I'm not completely sure this forum is necessary but people overwhelmingly seemed to think it was a good idea. And having a seperate forum for new and potential vegetarians may make them feel more welcome.

The important thing is to be helpful. If someone says the only meat they eat is fish or chicken don't jump down their throats. If they say they're going vegetarian don't insinuate it's not enough. The important thing is to provide support and help them ease into it. Always be positive! We want to help them make the changes that they feel comfortable with. Every little bit they do is better than nothing.

If you have an "all or nothing" approach please don't post in this forum. This is a support forum, if you can't be supportive and you post anyway your posting privileges may be revoked.

One more thing... Due to the very nature of this particular forum topics will come up that have been discussed many times before. If someone asks a question that's been discussed multiple times in the past - help them. It's ok to post links to other threads but be sure you're doing it to be informative, not because you're too lazy to help.

I figured we'd give this a try and see how it goes. If it doesn't work out I'll merge all of the threads into the Vegetarian and Vegan forum.

this is a really good idea, i wanted a forum like this when i was a new veggie

hmm...I guess I could be of some use around these parts.

I really like the idea of this forum; I hope it works out.

This sounds like a good idea. so far,I've been a vegetarian for a month now and enjoying every minute of it. yesterday at work I was so hungry that I was ready to eat some form of meat. But it took every ounce out of me to stop that urge and I did it. It was a close call. Any suggestions on how to stop these urges?

fuyoo -- you might want to start a new thread with your question. That way, you can be the first thread-starter (well, except for Michael) in this forum> :vebo:

Thanks for creating this forum.

When I first started posting here, I was a pescatarian. I got several disapproving comments from others. I think veg*nism is a goal to work towards, and that individual who strives toward that goal should be supported for their efforts, not chastised or "half-saluted" for their efforts.

For a bit, I almost likened *some* posters here like extreme fundamentalist thinkers. Basically that they were perfect and a result of that perfection wasnt an accepting, supportive attitude towards others striving to that goal; rather, it was a "holier than thou" attitude. The bad result of that was turning people off instead of supporting them along their way.

I basically felt like I wasnt an omni and I wasnt a veg*an, so I left for a bit and started reading other Web sites. It wasnt until I saw, shopping one day, a fish being chopped behind a counter that I quit.

So, please, support anyone who makes an effort (even a failed one) to be a more compassionate person.

fuyoo -- you might want to start a new thread with your question. That way, you can be the first thread-starter (well, except for Michael) in this forum> :vebo:

Thanks for the suggestion.

Great idea for a new support forum! :up:

whoa, it's up! :eek: i just woke up and i thought i was seeing things :p

Yeah, I also think this is a great idea. I took me almost a year to cut out all meat from my diet, and 3 years to get down to no (or very little) eggs/dairy. I'm sure there are a lot of others who are starting out with "I'm doing my best for now by quitting red meat." who need good, solid encouragement.

I did the "non-redmeat" about 4 years ago (give or take) as a New Years resolution. It lasted 2 and a half months and *only* ended because I wasn't paying attention and had tacos. I felt soooo Guilty for breaking my resolution I just tryed to forget about it. So then a couple years after that I came across Peta TV and it made me cry for at least a week with what I saw. If I would have know then what I know now I would have *not* slipped and ate meat.
Fast forward to now---I am a meat free girl and LOVE it! Its only been about a month but everytime I get doubting thoughts of going all vegi----I just go back to Peta.org and they remind me why its all worth it.

I am glad you said what you said about not giving a half salute to those who were not totally Vegan. I am ovo-lacto and do not have goal a of becoming a "total" Vegan. I was reminded a short time ago by another vegitarian that there is no food that is entirely "cruelty free," only more, or less.

I'll be nice.

I am ovo-lacto and do not have goal a of becoming a "total" Vegan

Ditto. It didn't even occur to me that I might want to be a total vegan until I started on VB. It's going to be a very big step for me if I do choose to have that as a goal.

i am a brand new vegan. I just became one on august 15,2005. Thank you for having a site for people like me.

New to site, was referred by someone from another site on AOL that seemed to have dried up. Currently reading about the world of Vegetarism. Planning to meet with a physcian who is also a Vegan/Herbalist. Would love all the help I can get on my new journey. God bless all...

I recommend new vegetarians and vegans read this thread: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?p=1074729#post1074729

Thanks for mentioning the piece about asking questions that might have been asked multiple times before. I have been a somewhat hesitant to ask anything for fear that it might have been done to death! So I have been quietly watching in the background and trying to search the many topics of conversation. But there is a lot to sift through. I think I might just find some courage soon!

Karen, what sorts of questions do you have? We'd be glad to help.

Oh, sure, well, now that I'm on the spot, I can't think of anything to ask!!!
But I will. Thanks!

I really think that this forum is a GREAT idea! I am really trying to go back vegitarian. I was lacto-ovo-vegetarian, but I really had to have some more protein in my life. It lasted for 1 month, but that was the end.

thanks Michael , it's good to know that there is no pressure on here. Most people have been really supportive so far xxxxxx

'difficulty becoming vegetarian ( see history ) ; sustainability begins in the kitchen ; love nut butters , smoked tofu and seaweed ; there are not many poems about roast lamb ; the future's Japanese ! '

:sunny:

This forum, just by reading the original post, has greatly reassured me about going vegetarian. I'm going to need all the help I can get w/o the judgements. Thanks!!

One more thing... Due to the very nature of this particular forum topics will come up that have been discussed many times before. If someone asks a question that's been discussed multiple times in the past - help them. It's ok to post links to other threads but be sure you're doing it to be informative, not because you're too lazy to help.

Guys, I welcome each of you who are newbie veg*ns, but I've seen a rash of posts about things that there are already posts about, i.e. the veg*ness of this product, this restaurant, shoes, etc.

I invite you to use the search function, located just between the "new posts" and "quick links" parts of the top blue border. It will save you time, and save you the hassle of people posting links to older posts that you may have missed.
If you need help using the search function, feel free to post in Community Assistance or feel free to ask any Moderator or Michael via PM. We are here to help you.