Friday, March 26, 2021 7 Brooklin Town Crier Youth Artists To Apply For Showcase The Town's 2021 call for Art Attack applicants has begun. Until Friday, April 16, Whitby youth ages 12 to 18 are invited to apply to be featured in Art Attack - an annual showcase of local youth artists held each year during National Youth Week. This year's artwork submission categories include drawing and painting, sculpture, video and film, photography, graffiti, fashion and jewellery and spoken word (must be a video submission). Works of art will be featured during this year's virtual Art Attack event being live streamed on Station Gallery's Facebook page on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 7 p.m. In addition to being showcased at the Art Attack event, all of the pieces will be exhibited at Station Gallery between May 4 and 22. Quick Facts Applications can be submitted between now and Friday, April 16 at whitby.ca/youthevents Works of art must be dropped off at Station Gallery (1450 Henry St, Whitby) between April 20 and 22, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. May 1 to 7 is National Youth Week. Art Attack is presented by the Whitby Youth Council in partnership with Station Gallery and is part of the Town's continued commitment as a Platinum Level Youth Friendly Community. For more information, visit whitby.ca/youthevents. 905.655.6200 www.brooklineyecare.ca Plant-Based Eating by Sheree Nicholson When Teens Go Vegan Teens represent one of the fastest-growing groups of those switching to a plant-based lifestyle. It's possibly because of their concerns over animal rights and the environment. They're experiencing enormous growth and development, so it's not a time to cut back on nutrients or calories. However, I can reassure you that vegan diets can be perfectly safe and healthy for them as long as they're well-planned. A vegan diet isn't just about giving up all animal foods since you must also consider what to eat in their place. This approach isn't going to be healthy if your teen eats only junk food or just vegetables. It is though about eating whole foods, not over-processed packaged foods that happen to be vegan. Certain nutrients are essential for growing youths, so their diet needs to include plant-based sources. Here's a list of critical nutrients for vegans (from the website https:// www.parents.com/recipes/scoop- on-food/is-a-vegan-diet-safe-for-teens-and-tweens: Protein - think beans and lentils, tofu, soy milk, and whole grains Calcium - fortified non-dairy milk, almonds, and kale. Iron - beans and nut butter. Vitamin B12 - fortified cereal and fortified non-dairy milk. Be sure your child is getting enough calories from a wide variety of plant-based sources. While we all eat crap now and then, about 80% of their diet should be whole foods. (Sometimes turning to a vegan diet may be a cover for an eating disorder. Teens might claim they are not eating meat or dairy as a way of managing their weight. If you suspect an eating disorder, a professional who specializes in eating disorders needs to be consulted.) Deciding to give up meat and going vegan can be a burden on the primary cook in the family. I suggest supporting them, letting them plan some of their menu items and, if need be, seeking a plant-based nutrition coach. My experience with teens is that it makes for better dynamics when they feel supported in their decisions. Many teens will float back and forth between being plant-based and eating a standard North American diet. This is normal. Parents of vegan children must be cautious to ensure they're eating a balanced diet and seek professional guidance where necessary. Vegan diets can be perfectly safe but know about the key nutrients required for growth and development. Here's and excellent breakfast smoothie with 10 grams of plant-based proteins from the "Oh She Glows" blog: Hidden Greens Chocolate Protein Smoothie Ingredients: 1 1/2 (375 mL) cups unsweetened almond milk 1 cup frozen organic kale 2 to 3 pitted large Medjool dates, to taste. Or substitute maple syrup. 2 tablespoons hulled hemp seed 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 large frozen banana Dash of cinnamon 1 tablespoon avocado (for thickening) Ice, if desired Directions Put all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Adjust sweetness to taste. Note that kale and dates can be hard to blend in a regular blender. Sheree's hack: Pre-soak dates and keep them in your freezer for recipes such as this. Pitching-in and Organ Donations Brooklin residents have been pitching-in to clean up community parks every April since 2002. We are taking a pause on those activities due to Covid. However, with April being Organ Donation Awareness month, residents are encouraged to support Green Shirt Day and register for tissue and organ donation. It only takes a couple of minutes online to register and you can save up to eight lives each. Green Shirt Day is April 7 and is in remembrance of Logan Boulet whose selfless act of organ donation saved six lives following the shocking 2018 Humboldt Broncos hockey club bus crash in which 16 players and team staff were killed. For the sacrifice of people like Logan and the bravery of frontline workers, this is a big thing you can safely do that takes little time and effort. To learn more about Green Shirt Day, visit https:// greenshirtday.ca. Meanwhile, let's dispel some myths about organ donation. Even if you have a "donor card" in your wallet, you may still not be registered as an organ donor. Since 2008, the Trillium Gift of Life Network has maintained a database of registered donors in Ontario. We e n c o u r a g e everyone to visit www.BeADonor. ca to ensure your decision is recorded and to learn more about organ donation myths and facts. About 90% of Ontarians support organ donation, although only 35% of those eligible are registered. Whitby ranks 135th out of 170 Ontario communities for Donor Registration Rate (at 39%) and we aim to break into the double digits. Now that we all have some free time on our hands, let's pay tribute to heroes like Logan and our frontline workers by registering at www. BeADonor.ca. Then spread the word by showing your Green Shirts and donor cards on social media.