Welcome!

geekyrunner

Hey, I am toying with the idea of becoming a vegan. I have slowly been giving up dairy over the last 2 years due to intolerances and IBS and found myself eating more vegan food as it's easy to avoid the dairy, although I am still eating eggs. Whilst doing this I have found inspiring recipes and haven't missed meat or dairy...in fact I have started to willingly avoid it. Now I am experimenting with veganism, over the last 3 months I have been trying it out. I like it. I am not sure how my bf's family will take it but I am almost ready to tell them!

So I am here to see how other people achieve their goals, share recipes and be inspired and motivated to continue on this plant based journey.

nemiredi3

Hi All! I'm so excited to find this group! I am Very new To Becoming Vegan. Today is my first day trying it and hope I can make it stick and work out. I really want this to be my lifestyle and am looking for support and ideas. I love the stories I have heard about the energy that people have from becoming Vegan how there skin looks how there body feels. I want that :-) I am going grocery shopping today and I know its going to be an interesting shopping trip. Any ideas would be great. Also how do you all get your protein each day? And do you find almond milk or soy milk better?

vegan_hippie

Hello, my name is Tara and I have been vegan since June 17th. I am very proud of myself.I didn't even realize it has been 1 month today! I am happy. I have lost 6 pounds and gotten off one medication. I am very proud of myself.

jldunn713

Hello Team Vegan, I am Jennifer. I made the choice to go vegan in January after reading Thrive by Brendan Brazier. Was vegetarian for 1 year before. I am a runner and originally did it to get the most out of my training. But have kept it up because I feel amazing and believe it's the best diet to stay healthy throughout my life. I am only 22 and want to stay as youthful as possible. Since transitioning, I have watched Forks Over Knives and read The China Study. I also love that a plant-based diet is much more sustainable and beneficial for the environment. I dream of living on a self-sustainable farm and truly embodying the lifestyle in the future. I want to introduce veganism to people in order to change their lives for the better.

heatherm222

Hi Team Vegan. I'm Heather, and I started the vegan journey about a year and a half ago. After both my mother and grandmother were diagnosed with breast cancer within 6 mos of each other, I knew that I had to do something. I researched/read tons of books and diets claiming to "cure" and "prevent" cancer. I don't know how well I really buy into their theories, but Eat to Live has been the backbone of my choices. I do eat oils, sparingly, and some vegan processed foods (who doesn't love a good Jo-Jo?). I will also touch upon organic free range eggs and fish when I go out to restaurants (not often). I consider myself a 90-10 vegan.

I love to cook and to "veganize" all sorts of recipes. Veganomicon has become my "Betty Crocker". Even my husband and 3 daughters have begun eating more vegan (altho not completely). I like to show non-vegans that a vegan diet can include "real" delicious food, not just tofu and vegetables.

My biggest struggles with weight are just my food intake. I would eat vegan pizza (with homemade whole wheat crust) all day, with my banana ice "cream". I've lost 10-15 lbs since my journey began a year and a half ago, but still have about 10 lbs to lose before my BMI is considered normal. Hopefully the accountability I have here at MFP will help.

debomommyforhealth

Hi, my name is Liz and I just joined MFP a month ago. Wanted to do it to get in shape and lose 15 lbs. But, also have read "The China Study" and convinced that a whole-foods, plant based diet is a key in preventing and reversing disease. My husband has stage 4 colon cancer (he's only 32! quite a shock). He is a huge red meat eater, but he is willing to change his diet to keep the cancer at bay. Would appreciate your support. This is all very new to me, and hopefully we can adopt this healthy way of life for GOOD!

jbaum329

Hi. I'm not a vegan but have vegetarian and vegan tendencies. I joined this group to understand the decisions other people made to become vegan or vegetarian and to gain practical advise on being vegan or maybe just vegetarian.

