No meat, no problem for vegetarian friends

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Forget the steak. Veggies are in for a growing number of South Floridians who are networking through local groups. BY KATHLEEN McGRORY kmcgrory LILLY ECHEVERRIA/MIAMI HERALD STAFF CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: From left, Lisa Montouri, of Miami, Liz Rodriguez of Fort Lauderdale and Scott Sassin of Miami eat dinner at Nature Boy Eatery in Fort Lauderdale. More photos Audio | Interview with vegan Seetha Sharma Organizations Two years ago, Liz Rodriguez decided to give up all things animal. Not only did that mean cutting meat out of her diet, it meant buying special shampoos and conditioners -- even animal-free clothing. Rodriguez, a 28-year-old tri-athlete from Fort Lauderdale, said the

transition wasn't easy. ''I just wanted people to share meals with,'' she said. ``It wasn't like I could eat out in any restaurant. What was I supposed to do? Wait around in a Whole Foods?'' So Rodriguez turned to the South Florida Vegans and Vegetarians, a group of more than 40 people who share her devotion to the animal-friendly lifestyle. At first, she used the gatherings as a way to share meals, exchange recipes and connect with like-minded people. Soon after, she was organizing the events herself. Rodriguez isn't alone. Vegans and vegetarians throughout South Florida can choose from a variety of associations. There are dinner clubs for vegetarian adults and playgroups for vegan kids. Vegetarian singles even meet up at special date parties. Experts are seeing groups like these popping up across the country. They say the trend is fueled not only by increasing interest in vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, but by

online networking sites like MeetUp.com and Craig's List. ''Where else can you find such good food and good company?'' said Seetha Sharma, a Hollywood resident who started her own vegetarian potluck dinner and cooking club this month. ``And these are all people who understand that the poor cow did nothing to them.'' Studies show vegetarianism -- the practice of not consuming meat -- is on the rise. There are 5 million vegetarians in the United States -- up from 2.6 million in 1997, according to the Vegetarian Resource Group, a non-profit group that promotes vegetarianism. Veganism, too, is becoming popular. Vegans -- who abstain from using any animal products in food, personal care items and clothing -- now number close to 2.9 million people in America, experts say. ''The vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are becoming a lot more mainstream,'' said Jeannie McStay, a spokeswoman for the Vegetarian Resource Group. ``People are

finally starting to realize that we don't lead lives of deprivation. There are plenty of good things to eat.'' Still, many vegans and vegetarians in South Florida say they sometimes feel alienated from their meat-eating friends and families. ''Even within your own family, there are people that don't understand,'' said Michelle Ellis, a Deerfield Beach resident who is raising her 7-year-old daughter to be vegan, too. ``Our society is so based on food. People think we're missing out because we don't eat certain things.'' It was in that spirit that Ellis started the Vegan Parents and Kids Meetup, a group for children in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The kids meet once a month, sometimes to share meals, other times to make crafts or splash around in pools. ''It is great that the kids have each other,'' said Ellis. ``They feel comfortable when they are together. They have a real sense of camaraderie.'' Adult vegans

and vegetarians -- those looking for love -- can turn to Vegetarian Singles, based out of North Miami Beach. Among the singles' favorite activities: DJ parties. Some events have had more than 100 people in attendance, members say. ''We have had several couples get married through our efforts, but that's not really our main goal,'' said Bennett Josephson, 71, the yoga teacher and marriage therapist who founded the group nearly 15 years ago. ''We're more about helping people improve their health,'' Josephson said, adding that the group also sponsors lectures and luncheons. ``Finding love is just a bonus.'' Both Ellis and Josephson agree the Internet has been key to bolstering membership. Ellis communicates with existing members and recruits new ones through MeetUp.com, a networking website. Josephson has a website of his own, and advertises events on message boards like greenpeople.org. ''I don't know how we could do it without

the Internet,'' Ellis said. With Thanksgiving -- a holiday that practically revolves around turkey -- this week, many of the local vegan and vegetarian groups are organizing feasts of their own. On the menus: rice, beans, whole wheat pita and plenty of fresh veggies. But the event will hold special significance to the South Florida Vegans and Vegetarians. Their second annual Thanksgiving dinner will honor a group member who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. During the final few months of his life, the cancer prevented the man from eating. But he still showed up at all of the group's events, and even hosted a potluck at his house shortly before he died. ''We're much more than a dinner club,'' said Rodriguez, the group's organizer. ``We're more like a family.''Peter H

