[Katoo]

I think I am one of the lucky ones.<br><br><br><br>
When my husband and I started researching to be more cruelty-free in how we live our lives, we didn't have any idea that we'd end up being vegans. Funny thing is, he came to the conclusion first.<br><br><br><br>
But for me, a switch flipped. I don't want to wear, eat, or wash in anything connected to animals. The very idea has instantly become revolting.<br><br><br><br>
For my husband, a switch didn't switch, and the thought of eating animals isn't revolting to him, just wrong. So for him, it's harder and more difficult. His attitude is more along the lines of "doing his very best without sweating the small stuff". He happily eats whatever I prepare or whatever he cooks for himself, but in a social setting he might have "just a taste" of something, even though he does believe it is wrong. Not meat, but a buttered roll or a slice of cake. For me, bile rises at the thought of eating butter. It's a reflex. For him, he feels a bit deprived, will taste it, and find out for himself that it's not worth the taste.<br><br><br><br>
So. I don't have to fight an urge and it's been easy for me. For him, he sees something he's eaten easily and happily his entire life, and he has to resist it.<br><br><br><br>
What I didn't realize is that not everyone is lucky enough to get an instant gag reflex.

 

[Earthling]

Yeah, I'd like to be like you but I'm more like your husband. I DON'T eat non-vegan things but some of them look or smell delicious to me and I find myself wishing and wishing they were vegan so I could have some.<br><br><br><br>
It's not that hard to deal with though, I've never been tempted enough to actually eat it.

 

[Poppy]

While the thought of eating non-vegan food doesn't make me gag, it sure doesn't appeal to me anymore (with rare exceptions). It didn't happen immediately, but it did happen over a pretty short period of time. I had an awakening over a few short weeks in the spring/summer of 2005. Becoming vegan wasn't something I had ever wanted to do, in fact it had seemed like a complete pita, but once I realized that it was something that would liberate me from my unease and give me peace of mind, there really wasn't much choice. I had to.<br><br><br><br>
I am not religious, but I can empathize with people who have undergone religious conversions. I know what it's like to suddenly "see the light" and have the path appear before you.

 

[stanie]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Katoo</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I think I am one of the lucky ones.<br><br><br><br>
When my husband and I started researching to be more cruelty-free in how we live our lives, we didn't have any idea that we'd end up being vegans. Funny thing is, he came to the conclusion first.<br><br><br><br>
But for me, a switch flipped. I don't want to wear, eat, or wash in anything connected to animals. The very idea has instantly become revolting.<br><br><br><br>
For my husband, a switch didn't switch, and the thought of eating animals isn't revolting to him, just wrong. So for him, it's harder and more difficult. His attitude is more along the lines of "doing his very best without sweating the small stuff". He happily eats whatever I prepare or whatever he cooks for himself, but in a social setting he might have "just a taste" of something, even though he does believe it is wrong. Not meat, but a buttered roll or a slice of cake. For me, bile rises at the thought of eating butter. It's a reflex. For him, he feels a bit deprived, will taste it, and find out for himself that it's not worth the taste.<br><br><br><br>
So. I don't have to fight an urge and it's been easy for me. For him, he sees something he's eaten easily and happily his entire life, and he has to resist it.<br><br><br><br>
What I didn't realize is that not everyone is lucky enough to get an instant gag reflex.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Your switch analogy is interesting, as i always refer to the flicking of a switch in regards to people suddenly "getting it" and going vegetaian, or vegan.<br><br>
My wife and i often talk about how we get people to flick their switch (no innuendos please anybody!), if only we knew!

 

[amhappy1]

It is strange, but when I was vegetarian years ago before falling off the wagon, meat (obviously) was still appealing to me.<br><br><br><br>
Now that I'm back and I'm vegan, the very thought of meat or even milk or eggs just grosses me out. I had to walk though the mess hall at work a few days ago and the smell almost made me vomit. I had to hold my breath and walk as quickly as possible or I wouldn't have made it.<br><br><br><br>
Bacon still smells good, but the thought of eating slimy, greasy tortured pigs disgusts me. I feel very lucky.

 

[Identity_thief]

I understand what you mean, the miniute I said "I'm going vegetarian"/"I'm giving up dairy"/"I'm going vegan" I totally stop desiring non-veg*an products. Initially I was kind of... not replused by similar... and now I just don't see them as food items, it doesn't cross my mind to consider them. The only slight exception to this was eggs, only once or twice I thought "I fancy a poached egg" and it felt very strange, I felt guilty for thinking it. I feel sorry for people who feel like this all the time.<br><br><br><br>
I find it quite easy to switch, it seems. I guess that's a good thing <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> My resolve has never wavered, but I sympathise for those who aren't as lucky.

