vegan/vegetarian

[AshieDawn]

I was just wondering how many vegans were vegetarians before they make the switch. I tried to not eat any animal products and it was so hard (especially because my mom isn't being supportive or buying me any tofu or anything). I think it might be easier to just be a vegetarian until I'm on my own with money and everything. Do you guys agree or disagree?

[FreshTart]

Do what's easiest and best for you. There isn't any "rules"; you can be a vegetarian now and a vegan later in life when you have your own job. Your health is always very important, so if you're able to be healthiest on a vegetarian diet, do that. Then, when money allows, you can switch to a vegan diet if that's your choice.

It's ok if it's easier for you. I would rather someone do the best they can instead of throwing their hands in the air and saying "screw it all! I'm eating steak."

[Nicky]

Do what's easiest and best for you.

Exactly. Every little bit helps, just do what makes you happy :)

[Jennifer89]

This was the same first aproach I took... giving up dairy/eggs would be to hard, but meat was simple. I got in the pool though, and the water didn't seam as cold as it was when I stuck my toe in. I told my mom, and she had a fit, but then she caved in. As for the food- ask your mom/dad for an equal shair of the grocery money or a little less (example: if there are 4 people in the family, and they spend on average $100 per week, then ask for $20-$25 per week for "veg specailty" food, but still use the familys basics). Try to get a ride to the grocery store, or go shopping at the onse that your parents go to.

Going vegan or vegetarian is up to you, if you really want to go, then I advise to make the switch, but if it's on the line for you, then wate for a while, and simpally prepare yourself for the swich that will take place some day.

If you don't mind, how old are you?

[rainbow_clouds]

What FreshTart said. :yes:

[Hummusisyummus]

I tried to go vegan cold turkey a few times and failed. Eventually I went vegetarian and about 8 months later I went vegan without a problem. You can be vegetarian and still have much less animal product consumption than the average omni.

I suspect your mother may be more supportive of your choice if she realizes you're serious and you explain to her you can be a more healthful veg*n if she buys a few specialty products for you.


Good luck! :up:

[brahmacharya]

This can be sneaky but how I introduced veganism to our house was to just...kind of...not say anything, just stop buying/eating eggs and dairy. Now I know it's harder for you because you live at home but when I had a choice I'd just start "preferring/wanting" the vegan option...I didn't bring up the Big V word. It's hard because it's on your mind, it's something you want to do, it's something you want to verbalize. But your actions speak, and then you can avoid conflict.

[Jes]

I went completely vegetarian about a year ago and at first was actually nearly vegan, but then I went through a very busy period of my life where I occasionally grabbed pizza on the run or whatever. Now that I am not as busy, I am trying to go back towards veganism, although I accept that if I become so hectic again, my diet may suffer again.

As FreshTart said, whatever works for you at this particular moment is good enough. I'm just glad that you are feeling passionate about compassion!

Jes

[FreshTart]

I'm bothered that so many people lately are agreeing with me.

<<takes meds and starts therapy

[CountessKerouac]

Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! :p Kidding of course.

Krista is right Ashie, do whatever you feel in your heart is best for right now. If it's too difficult to be vegan right now, than it's too difficult. But, I would give it all you've got. You can always reduce your animal product consumtion and make a difference without going vegan necessarily. Good luck honey! :kiss: It's hard to be vegan when people aren't supportive.

[AshieDawn]

You guys are great, thanks. I felt kinda bad about quiting on vegan in a week, but I guess it's not that bad. I don't know if I would be able to pull it off once school started anyway with everything I'm involved in, I wouldn't have time to eat anything except arby's or subway, so I guess it's for the best. I'll just give up meat for now and if i decide to later on, when I have a job and time, I'll become vegan.

And, um, this might be a stupid question, but what is veg*n? is that a way of saying vegetarian or vegan or both?

Jennifer, I'm going to be 17 next month and I'll be a senior in high school in the fall.

Thanks again for the great advice!

[CountessKerouac]

"Veg*n" is a way of saying "vegetarian/vegan". It incorporates both lifestyles into one word. Don't worry, I asked that very same question when I joined! :)

[FreshTart]

CK is correct - there are other ways to make a difference!!

What is(are) the reason(s) you want to be vegan? We can come up with ideas for you to be active that don't require your parents' support and doesn't rely on dietary choices (or maybe do but can be sneaked in!).

[CountessKerouac]

Are your parents at all health-conscious? Maybe you can convince them to buy soymilk or Health Valley cookies because of a health standpoint? Also, if there are any animal rights groups in the area, you could attend potlucks and such which usually cater to vegans. Plus, it is really fun to meet others who share the same ideas as you!