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There seems to be a pretty good group like this in the San Francisco area, too, which I also found through . peace, sharon peter VV <swpgh01 wrote: Forget the steak. Veggies are in for a growing number of South Floridians who are networking through local groups. BY KATHLEEN McGRORY kmcgrory (AT) MiamiHerald (DOT) com LILLY ECHEVERRIA/MIAMI HERALD STAFF CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: From left, Lisa Montouri, of Miami, Liz Rodriguez of Fort Lauderdale and Scott Sassin of Miami eat dinner at Nature Boy Eatery in Fort Lauderdale. More photos Audio | Interview with vegan Seetha Sharma Organizations Two years ago, Liz Rodriguez decided to give up all things animal. Not

only did that mean cutting meat out of her diet, it meant buying special shampoos and conditioners -- even animal-free clothing. Rodriguez, a 28-year-old tri-athlete from Fort Lauderdale, said the transition wasn't easy. ''I just wanted people to share meals with,'' she said. ``It wasn't like I could eat out in any restaurant. What was I supposed to do? Wait around in a Whole Foods?'' So Rodriguez turned to the South Florida Vegans and Vegetarians, a group of more than 40 people who share her devotion to the animal-friendly lifestyle. At first, she used the gatherings as a way to share meals, exchange recipes and connect with like-minded people. Soon after, she was organizing the events herself. Rodriguez isn't alone. Vegans and vegetarians throughout South Florida can choose from a variety of associations. There are dinner clubs for vegetarian adults and playgroups for vegan kids. Vegetarian singles even meet up

at special date parties. Experts are seeing groups like these popping up across the country. They say the trend is fueled not only by increasing interest in vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, but by online networking sites like MeetUp.com and Craig's List. ''Where else can you find such good food and good company?'' said Seetha Sharma, a Hollywood resident who started her own vegetarian potluck dinner and cooking club this month. ``And these are all people who understand that the poor cow did nothing to them.'' Studies show vegetarianism -- the practice of not consuming meat -- is on the rise. There are 5 million vegetarians in the United States -- up from 2.6 million in 1997, according to the Vegetarian Resource Group, a non-profit group that promotes vegetarianism. Veganism, too, is becoming popular. Vegans -- who abstain from using any animal products in food, personal care items and clothing -- now number close to 2.9

million people in America, experts say. ''The vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are becoming a lot more mainstream,'' said Jeannie McStay, a spokeswoman for the Vegetarian Resource Group. ``People are finally starting to realize that we don't lead lives of deprivation. There are plenty of good things to eat.'' Still, many vegans and vegetarians in South Florida say they sometimes feel alienated from their meat-eating friends and families. ''Even within your own family, there are people that don't understand,'' said Michelle Ellis, a Deerfield Beach resident who is raising her 7-year-old daughter to be vegan, too. ``Our society is so based on food. People think we're missing out because we don't eat certain things.'' It was in that spirit that Ellis started the Vegan Parents and Kids Meetup, a group for children in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The kids meet once a month, sometimes to share meals, other times to

make crafts or splash around in pools. ''It is great that the kids have each other,'' said Ellis. ``They feel comfortable when they are together. They have a real sense of camaraderie.'' Adult vegans and vegetarians -- those looking for love -- can turn to Vegetarian Singles, based out of North Miami Beach. Among the singles' favorite activities: DJ parties. Some events have had more than 100 people in attendance, members say. ''We have had several couples get married through our efforts, but that's not really our main goal,'' said Bennett Josephson, 71, the yoga teacher and marriage therapist who founded the group nearly 15 years ago. ''We're more about helping people improve their health,'' Josephson said, adding that the group also sponsors lectures and luncheons. ``Finding love is just a bonus.'' Both Ellis and Josephson agree the Internet has been key to bolstering membership. Ellis communicates with

existing members and recruits new ones through MeetUp.com, a networking website. Josephson has a website of his own, and advertises events on message boards like greenpeople.org. ''I don't know how we could do it without the Internet,'' Ellis said. With Thanksgiving -- a holiday that practically revolves around turkey -- this week, many of the local vegan and vegetarian groups are organizing feasts of their own. On the menus: rice, beans, whole wheat pita and plenty of fresh veggies. But the event will hold special significance to the South Florida Vegans and Vegetarians. Their second annual Thanksgiving dinner will honor a group member who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. During the final few months of his life, the cancer prevented the man from eating. But he still showed up at all of the group's events, and even hosted a potluck at his house shortly before he died. ''We're much

more than a dinner club,'' said Rodriguez, the group's organizer. ``We're more like a family.'' Peter H Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

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