TrinaCanDoThis

Hi, started my new vegan lifestyle July 15, 2012 @2pm but hey, who's keeping track! LOL! I want to make it perfectly clear that I didn't do this to lose weight but to live a long healthy life. So many people around me have been either diagnosed w/cancer and/or have died from cancer. After watching Forks over Knives and just really thinking about it for over 2 years, I finally took the plunge. What's weird is that I didn't think about it, I just did it. I was sitting on the computer trying to look up healthy recipes and just decided today is the day I become a vegan. Isn't that weird? Anywho, here I am and thank God my sister is a vegan and has been for 4 years now so I can go to her w/alot of my questions. Just like all new vegans, I'm still trying to figure out how do I get my protein in and what I can and cannot eat. It's almost been a week and I'm doing okay. My biggest hurdle is the elimination of dairy vs. the meat. Cream in my coffee, cheese w/my wine, butter on my toast and baked potato are the things I will miss the most. It's a daily struggle and I know that I'm going to need encouragement, friends that can relate to my struggles and recipes...tons of recipes. There's a lot more that I can type but I want bore you so for now I'd like to say that I'm happy to be a part of your community and I look forward to making new friends!

cersela

Hi, I've been trying to transition to eating vegan since June. I was a vegetarian for around 5 years, but then I slowly started eating meat again mostly out of accommodating other people or for lack of better option. I still ate mostly vegetarian and whenever I made a dish for a party I would always make it vegetarian. But when I was invited to dinner and there were no meat free options I would end up eating things, or picking pepperoni off pizzas, or eating beforehand ect. Then eventually I just gave up and ate meat out of convenience, although I've never cared for it and it always made me upset to think about what I was eating. During this time I missed how great I used to feel and how much energy I used to have. I decided this time I wanted to eat completely vegan because I found it so hard to draw the line with what was acceptable as a vegetarian. (A lot of people seem to be able to so I'm not saying it's impossible, it was just difficult for me) Also, most of the time towards the end of being a vegetarian I kept feeling like I was only lying to myself since eating cheese or butter was still contributing to the problem. Since I've started transitioning to vegan, I've made a lot more meals at home so I've been able to control what goes into them and I've been feeling wonderful. My last stumbling block has been dining out. I am curious how everyone else is able to do it, how do you find pastas, crusts, baked goods without eggs, or cooked vegetable dishes that do not possibly contain butter? Do you just request that they leave it out? I enjoy going to a place with a salad bar and I have a few places where there is one dish I can eat but that gets really mundane for my husband who is a meat eater. I suppose it will get easier with time, but I would love any advice a long time vegan could offer me.

hippiebea

Hi all! I'm Bea. I'm learning to become vegan and I would love to make some connections/friends who can help and support on this journey of mine. The one thing I'm having trouble with is vegan food seems to be as filled with junk as processed foods and I'm trying to be a clean vegan eater. I'm not fully converted to veganism yet, but would like to be as I learn more about it and how to cook it.

I'm looking for insight and more information for this change. I'm willing to learn and try new things. I look forward to hear from you and please feel free to add me!

DannyeF

Hi, folks! I'm Dannye. I am a vegetarian with a severe allergy to dairy fat--so I eat a lot of vegan food! I do eat fish and eggs, but I am definitely a supporter of the vegan lifestyle. I don't like to cook, and it's so nice that vegetarian meals can be made more quickly than those with meat! I also have trouble when I eat too much soy, so I stay away from prepared vegan foods when I can.
I became a vegetarian for health reasons--more veggies, less saturated fat, etc. I have come to love eating a colorful plate of veggies and beans without meat so that I can spend my leftover calories on a cookie! I am a dessert lover for sure.
I am a runner (5k-10k distances) who is now training to be a triathlete (sprint level). I lost 45 pounds before I came to this site, and I hope it will help me to lose my last 15. So far, so good! :-) I plan to share some quick recipes and be supportive of all you healthy folks!

victoriab123

Would like to be your friend ~ am looking for new recipes as well.

I started eating the vegan way and I too am really enjoying it. My struggle is with desserts, so I am focusing on getting in my greens and just desireing to hear what others are doing ~

Victoria

janrn53

Hi everyone,

I have been vegan for about 6 years. I have learned to cook almost everything vegan, hence the reason I am over weight.
I'm hoping to find vegan diet friends for mutual support. Please "friend" me if you like.
Happy weight loss everyone!!!!

skeptik_vegan

Hi all, my name is Kristen and I made the change to become vegan two days ago. I cut out meat Jan 2012, and was avoiding cow's milk as well. I have been doing a lot of research regarding things to look for on labels, and trying to widen the array of foods that are available to us vegans. This is proving itself to be pretty difficult and I am nervous about future instances (going out to eat, other people's home cooking) that might leave me unsure of whether or not I can eat what is available. I am looking for tips and tricks for what to look out for, what generally is ok/safe to eat when I am looking at a dish that someone else has prepared at home or in a restaurant. Thanks!

