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Post by suziriot on Jan 31, 2011 22:25:19 GMT -5
I stopped eating most meat about 12 years ago - no beef or pork, but I did eat seafood and sometimes chicken. A little over a year ago, I went completely vegetarian. I decided to go vegan in 2011, and have been 100% animal product free since January 1st. For those of you unfamiliar with veganism, here is a brief summary from The Vegetarian Resource Group (www.vrg.org): Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or poultry. Vegans, in addition to being vegetarian, do not use other animal products and by-products such as eggs, dairy products, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, cosmetics, and soaps derived from animal products.My decision to go vegan was based on both ethical and health reasons. I recently developed lactose intolerance, so I had to go off the dairy anyway. I had always said that there was no way I could ever be vegan - I love food and would hate to restrict myself that much. Well, after one month I can say that I am VERY satisfied with my decision. Because there are so many people with food allergies these days, I have actually found it easy to find yummy stuff to eat in restaurants and cook at home. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have a lot of vegan options, but I've even found quite a lot at the more mainstream grocery chains. Anyway, I'm having a lot of fun with it and just think it's really cool to try new stuff. I know Mary started the vegan thing at the same time I did, but I was wondering if we have any others on the forum. I'd love to share recipes and resources. Here are some online favs: Fat Free Vegan Kitchen - blog.fatfreevegan.com/Post Punk Kitchen - www.theppk.com/21-Day Vegan Kickstart - www.pcrm.org/kickstartHome/(And because some people have asked.... no, the dogs aren't vegan/vegetarian, and neither is their meat-eating daddy. Just me!  ) |
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 1, 2011 9:14:50 GMT -5
Yayyyyyyyyyy!!!!! Don't you just feel overall lighter, or something? I feel happy when I shop. Instead of seeing this choice as what I CAN'T eat, I'm looking at it as an exciting, positive adventure, and my food choice horizons are actually EXPANDING. It is requiring me to be more creative in my shopping/cooking and I can finally buy without remorse. Best thing I've done for myself in a while.  |
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Post by sugar on Feb 1, 2011 9:41:33 GMT -5
I was vegetarian for about 12 years, vegan for two of those years. I found that personally it didn't work for me in the long haul. I started eating meat/dairy/seafood about 1.5 yrs ago and have gotten better, but only eat local farm raised stuff (the factory farmed stuff makes me cringe).
Good for you that you found something that works and be prepared to have a whole new world of flavors open up to you (because when you have to eat differently it forces you to be craetive we is great!).
And that you for clearing up the terms, I used to (and still do) hated when people would say "I'm vegetarian, I only eat chicken and fish"
Please explain to me what type of vegetable group do chicken and fish belong to?!
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Post by suziriot on Feb 1, 2011 10:46:10 GMT -5
Don't you just feel overall lighter, or something? I feel happy when I shop. Instead of seeing this choice as what I CAN'T eat, I'm looking at it as an exciting, positive adventure, and my food choice horizons are actually EXPANDING. It is requiring me to be more creative in my shopping/cooking and I can finally buy without remorse. Yes! That's very true! My best friend makes fun of me and calls it my "dirt" food.  And I get a lot of "Wow, that doesn't leave much for you to eat. What do you eat?" Delicious, wonderful, yummy delights that no animal had to die for me to enjoy, that's what! ;D |
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Post by suziriot on Feb 1, 2011 10:49:36 GMT -5
And that you for clearing up the terms, I used to (and still do) hated when people would say "I'm vegetarian, I only eat chicken and fish" Please explain to me what type of vegetable group do chicken and fish belong to?! Hehe, I hear that a lot. But I'm not all militant about it, like a lot of vegans. I mean, I live with a meat eater who also happens to be a chef. So I can't be that uptight about it. It's just something that makes me feel good health-wise and is consistent with my ethics.  |
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Post by sugar on Feb 1, 2011 11:04:20 GMT -5
I was veggie when my bf and I first met (he always ate meat). I was still veggie for about 5 yrs of our 6.5 yr relationship, I know what you mean.
Just hate when people say they are when they eat chicken or fish. I don't think its a militant thing, its more of a "No, you are no vegetarian. You just don't eat pork and beef."
I was always and will always be very open about what people choose for themselves, just can't stand when they want the title without the backup (FYI: Please tell me you've seen 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World' movie. One of the evil ex's super powers comes from being vegan because its explained in the movie "they are just better than you". And when the vegan police showed up...I just about died laughing!!)
