Ole' it's May 

We got a head start on Cinco de Mayo at Fiesta Brevard, where our - beautifully decorated  booth - was busy all evening.  We served samples to and spoke with hundreds of visitors, some of whom were already interested in plant-based living and, many who had never tried anything vegan, all of whom loved our vegan cheese and sausage samples, Maureen's green smoothies, and Catrell's tropical muffins. 

Coming up this month, let's fill the room again at the Cocoa Beach Library on,      May 19th , when  Ellen Jaffe Jones, TheVegCoach,  www.vegcoach.com and author of Eat Vegan on $4 a Day, speaks to us about     the benefits of Plant Based living, and how to keep it affordable, at the Cocoa Beach Library at 2pm.  Immediately following this event join us for our monthly dining out event at Azteca II. (see details below)

April recap - In April we were busy busy busy !  Outreach and tabling events happened weekly, and we were able to share information about planet based living with hundreds of local residents. Many Thanks to all of you who helped make it possible for Healthy Planet of Bereaved to be present at so many events. Mary Aragones was in Palm Bay, Cheryl & Rebecca hosted our table at the BCC Health Fair at the Melbourne campus, and Erin, Judy & Bill we're the table hosts at the BCC GreenFest and at the Enchanted Forest event.  Catrell, joined Kim & Rich at Sunseed for the Earthday celebration and the Fiesta team included Maureen O'Connell , Cecilia Williamsen, Erin, Kim & Rich at the table, Judy provided a raffle basket and Catrell donated her delicious tropical muffins.  Thanks to all of you for promoting and participating in these events.  The more volunteers we have the more volunteering we can do and the more fun we'll have together.  These events are a blast! It's an opportunity to introduce people to new things and to tell your own story.  How did you come to be a member of HPOB?  What do you recommend to someone who's just beginning to eat this way?  Tabling is fun!   We'll be planning more and more exciting events in the coming months.   If you'd like to join in the fun by becoming part of our outreach team or our core group contact us at volunteers@healthyplanetofbrevard.com  


Congratulations go out to all of you who took the "NO MEAT MARCH" challenge and continued with the "AGAIN IN APRIL" initiative.  Keep the momentum going with "MEMORABLE MAY "  Even if you have strayed from the plant based lifestyle over the last 30 days you've made monumental changes in your health, the health of our planet and the lives of hundreds of animals with the steps you've taken.  Keep up the good work by continuing to include more vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds in your eating plan.  We are changing the world, one meal at a time!  Be the change you wish to see :)  One slip of your fork is just that, one slip, shake yourself off and start back on the path to health.  I evaluate my days not by how perfectly I've lived them, but  by how long it takes to make corrections when I lose my way.  I encourage you to do the same.  It's one bite at a time that gets us where we're going.  See you there :)

May 12 @ 6:00pm join us
for our monthly potluck dinner at
Appleseed Health Foods    
1007 Pathfinder Way
Rockledge, FL

 Each month we gather at Appleseed Health foods for our monthly potluck dinner.Our Hosts for this event are Appleseed's owners Renee & Kurt, and our Healthy Planet of Brevard Potluck co-ordinator Judy McCluney.

 It's great fun to gather and share recipes and stories in this lovely space.   Please bring a vegan dish to share -enough to feed your family and a little bit more- and your own plates and utensils.  

If you're not sure what is vegan, or you prefer to come just to see what others are cooking up that's fine too.  We ask for a $5.00 donation in that case, and if you forget your plates, etc., no worry, we always have spares.  For more information about the Potluck dinners, and pictures of past events, please visit our meet-up page http://www.meetup.com/healthyplanetofbrevard/  

If you are preparing a dish for the event, please remember no meat, fish, dairy, eggs, Jello marshmallows or honey.  If you have questions about what you can bring please feel free to contact Judy@jmccluney@cfl.rr.com   We kindly ask that you label your food with a copy of the recipe.  This helps people with allergies to know if they can sample your dish.  All are welcome! Whether we are vegan, vegetarian or carnivore, we can all enjoy a delicious meal.  

May Day Delight

note:  organic ingredients are always the best choice for the nutritional value
1 cup spring mix salad greens
1/2 cup grape tomatoes
1/4 red bell pepper sliced into rings
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup celery chopped
1/4 cup shredded red cabbage
1/4 cup chopped cucumber
1/4 red onion sliced thinly
combine all of the above ingredients in a large bowl and toss.  

