[GhostUser]

I am in the process of trying to let go my love for dairy products. I like meat, but to me, it's just something that is a lot easier to give up than cheese and milk.<br><br><br><br>
I would say that I am going to start ovo-lacto sort of diet, but after reading what I have about dairy farms, I am feeling bad each time I eye a glass of milk.<br><br><br><br>
So, I am looking into my options. One, is soy-based "dairy" products. I have never tried soy cheese or soy milk, but I am planning on buying some cheese to give it a try. See if I like.<br><br><br><br>
The other thing I was hoping for was to see if there are any animal-friendly dairy products. Some kind of egg that isn't laid by hens in a cage, but by ones that can run free and do the egg-producing as well. Or milk that is taken from a cow who can still roam freely in fields. Is this just hopeful thinking or should I just bite the bullet and switch to soy?<br><br><br><br>
I'd appreciate any input! I am really making an effort to change my way of life with eating. If I need to give up the dairy products, then I will.<br><br><br><br>
What a process it will be! However, after all the reading I've done, I'm confident I am making the right choice.<br><br><br><br>
Thanks - Jen

 

[GhostUser]

I really like Silk products. They have this new mocha lattee that is sooo good. I put it in a blender with ice and it's awesome. Sometimes I add a banana. There's like homemade cheese you can make. I've never tried it but I hear its good. Kreeli has a bunch of good recipes and ideas for replacements on her <a href="http://www.veganmania.com/" target="_blank">site</a> on the left hand side.

 

[carnelian]

I agree with Ruthie. Silk soy milk is really good! I like the vanilla, and around the holidays, they put out an amazing soynog - better than real eggnog! What you are doing is definitely a journey, and a very worthwhile one at that. There are lots of resources here and informed individuals who should be able to answer your questions (plus give you support). Welcome! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/hi.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":hi:">

 

[epski]

I prefer soy milk to regular milk, in the sense that by a certain age I didn't enjoy drinking cow's milk much at all, but I do enjoy drinking soy milk on a regular basis.<br><br><br><br>
Cheese, well... There's a couple of good replacements out there, but they're hard to come by, so I rarely bother. I've finally gotten over it.<br><br><br><br>
epski<br><br>
vegan since 4/20/02, and you can do it, too!

 

[GhostUser]

Thanks for the input so far!<br><br><br><br>
Espki -<br><br>
I don't really like milk by itself, so that is a good start, I'd imagine. I need the milk for coffee, or if I'm having a craving for some chocolate milk. I used to drink whole milk, then I was able to take it down to skim milk. I used to think skim milk was really gross. But, now I can't drink whole milk! So I guess I will have to adjust. I guess no harm in trying to adjust to soy milk. Maybe I will end up liking the taste better!<br><br><br><br>
Thanks again, you guys are making me feel better and more excited about my choice. It really does help to have people to talk to! It feels good to finally start doing it.<br><br><br><br>
Jen

 

[carnelian]

Silk also has a really, really good chocolate soy milk!

 

[ceryna]

The nekos in your avatar are tottemo kawaii!<br><br><br><br>
Giving up milk was easy, because I never liked drinking it straight, anyway. Giving up products that contain milk is a little harder, because milk (or milk derivatives) pop up in the darndest places.<br><br><br><br>
I've found that concentrating on the big stuff and working through to the small stuff is the easiest method. First, I stopped drinking milk by itself, but I still ate foods that contained it. Then, I cut back on foods that contained milk. Then I started learning how to read labels and watch for derivatives. I took it gradually, and now, my biggest struggle is cheese.<br><br><br><br>
Anyway, good luck to you. Glad you joined us. ^^

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by ceryna</i><br><br><b>The nekos in your avatar are tottemo kawaii!<br><br></b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Hehe! Thank you. Those are my kitties, Smurf (on the left) and Tyler (on the right). I work from home and I'm alone the whole day, so having those two little guys around really makes a big difference! They're like my best friends!<br><br><br><br>
Thanks for the advice, that is a great way of weeding it out. At least I'm going to get meat out of the way, that's the major one.<br><br><br><br>
Jen

 

[ceryna]

Well, if you know the meaning of "neko" and "tottemo kawaii", you must either be into anime, or you're Japanese.<br><br><br><br>
<---great big geeky otaku!

 

[DirtDiva]

Yes those guys are sooo cute! Any product you are concerned about just come to the VB and we're probably talking about it or have talked about it.<br><br><br><br>
Yay another vegematarian! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[GhostUser]

ceryna :<br><br>
I'm not japanese, but I love the japanese culture. I must admit, I had to look up what you said, but I know a few words in japanese. I just love the japanese! I think it's because they have so much culture, respect and the coolest tech stuff. I love how the japanese want to evolve without losing their culture. That's really awesome.<br><br><br><br>
And c'mon, have you ever seen a little asian kid? How cute are they!?<br><br><br><br>
DirtDiva:<br><br>
Thanks for the welcome! I will definitely visit this site multiple times through the day to get what info I need. It has already proved helpful. And I got to talk about Joaquin Phoenix on a thread! What more could I ask for?<br><br><br><br>
Thanks again everyone!<br><br>
Jen

 

[That Alpaca Guy]

Welcome to VB!<br><br>
Your struggle, is our struggle!

 

[GhostUser]

I tried the chocolate soy milk! It's a miracle! I actually do like it MUCH better than regular milk! I am very relieved....this will make giving up dairy much easier.

 

[dk_art]

Greetings ....<br><br><br><br><br><br>
I also love chocolate soy milk. I don't buy more than one 2 Litre container a week as I generally drink that all in one night LOL. I don't drink the white soy but use a glass worth on my cereal and in my tea each day.<br><br><br><br>
As for cheese alternatives, you should be aware that some of these have casein in them which is a milk substance. I think these fake'cheeses are mainly made for lactose intollerant people.<br><br><br><br>
But there are apparently vegan fake cheeses, I just haven't found any<br><br><br><br><br><br>
As for icecream alternatives ... exploring this area can be very tasty . There are tofutti curies (little sandwiches) , tofutti frozen desert, soy delicious, rice dream (and their "Lil' Dreamer" sandwiches) .... and probably others.

 

[epski]

Silk also does a chai and coffee soymilk. I just developed a craving for the coffee soymilk in the fridge.... *off I go*

 

[GhostUser]

Epski - In my refrigerator right now is Chocolate soymilk from 8th continent...that stuff is pretty good. But I also have Silk Soymilk and Silk Latte. The regular soymilk is a bit nutty tasting, but I can get used to it.<br><br><br><br>
I also bought some cheese called Veggie Slices, and while they don't taste exactly like american cheese slices, I can get used to it. Also, my lunch for the week is boca burgers!<br><br><br><br>
I haven't left the dairy completely, but I've decided it's going to much easier gradually. I'm working on it though! I went to a Burrito place today and got a vegetarian burrito. So, I'm working on it! Feeling better already!<br><br><br><br>
Thanks everyone!<br><br><br><br>
Jen

 

[epski]

I'll never touch 8th Continent. It's not even vegan (D3). I know some people like the taste of it, though.

 

[GhostUser]

What is D3? I did not know that it isn't vegan! Darnit! I guess it is still safe for me, for I don't think I am going to cut out the dairy completely yet. Thanks for letting me know though! I'll try the Silk chocolate milk next.

 

[epski]

Vitamin D3 (included for fortification) comes from animals.

 

[GhostUser]

I do have a lot to learn about this! Thanks, I didn't realize you were referring to a vitamin. I think I am going to buy a book about vegetarian diets...I need to know these things!<br><br><br><br>
Jen