Not trying to start crap, just want to know... how many people here are actually Vegan?

As in no animal products whatsoever (including honey)

I have been vegan for 13 years! Drop in and say hi if you're vegan too! We can support each other with our fitness goals!

Hi, I've been vegan for nearly 8 months now and before that I was a strict Vegetarian for 6 years.

Original Post by soiamme:

what's vegan too, then? wearing wool or silk? (the production of silk is even more disgusting than fur)

Hi, just out of interest, what's un-vegan, or cruel about wearing wool?

Obviously having sheepSKIN, rugs or leather shoes or whatever is totally different as the animal had to die for you to get it's skin but the animals aren't harmed during shearing. If sheep aren't shorn every summer they can get heatstroke/heatstress.

I am vegan as well.

This isn't directed at anyone in particular...Just as moderator of this forum I felt it would be a good time to say something.

As for being exclusive and having a thread for vegans only... I like to think that at least for myself, a vegan lifestyle is about being a compassionate individual and living the best life that I can, feeling good and being healthy. It's not about pushing my beliefs on anyone, or excluding people who eat honey or figs or meat from my circle, or conversation or forum on calorie count. No one in my family is vegan, none of my friends are  either and my fiance is an extremely compassionate intelligent and wonderful person who eats meat, and also happens to be fantastic at preparing and cooking vegan.

I do not intentionally consume use or eat any animal products. I'm sure you have swatted at a fly or a mosquito, is that not vegan as well? I will have a bit of honey on rare occasion. I don't purchase it, or seek it out, but if it is an ingredient in something that is vegan, I won't not eat it. How many bugs have you accidentally stepped on in your lifetime, or inhaled in your sleep unknowingly? There has to be a line somewhere as to how far a person can go, there's just so much you can do, and I don't think it makes you any less of a person, no one is perfect. We share our planet with millions of creatures and plants and living organisms, we as vegans or otherwise have probably without knowing it and unintentionally consumed something or done something not considered to be vegan-friendly. Will you not sit in your mother's car or on a bus if there are leather seats or a steering wheel? Break off a friendship with someone who wears suede boots...Not develop any family pictures, because there is gelatin in the processing items? We can only do what we can to be moral and compassionate people, I don't think it's fair to judge others who are also doing as they see fit to be the best people they can be.

I love that this is a place for people who are vegan, vegetarian, interested in veg-recipes or the lifestyle of being compassionate or health conscious to come and express their opinions and values, share recipes, and find support. Some people seem to get so caught up in labels and their frustration with others who follow their own rules. I myself do not consider fish or other animals to be vegetarian friendly fare, but I don't judge people who decide to eat them, make them feel guilty or bad about it and I do not think they are not compassionate people. I wouldn't close my mind to being friendly towards anyone or think that I am better than them, or more moral of a person. That seems to go against the vegan lifestyle that I am proud to represent and be a part of.

There's my earthy crunchy statement of the day :) Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Original Post by xdarthveganx:

As in no animal products whatsoever (including honey)

 

I have been vegan for 13 years! Drop in and say hi if you're vegan too! We can support each other with our fitness goals!

It would depend if it is the "kook fringe religious" vegetarians, or the more normal "no meat" ones.  As for animals, God is compassionate enough to give them to us to eat, and to serve mankind.  Animals aren't human, don't have rights, and are instinct driven.  The elitist vegetarians, who lecture everyone else about eating, gives the whole vegetarian believers a bad name, imo.

hi all!

i am a wannabe ("wishabe") vegan if that counts... was trying to go full-fledged

also really believe in nutrition... recently my hours got cut at work, i can't afford b12 and probiotic supplements anymore... so started eating (bovine) yogurt again... just to get those specific nutrients, everything else i can get from the veggie world...

i am especially curious to learn budget friendly vegan/veggie eating... will check the forum board.

take care! 

i just have to say - the ads on here are pure evil! i had just posted my previous post and say the advertisement on the bottom of the page... recipe for "banana dream pie" from rice dream... eeeeviillll... :)

well so much for this thread.

Original Post by misscherryjane:

Original Post by soiamme:

what's vegan too, then? wearing wool or silk? (the production of silk is even more disgusting than fur)

Hi, just out of interest, what's un-vegan, or cruel about wearing wool?