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Post by suziriot on Feb 1, 2011 17:28:14 GMT -5
Just hate when people say they are when they eat chicken or fish. I don't think its a militant thing, its more of a "No, you are no vegetarian. You just don't eat pork and beef." I was always and will always be very open about what people choose for themselves, just can't stand when they want the title without the backup (FYI: Please tell me you've seen 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World' movie. One of the evil ex's super powers comes from being vegan because its explained in the movie "they are just better than you". And when the vegan police showed up...I just about died laughing!!) Yes, I totally agree! It's the "I'm acting like I know what I'm talking about when I'm completely ignorant" thing that ticks me off too. I've been really surprised by the number of people who think "meat" only includes beef and pork. And no, I haven't seen Scott Pilgrim yet... it's on my very long "must watch" list. Vegan police, lol.... that is hilarious! And that's what I meant when I referred to being "militant" - I don't like the sanctimonious, self-righteous, "I'm so much better than you" stuff. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 2, 2011 9:19:33 GMT -5
I haven't seen Scott Pilgrim yet, either. I def need to! Here is a quick meal a vegan friend of mine posted on FB yesterday. I thought it sounded really good if you needed to throw together something quick, easy and nourishing: *Zatarain's Dirty Brown Rice Mix *Veggie beef crumbles *Daiya cheddar cheese shreds *Tofutti sour cream |
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Post by sugar on Feb 2, 2011 9:36:28 GMT -5
Scott Pilgrim: "You are ve-gone, but now you'll be-gone!!"
Evil Ex: "Ve-gone? Really?"
Yes, please rent it ASAP!
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Post by catstina on Feb 2, 2011 10:59:33 GMT -5
Scott Pilgrim is one of my favorite movies. I just watched it last night. I love the Vegan Police and their sweet car!
I have so much respect for vegans, I wish I had enough self control for it.
I am a pescatarian but tend to tell people that I am a vegetarian because not many people know the term. I am really pretty strict about what I don't eat, though. I don't eat broth, lard, gelatin, or anything derived from mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians. I only eat fish when in a pinch and I only eat lobster/crabs on special occasions. Cheese and eggs, though are difficult for me to give up. I do only eat vegetarian cheese and cage free eggs, but I wish I had enough self control to give them up all together. Maybe some time in the future, but this is the diet for me now. I also don't wear leather, fur or anything derived from animals (except for a couple of wool items that were given to me).
I hate the "what do you eat?" question, too. I eat food, just like you.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 2, 2011 11:13:11 GMT -5
Chris, I lived almost exactly like you describe above for a while!! I eventually made the full transition. You obviously are very consciencious and thoughtful about your consuption of food and products, and really, that is all you can expect from anyone! Do your best, be conscious and aware. You will know if/when the time is right for you to go full vegetarian or vegan. |
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Post by catstina on Feb 2, 2011 13:47:47 GMT -5
I think it's just a stepping stone to a fully veggie/vegan life.
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Post by suziriot on Feb 2, 2011 15:06:17 GMT -5
I think it's just a stepping stone to a fully veggie/vegan life. That's how I did it, too. For me, it was easier to slowly learn and adapt rather than trying to go full vegan all at once. Definitely sounds like you are a conscientious consumer and if it works for your dietary needs, you may never want to go full vegan. |
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Post by sugar on Feb 2, 2011 16:58:00 GMT -5
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Post by bubsy on Feb 2, 2011 17:48:50 GMT -5
Not a vegan, but I highly recommend Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World...I can plow through an obscene amount of those cupcakes LOL!
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Post by Matt Miner on Feb 2, 2011 19:27:14 GMT -5
Wow, didn't expect so many fellow vegans on here! Talk about *awesome*!
So yes, I'm vegan too. Been vegan for about 8 years now - I went vegan overnight... I made the decision to google "animal cruelty" videos and what I saw changed my life.
Hello vegans!
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 2, 2011 23:24:17 GMT -5
Rawk on!  |
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Post by suziriot on Feb 3, 2011 0:00:06 GMT -5
Sugar, I checked out The Gluttonous Vegan.... very cool! Thanks for linking it.
Matt, I honestly think that RPBF may be the only place on the internet where you will find a group of people who love REAL pit bulls, hate PETA, and some of whom are vegetarian/vegan! ;D I'm curious... You must have a lot of resources and info after 8 years. Do you think it's "easier" - more options, etc - since you became vegan, or do you still experience the same challenges that you did when you first made the change?
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 8:38:24 GMT -5
^Would love to hear some thoughts, too!
Ok, so it's only been like a month, but veganism is no where near as hard as I made it out to be in my head. Maybe because I ate vegan food so much anyway? But I always had this mental block that vegetarianism was easy for me, but veganism would be 'way too hard'. Well, it hasn't been! (So far.)
The only thing that has been a little rough is twice I was at social food gatherings - a special plate of grilled veggies has to be made up for me at one, and the other event I couldn't eat anything at all (I can deal with that, but other people seem to be the ones with the problem.)
I'm a social eater, I love going out and eating with people. I can tell that this aspect of veganism is going to be difficult. Would love to talk about "coping mechanisms" of vegans in public meal settings where there are little to no vegan choices.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 9:31:40 GMT -5
That would be awesome, Kaleena! |
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I look forward to learning much here