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Update: So, I have been eating a vegan diet (with a few 'dairy' bumps along the way x)) for about 8 months now! I have been vegetarian before for 5 years, but this is a whole nutha' story! x)

I made this thread to try to gather as much information from like minds and share info with each other!

Ping group made! ---> - Made March 05/13 - Join if you'd like to share! ^_^

Previous post:

I am very interested in talking to any of the vegans out there. I am very determined to transition to a full fledged vegan, for many reasons (This show on netflix being one of them ---> 'Vegucated') (available on Netflix) and would love some experienced, or even new vegans to chat with and maybe get some advice!

Thanks ^_^

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"It’s a small sacrifice for me to make in order to ensure I don’t support such inhumane practices. It takes a little bit of work, but it's worth it and I’ve never felt deprived–only rewarded."

• Random, Vegan, Blog Post

"If slaughterhouses had glass walls everyone would be vegetarian".

-Linda and Paul McCartney

Other Stuff:

'The Power of One'

Hi !

Just wanted to ping ya, say hi and report myself as a transitioning vegan as well. I've had several vegan phases in my life, mostly when I still lived with my parents. They've never understood me or my choices, and probably never will so I might as well go in with a bang and do whatever I like. grins I've tried and will try all kinds of different diets in the future, these past 3-4 months have left my energy levels depleted so I've been trying to eat a lot of raw food and I also take a load of random superfood herbs to boost my stamina :)

Have you been vegan / vegetarian before? Sounds like you're making a lot of research as you transition. I wish I had done that before, maybe I wouldn't have let others' opinions affect me so much. But most trials happen for a good reason. :)

~ Twi

Hi! Nice to meet you. ^_^ Nice to hear someone who has experience. I actually was a vegetarian when I was younger from the age of 16 to 21. I became pregnant at 21 and even though my doctor told me my diet was fine I still felt the need to add meat protein to my diet due to the whole hype about it. I just thought it seemed more fair to the baby at the time. Which, I know now not to be true, so I am not sure why I went that way. I can honestly say that in those 6 years I did not even measure and watch my nutrients levels, replace protein in any way (I probably had eggs twice a week or so, so not every day), I was young, I wasn't really concerned, so I just ate everything but meat. I was perfectly fine and healthy all of those 6 years. After a few years I just became complacent and started eating meat again. The whole time never truly enjoying the texture of meat, but mainly the salty tastes and such. And I found that, if anything I mostly craved junk meats like hamburgers and wieners. I literally just committed to this about 7 days ago and it's been very easy after being reminded of why I ever started in the first place. I watched a doc, which is on Netflix called 'Vegucated'. You should check it out! And perhaps boost your moral about the great thing you are doing for yourself. :)

I am curious to know why you feel depleted? Have you had your blood tested lately? You could be low on iron? Hope you feel better soon! I haven't experienced anything yet aside from a headache for a few days, which I later realized went away after I started eating more fat and a little less carbs. Using oils and nuts mainly. And, you're right, it does feel so much better to just eat fresh salads and vegetables. I can't get over all of the amazing recipes out there. So scrumptious! And what are these 'random superfood herbs' you speak of? If you don't mind me asking.

Well, thank you so much for posting. Feel free to message me any time! ^_^

Hi ! Nice to meet you too :) Sorry I took so long to reply.

It's strange, I actually saw Vegucated around the same time as you, and it really did give me a bit of a boost and validation that it's the way for me. :) Plus I've seen a lot of stuff around me related to veganism, it's like the whole universe is bombarding me :D

How are you doing now, after almost two weeks? I find it interesting you got relief for your headache from eating oils and nuts. What kind of nuts do you prefer? I think brazil nuts are especially nutritious and contain lots of minerals. For cooking, I use cold-pressed organic coconut oil - it's also rumoured to have metabolism boosting properties but who knows :D

Oh and I understand wanting the most optimal nutrition for your child, especially during pregnancy, even if it isn't the optimal you know now :) Also I think why I just haven't been a vegan all this time is because I haven't sought information (although I've been interested in eating healthy for a while) and what it takes to maintain such a lifestyle. Plus having no one around you who shares similar views kind of makes you kind of complacent, like you said. Do you have any vegan or vegetarian organizations where you live? It might be a good way to keep it up :)

oh and smoothies and purees are also a great way to add some fresh stuff to your diet. I think it would be possible to live on mainly raw food but you'd have to eat copious amounts of it :D and I'm just too busy to be eating all the time heh.