Obviously having sheepSKIN, rugs or leather shoes or whatever is totally different as the animal had to die for you to get it's skin but the animals aren't harmed during shearing. If sheep aren't shorn every summer they can get heatstroke/heatstress.

Can anyone answer this as I am honestly interested? I was quite surprised to hear that vegans don't use wool!

Elitism and ego permeates every facet of our world. Right down to the basics = food. All I have to say is that I second, third and fourth everything that brighteyes has stated. You go girl ;) !

Sigh

Original Post by misscherryjane:

Original Post by misscherryjane:

Original Post by soiamme:

what's vegan too, then? wearing wool or silk? (the production of silk is even more disgusting than fur)

Hi, just out of interest, what's un-vegan, or cruel about wearing wool?

Obviously having sheepSKIN, rugs or leather shoes or whatever is totally different as the animal had to die for you to get it's skin but the animals aren't harmed during shearing. If sheep aren't shorn every summer they can get heatstroke/heatstress.

Can anyone answer this as I am honestly interested? I was quite surprised to hear that vegans don't use wool!

It's because it comes from an animal. It doesn't matter if the animal died from it (that's more a vegetarian thing imo). Vegans don't buy/wear/eat anything from animals. Usually including honey. You don't have to kill a cow for milk but vegans don't drink it.

I must admit I've been lurking around this post since I've been getting email updates on it, even though I'm not vegan, and I'm wondering- do a lot of people just not understand what a vegan is? For example, here is a recent convo w/ a friend:

Me- I went vegetarian

him- You vegan!!

Me- No, I just don't eat meat- so I'm vegetarian not vegan

him- *confused look* ................ Vegan!

Me- *sigh*

Isn't "vegan" more of the kook fringe of vegetarian?  My vegetarian friends are way less obsessed than alot of "vegans".  I guess there is a difference in definitions.

Original Post by wifi92:

Isn't "vegan" more of the kook fringe of vegetarian?  My vegetarian friends are way less obsessed than alot of "vegans".  I guess there is a difference in definitions.

No. I would completely differentiate the two. I don't consider it "extremist vegetarianism", (though my father would agree with you). They are separate diets - veganism eliminates an entire food group that vegetarianism still incorporates. There are differences of extremity within veganism though - i.e. while nobody considered vegan eats dairy products or eggs, some do consume certain products derived from animals such as honey and/or wear leather while for others this is downright taboo.

Hey!

I am a beginner Vegan (about 1yr Vegan). But have recently got into the Raw Vegan diet as a friend of mine is really into it. Its a tough go, I'm not 100% Raw, but easier to eat more raw in the summer time then in the winter time.  Most people I know are into eating meat, which i think is disgusting. Who wants to eat something that has blood all over it? Euww! My mom is still trying to get me to eat cheese, LOL!

I'm still trying to get the calories up and eat more protein enriched vegan foods. I love hemp hearts and avacodos. I also found a wonderful Caesar dressing from the raw Vegan recepes online that has abosolutely no anchoves in it and it still tastes like Caesar (if prepared right).

I'm still trying to get used to liking lettuce...Romain and ice burg is just so bitter!! But I recently got into the Green Smoothie kick where you just basically add something green like Kale or Brocoli or lettuce into your smoothie and thats your greens for the day. Asorbes right away into the body because its all liquified. Something to try if you want to get in more greens in a tasty way. I usually just put in like 2 leafs of Kale or Chard in my smoothie and get the greens that way. And yes smoothies can be made without milk! Its surprising to see how many places put in milk in smoothies! It just needs water or nut milk or juice!

I use Raw Agave Syrup or dates as a sweetener instead of Honey. I don't like honey and how they treat the bees!

P.S. I am wondering if any of you noticed when turning Vegan if you ever had trouble maintaining your calories for the day? I'm trying to find Vegan foods that are good source of nutrient and calories that will keep me energized during the day so I don't get tired. Gotta keep the brain sharp for work!

Also my brother and his girlfriend just turned vegetarian and are working towards going Vegan! Yay!

good to have this forum! :)

Original Post by wifi92:

It would depend if it is the "kook fringe religious" vegetarians, or the more normal "no meat" ones.  As for animals, God is compassionate enough to give them to us to eat, and to serve mankind.  Animals aren't human, don't have rights, and are instinct driven.  The elitist vegetarians, who lecture everyone else about eating, gives the whole vegetarian believers a bad name, imo.

