Blog
Simply V Cooking Class (Feb 2025)
Our February Simply V Cooking Class, held in collaboration with VCAI, was a special Lunar New Year edition filled with festive flavours and traditions. Participants learned to make Chinese Honeycomb Cookies and Crispy Seaweed Crackers, snacks that are perfect for celebrating the season.
Adding to the festive spirit, the “Senior” of the class distributed red packets to participants, symbolising good fortune for the year ahead. The session concluded with a sharing on the Chinese zodiac. It was a wonderful celebration of food, culture, and tradition!
Director’s Message
January-September 2024 was 1.54±0.13°C above the pre-industrial average.
Following a prolonged La Niña, which is typically associated with a temporary reduction in global temperatures, from late 2020 to the early months of 2023, a strong El Nino event boosted global temperature to record observed levels later in 2023 and through 2024. For 16 consecutive months (June 2023 to September 2024), the global mean exceeded anything recorded before 2023 and often by a wide margin. 2023 and 2024 will be the two warmest years on record, with the latter being on track to be the warmest, making the past 10 years, 2015 to 2024, the warmest ten years in the 175-year observational record.
Vegetarianism plays a significant role in addressing global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The livestock industry is a major contributor to climate change, responsible for a large share of methane and nitrous oxide emissions, which are more potent than carbon dioxide. By shifting to a plant-based diet, individuals can lower the demand for meat and dairy, thereby decreasing the environmental impact associated with animal farming. Additionally, plant-based agriculture generally requires less land, water, and energy, further mitigating deforestation, habitat loss, and resource depletion. Adopting vegetarianism can thus contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient food system, helping to combat global warming.
Simply V Cooking Class (Jan 2025)
We kicked off 2025 with an inspiring Simply V Cooking Class, featuring two delightful dishes. Participants learned to prepare Cassava Cake, a rich and moist treat made from grated cassava, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. They also learned how to make Koftas, flavourful spiced balls made from a blend of cauliflower and cabbage, paired with a rich gravy.
Following the cooking session, the third Confucius Class sharing took place, offering insights into Confucian philosophy and sparking thoughtful discussions among participants. It was a wonderful start to the year, blending culinary creativity with meaningful reflection.
Simply V Cooking Class (Dec 2024)
After a brief break in November, we were delighted to return in December with another Simply V Cooking Class with VCAI. Participants had the opportunity to learn two remarkable dishes that showcased creativity and flavour.
The first dish, Peanut Delight with Agar-Agar and Veggie Medley, was a wholesome creation blending the creamy richness of ground peanuts with the silky texture of agar-agar. Topped with sautéed mushrooms, tender carrots, and vegetables, this dish was a perfect balance of nutrition and indulgence—ideal for both everyday meals and special occasions.
The second dish, Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls, brought the fresh and vibrant flavours of Vietnamese cuisine to life. These delicate rolls, filled with fresh vegetables, rice noodles, and pan-fried tofu, were paired with a delectable dipping sauce. Perfect as an appetiser or light meal, they offered a healthy and customisable treat.
The session concluded with the second Confucius class which explored key ideas from Confucian philosophy, encouraging thoughtful discussions and reflections.
It was a day of culinary discovery and intellectual enrichment, leaving everyone inspired and satisfied.
Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group (Nov 2024)
In November we had another exciting cultural adventure! We began with our Mandarin greetings and then honed our skills in writing names, focusing on the correct stroke order for beautiful calligraphy. The children also continued learning hanyu pinyin, improving their pronunciation and confidence. This session introduced the Winter Solstice, a significant Chinese festival, and the kids got hands-on making glutinous rice balls, a traditional treat that they enjoyed tasting together. To cap it off, we explored traditional emperor costumes, sparking curiosity about Chinese history and fashion. It was a delightful blend of language, culture, and creativity!
VegoFest 2024
This year’s VegoFest 2024 was another unforgettable celebration of vegetarianism, community, and love, and Nurtureland was thrilled to be part of the magic once again. Hosted by the Vegetarian & Cultural Association Incorporated (VCAI), the event was alive with energy, offering an array of plant-based delights, live performances, and family-friendly activities.
At our Nurtureland stall, Kind Kitchen, we served up a trio of delicious offerings that delighted visitors throughout the day:
Margherita and Pesto Pizza
Our handcrafted pizzas were a true highlight, featuring fresh, vibrant flavours that captured the spirit of a wholesome vegetarian lifestyle. The classic margherita, with its rich tomato base and cheese, was a hit. Equally popular was the pesto pizza, topped with fragrant pesto and mushrooms.
Minestrone Soup
Comforting and hearty, our minestrone soup was the perfect choice for those seeking a warm, nourishing meal. Packed with fresh vegetables, it offered a wholesome taste that left everyone satisfied.
Cold Brew Coffee
To keep the energy up, we also served refreshing cold brew coffee, made with premium beans and perfectly chilled. Smooth and invigorating, it paired beautifully with our savoury dishes, keeping visitors fueled as they explored all that VegoFest had to offer.
A Day of Connection
As always, VegoFest was about more than just food. It was a day to connect, learn, and celebrate the many joys of vegetarian living. From engaging workshops to live performances that brought people together, the event was a beautiful reminder of the power of community.
We are incredibly grateful for everyone who stopped by our stall to share in this meaningful experience. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm—it’s your love for great food and compassionate living that inspires us.
We’re already looking forward to VegoFest 2025! Until then, let’s continue spreading the joy of vegetarianism, one delicious meal at a time.
Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group (Oct 2024)
The third class of our Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group was a lively blend of language, movement, and cultural discovery! We kicked off with our Mandarin greetings, and the kids had fun dancing around and making silly moves. The children learned about the Chong Yang Festival and even explored the sweet scent of chrysanthemum flowers, which are a significant part of the festival. The highlight of the day was introducing the kids to Chinese calligraphy, and they practised writing their Chinese names with calligraphy brushes. It was a joyful mix of learning, laughter, and hands-on cultural exploration!
Director’s Message
Some changes (such as droughts, wildfires, and extreme rainfall) are happening faster than scientists previously assessed. In fact, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — the United Nations body established to assess the science related to climate change — modern humans have never before seen the observed changes in our global climate, and some of these changes are irreversible over the next hundreds to thousands of years.
Scientists have high confidence that global temperatures will continue to rise for many decades, mainly due to greenhouse gases produced by human activities.
The scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human wellbeing and the health of the planet. Any further delay in concerted global action will miss the brief, rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future.
Simply V Cooking Class (Oct 2024)
The second series of Simply V Cooking Class featured two delicious plant-based dishes: a rich, decadent Chocolate Mousse and a savory Plant-based Honey-glazed Pork. Participants learned step-by-step how to prepare these recipes, which are perfect for anyone looking to explore vegetarian alternatives without sacrificing flavour.
After the cooking session, attendees were treated to a fascinating talk on Confucian Philosophy. The speaker introduced the life and teachings of Confucius, followed by an engaging group discussion based on a thought-provoking case study. The combination of culinary creativity and philosophical reflection made for an enriching and memorable experience.
Simply V 1st Series Survey
After the first series of six classes, we conducted a survey and received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with nearly perfect scores for the class arrangements and learning processes. Participants expressed a strong understanding of the benefits and importance of vegetarianism and are eager for future classes. One common request was for more frequent sessions, ideally weekly instead of monthly. We are excited to provide more classes in the future!