Pdp84

Hello Everyone!
I love animals and I have always wanted to be a vegan. But, for some reason I was never able to follow through. This time I decided to ordered a "Go Vegan" packet from Peta and I went food shopping yesterday. I am still a little confused and I have tons of questions, but I am hoping that I could learn throughout this entire process along the way. I know that it won't be easy, but this time I am determined to do it.

By the way, I don't know how to cook, so not only I will be learning how to become a vegan, but I will be also learning how to cook. Today .. for dinner my husband and I will be be having rice and black beans! Yumm...
Wish me luck guys!
Xoxo,
Paola

shelbsjewell

Hello all! My name is Shelby, I'm 20 years old, and I've been vegan for 3 months now. I love every minute of it!
But here's the thing.. I don't have any vegan friends or anyone I can talk to about veganism without coming off to them as one of those vegans that pushes it onto others, and I don't want that! I'm vegan because I want to be, and its not anything against anybody, you know?

Anyway, I joined because I thought this group might help and might make me not feel so on-my-own, like I'd have people with similar interests and whatnot.

Feel free to message me or add me, I'm super nice and love making friends!

sisterphonetica

Hello fellow vegan people.

I've been vegan for about 15 years, I'm new here and I'd like some vegan friends to help me along the way, so feel free to add me!

I was vegetarian but while sharing a flat with a vegan flatmate, I gradually switched over and I've never looked back!

I'm on medication that has made me put on weight and I need to lose it as otherwise it's going to spiral out of control. Some vegan support would be good.

I livein Scotland and share my home with two lovely old catgirls, I might post some photos later!

BobbyDaniel

I'm new to eating a plant based diet, after toying with the idea for a few months I decided to try going vegetarian and liked it, right now the only animal products I eat are dairy (milk & cheese) and the occasional egg. I'm thinking about giving vegan a shot to see how I like it since I'm not far off from it right now. I started this journey for purely health related reasons, but I do understand more clearly why others approach it from an ethical point of view as well.

Music4Hym777

Hey All,

My name is Monica, I have been vegetarian since 1999. I went Vegan in January of 2012 after watching Forks Over Knives as well as a friend kind of daring me to do it to bring my cholesterol down. I have been vegan ever since (okay I do have a cheat meal occasionally with dairy or eggs, but never meat due to allergies to it). I have started going more towards a raw vegan as well (more 80-10-10), but am still at about 50/50, weekends its more like 75r/25c.

Cant wait to hear from everyone and get some good ideas.

carolineblacketer

Hey everyone! I've been vegan for about two months now, and I love it! My husband is eating, and always will be, animal products. It's a little harder to make dinner, but we make it work. I try to stay as vegan as possible, eating out is really the only time I will allow myself cheese--if and only if I cannot find anything else on the menu.
I am always looking for new, easy to make non-vegan, recipes to make.

heliumheels

Hello. My name is Kate and I have recently gone vegan after being vegetarian for over 8 years. I am very happy with my choice and feel like there is no turning back at this point. I originally went vegetarian after watching those "meet you meat" videos and seeing the suffering all of the animals endure just to put meat, dairy and eggs on our plate. I have always been an animal lover and it really threw up a red flag. I had been eating a mostly vegan diet for the past few years, but recently decided I was ready to give up dairy and eggs. I feel like it is the best choice for me, the animals, and the environment. I'm excited to have found such supportive groups here on MFP and I look forward to learning from you all.

curvyvegan

Hello! I'm Rebekah and I've been a vegetarian for 9+ years and I've been leaning vegan for a very long time...several years, in fact. This year I've made the commitment to being fully vegan, I've been giving up those last non-vegan hold outs, like eating a slice of non-vegan birthday cake at someone else's house, vegetarian pizza at a party, etc. I feel very much at peace with my decision to stick to being regardless of where I am and how convenient it may or may not be. Every time I ate anything that wasn't vegan, I had this awful feeling of cognitive dissonance...my actions weren't matching my values, and that didn't feel good. Healthwise, giving up dairy has been wonderful for me! But the biggest benefit is the peace that I feel...my actions are truly in line with my values and I've been so pleasantly surprised at how much easier it has been than I thought it would be. Seriously, with so many peoples' dietary restrictions - gluten-free, low-carb, etc...nobody bats an eye when you say, "no thanks" to that slice of birthday cake.

curvyvegan

Hey everyone! I've been vegan for about two months now, and I love it! My husband is eating, and always will be, animal products. It's a little harder to make dinner, but we make it work. I try to stay as vegan as possible, eating out is really the only time I will allow myself cheese--if and only if I cannot find anything else on the menu.
I am always looking for new, easy to make non-vegan, recipes to make.

