Vegan or Vegetarian Villagers?

[afrita]

Do we have any? I quit eating meat about a month ago when I read accounts of slaughterhouses and how unregulated the industry is. I'm working on going vegan but have not yet succeeded. I've made the switch to soy milk (and rice milk and nut milk) no problem but I periodically want cheese. There is a fabulous vegan cheese that I found though, so I am slowly moving in that direction. The last time I had cheese it was too heavy. I've managed to give up eggs and have found plenty of replacements for baking with eggs. I'm having a hard time with the idea of giving up fish.

Anyway, if there are any others out there, I would love some tips.

afrita

[Velvet]

I don't eat much meat. We do alot of fish and chicken. Becoming a vegetarian, a truely serious one, is hard switch an entire family to, and can be complicated......what to buy, what you can't eat...goes beyond the produce dept. at your local grocery. I have been buying alot of organic items, lately. More money though.

[Done-With-It!]

Originally Posted by afrita

Do we have any? I quit eating meat about a month ago when I read accounts of slaughterhouses and how unregulated the industry is. I'm working on going vegan but have not yet succeeded. I've made the switch to soy milk (and rice milk and nut milk) no problem but I periodically want cheese. There is a fabulous vegan cheese that I found though, so I am slowly moving in that direction. The last time I had cheese it was too heavy. I've managed to give up eggs and have found plenty of replacements for baking with eggs. I'm having a hard time with the idea of giving up fish.

Anyway, if there are any others out there, I would love some tips.

afrita

Ha Ha Ha, Did you read Skinny Bitch?

[Done-With-It!]

oops I hit send on accident.
I read Skinny Bitch and the was the death of my meat eating years.

I have tried to go veg before but was never able to do it till then.
It's been about maybe 9 months or maybe even longer now..
Maybe a year or right under.. SB got me hook line and sinker,
just like it does most people.

I tried to do vegan, but it was too much too fast.
and what got me was I ended up getting mushroom poisoning and
I thought I was going to die. So I went back to being vegan.
I didn't eat any fish at first, till Xmas and my parents being the
Godscents that they are had prepared me a special dinner
(they all eat meat) and it was Salmon.. they didn't realize I didn't
eat fish anymore either. So I went back to fish..
Eating fish is called a Peskatarian.... so I do that...

I love it, being a Vegatarian, I feel so much better, I couldn't eat meat
if I wanted to now..... No desire whatsoever....
It works for me..

Have you thought about eating Raw? That helps me too.
It's really good for you also.

[Done-With-It!]

www.goveg.com
you can order a free veg kit, which is just a pamplet basically and more
drama like skinny bitch, but it still helps some..

[afrita]

Velvet PJ's, I think you are right--it really depends on where you live in terms of whether it's sort of "user-friendly" to go veg*n. In the midwest, I think it would be a lot harder.

Yep, Miss Done, SB got me. I've ordered Slaughterhouse, which they recommend, and I also ordered vegeterian/vegan starter kits from every place I could find. I'm still having a little trouble with cheese, but tonight I have soy mozzarella on my pizza. One funny thing: I am definitely too tired, because when I went to put the leftover shredded soy cheese in the freezer as recommended, I tried to store it in the microwave instead! LOL!

I still anticipate a problem with seafood. Scallops can't feel, can they?

afrita

[Done-With-It!]

Originally Posted by afrita

Velvet PJ's, I think you are right--it really depends on where you live in terms of whether it's sort of "user-friendly" to go veg*n. In the midwest, I think it would be a lot harder.

Yep, Miss Done, SB got me. I've ordered Slaughterhouse, which they recommend, and I also ordered vegeterian/vegan starter kits from every place I could find. I'm still having a little trouble with cheese, but tonight I have soy mozzarella on my pizza. One funny thing: I am definitely too tired, because when I went to put the leftover shredded soy cheese in the freezer as recommended, I tried to store it in the microwave instead! LOL!

