Vegetarian/Vegan Community

chrystalpft

I am vegetarian transitioning to vegan and would love to talk to more people with this eating/lifestyle. Not many people in my area care about or even know what vegan-ism is. So what motivated you to take out animal products and what keeps you motivated? Favorite go to meals or products? Inspiring books or documentaries? I am open to it all. Thanks for sharing!

pomegranatecloud

I've been vegetarian for 5 years. I became vegetarian after watching a documentary on the treatment of animals. I don't find it hard to stay motivated. I've had no desire to eat meat since I switched. I don't often eat cheese, milk, or eggs. You might want to look at the Happy Herbivores group. My favorite cookbooks are Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, who has written a bunch of vegan cookbooks, and The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon. I also have Appetite for Reduction and Thug Kitchen, which are decent, but they're not my favorites.

A few of my favorite recipes are:

1. ohsheglows.com/2013/03/05/roasted-buddha-bowl/ - I prefer it with the lemon tahini dressing.
2. ohsheglows.com/2011/12/14/over-the-rainbow-cabbage-salad-with-tahini-lemon-dressing/
3. greencarrotclub.com/?p=557
4. ohsheglows.com/2011/05/12/lightened-up-protein-power-goddess-bowl/ - I add a lot more kale.
5. thugkitchen.com/post/64577925404/i-really-dont-give-a-damn-that-you-slept-through
6. theppk.com/2012/03/pesto-risotto-with-roasted-zucchini/
7. foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/toasted-israeli-couscous-salad-with-grilled-summer-vegetables-recipe2.html - I use a lot less oil and add more vegetables. Do not make the dressing as written; it's way too oily.
8. foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chickpea-salad-recipe.html
9. budgetbytes.com/2014/05/oven-roasted-ratatouille/ - I use extra spices and less cheese. It's good without the cheese if you want to make it vegan.
10. thehealthyhavenblog.com/2012/06/11/sesame-quinoa-spring-rolls/
11. foodandwine.com/recipes/roasted-carrot-and-red-quinoa-salad
12. oatmealwithafork.com/2013/11/01/easy-slow-cooker-split-pea-soup-vegan/
13. oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2011/11/oven-roasted-cauliflower.html#.UcH__-sYKfQ

chrystalpft

Wow! Thank you so much for all the info! I too have been largely motivated by documentaries and books. The first one I read was The Skinny *kitten* and Eat to Live, which I appreciate because it also really focuses on the health aspect. I have also been trying to get into a vegan lifestyle in the sense of all the products i use. Have you looked into that much? These recipes look great and packed with some awesome power house plants!

Melmo1988

pomegranatecloud wrote: »

I've been vegetarian for 5 years. I became vegetarian after watching a documentary on the treatment of animals. I don't find it hard to stay motivated. I've had no desire to eat meat since I switched. I don't often eat cheese, milk, or eggs. You might want to look at the Happy Herbivores group. My favorite cookbooks are Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, who has written a bunch of vegan cookbooks, and The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon. I also have Appetite for Reduction and Thug Kitchen, which are decent, but they're not my favorites.

A few of my favorite recipes are:

1. ohsheglows.com/2013/03/05/roasted-buddha-bowl/ - I prefer it with the lemon tahini dressing.
2. ohsheglows.com/2011/12/14/over-the-rainbow-cabbage-salad-with-tahini-lemon-dressing/
3. greencarrotclub.com/?p=557
4. ohsheglows.com/2011/05/12/lightened-up-protein-power-goddess-bowl/ - I add a lot more kale.
5. thugkitchen.com/post/64577925404/i-really-dont-give-a-damn-that-you-slept-through
6. theppk.com/2012/03/pesto-risotto-with-roasted-zucchini/
7. foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/toasted-israeli-couscous-salad-with-grilled-summer-vegetables-recipe2.html - I use a lot less oil and add more vegetables. Do not make the dressing as written; it's way too oily.
8. foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chickpea-salad-recipe.html
9. budgetbytes.com/2014/05/oven-roasted-ratatouille/ - I use extra spices and less cheese. It's good without the cheese if you want to make it vegan.
10. thehealthyhavenblog.com/2012/06/11/sesame-quinoa-spring-rolls/
11. foodandwine.com/recipes/roasted-carrot-and-red-quinoa-salad
12. oatmealwithafork.com/2013/11/01/easy-slow-cooker-split-pea-soup-vegan/
13. oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2011/11/oven-roasted-cauliflower.html#.UcH__-sYKfQ

This is not to be rude, I am just curious. You say you have been vegetarian for 5 years, because of the treatment of animals. You seldom eat cheese, milk or eggs but you do sometimes. If you are against the terrible treatment that the animals endure, why do you consume these products at all?

