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Post by michele5611 on Feb 3, 2011 9:45:39 GMT -5
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Post by michele5611 on Feb 3, 2011 9:47:27 GMT -5
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 10:30:12 GMT -5
I haven't even checked the link out yet, but that is such a great blog name! LOL |
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Post by sloane on Feb 3, 2011 10:41:43 GMT -5
Vegan here as well! It doesn't make sense to me to pick and choose which animals deserve to be saved, loved and respected  |
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 10:55:10 GMT -5
Vegan here as well! It doesn't make sense to me to pick and choose which animals deserve to be saved, loved and respected  What pushed me into veganism finally was my last visit to For The Animals www.fortheanimalssanctuary.org I traveled up there with two vegans, and of course we talked a LOT about animal issues on the drive up and back. We talked about the dairy industry and how dairy cattle actually suffer more, and longer, than beef cattle - how beef is "more humane" than dairy. How consuming dairy directly supports the veal industry. I couldn't ignore this stuff anymore and hide behind my vegetarianism. My favorite animal up at the sanctuary is Hope, who is a rescued abused dairy cow. I kept thinking about Hope and how my dairy consumption (little as it was) was directly supporting the abuse of others like her. I decided to give veganism a try. And the way I am feeling now, I do not think I could go back to being "just" a vegetarian. Hope no offense is taken by the above, I am speaking strictly from my OWN personal experience, and my own personal beliefs and have chosen what works best for ME. Each individual's journey on this planet is a very personal thing. I absolutely never judge people for the food they eat or why they eat it. I also recognize that people do what they can, in their corner of the world, to make a difference. |
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Post by sloane on Feb 3, 2011 11:33:57 GMT -5
Beautiful story!
And that was very diplomatic at the end, LOL!
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Post by suziriot on Feb 3, 2011 11:41:48 GMT -5
Ditto to everything you said Mary!
I also find that the most challenging part is at social functions and going out to eat with others. Fortunately, I have many vegetarian/vegan friends, and even those who are not, are at least are pretty familiar with it. It's family and co-workers that are the biggest problem. I hate to perpetuate the stereotype, but I work in an office with 30 other women and there is always tons of food around. We have potlucks, like, every month. We have meetings that revolve around food. Everyone is always talking about food or dieting or cooking. If you don't eat something, everyone notices and comments on it. The vegetarian thing wasn't so hard and we do have one other vegetarian employee, but almost nobody gets the vegan thing. I get a lot of questions, which I don't mind. But I also get other people worrying about what I will or will not eat. My family is the same way. When I was vegetarian, they could never remember. They can't even begin to wrap their heads around the vegan thing, lol!
I don't want people to feel like I am imposing my diet on them, or that finding me something to eat is their responsibility. I cope by thanking people for asking, but assure them that I will be just fine. I don't want to make people uncomfortable or for it to be a big deal, because it's not. I do very much appreciate it when friends try to have vegetarian/vegan items at their parties. But it's not like I'm going to starve to death just because there is not a lot for me to eat when I go to a party or event, lol!
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 12:02:29 GMT -5
Omigosh, Suzi, I could have written the above post....I relate to everything you wrote!! My biggest worry is that I am imposing on people or making THEM uncomfortable.
My coworkers get the veg thing, but the vegan thing they are having trouble with. I work with Italians and Portuguese and they LOVE their meat! Even though everyone knows I don't eat meat, people still walk into my office and tell me about a meat-based meal they made, or how such-and-such a foodstore has really fresh steak at really good prices. It doesn't offend me, but it's just an example of how enmeshed meat consumption is in terms of our culture, and specifically in my office.
My fam took forever to remember the vegetarian thing - I don't even think I'm going to bother trying to explain the vegan thing. My mom freaked when I first told her, then apologized and told me she understood. My brother is very supportive/understanding. I haven't even told anyone else in my fam.
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Post by sugar on Feb 3, 2011 12:04:39 GMT -5
Back when I was vegan/vegetarian people assumed it was because I was dieting! After a while I would hear "Still? But lost the weight!"
Favorite things I heard while being vegan/Veggie:
- But its Thanksgiving/Christmas/Insert Holiday Here!!
-Its ok, I won't tell your mom (my mom has never been vegetarian so why people thought it was something my mom was making me do is something I can never understand,lol)
- All you teeth are going to fall out
- No one marries a vegetarian (um, what? lol) and also "You'll never get a husband that way"
- But fish isn't meat! (yep, you plant fish seeds and out they pop a few weeks later! Just water heavily,lol)
Mind you I was dating my bf for five years before I started eating meat again (I only eat the locally farmer raised stuff, not the factory farmed stuff mind you). Everyone assumed I did it because the bf made me (yep, after 5 years a broke down and did it for him! Because its love! lol...silly humans. I did it because of my own personal health issues).
I think people have to find what works for them, but at the same time I feel that if you do eat meat you should know where it comes from and what exactly happens. I don't like that so many people are so far removed from their food that they can look at a plastic wrapped chicken breast and not make the connection that it was once a living chicken. I do eat meat, but I don't pretend that its this magical thing that just happens to appear out of thin air. I know where my meat comes from, and I think if anyone does eat meat they should too. Thats just me though, in general meat or vegetable or fruit or whatever, I think people in this country particularly are very removed from what they consume and have forgotten what goes on behind closed door (that the mega factory farms work hard to keep close).