I still anticipate a problem with seafood. Scallops can't feel, can they?

afrita

lol, it's so funny everyone I hear who is going Vegetarian lately, the next thing is something about Skinny Bitch, I was at a concert last week, and this girl, So yea, my friends are going vegetarian on me cause of this stupid book they read called, and I said at the same time as her,
SKINNY BITCH?

Have you tried Whole Foods? I shop there a lot, I get there vegan entrees, and they have a Fantabulous salad bar, it has a lot of tofu stuff, and they have a lot of raw stuff. It's my favorite place to shop at the moment.

I'm sticking with my shrimp, not going to give that up. Just not ready for that yet. I don't eat it regulary or anything, it's like a treat. lol.
The day that they can prove that "Shrimp" can do tricks or add or anything like that, I may consider giving it up....

I don't think I could read Slaughterhouse, I've been reading, Animals in Translation that one is good, but it's hard to read that stuff...

This is a good book also.
http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Cures-.../dp/0975599518

[indigo]

I've been vegetarian for 24 years, no meat of fish soya milk and chees although you can buy vegetarian cheese too. I keep my own organic chickens so I eat eggs from time to time and I'm not too strict with cheese! Ouarn is a great substitute for meat and there are lots of other products on the market. Anything you want to know you can always ask me..
Good for you Afrita, bah to pesticides and unesesary slaughter, the amount of food and land it takes to feed cows alone could be used to fees people.
hugs indie
PS: I read fetered Kingdoms 25 years ago and it made so much sense to me to stop, 2 of my children have been vegetarians nearly all of their lives.

[afrita]

I would be comfortable eating eggs too if I trusted the treatment of the chickens too, Indie. I have quorn in the freezer, but it's not my very favorite--I think some of the other fake chicken is yummier. I am not crazy about tempeh, but I love seitan and have made it a couple of times. Vegan ruben made with shaved seitan? Delish!!

I LOVE Whole Foods/Whole Paycheck, and there is one about twenty minutes' walk from my apartment. I try to do my basic shopping at Trader Joe's, although their selection for vegans and organics is not as extensive as I would like. Then there is a great organic co-op not too far from work that has a killer bulk section (way better than Whole Foods). They also have Follow Your Heart cheese--the cheddar is so good that I can totally eat it on crackers.

How much soy do you all eat? I have a friend that was vegan and she ate so much soy and tofu that she developed an allergy and now has to eat meat (?).

OK, now here is a quiz I found on a vegan food blog I like. Lam posting it with my answers, but would love to hear anyone's who has time.

Questions and Answers


1. Favorite non-dairy milk?
Trader Joe's organic unsweetened soy milk. Yum!

2. What are the top 3 dishes/recipes you are planning to cook?
I am making right now: slow-roasted tomatoes, roasted green beans (these are amazing!), and roasted mushrooms with garlic and truffle oil. I am probably also going to make some tofu for protein.

3. Topping of choice for popcorn?
salt is fine for me!

4. Most disastrous recipe/meal failure?
Last week I made Nigerian white beans with curry, tomato, and peanut butter. It sounded delicious. It WAS NOT.

5. Favorite pickled item?
I have to have two: kimchi and cornichons.

6. How do you organize your recipes?
I have a computer file and a million recipe cards.

7. Compost, trash, or garbage disposal?
I have no place to compost, but I will once I get my own place. Ewww, though: worms.

8. If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods...what would they be (don't worry about how you'll cook them)?
asparagus, strawberries, and oil-cured black olives

9. Fondest food memory from your childhood?
The weirdest one is that my mother used to make us eat hamburger for breakfast. Funniest was when our dog got ahold of my big Hershey's kiss and went tearing around the house as we chased him. Fondest would be Thanksgiving, every year. I love Thanksgiving.

10. Favorite vegan ice cream?
I have not tried much of this yet! Any suggestions?

11. Most loved kitchen appliance?
I just bought a mandoline! I couldn't live without my Cuisinart.

12. Spice/herb you would die without?
The world would be a sadder place without tarragon.

13. Cookbook you have owned for the longest time?
The Silver Palate New Basics. It is falling apart!

14. Favorite flavor of jam/jelly?
Cherry

15. Favorite vegan recipe to serve to an omni friend?
The mushroom ragout from The Greens Restaurant Cookbook over polenta.

