Vegetarian

Produce bags are a little spaceyWhen their produce-protecting bags kept vanishing off store shelves in east-central Florida, officials at Evert-fresh were puzzled. Then the bag-maker got a call from NASA. Seems the folks at the space agency had been testing the bags for possible use on the space shuttle: Could they buy a couple of cases?The bags are a made of oya, a natural mineral that absorbs and removes ethylene gas, which causes deterioration in produce. For a sample of the bags, send $15 for three 10-bag packages (small, medium and large)

Growing up on a small farm in Trinidad, Joycelyn M. Peterson decided at a young age she wanted to be a vegetarian, because she got so upset when she had to eat farm animals. But her mother wouldn't let her choose that path, she said, telling her that if she didn't eat animal products, she'd die.Peterson believed her -- until she met a Seventh-day Adventist at her school, a young girl who taught her about the "original diet." It is described in the book of Genesis as a meat-free diet of fruits, nuts, grains, seeds and vegetables.

DOCTOR DETRACTORSEditor: Thank you for your article on vegetarianism (March 10). . . . The only two "detractors" mentioned in the article were physicians. I wonder if either is a vegetarian, and/or how many vegetarian patients they have actually seen in order to derive their objections. My guess is that some ordinary citizens who are vegetarians could offer them some education.The term "vegetarian" is derived from the Latin word "vegetus," meaning active, or vigor. As Americans discover the benefits of this way of eating, and overcome the specious objections of those who claim to know better, they will promote it and embrace it with a vigor that is badly needed.

McDonald's Corp. has apologized for not being upfront about its use of beef extract in french fries sold in the United States, an ingredient the company calls "natural flavor" in its nutrition brochures. The apology comes after American Hindus and vegetarians sued the world's largest restaurant chain this month in Seattle, accusing the company of deliberately misleading its U.S. customers. The plaintiffs said they believed they were eating vegetarian fries because McDonald's has marketed its fries since 1990 as cooked in "100 percent vegetable oil."

A jewel of a loungeA hamburger at Donna's? Yes, now that the Mount Vernon restaurant has become the Ruby Lounge. The space across the hall from Donna's Coffee Bar has been transformed into a sophisticated bistro, if that's not a contradiction in terms -- still stylish but more informal and more comfortable. The lively menu is "inspired by local ethnic markets," says owner Donna Crivello. (With a hamburger and french fries thrown in for good measure.)"The emphasis is on 'lounge,' a place to meet friends, relax, have a drink and some great food," adds co-owner Alan Hirsch.

We had a vegetarian for dinner. Not as the main course, but as guest. He was amiable. And flexible. Not that he tolerated meat, or seafood or fish. Or even carrot puree bolstered with broth that remembered meat or seafood or fish. But he was willing to endure egg and cheese. And happy to bring his own. Tofurkey. Hardly necessary, I said. Or advisable, I thought. But he insisted. He's crazy about tofurkey. Which, apparently, is turkey. Made from tofu. I've got nothing against tofu.

Nutritionist helps cut fat from ThanksgivingThanksgiving is just around the corner and to those of us who have to count calories, cholesterol and fat this time of eating can turn into a dietary disaster.If you don't want your turkey to turn you into a butterball, you can get some free advice from Mary Ann Buchmeier, a nutritionist for the Columbia Medical Plan. Ms. Buchmeier will be answering nutrition questions during her guided tour for healthful eating from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, at the Giant food store, 4715 Dorsey Hall Drive in Ellicott City.

A Seder, a feast with rituals for a multigenerational family, is the centerpiece of "Passover: Traditions of Freedom," a one-hour program from Maryland Public Television and Frappe Inc. that explores the history and customs of this Jewish celebration throughout the ages. This year, Passover begins April 14. Among topics examined in the program are the making of the Passover matzo, the history of the first harvest of green vegetables, and the importance of wine in Jewish tradition and liturgy.

'Healthy Highways: The Traveler's Guide to Healthy Eating' Ceres Press, $19.95: "Healthy Highways" offers alternatives to the fast-food eateries crowding the American landscape. Designed with motorists, bikers and hikers in mind, it features more than 2,800 natural-food stores, co-ops and health-conscious restaurants from Alabama to Wyoming. Each entry is brief - there is no fat here - with just the essentials: address, telephone number, hours of operation and a concise description of the type of listings (whether natural-food store or vegan restaurant)

UCC is to examine violenceThe United Church of Christ will present a workshop this weekend for adults and children 10 and older, titled "Walking with the Prince of Peace: New Models for Living in a Violent World."Participants will examine the cultural and social roots of violence, and attempt to find ways of resolving anger and conflict.Sponsored by the Integrity of Creation, Justice and Peace Task Force of the UCC's Central Atlantic Conference, the workshop will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1905 Edmondson Ave., Catonsville.