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shay19
I Love RPBF!
Posts: 394
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Post by shay19 on Feb 3, 2011 12:18:59 GMT -5
Going vegetarian or vegan has been something that's interested me for a long time. At first I lived with my mom and she didn't support it so I had no way of trying it. Now that I'm on my own I'd love to try. I can't stand most meat and half the time when I do eat it I get sick to my stomach a few hours later. My only question is is this much more expensive than just buying anything? If so then I'd have to be very careful about shopping since I really can't spend too much money in the grocery store. Also any tips on getting started? I really would love to have some advice on this as I have no idea what to even look for on labels, etc. Ooh ooh if you guys have any yummy recipe's would you be willing to email them to me?? (shandeestrange@  .com) |
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 12:19:59 GMT -5
People are SOOOOOOOO oblivious to what they put into their bodies. It's like, "If it's in the food store, it must be ok or else the FDA wouldn't have approved it!"  |
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 12:28:31 GMT -5
Going vegetarian or vegan has been something that's interested me for a long time. At first I lived with my mom and she didn't support it so I had no way of trying it. Now that I'm on my own I'd love to try. I can't stand most meat and half the time when I do eat it I get sick to my stomach a few hours later. My only question is is this much more expensive than just buying anything? If so then I'd have to be very careful about shopping since I really can't spend too much money in the grocery store. Also any tips on getting started? I really would love to have some advice on this as I have no idea what to even look for on labels, etc. Ooh ooh if you guys have any yummy recipe's would you be willing to email them to me?? (shandeestrange@ .com) Shay, it is NOT expensive unless you go the (unhealthy) route of only eating the prepackaged meals/highly processed fake meats. The base of a good vegan or vegetarian diet should be whole grains and beans - these foods are substantially cheaper than meat. I went in stages to get to veganism. Some people change overnight. It all depends on your personality, and what works best for you. If you'd like to try it, here are some suggestions for you: *Try making one day a week your veg/vegan day where you ONLY eat non-animal products. *Choose ONE animal product that you will no longer eat. *You can also make one meal a day a vegan meal. *Start buying vegan products to get used to the taste of them. I ate a lot of vegan food before I was vegan so it wasn't culture shock when I just completely eliminated animal products. I already loved vegan food in general. *Keep cooked grains and beans in the fridge. Whole grains and beans should be your base. For instance, right now I have a crockpot full of pearled barley and beans in my fridge. I add this to salads, soup broth, etc. I can also add stuff to the grains/beans (like I have a curry sauce that I love and add to everything.) I suck at cooking, and I really need some cookbooks and recipes, too. This is my biggest downfall and if I am going to stick with veganism, I def need to get used to recipes and cooking...... |
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Post by Matt Miner on Feb 3, 2011 15:02:35 GMT -5
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? Oh it's easier now than when I first went vegan, for sure. More stores carry vegan specialty foods, and more vegan specialty foods are on the market. Daiya cheese is a good example of how easy it is now... For the vegetarian that just "can't give up cheese" now they have no excuse *at all*! |
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Post by Matt Miner on Feb 3, 2011 15:07:13 GMT -5
That sanctuary is run by friends of mine! I'm going to pass this along to them - they'll be stoked!
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 15:12:50 GMT -5
That sanctuary is run by friends of mine! I'm going to pass this along to them - they'll be stoked! Debbie and her hubby?I am friends with Theresa. I met her at a BSL town hall meeting in Garfield last year. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 15:15:55 GMT -5
Oh, and I am addicted to Daiya moz shreds! I was seriously addicted to the Soya Kaas moz and was devastated at the thought of giving it up, but the Daiya is doing it's job as a suitable replacement.
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Post by Matt Miner on Feb 3, 2011 15:27:03 GMT -5
That sanctuary is run by friends of mine! I'm going to pass this along to them - they'll be stoked! Debbie and her hubby?I am friends with Theresa. I met her at a BSL town hall meeting in Garfield last year. Hah! I just told Theresa! I guess she already knows then! Ha ha SMALL world! |
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 15:30:47 GMT -5
Debbie and her hubby?I am friends with Theresa. I met her at a BSL town hall meeting in Garfield last year. Hah! I just told Theresa! I guess she already knows then! Ha ha SMALL world! It IS a small world! I love it! Will you be at the tea party fundraiser later this month? |
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Post by Matt Miner on Feb 3, 2011 15:37:58 GMT -5
Hah! I just told Theresa! I guess she already knows then! Ha ha SMALL world! It IS a small world! I love it! Will you be at the tea party fundraiser later this month? Man, I've been friends with Theresa for years. I have one of her cameras, actually, that she loaned to me. Haha Because of Dara we don't get out to do much any more, so I don't think I'll be there. Our Dara doesn't get along with the cats, so when we leave to go anywhere she has to go to daycare. If it's going to something that runs late then she has to spend the night at daycare. She does well at daycare and doesn't have problems, don't worry. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 3, 2011 15:43:32 GMT -5
I defintely understand not doing things because of the dog! LOL I'm basically a shut-in because of mine  |
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