VegRehoboth to celebrate holidays at a(MUSE.) Dec. 15

VegRehoboth is celebrating another successful year of promoting healthy living with a holiday party at a(MUSE.) from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15. The open-house celebration will feature Hari-style, mind-bendingly awesome vegan appetizer samplers, a unique blend of vegan dishes and happy hour drink specials unlike any other. "With drink titles such as these, guests know they are in for a treat: celery apple elderflower and gin, yuzu citrus kombucha whiskey sour, warm chai coconut buttered rum, tamarind lapsang souchong margarita, and carrot juice and lavender mimosas," said Tara Sheldon, president of VegRehoboth and Rehoboth VegFest.

"Feeding people great food doesn't have to involve meat or animal-based products. There are many great health and taste benefits in eating plant-based foods. All around the world, people are moving toward seasonal regional vegetable dishes that express a time and place in their culture. Vegetables can have many different textures and flavors. I am happy to be able to feed such a compassionate group of people. I invite everybody to come and enjoy my delicious plant cuisine," said Hari Cameron, chef and owner of both a(MUSE.) and grandpa(MAC), and a longtime supporter of VegRehoboth.

2016 marked the fourth year of VegRehoboth's two signature events, Rehoboth Beach VegFest and ThanksLiving. Rehoboth Beach VegFest, always the second Saturday in June, has garnered attention and praise from both locals and tourists alike and offers events all weekend long. Typical events include a film screening at the Cinema Art Theater, world-renowned speakers, close to 100 vendors, and delicious food samples prepared and shared by the dedicated CROP volunteers of CAMP Rehoboth. This year, ThanksLiving was another sold-out event and benefitted Children's Beach House, thanks to many local chefs who donated their food and businesses that donated to the silent auction.

"Both VegFest and ThanksLiving would not be possible without the generosity and support from so many in our community, from the YMCA, Kids Cottage and Rehoboth Art League sponsoring our Kids Tent, from Cape's JROTC to Jolly Trolley...not to mention the restaurants. They are community events, for the community and beyond, and it shows," said Sheldon. "We even have a panini named The Veg Rehoboth at grandpa (MAC)!"

In addition to their two signature events, VegRehoboth also hosts happy hours and Meatless Monday gatherings, What's Cookin' (a series of intimate dinners prepared by a member in full view of guests eager to learn more about plant-based dishes), workshops, and more.

"Attending one What's Cookin' at (Cave Girl at the Beach) Denise Vansant's house and I was hooked! She not only showed us how to make a delicious meal, she taught us why different ingredients are beneficial to our health," said Cindy Wanapom of Rehoboth.

VegRehoboth is kicking off its first event of 2017 with a Meatless Monday Munch at Twist Juice Bar and Cafe Jan. 9. Twist, recently opened in the First Street Pavilion, has an impressive menu of raw, natural, vegan and gluten-free items.

"We are all about moving toward a more compassionate and healthy world, and that starts with us and what we eat. Having our holiday party at a(MUSE.) is the perfect ending to a great year. Our events are focused on eating well and having fun doing it!" said Sheldon. "Come join us at a(MUSE.) - you will be glad you did!"

For more information, go to www.vegrehoboth.org.