Dressing:  
Juice of one freshly squeezed orange 
Juice of 1/2 lemon, freshly squeezed
2 cloves garlic ( or more to suit your taste)
1 slice red onion
2T fresh parsley
1/2 Avocado
1 small/medium carrot, chopped 
1 rib celery, chopped
1/4  red bell pepper, chopped
1T Italian seasoning
Blend all ingredients in blender or magic bullet and serve over salad.  Enjoy!

Looking Forward:  

June 2nd, Kristin Lajeunesse "Will Travel for Vegan Food" will be speaking to us at the Cocoa Beach Library, followed by our dining out event at Siam Orchid, also in Cocoa Beach, so save the date for these fun filled and delicious events. 

Independence from Meat picnic  June 16,  at Suntree Rotary Park.  Veggie dogs & Burgers  and lots of delicious sides and desserts.  This year we will be adding some exciting activities for kids of all ages.

Save the date: 

Turkey-Free Thanksgiving, November 17th,  our annual gathering to celebrate our community

Cocoa Beach Library Events:  MAY 2012  
COCOA BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY  ADULT PROGRAMS

Wednesday, May 9 at 6:00pm  Friends of the Thousand Islands Annual Meeting - The public is welcome to attend this meeting to learn about current, upcoming, and ongoing conservation efforts in the Thousand Islands.

Saturday, May 12 at 2:00pm, Yoga Workshop for the Back & Neck.  Instructor, Diane Coben, will demonstrate and instruct yoga techniques and practices specifically to target the back and neck. Done correctly, yoga can alleviate back and neck pain and promote healing. Diane, a certified yoga, breathing, and meditation instructor, will share the knowledge of her many years of yoga practice and will address questions about props, poses, exercises, resources, and continuing care for the back and neck. She will also lead a one-hour yoga session. Please dress comfortably for practice, and bring a mat or towel. Cost for this workshop is $5.00.

Wednesday, May 16 at 6:00pm, Sea Turtle Preservation Society: Turtles 101 - an introduction to sea turtle species, biology, and conservation. This informative session will include slide shows,informational pamphlets, and examples of turtles for guests to discuss and touch. This program is geared toward adults.

Friday, May 18 at 10:00am, Health for Life Seminar with Dr. Sylvie Morin: Natural Solutions to Allergy Problems

Wednesday, May 30 at 5:30pm Sea Turtle Preservation Society: Sea Turtle Emergency Response
The journey from the egg to the ocean is fraught with hazard for sea turtles. The Sea Turtle Preservation Society will host an informative program about the challenges hatchlings face and how professionals address them, as well as what to do if you encounter a hatchling in trouble.

FITNESS AT THE LIBRARY:
Cost is $5.00 per session
Mon., 5/7 - 5/21, 10:00am, Basic Pilates with Judy Brinkley.
Tues., 5/1 - 5/22, 2:00pm, Easy Hatha Yoga with Emily Hain.
Tues., 5/1- 8/28. 6-6:50pm, Yoga for Core Strength with Kim Bolinger
Tues., 5/1 -5/22, 7-7:50pm, Gentle Evening Yoga with Kim Bolinger
Wed., 5/2 -5/23, 9:00am, T’ai Chi with Dianne Douglass, A.P.

Our dining out this month will be hosted by Azteca II 
In the Resort on Cocoa Beach 
1600 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL     
Saturday May 19 at  5:30 pm,
 

Azteca II's everyday menu is vegan friendly.  
The salsa & guacamole, as well as the rice, and the bean soup are always prepared without animal products,
and when they prepare a special meal for us it is particularly delicious!  Rich and I have eaten here several times,
it's always fresh and the service is wonderful  

The Azteca II family will be preparing a buffet of fresh and beautiful, vegan dishes for us.    Please RSVP to Kim at  hpobdiningout@gmail.com.   

Azteca II Vegan Buffet Menu
 
Salad with tomatoes, green bell pepper, black olives,
onions and cucumbers
 
Frijoles Azteca soup is pot beans fresh jalapeños,
onions, and tomatoes
 
Veggie fajita with zucchini, yellow squash, corn, bell pepper, onion, mushrooms,accompanied by pico de gallo, guacamole, soft tortillas and hard tortillas 
  
Rice and Refried beans

 Beverage
Choice of:  Tea or Soda

Margaritas, Sangria, beer, wine will be available
for purchase separately.  
 