16. Seitan, tofu, or tempeh?
Neck and neck seitan and tofu.

17. Favorite meal to cook (or time of day to cook)?
Dinner

18. What is sitting on top of your refrigerator?
A microwave, a big blue and white serving spoon and a
pyramidal pantry pest glue trap (it's working!)

19. Name 3 items in your freezer without looking.
Spelt flour, my cat's cat food (she is not vegan but I have checked extensively with the company that makes her food and they have humane slaughtering methods), edamame that has been there too long.

20. What's on your grocery list?
fresh fava beans, carrots, more vegan cheese, rice crackers

21. Favorite grocery store?
Whole Foods

22. Name a recipe you'd love to veganize, but haven't yet.
macaroni and cheese

23. Food blog you read the most.

jewishvegan.blogspot.com
glutenfreevegan.wordpress.com

24. Favorite vegan candy/chocolate?
rice krispy squares. Are marshmallows vegan?

25. Most extravagant food item purchased lately?
Really expensive tea packaged in France that was worth it . . . and truffle-flavored olive oil.

26. What food are you embarrassed about liking?
Corn nuts!

afrita

[Done-With-It!]

Oh hayyy that' is cool!! The hardest part about being vegetarian or vegan
(which I'm not there yet) is shopping, it's difficult understanding it all, and trying to find it all. But it has gotten much easier, and I've noticed my taste buds have definitely changed. I also HATE to cook, so that makes it kind of harder...

I don't have that bulk food place you mentioned I wish I did, we have TJ's which I love but like you said, not much of a veg selection.

I will totally take that questioner after I do my laundry, ughh..

I'm not sure about the marshmellows are they made with butter?



Oh boy, LOL, I guess not.. lmao,, I have to watch this later....
but I watched part of it,

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wYrhWHQ6pb0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wYrhWHQ6pb0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2006/...lows-fer-real/


Oh and btw, there is a great vegan soy ice cream, well it's not
GREAT, it's expensive but you can get it on sale, and it takes
a bit to get used to, I got the chocolate/peanut butter kind.
But by the end I was okay with it....

omg,,,,,, marshmellows are so not vegan..
I'm surprised the skinny girls didn't include this video in their book..

[Done-With-It!]

http://www.vegparadise.com/

http://www.vegsource.com/talk/vegani...ges/12062.html

[afrita]

Yep, I will have to go on the lookout for vegan marshmallows! I am sure they taste exactly the same, and I totally love Earth Balance, so I will not miss the butter. Incidentally: Veganaise is YUMMY and far better for you than mayo. I looked at my Quorn box last night and it contains milk and egg products, so no more for me.

[Flowerchild]

Hey Afrita (You might remember me from smart as Molyneaux)

I am a chef and we are flexitarian. I live in an area that is very difficult to eat organic or sustainable or vegetarian, but we do eat clean as much as possible. I have a chef friend that is a vegan coach vegancoach.com and can help anyone go that direction if that is what you desire. Her name is Sassy and she's incredibly talented and amazing. She is at Burning Man this next week so may be out of pocket, but give her an email and tell her Kathi from Texas sent you. Tell her from the chef's organization..she'll know who I am.

About being vegetarian....have you read up on it? There are certain nutritional requirements that you cannot get from veg foods. You need to be taking a good B series vitamin and also include things like nutritional yeast, blue/green enzyme etc. I would also read animal, vegetable, mineral and other books...I'll have to get my list.

It's important to make every bite count as this is about eating healthy. There are lots of veg's out there eating chocolate and veggie dogs. Not the way to go.

Have fun with this, if it becomes a chore, it's not worth it. Oh, and also....experiment with your grains...quinoa, barley, millet etc. Lots of good recipes out there.

[afrita]

(((MOLYFLOWER!!!!!))) (This sounds quite a lot like cauliflower, you know.) It is lovely to see you.

