Vegans

I agree with you. We take food for granted in this country. Compared to pre-1950's industrialization of food, we spend vastly less for our food, compared to our salaries. That makes us value it less. Most people would argue that food is not cheap, but what they don't know is the hidden costs: the depletion of our soil from unwise farming practices, the creation of super-weeds from Round-up Ready GMO crops, the taxes we spend on corn subsidies, tax-payer funded health-care for industrial food eaters and toxin-sick farm workers, the depletion of our water table from raising SO MUCH beef and pork, the list could go on and on. It's truly frightening what we are doing - and no one WANTS to pay attention!!!!!!!! Those who do find a way to make well-raised food affordable, giving up other wants for the sake of doing the RIGHT thing.

I eventually became vegan for my health, but before that, I ate only animal products that I knew were humane. In October 2009, after watching Food Inc, and reading Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemma" I decided to completely change how I bought animal products. It was hard finding humane sources for meats, but it is possible - that is, if humane slaughter isn't an oxymoron for you. It's also very expensive, so I've had to convince the family to just eat much less of it.

Living in an omnivore household where I'm the shopper and the cook, it's often impossible for me to practice my beliefs, because others are demanding what they want. I win some battles and lose others. I constantly have a battle in my own mind and soul about buying hot dogs or pizza because others in my family want it. Am I being true to my beliefs if what goes into my own mouth meets my standards? Or will I be held accountable for caving in and not enforcing what I know is right with others?

If you want a tool to re-evaluate your relationship with food, I would recommend Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemma." I read the youth version, about 8th grade level, because I really liked the layout and the short, concise sections that easily lead from one point to the next.

I think it's great that you acknowledge you need to be more grateful for your food. It has made me think about my own negligence in this area. Maybe we should start a "grateful" thread. On food notes we could log how many times a day we paused before eating and thought about how that food came to be on our plate. This would definitely be good - very good!!

I'm a wanna be vegan but my taste buds keep taking me back to bread - I can pass on the meat, it's just the other stuff made from animals. But I'm also totally just in it for all the health benefits too. I'm following a lot of ultra endurance athletes that are raw vegan. I want to be an ultra marathoner so I'm trying to follow what they do.

I've only just started about a week ago

Yup yup, vegan here (9 years) . Yay for vegans!

Hey all!! I have a question for you...I would like to move more towards a vegetarian or vegan diet. However, I have an issue that I am allergic to soy and while I eat a ton of salads and veggies I don't feel full and I am worried about my iron & protein levels. I cannot eat products that are made with soy (like veggie burgers, tofu) and was wondering of you had any recommendations for me. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

Seitan is a delicious food made from wheat gluten that packs a serious protein punch, so you could definitely try that. Black bean burgers, lentils, portobello mushrooms and soy-free protein powder such as hemp, gemma pea or brown rice would probably be beneficial to you!

Hey all!! I have a question for you...I would like to move more towards a vegetarian or vegan diet. However, I have an issue that I am allergic to soy and while I eat a ton of salads and veggies I don't feel full and I am worried about my iron & protein levels. I cannot eat products that are made with soy (like veggie burgers, tofu) and was wondering of you had any recommendations for me. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

Seitan is a delicious food made from wheat gluten that packs a serious protein punch, so you could definitely try that. Black bean burgers, lentils, portobello mushrooms and soy-free protein powder such as hemp, gemma pea or brown rice would probably be beneficial to you!

Thank you!! I love black beans. That is one of my main meat replacements. I just get so frustrated with this allergy that I can't focus on trying to find what will work, I keep focusing on what I can't have. I really appreciate the advice.

Also, The Post Punk Kitchen has a fabulous chickpea cutlet recipe that I'm 99% sure is soy free, and if not you can easily sub out the soy ingredients! They are delicious and savory and require a decent knife!

give it a go - no harm in trying. check out www.veganeasy.org there is a 30 day plan and lots of info, mentors etc.

all the best

Me!

Me! Been vegan since July 2010.

I just disagree with modern factory farming, and I think it's bad to hurt someone/an animal but it's even worse to pay someone else to do it. And the way we raise food animals is sooooo bad for the environment and significantly lowers the property values of nearby homes while poisoning groundwater.

TOOOOOTTTALLLLY AGREE!

I want to be.

I want to be.

If you're interested, we would really love to help you transition

I'd like to be. I've been a vegetarian for 9 months, and I honestly don't know where to start to go vegan. I know it's not a very good reason, but I really don't.

I'm vegan-ish. I have not been real good about it lately and have never been incredibly strict about it. I have a wicked sweet tooth which is usually the cause of my wayward ways.

Been vegetarian for 22 years and vegan for 15. It's a Rastafari thing, as we don't believe in using or harming animals in anyway and live in harmony with nature as purely as possible. Am raising 4 children as vegans who have never known anything else and I can honestly say they are healthier, stronger and taller than all of their classmates! Have to know a lot of stuff about nutrition to make sure they are getting everything in the right balance. The Vegan society is agreat source for help, and if you become a member you can get discounts in health food shops which really helps when you're feeding 4 hungry ones!
Bit embarassing to have put on so much weight recently as being vegan and Rastafari, I should be super healthy so can't wait to shift this weight.
Please add me if you want any vegan help - would be happy to get all the support I can