Honey superthread: discuss [non]vegan-ness of honey here

[penny79]

I don't regularly use maple syrup, honey, agave, OR white sugar.

OMG< I like, totally eat food. Real whole foods!

[IamJen]

I read in a PETA magazine that they want all vegans to boycott Canadian maple syrup because of the baby seals being killed, even though the maple syrup companies have nothing to do with the killing of anything. So I guess I can't even use maple syrup as an alternative to honey.

This is such a ludicrous post, that it should win an award!

As for a word left for non-honey-eating vegans, I don't think there is a need for one. But if you think there would be a need, I'm sure something would be thought up by someone.

As noted, they already did....vegan is the word! Can't the honeytarians come up with *their* own word? Why should vegans have to adopt a new word, and then wait for it to become a part of the language?

[SomebodyElse]

As noted, they already did....vegan is the word! Can't the honeytarians come up with *their* own word? Why should vegans have to adopt a new word, and then wait for it to become a part of the language?

Apparently because Donald Watson is a mere mortal.

[Jemdude]

This is such a ludicrous post, that it should win an award!

I'm not making it up:
http://www.canada.com/news/Boycott+C...196/story.html

As noted, they already did....vegan is the word! Can't the honeytarians come up with *their* own word? Why should vegans have to adopt a new word, and then wait for it to become a part of the language?

I suppose the word might be "beegan", but they don't consider the difference large enough to start their own association. I also question the idea that honey is truly an animal product. I see it more of a flower product than a bee product.

[Fyvel]

I'm not making it up:
http://www.canada.com/news/Boycott+C...196/story.html

That's a bit of a red herring, wouldn't you agree?

I suppose the word might be "beegan", but they don't consider the difference large enough to start their own association. I also question the idea that honey is truly an animal product. I see it more of a flower product than a bee product.

Can honey be made without bees?

[IamJen]

Jemdude, I wasn't doubting the veracity of the boycott, but to use that as support of your use of honey is silly. Honey and maple syrup are not your only two options.

[Abbey]

Jemdude, I wasn't doubting the veracity of the boycott, but to use that as support of your use of honey is silly. Honey and maple syrup are not your only two options.

Also, just because PETA says vegans should do something (like boycott Canadian maple syrup), doesn't mean vegans should do it.

[SomebodyElse]

I also question the idea that honey is truly an animal product. I see it more of a flower product than a bee product.

This is absurd. Bees need to collect nectar and turn it into honey to feed their young, much as cows need to eat grass and turn it into milk to feed their young. Or would you consider it ethical for me to come into your house every time you make yourself a nice big batch of soup or stew from the veggies you work hard to acquire to feed yourself with, steal it, and leave some diluted V8 there as a replacement? Oh wait, I guess you would, especially if you were diagnosed with a fatal incurable disease and had only six months to live.

Why don't you grow some nasturtiums and squeeze the nectar into your tea directly? Avoid the middleman.

[Jemdude]

Also, just because PETA says vegans should do something (like boycott Canadian maple syrup), doesn't mean vegans should do it.

I'm glad that you feel that way since I don't see how a boycott of an industry totally unrelated to the seal issue is going to accomplish anything.

[Jemdude]

Round and round we go.

I once had a coworker who made a big fuss over the distinction between the definition of a "wire" and the definition of a "cable". He got really upset when others around him used the wrong definition, and he made a point to correct them, and insist that they never repeat their mistake.

Look, until we have a fully vegan world, there will always be some people who call themselves vegan while eating honey. Why can't everyone just accept this as a fact of life and move on?

-Eugene

I agree. This is something that vegans will have to learn to live with.