Melmo1988

chrystalpft wrote: »

I am vegetarian transitioning to vegan and would love to talk to more people with this eating/lifestyle. Not many people in my area care about or even know what vegan-ism is. So what motivated you to take out animal products and what keeps you motivated? Favorite go to meals or products? Inspiring books or documentaries? I am open to it all. Thanks for sharing!

Check out the Vegan Zombie on YouTube. It's a vegan cooking show set in a zombie apocolypse

Melmo1988

Forks over Knives, Vegucated, Cowspiracy, PlantPure Nation (new one that just came out on Netflix) Food Inc.And Earthlings if you need inspiration to never go back to eating animals again

pomegranatecloud

[/quote]

This is not to be rude, I am just curious. You say you have been vegetarian for 5 years, because of the treatment of animals. You seldom eat cheese, milk or eggs but you do sometimes. If you are against the terrible treatment that the animals endure, why do you consume these products at all?[/quote]

Melmo1988 wrote: »

pomegranatecloud wrote: »

I've been vegetarian for 5 years. I became vegetarian after watching a documentary on the treatment of animals. I don't find it hard to stay motivated. I've had no desire to eat meat since I switched. I don't often eat cheese, milk, or eggs. You might want to look at the Happy Herbivores group. My favorite cookbooks are Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, who has written a bunch of vegan cookbooks, and The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon. I also have Appetite for Reduction and Thug Kitchen, which are decent, but they're not my favorites.

A few of my favorite recipes are:

1. ohsheglows.com/2013/03/05/roasted-buddha-bowl/ - I prefer it with the lemon tahini dressing.
2. ohsheglows.com/2011/12/14/over-the-rainbow-cabbage-salad-with-tahini-lemon-dressing/
3. greencarrotclub.com/?p=557
4. ohsheglows.com/2011/05/12/lightened-up-protein-power-goddess-bowl/ - I add a lot more kale.
5. thugkitchen.com/post/64577925404/i-really-dont-give-a-damn-that-you-slept-through
6. theppk.com/2012/03/pesto-risotto-with-roasted-zucchini/
7. foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/toasted-israeli-couscous-salad-with-grilled-summer-vegetables-recipe2.html - I use a lot less oil and add more vegetables. Do not make the dressing as written; it's way too oily.
8. foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chickpea-salad-recipe.html
9. budgetbytes.com/2014/05/oven-roasted-ratatouille/ - I use extra spices and less cheese. It's good without the cheese if you want to make it vegan.
10. thehealthyhavenblog.com/2012/06/11/sesame-quinoa-spring-rolls/
11. foodandwine.com/recipes/roasted-carrot-and-red-quinoa-salad
12. oatmealwithafork.com/2013/11/01/easy-slow-cooker-split-pea-soup-vegan/
13. oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2011/11/oven-roasted-cauliflower.html#.UcH__-sYKfQ

This is not to be rude, I am just curious. You say you have been vegetarian for 5 years, because of the treatment of animals. You seldom eat cheese, milk or eggs but you do sometimes. If you are against the terrible treatment that the animals endure, why do you consume these products at all?

I don't have an interest in fully eliminating all animal products from my diet and becoming vegan. I am fine with my very limited consumption of animal products.

Melmo1988

So you don't have an interest in eliminating your participation in the abuse of animals, just a very limited participation? I know it soundslike I am attacking you, I really am not I just don't personally understand why people go vegetarian for ethical reasons when the dairy and egg industry is just as bad or worse than the meat industry. Unless of course someone goes vegetarian with the intent of going vegan at some point.

RodaRose

Look in "groups" for the "happy herbivores" group.