 That is a bit of an ignorant statement if you ask me. Not everyone believes in your "God". Personally, I believe that all animals have a purpose and deserve to live a life free from cruelty and exploitation (and let me remind you that humans are animals too). I am a vegan, I am not a "kook fringe religious" vegetarian and I am not elitist. I make my own choices as to what I eat, wear, believe and I expect everyone else to make their own choices too; everyone must draw their own lines according to what they believe is right for them.

I'm vegan and have been for about 4.5 years, mainly for environmental reasons. (Vegans use 10%-30% of the land meat-eaters use for food. Think about it... think of a meal made of plants. Then think how many plants a cow needs to eat to become a meal.)

If anyone else is thinking of going vegan, it gets easy after a few months, I promise. You might have to buy different brands of things, but once you've learned, say, which kinds of cereal are okay, it's possible to forget about it for weeks on end.

I am not a vegan- but I am working on it!  This is my second year as a vegetarian (no fish!).  So, I do not drink milk (Silk!) or eat eggs (gross!) but I eat cheese.  My problem is the cheese- I am an addict.  I have been trying really hard to de-cheesify my diet and I have significantly reduced it but it has not been eliminated. 

I have not found a suitable cheese alternative.  I tried making my own cheese, which was good, but not the same as the real thing!  I have tried all kinds of fakes, but again not as good as the real thing.  Oh, I use tofutti "no cream cheese" and its awesome but  I love all the fancy cheese too! Damn casomorphins!!! 

On a side note, no honey, no fur, no leather, no products tested on animals...etc ... like I said, almost there!

If someone has suggestions or ideas to help me I'd appreciate it!

Haha, Hello Hello!

I do not eat meat (obviously), animal products (no milk, eggs, sugars processed with animal bone char, butter, and no...honey)

I eat, usually, strawberries, kiwi, romaine lettuce, corn (my favorite), carrots, peanuts, celery, use lots of vinegar, and lots of pepper!!!!

My body is rarely weak, tired or ill, and I am in great health!

Original Post by brighteyes82:

I am vegan as well.

This isn't directed at anyone in particular...Just as moderator of this forum I felt it would be a good time to say something.

As for being exclusive and having a thread for vegans only... I like to think that at least for myself, a vegan lifestyle is about being a compassionate individual and living the best life that I can, feeling good and being healthy. It's not about pushing my beliefs on anyone, or excluding people who eat honey or figs or meat from my circle, or conversation or forum on calorie count. No one in my family is vegan, none of my friends are  either and my fiance is an extremely compassionate intelligent and wonderful person who eats meat, and also happens to be fantastic at preparing and cooking vegan.

I do not intentionally consume use or eat any animal products. I'm sure you have swatted at a fly or a mosquito, is that not vegan as well? I will have a bit of honey on rare occasion. I don't purchase it, or seek it out, but if it is an ingredient in something that is vegan, I won't not eat it. How many bugs have you accidentally stepped on in your lifetime, or inhaled in your sleep unknowingly? There has to be a line somewhere as to how far a person can go, there's just so much you can do, and I don't think it makes you any less of a person, no one is perfect. We share our planet with millions of creatures and plants and living organisms, we as vegans or otherwise have probably without knowing it and unintentionally consumed something or done something not considered to be vegan-friendly. Will you not sit in your mother's car or on a bus if there are leather seats or a steering wheel? Break off a friendship with someone who wears suede boots...Not develop any family pictures, because there is gelatin in the processing items? We can only do what we can to be moral and compassionate people, I don't think it's fair to judge others who are also doing as they see fit to be the best people they can be.

I love that this is a place for people who are vegan, vegetarian, interested in veg-recipes or the lifestyle of being compassionate or health conscious to come and express their opinions and values, share recipes, and find support. Some people seem to get so caught up in labels and their frustration with others who follow their own rules. I myself do not consider fish or other animals to be vegetarian friendly fare, but I don't judge people who decide to eat them, make them feel guilty or bad about it and I do not think they are not compassionate people. I wouldn't close my mind to being friendly towards anyone or think that I am better than them, or more moral of a person. That seems to go against the vegan lifestyle that I am proud to represent and be a part of.

There's my earthy crunchy statement of the day :) Have a wonderful rest of the week!

 What a wonderful and well-balanced view.  And exactly as I feel.

:)