[AshieDawn]

My parents don't eat anything that doesn't come in a box :spew:

It's really hard to eat healthy food at my house, except fruit and bread. My whole family is overweight and so am I (only by 3lbs, for now). It scares me that I'm developing bad habits like they have. I got my mom to buy me tofutti ice cream Sunday, but she said it was too expensive and she won't do it again. I tried to explain to her that she should look at the quality of food instead of the quantity when it comes to price, but she's cheap and won't listen.

My friends mom, on the other hand, bought me "happy eggs" (they were organic and she said they were from a good farm) and actually went grocery shopping just so I'd be comfortable over there for one night. It's sad that she cares more about my diet than my own family, but whatever.

I sort of live in the middle of nowhere and I never hear of any protests going on around here. I doubt I could get anything started in my town because I only know one veg*n (see? I learn!), and I don't really know her well, she's my friend's sister. I do live less than an hour away from Cleveland, does anything happen there?

I like the idea of being active and I don't care much about being "sneaky." I'm up for suggestions! :yes:

[FreshTart]

How about canned beans? Those are cheap, healthy, and vegetarian (often vegan). Also, pasta and sauce with frozen vegetables is always a good choice. You can make baked veggie chips (carrots, potatoes, parsnips, sweet potatoes all rolled in a little oil, pepper and salted, baked at 400degrees for 45 minutes).

And don't forget - cookies!

[Amy SF]

I do live less than an hour away from Cleveland, does anything happen there?

I like the idea of being active and I don't care much about being "sneaky." I'm up for suggestions! :yes:

The vegetarian/vegan meetup in Cleveland is currently closed due to a lack of an organizer. :(

There IS this. (http://www.clevelandfoodnotbombs.org/trifold/fnb_trifold.pdf) In addition to being involved with a good cause, it would put you in touch with other veg*ans in the Cleveland area. You would probably need transportation, though, I'm not sure. Mikie would know; I believe he's been involved with FNB in San Francisco.

There are also veg*an restaurants in Cleveland; see if you can wangle a visit to one of 'em.

Ain't Google great?

[brahmacharya]

AshieDawn, for what it's worth I have noticed a lot of healthy vegan brands and kinds of food can be CHEAPER than the conventional versions, if purchased at health food stores and so on. Now that is not a hard and fast rule, and of course a lot of stuff can be REALLY expensive there. But if you're at your normal store then chances are the Tofutti will be MORE expensive than the Dairy Delite [I just made that up!], whereas if I go to Choices [which is a local chain of HFSs] it can be cheaper if on sale.

So, if your mom is worried about price, you can talk her language and cruise for sales to get what you need. Just an idea. And of course FT is right, as usual [natch!]...there are lots of great inexpensive vegan foods that you can make from scratch, which is a good skill to have regardless and will help you show off.

[Loki]

Take it at a pace that suits you. That's all I have to say.

[CountessKerouac]

Loki, you look exactly like my friend Ryan! I just noticed this, sorry. :p

[weird2twiggy]

i went vegetarian cold turkey, and then a year and something later, after i realized why people go vegan, i went vegan cold turkey. that's the way it worked out for me.

i think very few people go vegan right away, but i'ts not impossible.

[Elizabeth_Cade]

I just went lacto vegetarian over night. That's what was easiest for me. I didn't need to let chicken go, then turkey, etc until I was done with meat. I just gave it all up, refused to eat it. I had no way (for a few reasons) to get rid of dairy products at that time, but I never liked milk, so I don't drink it, and I never liked any fish...I HATED eggs, too. Now I'm going vegan. And proud of it. :D

[luisgarciadiaz]

I was in the same situation as you not too long ago. My whole family is omni, and have quite a tight budget. They were supportive of my vegetarian decision about six months ago, but when I presented veganism to them they weren't too happy. I tried it for a while, but eventually the pressure built up, and I went back to Lacto-Ovo. I have however tried to stop from eating as much dairy and eggs as I used to when there's an opportunity.(I.E.: Whenever we go to the local ice cream shop I ask for Sherbet instead of ice cream.)

[Loki]

Loki, you look exactly like my friend Ryan! I just noticed this, sorry. :p

Tell Ryan that he's sexy!

[mouse]

I was just wondering how many vegans were vegetarians before they make the switch. I tried to not eat any animal products and it was so hard (especially because my mom isn't being supportive or buying me any tofu or anything). I think it might be easier to just be a vegetarian until I'm on my own with money and everything. Do you guys agree or disagree?

I was a vegetarian for 16 years before I cut out dairy and eggs. I think that going from omni to vegan is an awfully difficult thing to do in one step, especially if you're still living at home and your family isn't particularly knowledgeable about food alternatives.