VEGphoenix!

Come and experience the grandeur, the spectacle, the wonder of the world's most succulent and tantalizing foods. You'll discover new and creative dishes, consisting of savory and satisfying flavors, from foodstuffs found only in Nature. Get Real. Have Fun. Enjoy Life. And Living Foods! Hosted by Mary Ann. Socializing begins around 5:30pm, and food at about 5:45pm. This month's potluck is game night, so bring your favorite board game (if you have one). Please bring a vegan raw food dish (veggies/nuts, herbs/spices, salt, olive oil are generally acceptable ingredients for dishes), or a salad (fruits, veggies, nuts, spices), or a fruit/veggie platter for six (or more) people. Don't know what to bring? There are literally 4.63 gazillion recipes on the Internet. Type in the words: "Raw Food Recipes" with a search and see what happens! Here is an example video of a RAW-Vegan dish you would find at this type of event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erpa3C2JwVI HOUSE RULES at Natural Grocers: No items with gluten whatsoever are allowed in the potluck room at Natural Grocers; there's also no soliciting or selling of anything at the store (which is the exclusive realm of the venue hosting the event). And to cut down on costs/waste, please bring your own plate, utensils, and drinking cup. Also, if you could list the ingredients of your dish, that would be helpful to people with allergy issues. Finally, we must have cleaned and vacated the potluck room (just inside the front door to the left) by 8:15pm. Please cooperate in that regard. Also, be advised that this is a RAW-Vegan potluck. For those not familiar with "raw," that generally means no foodstuffs that have been heavily processed/heated/cooked. In other words, "raw" typically entails foodstuffs as Nature intended (e.g., fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, sprouts) which have all their nutrients intact, and not cooked out of existence, nor processed into oblivion. Most manufactured/canned/bottled/packaged foods, such as popcorn, chips, Veganaise, etc. are typically not "raw"; though, cold-pressed olive oil, raw coconut aminos, raw agave, spices, and salt are generally-acceptable exceptions to the non-packaging precept. For those not familiar with the term "vegan," that generally means free from animal products and their derivatives. This includes all dairy products, honey, and whey. If, on the off chance that someone new attends this event, and is unfamiliar with the RAW-Vegan parameter of the event, please be in keeping with the longstanding tradition of the leadership and members of VEGphx to be accepting/understanding (in the moment) of all people, their current level of awareness, and their own individual paths in life. This means that if there is a particular potluck item that is not entirely "raw" and not entirely "vegan," do your part (in a calm and loving way) to help make sure that this item is clearly labeled as such, and let the participants at the event decide for themselves whether or not to indulge in it. Conversely, there is never an occasion at any VEGphx Food-sponsored event for emotional outbursts or hostilities shown toward any of the participants at any event on the part of our members. Please leave all emotional baggage at the entrance of this event, and do your part to not embarrass yourself or AZ Raw Food (as group) with any childish behavior. Love is the most important ingredient in any type of recipe. Please note that there is a speaker this month, and sometimes event speakers are promoting a product or service for sale. Please be aware that VEGphx does not endorse any products or services that might be marketed at the event. Also note that your attendance during the presentation is not required, so feel free to walk out at any time; though it might be advisable to have your belongings close in hand (as well as you physically situated near the exit) to be as inconspicuous as possible if you decide to make an early exit.