Don't underestimate the possibilities! My husband ate meat for the first 6 months of my going veg, and then he decided to join me and he's been veg ever since (nearly 9 years for him now). Lead by example, cook delicious food, and you never know what can happen!

healthysince2013

Hi, my name is Bonnie. I have been a vegan for almost 4 years. I initially lost about 25 pounds but then I learned to bake and cook and I fell in love with eating all the vegan food I can find. So I gained it all back and more.

I have struggled with my weight my whole life and have been on just about every diet there is. As a vegan I have lost a lot of weight a few times by going low carb, counting calories, and food journaling. Yet I always go back to my old habits and gain back all I have lost and usually more.

This time I am focused on health and proper nutrition. I've got to change my lifestyle permanently to find some sustainable health. So slow and low, that is the tempo.

I'm just getting started on MFP because a friend recommended it to me. He said having friends on MFP was really helpful so I'm trying to find some that are like-minded. New vegans please feel free to ask me questions. Old vegans please feel free to give me advice. Anyone looking to give and receive support...please friend request me. If I'm busy looking out for you I might accidentally look out for myself in the process

BobbiePaul

Hi
I just started the "starch solution" book..I cut out meat on July 21st and don't really miss it, I have been having a problem cutting out the sugar and dairy. I am moving towards a complete vegan diet. It's harder for me than I thought. I will do this. I just need to focus and read more. I think joining this team will help me alot. I loved Forks over Knives it really helped with my questions and concerns. Now with this forum I am well on my way to a new healthy lifestyle :happy:

wild_wild_life

Hi, I'm Julia. I have been vegetarian for over 20 years and was vegan off and on during that time. I am vegetarian for ethical reasons and am not as strict about consuming eggs and dairy if I feel that it is ethically sourced. For health reasons, I recently decided to cut out all animal products except for grass fed butter (probably over influenced by the paleo crowd in this respect). I eat a pretty boring diet of vegetables, oatmeal and my body weight in almonds, so I look forward to getting to know people in this group and hopefully learning a lot.

veggifit

Hi, I'm Tasha (: vegan for almost 4 years now, off meat for a total of around 8.

ACSL3

Hello, I'm Audrey. I'm new to MFP but I've been on similar sites before. I was a vegetarian for about 10 years and almost 2 months ago decided to try cutting out dairy. I found I feel so much better! Maybe I'm a bit intolerant, I don't know. But I figured the next logical step was to be vegan. I didn't eat much eggs, honey, etc anyway. And now that I've linked dairy with feeling crappy I don't even crave or want it anymore, which makes the transition so much easier.

lenasoon

Hi I am pleased to find this group. I have been going vegan for 2 years now and have found it easier to to make changes gradually than all at one. I have made the change almost completely with diet except that I do still drink wine and I know that wine can contain isinglass. I need to lose weight which is why I am using MFP. I started a blog so that when people ask me why I am going vegan I can tell them to go to my blog and read it. That way I do not get into any arguments!!

gdelrosa

Hi I'm Gail and transitioning to a plant based diet. I have been a long time vegetarian. Longer than I can remember. But still ate dairy and eggs. I was diagnosed as a gestational diabetic during my recent pregnancy and couldn't eat carbs very much. In the mornings, I couldn't eat fruit. The only thing that made my blood sugar stay within a normal range was an egg breakfast. Yuck!

I've been eating mostly plants since my baby was born in late May. I've had my slip ups with desserts and cheese but like I said I am in transition. I am trying to be kind to myself and not beat myself too much. But hopefully with a support group, I can be completely plant based.

My favorite cookbooks are the Happy Herbivore books. Quick and easy with manageable ingredient lists. My goal is to cook every recipe. LOL