Your advice is excellent. I'm aware that B12 is a real problem for vegans, but I don't have a problem taking supplements. I don't actually have a problem eating meat if I know it's humanely killed, and I can't guarantee that it is, so I won't be involved in that. Dairies can be just as cruel.

Anyway: nutritional yeast is in my fridge, as are quinoa, buckwheat, and besan. (I do dearly love chickpea flour!) I have tried all the veggie hot dogs and I think they are gross. I do love Tofurky Jerky.

I'll definitely get in touch with your friend, as I want help with transitioning away from leather. When you find your list, let me know. And drop me a PM, will you?

frita

[Flowerchild]

Haha...Molyflower! That's almost like the cross between a cauliflower and the mayflower....huhuhuhuh

Hey Afrita (glad you remembered me too - also check out veganessentials.com lots of good stuff for non leather wearers.

Oh...and also...I like almond milk the best. You can also replace eggs with ground flax seed. It works very nicely.

[afrita]

I love flaxseed, also in the fridge, plus I have some ener-G egg replacer. I like arrowroot for thickening stuff.

I've tried making my own nut milk, and it's not bad! I like the body of soy milk but am quite wary of putting too much soy in my diet. I think I am going to do a three-way rotation with soy, beans, and maybe seitan (which I love), but if I do this, I am using wheat, and I was told before by my acupuncturist that she thought I had candida and should lay off gluten.

Ack!

I'm off to look at veganessentials. Bye Molyflower!

[afrita]

Another point of fact/motivation: beer and wine are generally not vegan.

Miss Done, anyone else who is veggie/vegan, what do you do about leather goods? I would like to start purchasing more eco-friendly and cruelty-free products, but I am having trouble finding anything stylish (except the Natalie Portman line, and they are mostly sold out and/or impractically stiletto).

I told my parents today, expecting the same wariness and honestly skepticism I received from my college flatmate yesterday . . . and they were totally supportive and enthusiastic, for health reasons! Go figure. My father even said he'd like to try it himself. I don't think he will, but I was still staggered.

afrita

[horse-with-no-name]

I recommend this series very much; I have them both:

Becoming Vegetarian

Becoming Vegan



And my dog-eared vegan cookbook is:
The Peaceful Palate

Try the mexican casserole, Afrita. It is made without cheese. The cheesey filling is made from, of all things, TAHINI (sesame paste).

Search for them by name on amazon for details; I tried to create links but I have to have twenty five posts here to post links.

[afrita]

Hi there Horse, gosh!

Are you vegan? WHAT do you do about shoes?!

I'm having a moderate transition. Still no problem wanting meat at ALL, still wishing for fish sometimes (and indulging), still craving (and indulging) in cheese fairly often. It doesn't taste healthy to me anymore so I am hoping it will get easier.

Horse, I bought Veganomicon and found some yummy recipes in it. I like the Mac Daddy, which is made with nutritional yeast. It is vaguely "cheesy", but not the same, in flavor . . . and I think it's really addictive!

Another think I totally love in place of cheese is cashew cheese. OMG, it is SO good on pizza or as a dip. Have you had it? Sometimes I make red sauce and instead of a wheat crust I make a chickpea flour pancake, and then I top the pancake with the red sauce and cashew cheese and cook it up for ten minutes in the oven. Delicious!

afrita

[horse-with-no-name]

Heya Afrita:

No, I am not vegan or vegetarian anymore. However, I am transitioning my diet to pescatarian (vegetarian diet + seafood + some dairy products). I am rereading Becoming Vegetarian and am purchasing the update to this book published in 2004. I suspect there are advancements in the nutrition department made since the original publication date.


Becoming Vegan answers questions about things like shoes. The basic stance is- keep and use the leather you have now, but once you go vegan purchase alternatives.

I had returned to meat-eating because I was married and in charge of the cooking/grocery shopping and hubby had a cow when I changed the menu. Now he asked for a divorce and we no longer are a couple, so...ta da. I'm free to do what I want. And I want to look after my health.