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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 4, 2011 8:49:26 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing, not rambling at all! If this helps, I went vegetarian in stages. Then one day decided to go vegan. Vegetarianism is NOT all that hard. And never say never: I always said, "I could never be vegan". And now....  |
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Post by tank on Apr 11, 2011 16:29:12 GMT -5
unlurking
I'm vegan!
I've been vegan for going on 12 years. When I was a teenager I had friends who were vegan and I tried out vegetarianism but my parents weren't very supportive so I ate mostly vegetarian but ate some meat when I had no options at home. When I moved away to college I was instantly vegan. I had an apartment style dorm and had to cook for myself anyway and I figured that was the best way to make the switch.
Now that I have been vegan for a long time it is just like second nature. I cook all my meals from scratch from cookbooks and online sites and eat a really healthy balanced diet. I am a big fan of the ppk. I actually have been primarily been cooking from Isa's new book appetite for reduction. The recipies are great! I have a lot of bookmarked vegan food blogs too but too many to list. I don't wear makeup so I am no help there but y favorite products are kiss my face. I love their liquid rock deoderant and their aloe soap.
My partner is not vegan but he eats everything I cook. I tried a vegan diet with my dogs but it didn't work for them so they are still omnivores.
I'm glad there are so many vegans and vegan wannabes here. I actually am always suprised by how many rescue workers and dog lovers AREN'T vegan or at least open to the idea. It only makes sence.
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Post by suziriot on Apr 11, 2011 19:44:38 GMT -5
Tank, I love Post Punk Kitchen!!! Haven't tried any recipes from Appetite for Reduction, but since you say it's good I'll have to pick it up. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 12, 2011 8:55:31 GMT -5
I was looking at Appetite for Reduction. Maybe I'll give that a go.
So, here's a question for you, and something I've thought about a lot: will you maintain a vegan lifestyle while pregnant (how difficult is that?) and how will you raise the baby?
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Post by sugar on Apr 12, 2011 10:06:17 GMT -5
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Post by tank on Apr 14, 2011 22:00:12 GMT -5
You know one of my biggest fears with becoming pregnant is getting non vegan cravings and possibly giving into them or having to make a decision whether or not to give into them. Now that I actually am pregnant with cravings and adversions I realize that fear was pretty irrational. I am actually doing pretty good health wise as far as my nutrient levels go. I had my blood checked at my last appointment and it was all good. I was kind of suprised because I used to be borderline anemic (pre vegetarian) and havent had my blood checked since.
I am going to continue to be vegan throughout pregnancy. I can't imagine it any other way I guess unless something major needed to change for the sake of the baby. When I have the baby it (hopefully) will be breastfed for as long as possible and then a vegan diet. All first foods should be vegetarian anyway. My partner is omni and completely agrees with this. Again it will probably be a play it by ear if a problem arises. Once again I am lucky I live in such a progressive city where there is a large vegetarain/vegan community and a lot of doctors are open to the idea of that kind of diet for children and pregnant/ breastfeeding mothers.
I have been doing research on vegan pregnancy for quite a while. Pretty much since I decided I actually wanted to have children someday. As long as you eat healthy well balanced meals everything should go great. I normally eat really well with whole grains and not much junk food anyway so I don't have to change much. I have just been trying extra hard to add green vegetables to my diet and snack on fruit for some extra vitamins. Oh and of course take a vegan prenatal vitamin (Rainbow Light One)
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Post by sugar on Jul 13, 2011 8:10:28 GMT -5
FYI: If anyone find themselves in NYC Check out Lulu's Apothecary for really awesome vegan ice cream made in-house. They have soy and non soy options, let you know which ones are gluten free or not free and as one (delish) topping they have fresh whipped cream made from coconut cream |
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Post by RealPitBull on Jul 13, 2011 8:18:27 GMT -5
^ OMG sounds so good. Do want.
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Post by catstina on Jul 13, 2011 11:24:57 GMT -5
Just curious, how many of the vegans on this board don't eat honey? I really like honey and honey comb and such and I personally think avoiding honey is a bit overboard but there are people who say that about avoiding meat, so maybe I'm just being ignorant. Do you have to avoid honey to be vegan, or is it just something some vegans do?
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Post by sugar on Jul 13, 2011 11:32:44 GMT -5
When I was vegan i avoided honey (because vegan means you avoid all animal products and by-products which means you also have to be careful what beauty products you use too). If you really like it, but want to avoid the ethical issues it arises, why not look into locally produced honey (talk to the beekeeper and find out the bee conditions. In NYC it is illegal to have bees but there are a few rooftop hives that sell ethically produced honey), or things like agave syrup or coconut nectar?
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Post by RealPitBull on Jul 13, 2011 12:38:11 GMT -5
Technically vegans cannot consume honey.
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Post by sugar on Jul 13, 2011 13:08:29 GMT -5
Well, you can call yourself a vegetarian and enjoy locally sourced, ethically produced honey (just don't go for the supermarket stuff. Besides, thats treated to much and processed so much that all the good stuff honey has is long gone).
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Post by RealPitBull on Jul 13, 2011 13:11:39 GMT -5
^ Agree.
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Post by catstina on Jul 13, 2011 14:10:32 GMT -5
I prefer Agave Nectar to honey for sweetening things, and when I do use honey it's never the processed store bought stuff. I guess vegans not eating honey makes sense, it just seemed strange to me. Thanks for the info!
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Post by suziriot on Jul 13, 2011 15:50:22 GMT -5
I'm not really a sweet-tooth kind of person. But when I do make something that calls for honey, I use the agave stuff. I actually like it better than real honey as well, Christina.
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Post by RealPitBull on Jul 14, 2011 7:11:55 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm not a honey fan either.
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Post by RealPitBull on Jul 27, 2011 11:13:37 GMT -5
I'm psyched cuz a new store called Alan's Orchard has opened right by my house (well, next town over), that has a bunch of specialty/natural items, including a bunch of vegan things (HOMEMADE vegan goods!) My bro met the owner, who gave him a vegan brownie to give to me to try. It was YUM. Can't wait to go visit and do some food shopping ;D
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Post by michele5611 on Aug 15, 2011 12:47:24 GMT -5
Vegan Mango Banana Bread
adapted slightly from Joy the Baker
*makes 1 (9x5) loaf or 2 mini loaves
Ingredients:
-3 medium or 2 large ripe bananas
-1/4 cup vegetable oil
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-2 tsp pure vanilla extract
-1 cup all-purpose flour
-1 cup whole-wheat flour
-1 tsp baking soda
-1 tsp ground cinnamon
-1/2 tsp ground ginger
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 ripe mango, sliced into chunks
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan (or 2 mini pans) and set aside.
2. Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in sugar, oil, and vanilla extract.
3. Sift in the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt, mixing just until combined. Fold in mango pieces.
4. Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Bake for 45-55 minutes (or 25-35 for mini loaves), until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
5. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes in the pan before removing and cooling completely on a wire rack.
*Wrap bread and store at room temperature for up to 5 days
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Post by RealPitBull on Aug 15, 2011 12:51:26 GMT -5
^ That sounds AWESOME. Damn I'm so hungry, reading this didn't help.
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Post by suziriot on Aug 15, 2011 14:59:15 GMT -5
Mmmmmmm. Thanks Michele!
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I look forward to learning much here