I'm kind of new to the whole vegetarian thing; it's been about 4 months since I made the change. I just found out a few weeks ago about gelatin, glycerides, etc. My sister informed me on that. I was wondering if anybody could give me info on being a vegan. I love icecream and I eat cheese pizza too. I tried a vegan cheese, but I hated it. If anybody has any suggestions or whatever that would help. :confused:

Mmm good luck with finding a vegan cheese you like lol it's a never ending discussion...

I really have just given up cheese altogether, but that's my choice. I found vegan cheeses just served to remind me of all the nice non-vegan cheese I missed, especially brie.

I have been vegan for 3 years now though and it was only the first few months I was going on the cheese hunt, now I don't bother and don't miss it, If I have a cheese craving I find avacado on toast satisfies it...must be good fats that my body needs?

I eat cheese free pizza's and love them, it is amazing how much cheese used to smother the flavour of so many yummy veggies.

Try a soy ice cream, in Aus So Good makes awesome soy ice creams even chocolate grrr.

Keep hunting though...it is all trial and error...also there is a cheese cookbook called "The Un-cheese cookbook"...but I forget who wrote it.

:)

A good vegan cheese hmm..... some people like the Follow Your Heart brand or Vegan Gourmet but a LOT of people swear by the recipes in a cookbook called The Uncheese Cookbook (http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=the+uncheese+cookbook&hl=en&hs=4FK&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=N&tab=ff&oi=froogler). According to them, this is where the BEST vegan cheese is found - in the stuff you make at home. There's also a thing called Nutritional Yeast that gives things a nice cheezy flavour and it can be made into a nacho sauce, too.

Vegan icecream - Soy Decadance, anything chocolate is my personal favorite. Especially the Chocolate Almond Brownie Obsession. Serious yum! I've also heard really good things about Double Rainbow but they don't sell that where I live so I haven't tried it myself.

Pizza - Veggie pizza without the cheeze, IMO rocks!

I too tried non dairy cheese......got sick from it....decided to just give up cheese......I haven't had cheese in over a year.....I don't even think about it. Icecream; try looking into either Tofutti or Soy Delicious....both are good non-dairy forms of icecream.

I was vegetarian for 7 months before I decided to go Vegan......the transition is the hardest.....but about 6 months into it.....you get a feel for everything.....

Some tips for you:
-Get into the habit of reading labels.....always!
-Start taking a daily multi-vitamin, if you don't already.
-Don't quit cold turkey.....ease into it, or you may get sick, gain weight, and give in
-Set goals, keep reminders to stick with it
-If you don't already, grab a couple good cookbooks
-Once in a while, try new things, like tofu....I was suprised at the things I actually like


Staying Healthy!
http://www.veganhealth.org/

Questions about keeping healthy.
http://www.pcrm.org/health/Info_on_Veg_Diets/faq.html

Animal-Derived Ingredients and their alternatives
http://www.caringconsumer.com/ingredientslist.asp

Companies that DO and DONT test on animals
http://www.caringconsumer.com/searchcompany.asp

Questions about the vegan lifestyle, animal rights, ethics...
http://www.veganoutreach.org/starterpack/qa.html

Veganism in a nutshell
http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/vegan.htm

Good website to check out-various info
http://www.vegetarianteen.com/



Free stuff to help you along =)

This is one of my favorite starter packs
http://www.veganoutreach.org/starterpack/free-vsp.html

Order a free pocket-sized shopping guide(companies that DONT test)
http://www.leapingbunny.org/order.php

Order a free shopping guide(stores which have vegetarian and vegan friendly products)
http://www.peta.org/living/altorders.asp


Recipes:
http://vegweb.com/recipes/
http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/recipe_archive.html
http://www.cok.net/lit/recipes/

Shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions or need advice or whatever, I'd be glad to help you out =)