RodaRose

Here is the link http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/45-happy-herbivores

C_Stretton

A friend of mine just lent me La Dolce Vegan: Vegan Livin' Made Easy by Sarah Kramer. It's full of great tips and recipes.

jessserd

pomegranatecloud wrote: »

I've been vegetarian for 5 years. I became vegetarian after watching a documentary on the treatment of animals. I don't find it hard to stay motivated. I've had no desire to eat meat since I switched. I don't often eat cheese, milk, or eggs. You might want to look at the Happy Herbivores group. My favorite cookbooks are Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, who has written a bunch of vegan cookbooks, and The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon. I also have Appetite for Reduction and Thug Kitchen, which are decent, but they're not my favorites.

A few of my favorite recipes are:

1. ohsheglows.com/2013/03/05/roasted-buddha-bowl/ - I prefer it with the lemon tahini dressing.
2. ohsheglows.com/2011/12/14/over-the-rainbow-cabbage-salad-with-tahini-lemon-dressing/
3. greencarrotclub.com/?p=557
4. ohsheglows.com/2011/05/12/lightened-up-protein-power-goddess-bowl/ - I add a lot more kale.
5. thugkitchen.com/post/64577925404/i-really-dont-give-a-damn-that-you-slept-through
6. theppk.com/2012/03/pesto-risotto-with-roasted-zucchini/
7. foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/toasted-israeli-couscous-salad-with-grilled-summer-vegetables-recipe2.html - I use a lot less oil and add more vegetables. Do not make the dressing as written; it's way too oily.
8. foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chickpea-salad-recipe.html
9. budgetbytes.com/2014/05/oven-roasted-ratatouille/ - I use extra spices and less cheese. It's good without the cheese if you want to make it vegan.
10. thehealthyhavenblog.com/2012/06/11/sesame-quinoa-spring-rolls/
11. foodandwine.com/recipes/roasted-carrot-and-red-quinoa-salad
12. oatmealwithafork.com/2013/11/01/easy-slow-cooker-split-pea-soup-vegan/
13. oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2011/11/oven-roasted-cauliflower.html#.UcH__-sYKfQ

That lemon tahini dressing is THE BEST!! I make it all the time.

fishshark

Melmo1988 wrote: »

So you don't have an interest in eliminating your participation in the abuse of animals, just a very limited participation? I know it soundslike I am attacking you, I really am not I just don't personally understand why people go vegetarian for ethical reasons when the dairy and egg industry is just as bad or worse than the meat industry. Unless of course someone goes vegetarian with the intent of going vegan at some point.

you know there are dairy farms where the cows are pasture raised and only get milked once a day and male baby cows are not sold for veal.. there are pasture raised chicken farms that never go inside. straus and vital farms arw good examples... never understood why people attack others ethical choices with no education behind it.

willybilly30

I been thinking of going vegan
i seen some documentries and I feel bad for ths animals
Also, it is healthier
i probally need to study more tho on it
i read all the vitamins you get in veggies
i really do not eat enough of those

janejellyroll

fishshark wrote: »

Melmo1988 wrote: »

So you don't have an interest in eliminating your participation in the abuse of animals, just a very limited participation? I know it soundslike I am attacking you, I really am not I just don't personally understand why people go vegetarian for ethical reasons when the dairy and egg industry is just as bad or worse than the meat industry. Unless of course someone goes vegetarian with the intent of going vegan at some point.

you know there are dairy farms where the cows are pasture raised and only get milked once a day and male baby cows are not sold for veal.. there are pasture raised chicken farms that never go inside. straus and vital farms arw good examples... never understood why people attack others ethical choices with no education behind it.

There is one farm that I'm aware of that doesn't slaughter males and retired dairy cows -- it isn't really a realistic option for most people. The economics of this business model are not very workable and most people -- when looking for milk -- need to decide if this is something they will support or not.

Please don't assume that those of us who avoid dairy haven't done our research. I actually searched for slaughter-free milk before going vegan.

Straus's website says nothing about not selling males for meat. It says nothing about what happens to retired dairy cows. It seems like if they were supporting these cows for their natural lives, it would say something about it on the website. What source are you referring to?

Vital Farms buys from supplies that cull male chicks and they slaughter "spent" birds. This information comes directly from their website.

I understand that these may be suitable sources for some people, but for an ethical vegan this wouldn't be okay.

Yi5hedr3

I did it for a couple years, long ago. Not since.