 

[s0ad]

I have been getting this gag reflex more and more with meat. Its weird though, because I'll like the smell of many meats cooking, but the very idea of putting them in my mouth makes me ill. Unfortunately I don't have this same revolt with cheese. I've been tempted a few times, but have never given in. I can't see myself eating animal products again. When I think about eating something from an animal I feel so selfish that I could never do it.

 

[draconian]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Katoo</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
So. I don't have to fight an urge and it's been easy for me. For him, he sees something he's eaten easily and happily his entire life, and he has to resist it.<br><br><br><br>
What I didn't realize is that not everyone is lucky enough to get an instant gag reflex.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
As someone who didn't go vegan till much later in life, I have years and years of "training" to eat meat as well as many good feelings/memories of eating it to overcome. Every book I read, every video I watch, each online post I interact with chips away at the old way of thinking and reinforces the new way of thinking. Some people can generate a new habit quickly, others may struggle for years.

 

[HNV]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>amhappy1</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
It is strange, but when I was vegetarian years ago before falling off the wagon, meat (obviously) was still appealing to me.<br><br><br><br>
Now that I'm back and I'm vegan, the very thought of meat or even milk or eggs just grosses me out. I had to walk though the mess hall at work a few days ago and the smell almost made me vomit. I had to hold my breath and walk as quickly as possible or I wouldn't have made it.<br><br><br><br>
Bacon still smells good, but the thought of eating slimy, greasy tortured pigs disgusts me. I feel very lucky.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Bacon does smell good, as you state, the thought of it is disgusting and enough for me to not eat it.<br><br><br><br>
Cheese on the other hand disgusts me in all aspects. As does seafood. I was in Whole Foods the other day and I walked by some produce that had some cheese lying by it and the stench of it just flooded my nostrils I thought I was going to vomit. I hate walking by where my soy yogurts are because the seafood section is right there and the stench always invades my nose. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[VeganDeb]

My transition started several years ago, when my Mom passed away at the age of 70. I started to look at my family tree and found that everyone had died of some strange illness or cancer by the time they were 70 ? 72. That scared me ! I started getting back into allot of readings on health and found that meats were connected to almost every known illness ! Becoming vegetarian was not difficult at all, since I have never cared for meat and LOVE VEGGIES ! But, dropping the cheese and eggs was more difficult. Thinking of eggs as chicken embryos did the trick for me. As I read, I found more and more about the suffering of animals for our dietary needs. That sealed it all for me. I cannot ever imagine putting any animal flesh or by product into my mouth again ! Plant based foods for me!

 

[SomebodyElse]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Katoo</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I think I am one of the lucky ones.</div>
</div>
<br>
Yeah it makes it very easy. I don't gag, but sometimes when I wander along the frozen food aisle and see pizza the thought of swallowing that cheese makes my throat close up, and I used to love pizza. I've even had an eggmare once. Most people get meatmares, and I have had some of those, but this was an eggmare. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> I dreamed I came into the kitchen of my childhood home and there was a huge cast iron pan on the stove, full of scrambled eggs swimming in what looked like a quart of melted butter, and I was completely revolted.

 

[penny79]

That does sound really gross!!! A collander full of fresh veggies, on the other hand.....<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Katoo]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>SomebodyElse</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Yeah it makes it very easy. I don't gag, but sometimes when I wander along the frozen food aisle and see pizza the thought of swallowing that cheese makes my throat close up, and I used to love pizza. I've even had an eggmare once. Most people get meatmares, and I have had some of those, but this was an eggmare. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> I dreamed I came into the kitchen of my childhood home and there was a huge cast iron pan on the stove, full of scrambled eggs swimming in what looked like a quart of melted butter, and I was completely revolted.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Oh my gosh, my husband had a weird dream last night and I didn't even think about it being caused by becoming a vegan. He and I were in a cottage along with our dog Ozzy. John woke up because Ozzy had gotten out and was chasing sheep in a field outside. As John is getting dressed there is a knock on the door and he opens it and there stands the farmer holding Ozzy. My husband offers him a cup of tea, and the farmer asks John to scramble him some eggs.

 

[*Star*Lass*]

For the first month of being vegan i struggled a little with cakes and cheese. But now, 3 months on, i'm not tempted anymore. I don't have a gag reflex but i see food with animal products very differently. E.g. if i see a non-vegan cake now i think about the life of the poor chicken and what it went through just for that cake stupid cake. Same with cheese..... the milk was stolen from a poor calf and God only knows where that calf is now and how it's mother is suffering. It's enough for them to loose their appeal.<br><br><br><br>
I had a dream the other night that i was on a school trip (i'm 27!) and my vegan dinner went missing. I was starving and they called the police in to find my vegan sausage roll! Then a girl said she would help me find something to eat. In the meantime she offered me something she was eating... a bag of nuts and raisins... and i accidently ate a white chocolate covered raisin! hehe.