Trying to go vegan?

Question

I'm trying to go Vegan, mostly vegetarian though. Not fully vegan because I have to wear certain shoes to work (leather), and certain things might not be totally cut out, but really cut back on (cheese and eggs mostly). I already drink soy milk, haven't eaten meat in a week (not a problem).

I've tried this before though, and out of convenience (live in in laws cooking for me) I kind of strayed off the path...this time I think I'm doing better, I've gotten recipes, etc. and feel more strongly about it than before.....but does anyone have any tips to help me stay vegetarian this time?? Things to say to my in-laws when they cook a big pile of chicken?? Good recipe sites?? And how hard is it to make the jump from vegetarian to vegan?? any advice would be nice..

oh, I chose to do this because of animal cruelty and also because I want to be healthy.

Answer 1

Hi,

obviously you are aware of the difference between vegetanarianism and veganism. There is a huge difference and it is all totally within the mind of the individual.

I suspect you will never become a vegan, as vegans would NEVER accept that using leather products and dairy products such as milk, cheese, etc. and using eggs, would be totally unacceptable.

However vegetarians are less opposed to eatable animal products and many vegetarians happily accept that milk, eggs, cheese etc., cause no harm to the animal/bird and is thus acceptable for their chosen lifestyle.

It can be difficult to get others to accept your chosen eating habits, but there is little you can do except let everyone know what your choice of food is...and STICK to it!

If you have ever accepted the in-law's chicken, you'll find it much harder to refuse on subsequent occasions. Unfortunately it is true that some people seem to take it as a challenge to try to get professed vegetarians to actual eat meat...don't know or understand why, but there it is!

Be firm! If you show 'weakness' in accepting meat they'll be all the more persuasive next time. Be prepared to have a few non-meals (when there is no alternative to you eating meat) eventually people will get the message and you will be offered food that is acceptable to you.

I am not a vegetarian and enjoy my omniverous diet, but I know a number of vegetarians, who often dine at my home. I make no big thing of it, but always provide and cook foods they enjoy eating...sometimes I eat the same food myself, at others I cook separate courses for each, but there is never any embarrassment at hosting for non-meat eaters, perhaps your in-laws can be persuaded to accept your chosen eating habits as 'the norm' so you can all dine without embarrassment or offense?

Going from vegetariansim to vegan requires a great jump in your mindset, as yu will need to rid your mind of the accepability of using any animal products. You will also need to be far more aware of how many animal products are actrually used in day to day life...e.g. expensive perfumes are made using a whale product (ambergris) a true vegan would never wish to use this. Your leather shoes, belts, trimmings for clothes and, obviously, any fur products would be an absolute 'no no'.

I'm not promoting either faction, the choices are entirely a matter for your own conscience, but you must be aware of what the choices mean.

Finding vegetarian recipes is very easy on the net (just tap in 'vegetarian recipes' in Google, or similar) and you have enough recipes to last you the rest of your life.

Whatever your choice I hope you find support from your family and friends...a word of advice...DON'T PREACH! People, just like you, are entitled to make their own choices with regard to the foods they like to eat, talking to them about eating dead animals while they are enjoying their steak will not put them off the steak, but they will become irritated and they may 'fight back' by reducing your choice of food should you dine with them...be warned.

Live your life exactly as you wish, but allow others to live theirs and the whole world will get along better.

Good luck,

BobSpain

Answer 2

Hi,
To help urself stay vegetarian, u might wanna make some vegetarian and vegan friends, online or offline. They can be ur support group and provide encouragement and help. Whenever I have cravings, I picture the animal suffering - this helps me rid me of cravings, though I am not sure if it helps u this way.

For in-laws, maybe u wanna let them know ur switch first so they won't cooked meat for u. I don't know if u will be bombarded with questions or not-so-nice remarks about ur diet. If u dunno what to answer, just keep quiet and close ur ears to them. Meanwhile u may wanna visit forums, such as the vegan forum to see what nice things u can say when u are bombarded with questions from other people.

As for recipes, u can go to veganchef.com - it has a wide range of recipes.

How hard it is to make the jump will depend on urself. Some people find it easy, some may find it hard. Just remember that perseverance will help u.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I don't know if you have Redwoods products in Canada, their Cheezley 'cheeses' are good and their melting cheeses, while not melting in exactly the same way as dairy cheese, are an excellent substitute. It's a British company, no idea if it's available anywhere else

Answer 4

Animal cruelty? Ever seen what animals do to each other when they want a meal? They catch their prey and kill it with their teeth, claws, etc. We kill our prey in a humane fashion. Chickens have a brain the size of a pea, and they know no difference if they are living in a little cage. You need to start using your brain and stop listening to the political extremists.

Vegetarianism is okay, but you risk lack of B-12, which is found in animal products. Vegan is not better than vegetarianism--it is just more limiting.

You need to study the government food pyramid to figure out a balanced diet. They put a lot of research into the amount of nutrients you need to stay healthy, and I have not seen a vegetarian/vegan book that is supported by much research on balancing nutrients.

Use common sense, not PETA nonsense.

Answer 5

make a meal plan for a whole week and stick to it
and have backup food ready incase you don't have time to cook or you don't have the ingredients ready
learn to eat less picky so you can just steam some veggs and eat it as it is

drink homemade fresh juice, it's easy to make and it beats taking time to eat the thing

Answer 6

Yeah, what fungusbrains said.

Answer 7

welcome idea.