We will be collecting at the door so please bring cash,
or checks made out to  Azteca II.  Thanks.   

Dinner will be served Buffet style with soft drinks included.

The price of  $20.00 per person, includes tax & tip 
 HPOB Members price is $18.00 per person.

Please RSVP to Kim at  hpobdiningout@gmail.com.

Other Events in Brevard:

Saturday May 5th, Brevard Health and Wellness Expo  9-2 Viera Regional Community Center  433-4891  

Saturday May 26, Space Coast Sports Festival 5K & Fun walk   Wickham Park  433-4891

TURTLE WATCH RESERVATIONS BEGIN ON MAY 15TH FOR PROGRAMS SET IN JUNE, 2012  (386) 428-3384 for more information

May 19 - 8am-1pm  Space Coast WaterFest @ Kiwanis Island
National Safe Boating Week Event for more information 633-2016 or matt.culver@brevardcounty.us
Litter Clean-up 8am
Recycled Regatta Recycled/Reused-Built Boat Races  11am   http://brevardparks.com/visittheparks/docs/KIWANIS_ISLAND_WATERFEST.pdf

Educational Booths and Displays

Titusville:  for more details on these events click here http://nbbd.com/events/#calendar
5/5 -- Cruise-In Antique Car Show
2:00pm - 6:00pm -- NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Live TV coverage available.
Joining the Hall of Fame this year are former astronauts Franklin Chang-Diaz, Kevin Chilton and Charles Precourt.

5/5 -- 2012 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
3:00pm -- Sand Point Park (look for possible move Downtown). Info: 321-607-6848.
Cinco de Mayo Experience Authentic Latin Food.

5/5 -- May Day Celebration & Kentucky Derby Party
10:00am - 2:00pm -- Historic Pritchard House
May-pole dance, basket making, garden tours.
Kentucky Derby Day "Run for the Roses" Garden Party — 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Hats required. Refreshments available.

5/7 -- SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Scheduled
9:38 a.m. EDT -- Launch Pad 40 - Directly east of Titusville.

Historic Cocoa Village: for more details on these events click here http://visitcocoavillage.com/events/events-calendar/

5/5  Classic Car show and Antiques Walk.  100+ cars vendors and more

5/5   Magic Fun Day  Magic Dove Magic Shop 639 Brevard Ave Cocoa FL 32922 
Come join the fun every first Saturday of every month. Free magic and clown entertainment. Free face painting. Free animal balloons. Free popcorn.10am – 5pm

Saturday and Sunday May 19 & 20  Cocoa Village Summer Arts and Crafts Show  10am – 5pm  Vendors line the streets of Historic Cocoa Village

 Monday, May 28, 2012   9:30am-12pm,   Memorial Day Ceremony,    Riverfront Park, Cocoa Village
Come out to Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Every year the City of Cocoa takes time to honor the fallen veterans of war with a Guest Speaker, special Flag folding ceremony, 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, period Costumes, a moment of silence, entertainment and much more. Admission is FREE!
 

Did You Know?  

You can replace eggs in a recipe by blending 1/4 cup soft tofu with the liquid ingredients of the recipe, or with a small banana mashed.
Buttermilk can be replaced by adding 1Tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup of soymilk.  

Soybeans are high in iron ; 8.8 mg per cup cooked and molasses has 7.0mg per 2 Tablespoons.  The same 2T of molasses has 400mg calcium and 1 cup cooked Collard Greens has 357 mg of calcium.  

It is very easy for a vegan  diet to meet the recommendations for protein as long as calorie intake is adequate.  Strict protein planning or combining is not necessary.  The key is to eat a varied diet.  Almost all foods except for alcohol, sugar, and fats provide some protein.  Vegan sources include: lentils, chickpeas, tofu, peas, peanut butter, soy milk, almonds, spinach, rice, whole wheat bread, potatoes, broccoli, kale...For example, if part of a day's menu included the following foods, you would meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein for an adult male:  
1 cup oatmeal, 1 cup soymilk
2 slices whole wheat bread/ 1 bagel 
2T peanut butter
1 C vegetarian baked beans
5 oz Tofu, 2 T almonds
1C broccoli, and 1 cup brown rice

from the vegetarian resource group website  http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/vegan.htm#when