Rockland counties in New Jersey, is hosting a "Valentine for the Watershed" to help raise funds for a professional office and support ongoing environmental education programs.

When/Where: Friday, February 13 at the Hillsdale Borough Hall, Hillsdale, NJ
How much?: A minimum donation of $25 per person is requested.
The details: Enjoy vegetarian morsels from Veggie Heaven and other local establishments, hear river poems and essays, and bid on a silent auction, which will include a vegetarian candle-lit dinner for two at Mark Becker's historic home in Hillsdale, prepared by the SWAN Co-Directors.
Learn more: http://www.bergenswan.org/happenings.aspx

The event: Blue Moon Community Night to support the Hackensack Riverkeeper
When/Where: Tuesday, February 10, visit Blue Moon Mexican Café in Englewood, Old Tappan, Woodcliff Lake or Wycoff, NJ
The details: 20% of your check (excluding tax/tip) will benefit the Hackensack River Keeper when you bring along this coupon: http://www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/BlueMoonCard.pdf

Never too early to start perusing the menu! The guacamole, fried plantains, vegetarian chili and vegetable fajitas all look delicious. While I'm there, I think I'll tell the manager what a great addition tofu sour cream and soy cheese would make to the menu! http://www.bluemoonmexicancafe.com/

But back to the Riverkeeper. This amazing organization hosts bird walks, eco-cruises, and my favorite springtime activity...river clean-ups. Get out your old clothes, bring your reusable water, and pick up trash from local parks on foot or via canoe. You won't believe what we find! Their first clean-up is Sunday, April 26 in Leonia. It will definitely get you thinking about your waste...and where it all ends up. Learn more:
http://www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/river_cleanups.html

Not in the area? Seek out your local environmental groups. The Sierra Club can get you pointed in the right direction: http://www.sierraclub.org/my_chapter/choose_chapter.asp
In my neck of the woods: http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/North/