Are you familiar with superfoods in general? I think they are mostly fruits and herbs (and root/leaf etc powders) that contain loads of antioxidants (and very often other good things) in a small quantity. For example, I've been taking a teaspoon of maca root powder every morning - it's supposed to boost your stamina :) as for my feelings of depletion, I think it's purely stress. I had bloodwork done but it came out fine so it should be nothing major. I have lots of faith in increasing fresh fruit & vegetable intake, and maca root :D

Glad you posted this thread, hope more Subetan vegans find their way here! :) You're also free to message me if you want to talk! Happy holidays :)

Hi! Hope you had a great New Years and such. ^_^

And, yes, I think I was just hungry, basically, in the first week or so and that was what brought on the headache. That and a change in diet and such. I was told by this lady at a health food store (who is also vegan) that I needed to be eating more fat because, I basically cut a lot of it out with meat/dairy/eggs. I was eating bread and potatoes and stuff to fill me up. But what those mostly have carbs. I need carbs, just not that much! And didn't have my protein sources yet; tofu, tempeh, seitan, etc. Basically I balanced that all out now and feel great. It has been since Dec. 15, so, 17 days now, and I don't ever want to look back. Also, what I did was started making some things, (mainly bread) with almond meal. I've been eating cashew butter in the mornings sometimes. And used cashew butter, along with nutritional yeast and other things to make a 'cheese' sauce for an Eggplant Parmesan. That is how I've incorporated nuts for the most part. There are so many uses! I discovered a very quick, simple sandwich using tofu. This is it Here (you may want to skip to the end of that video!) It's just basically someone's take on an egg mcmuffin . And I love it! I've also done a couple of tofu stir frys. I am learning that I rather prefer my tofu cut very small or crumbled.

For Christmas, my mother was very sweet and spent a good amount of time helping me make these vegetarian cabbage rolls. I omitted the eggs in the ingredients (and substituted a few more) and used a tad more oil and... something else in their place. If you were interested in the details I could look up what i used, i wrote it somewhere. But it was a very involved, recipe, I wouldn't recommend it for just any night!

There are soo many vegan recipes out there though. And blogs! Like crazy, and I even found a vegetarian 'society' where I live (is there one where you live?) and... a vegan bakery! Mmmm! x) But I've been cooking up a storm for the past few weeks and it has been very rewarding. :)

Oh! And as far as nuts, I have learned that macadamia nuts have just about the most fat (which I want). But they are not my fav as far as flavour. My favourite is always going to be cashew, for flavour though, not health benefits unfortunately. x) And, no, I have not heard of cold-pressed organic coconut oil. Which is a bit of a surprise because I have looked at soo many recipes and info on the various ingredients, etc. I did make some fudge with coconut cream in it though! :D I shall have to look into that.

And, well, as far as superfoods. I am assuming that means the foods that are way up in amount of nutrients and such? I have learned of the 'magic' of kale! And that cremini mushrooms have the most nutirents (and I forget what else) of all fungi. Is that what you mean? I shall have to look them up.

As far as fresh vegetables, I am lucky in that I LOVE all of them. Even before cutting out animal products I ate salad every day, sometimes twice a day, and that was on top of the cooked veggies I had for dinner. As well as fruit. Not quite as much, but it is still there everyday. I could never go completely raw though. I would long for the warm 'comfort' foods. Like, for example I had a grilled 'cheese' ('Veggie Slices' replacement cheese slices) sandwich today with warm minestrone soup. Mmmm. x)

Smoothies and purees are awesome. As long as they involve food... you know, not powders and such. I wish I had a juicer. I do have a Magic Bullet though and it's been pretty handy for a lot so far.

I don't work right now so I have a lot more time on my hands for this stuff! I am glad I started now though, because once I do become 'busy' again I will have had the hang of it and know what I like and don't (as I'm still sampling a lot of new stuff) and have a routine going so it'll be easy! Glad to hear your bloodwork came out great. And hopefully the stress will reduce for you (could it have been because of the holidays?). It is nice to know that, even though we all can't escape stress, you are doing something so good for yourself!

