It's All About Food - Sunny Mueller, The Vegetarian House - 01.08.18

Part I: Sunny Mueller, The Vegetarian House
Sunny is the manager of The Vegetarian House in San Jose, California. The Vegetarian House is an organic vegan restaurant located in downtown San Jose; it was inspired by The Supreme Master Ching Hai, a world renowned spiritual teacher and humanitarian. The restaurant began operation in 1994 with a vision of a world where all beings, humans and animals could live together in peace, love and harmony. At the Vegetarian House, fresh organic produce is served cooked and seasoned with non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) ingredients. Genetically modified foods are linked to allergic reactions and damage to virtually every organ studied in lab animals. They are banned by food manufacturers in Europe and elsewhere, yet GMOs are present in the vast majority of locally available processed foods. Some of the products including sauces and noodles are made in house from scratch, using organic ingredients that are free of preservatives. Concerned for the happiness and well being of our animal friends, only animal-free meals (vegan) are served. In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint, freshly grown organic ingredients from local sources are used whenever possible. The restaurant also uses solar energy generated from solar panels and uses energy efficient lighting and appliances. The Vegetarian House is committed to working towards a sustainable planet. To reduce the environmental impact, all waste is recycled or composted whenever possible. The ‘TOGO’ packaging is made of environmentally-friendly materials which are either biodegradable or compostable.
 
Part II: Caryn Hartglass covers food trends for the new year.