Aspiring Vegans.

I saw "Forks Over Knives," which highlighted The China Study for a good portion of the movie. It managed to convince both my husband and me to start weaning ourselves off meat, eggs, and all dairy and move toward a whole-food, plant-based (vegan) diet.

I say weaning because we still have/had a lot of animal products around, and rather than waste the food by throwing it out, we're just making our way through it and not replacing it once it's done. The real test starts next week, as we've been out most nights this week and haven't food shopped quite yet. I'm really excited, though!

Whole foods has great granola, or just any bulk granola is good, I find the breakfast on the go nut packs are great.... I alos tend to eat leftovers for breakfast but I am weird like that lol

I turned vegan on the first of January and so far it's going very well. I feel tons better. I watched 2 documentaries that put me off all animal products. Hence why I am now vegan

My husband and I are vegetarians. I have tried sooooooo hard to go vegan but I have a hard time giving up cheese and Mayo. Most all our dinners are vegan but I have a hard time with breakfast because a lot of recipes involve tofu and I cant stand it. Any breakfast ideas that don't involve tofu besides pancakes and oatmeal?

You could try an alternative yogurt such as soy or coconut milk based ones with granola and fresh fruit. My favorite breakfast is a green smoothie with added protein. (You can use a vegan protein powder here or not use any at all). Pair your smoothie with a slice of toast plain or with jam. Google some breakfast recipes, there's quite a bit out there!

Vegetarian, transitioning to vegan for ethical reasons.

For breakfast I typically have cereal with almond milk, or when I'm being healthier, nuts and berries with almond milk. Always looking for new breakfast ideas.

I'm vegan. Rice milk is very similar to skim mil (to me) and I like that with my cereal. I don't care for soy milk, but I keep almond, hazelnut, oat and rice milk primarily. Hope things go well for you in your new vegan lifestyle. I agree, it isn't that hard and I went from omnivore to vegan literally overnight.

Not sure which type of almond milk you are using but I find that the plain, unsweetened kind is most like the flavor of cow's milk. My son likes it even after having sweetened rice milk for the last 10 years or so. Good luck and congratulations on your decision! You and your family can become healthier because of it, and know that you are making an ethical and environmental choice as well. The lower we eat on the food chain the less land we use for farm animals and food to feed them.

Welcome to the 10% of the 10%.... I'll admit, I'm now only "Vegan-ish" (Very good vegetarian, baked-good eating vegan), but feel free to friend me or ask me if you have questions and I'll put my 11 years of experience into a response for you.

A quick list of my favorites...

1. Almond milk is my favorite milk replacement. It works well in cooking. I use almond milk in pancakes, waffles, and even mashed potatoes. I like the unsweetened original flavor.
2. If you haven't found it yet, Energy Egg Replacement works well in almost every baking recipe I've ever tried.
3. I also really love Polenta. It's a really quick starch for any meal.
4. Breakfast, I usually do Oatmeal, but on weekends I like to do a potato or rice hash with lots of veggies.
5. Amy's veggie burgers are my favorite veggie burgers.
6. Wendy's Baked Potato and Side Salad is my preferred fast food (i put the salad dressing on the potato too).
7. Asian food restaurants almost ALWAYS have a vegan option on the menu, no special ordering.
8. Steak Houses are AWESOME for vegetarians/vegan as they have so many side dishes.
9. Don't be afraid to make a meal out of sides when out with friends.
10. Always say "No meat, no cheese" when you order... ALWAYS, especially salads and soups

Best of luck in all your endeavors.

Yay Vegans!

Wow, I am really learning alot about being a vegan. I did the 10 day Daniel fast that pretty much makes you a vegan and I love the way I feel so I have continued it. I just have to continue to do my research on recipes and to be successful at it. Thanks Guys.

http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/ this is my absolute favourite source for vegan recipies!! I am a vegetarian but absolutely love this site!! check it out

I am also having trouble giving up cheese. I have been a vegetarian for 20 years. I can go weeks not eating any animal products...then BAM...I eat some form of dairy (usually cheese). Since the new year, I have been eating vegan at about 90%.

No diet is healthy if not properly balanced.

Vegan here as well, I'm trying to find recipes myself that doesn't contain a lot of soy as it is not good for my particular health issues. But I love eating vegan, no regrets with the change.

I've been trying to eat vegan for several years. I have some side effects and I was wondering if any of you vegans have had these symptoms and could tell me how to get rid of them: Within 24 hours of not eating meat, I begin to get muscle cramps and by 48 hours I have severe cramps in all my muscles. If I add a little meat, it goes away, but even with a little meat, about 4 months into it, I start to get a nerve problem. The nerve that runs down the arm and over the elbow gives me problems - tingling and then numbness. I was all set for surgery and then I ate spaghetti and meatballs and it went away completely. So, it's definitely the meat. Any ideas?? My two doctors have no clue why this happens.

talk to your doctor about it and check out the "blood type diet" my friend tried to go veggie but felt exactly how your describing after talking to her doc she found out that apparently her blood type "needs' meat. She simply could not thrive on a meat free diet. If you want to go veggie/vegan for ethical reasons then maybe some more experienced people could give you some good substitutes.

Also, are you pairing your proteins? While veggies, legumes and grains all have protein they are not "complete" proteins. it may be as simple as making sure you eat some brown rice with your beans or leafy greens. It is suggested that when you pair these you eat them within an hour of each other to get the full benefits.