Looking for Vegans and Vegetarians to Befriend!

CrystalDawnC
CrystalDawnC Posts: 1
in Introduce Yourself
Hello, my name is Crystal! I was a vegetarian many years ago and I did it wrong so I stayed away from vegetarianism out of fear, although I have thought of going back several times. I am officially saying screw fear and am dedicating myself to a vegetarian diet yet again. This time I am doing it correctly, and I need your help! Because I am new to this, I would like people who have good recipes and a lot of knowledge on vegan/vegetarian diets! For those who need to know:
Female
18
5'5
167 lbs
My goal isn't necessarily to lose weight, but I do have a bit of pudgy left to lose. My goal is actually to gain lean muscle mass and look strong and toned. I am super curvy and I would like to look like a kick *kitten* femme fatale from a video game such as Tomb Raider. A bit far fetched, but I believe I can get as close to that as I can.
I would prefer people who are vegan/vegetarian body builders/lifters or curvy women who are also very muscular, but any vegans/vegetarians will do :)

Replies

  • amywise10
    amywise10 Posts: 33 Member
    Hola, I'm vegetarian going vegan. I'm always up for new friends :)
  • enriant
    enriant Posts: 38 Member
    I'm a vegetarian too! And looking for friendly support! :)
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    47 years and never tasted meat. life long vegetarian here, veggie friends are always welcome :-) please anyone ho is meat free feel free to add me
  • Robin628
    Robin628 Posts: 102 Member
    Same here! I was a vegetarian (mostly vegan diet) for a few years but slowly let animal products back into my diet (mainly due to convenience, non-veg*n friends, and traveling for work). I don't have any veg*n acquaintances other than online and so support has always been an issue for me. I rejoined MFP this week and would love to connect with experienced veg*ns to learn from and share tips/meal ideas, etc.

    My diet is far from perfect - I eat mainly vegetarian at home (I want to eventually give up all animal products) but still occasionally consume meat and dairy while out. Variety and dining out has been the most difficult for me and probaby the main reason I haven't gone fully plant-based yet. I travel quite a bit for work and trying to find good veg*n choices when out with non-veg*n friends, family, co-workers, and clients has been a struggle. Especially at work, as I do not want to draw attention to my lifestyle choices while dining out with clients and co-workers. Anyway, as I stated above I would love to connect with others transitioning to a plant-based diet, those who are experienced, and even those just toying with the idea. Please feel free to add me!
  • allisondra23
    allisondra23 Posts: 38
    I'm about a year and a half into veganism and I love it! It definitely was hard for convenience and family reasons at first (still with family lol) but its gotten a lot easier as I've learned and found quick convenience foods for when I just don't have time or don't feel like cooking a whole crazy meal. Easing out of eating meat by only eating fish when I did eat meat helped me transition out completely.

    fav cookbooks so far (not in order):

    1. the oh she glows cookbook
    2. Isa does it
    3. Quick fix vegan
    4. The joy of vegan baking
    5. Chloes kitchen
    6. Color me vegan

    fav recipe blogs:

    1. Veganstoner
    2. Postpunkkitchen
    3. Ohsheglows
    4. Cheekykitchen (some vegan recipes like tortellini, most aren't vegan)

    convenience foods I keep on hand:

    1. Trader Joes vegan grillers - vegan burgers that are so delish. They taste like burger king lol. Best microwaved.
    2. Lightlife vegan hotdogs - I love these but they aren't for everyone. (found at frys, Safeway)
    3. Gardein 7 grain crispy tenders - really good, great with marinara as a chicken sandwich. (found at walmart, frys, Safeway)
    4. Trader Joes mandarin chick'n - so good.
    5. Malibu garden burger - a veggie style burger (Costco)
    6. Morningstar ribs - yum (walmart)

    I try to fully make as many meals as I can but for when that just wont happen, the above works.

    staples and oddstuff you should have on hand for recipes and nutition:

    1. Nutritional yeast - I use Braggs, can be hard to find but you can find at natural stores or buy online at amazon.
    2. Tamari - low sodium soy sauce that is used in nearly every recipe (you can replace with Braggs liquid aminos)
    3. Raw cashews - these are soaked and blended in creamy recipes. I find them at trader Joes but I'm sure they can be found at sprouts or another natural store. Don't get salted or roasted.
    4. Vital wheat gluten - not necessary unless you want to make seitan wheat meat. Natural store or amazon.
    5. Variety of beans, lentils..every kind if possible.
    6. High speed blender is an amazing thing, I love vitamix but it is very expensive. Sometimes Costco will have discounts on them when vitamix teams go to your local store.

    I'm still learning but I hope I can be helpful :)
  • Miss_XVX
    Miss_XVX Posts: 8 Member
    Hi, I am a vegan, too. Not so much a body builder. ;-) I am lucky to live in a city where we have two purely vegan grocery stores as well as quite a large number of vegan and/or vegetarian restaurants, cafés, fast food restaurants. This makes grocery shopping and eating out a lot easier.

    I try to avoid substitude products such as vegan chicken or vegan minced meat and concentrate on dishes that don't require animal products. The only products I use regularly are seitan, oat cream and for baking egg replacer. I love Indian and Arab cuisine as well as soups and of course cakes.
  • Michellio05
    Michellio05 Posts: 1
    I'm vegetarian as well. I've never really eaten much in terms of meat but decided to go meat-free a few months ago. I still consume eggs, some cheese and occasionally yogurt. Looking for support/advice from other vegetarians. What has worked for you? What struggles did you have? I have found that since going veggie I have not only struggled to lose weight, but I've actually gained a few pounds.

    Thanks all for the support! Looking forward to this journey!

Categories