Take care. And drop by again! ^_^

@ CelticRaiN

Ooh this looks like a fun topic! I went vegetarian when I was about 13 or 12, I believe, then vegan at 14 or 15 (I'm now 20). I've loved animals since I was a little kid and I've always grown up with them. As the years went on we ended up with more and more pets, and it finally clicked for me. Why was I eating something that used to be like my pets, you know? Even when I was pretty young I fell in love with cows, and often asked my mom where meat came from -- I guess going veg*an was just a natural progression. c:

Since then I've been pretty dedicated to the whole movement and what being vegan stands for. When I was in high school I did a ton of animal welfare related essays and reports (especially relating to the farm industries), and I was even able to visit the Farm Sanctuary in NY state a few summers back. Not to mention that since going vegan I've found cooking to be so much fun! One of the best things to come of it all is that my mom and dad are now currently strict vegetarians (nearly vegan) too. This whole process has really changed our lives for the better.

There are of course hard times where I've been scrutinized by family and friends, but the people I'm closest to have been very supportive, and some even willing to learn about it. Honestly, becoming vegan has really liberated me in so many ways. It's taught me how to care for those who need it, to be more educated and assertive in my beliefs, and even how to treat other people with respect. To think that I was ever anything different seems crazy to me now. I really feel like this is the life I was born for.

Wow! That is so amazing. Thank you for sharing, you are very inspiring. ^_^ It's funny, that because of the way we have to eat it just automatically encourages cooking your own food. I love the feeling of knowing exactly what is in what I am eating. I have always been conscious of what I put in my body. You know that saying, "Your body is a temple"? That is something that has always been in the back of mind since I was young. It is so important to treat our bodies with respect and hope that it pays us back later in life by staying healthy. :)

It is nice to hear that you made all of those incredible decisions at such a young age. Even if it was mainly concerning animal welfare for you at the time. And that is definitely a huge factor for me. Ok, the main and first factor! x) Being able to eat and be more healthy as a result is just an amazing bonus seeing as it was already important to me.

What is amazing is, It sounds like your parents actually learned from YOUR example. That is impressive. You sound like a very thoughtful and positive individual. Thanks again for sharing. I want to share this with my daughter now. She is on the site. And has also committed to a vegetarian diet. She has mentioned steps towards veganism in the future. As well, my mother has eliminated most meat and dairy from her diet. She would like to eat this way as well. And she is 70 years old! It is never too late I say. :)

Do you have a favourite recipe you could share with me perhaps? I am still learning. So far I have made vegan cabbage rolls, vegan eggplant parmasen, cabbage soup with quinoa, various tofu stir frys, vegan bread, vegan fudge, vegan maple corn bread, quinoa pilaf, a very yummy Ratatouille and a couple of other things I know I'm forgetting!

I wish everyone would watch 'Vegucated' just so they'll at least, 'get it'. There are so many people making the decision for various reasons. Do you know of all of the famous people who are vegan? It blows my mind! :)

Anyway, drop by again sometime! ^_^

Fellow vegans! I'm not alone! I've been vegan for a year. Going vegan was the best choice I've ever made in my life. I love animals, after seeing what they go through on factory farms, in slaughter houses, fur farms, animal testing facilities is absolutely heart breaking and I don't understand how someone could see that and not feel anything. I'm always glad to see others who are compassionate towards animals. :D

No! You are not alone. I am glad you found the thread. :) I feel the same way you do. After knowing everything, I have a hard time understanding how people can go on the way they once did. But I have come to (at least try) to understand that everyone is different. And for some it is harder than it is for others. The world around us has been eating animals for years and it is pushed in our face constantly (dictated by corporations and media). I just wish everyone (that is educated about it) would at least try it, for say, a month. That way they can at least say they tried. The number one thing though is to be educated about where your food comes from and how it comes to you. People who care about that are more likely to try, I think.

Do you have any favourite recipes to share? ^_^

The husband and I aren't vegan but since it is recipe time I will share what we had on Christmas: Festive Chickpea Tart (If you try making it, squeezing as much water as possible out of the spinach is important)

I will have to try those cabbage rolls, probably on a weekend (although not today...fridge full of leftovers). The recipe doesn't mention cooking the lentils first...are they meant to cook during the baking stage, and soak up the sauce?

I'll share a recipe for deep fried mac and cheese balls and Homemade butter. :)

Deep fried Mac & cheese balls

Ingredients: 1 wedge of daiya vegan cheddar cheese 1 16oz box macaroni noodles 1 tablespoons of earth balance (or any other vegan friendly margarine/ butter) about 1/4 cup of soy milk 2 table spoons nooch 2 cups of penko bread crumbs 1/2 cup of corn starch or ener-g egg replacer Hot water oil for frying

Directions:

1. cook noodles and drain noodles
2. in a different pot mix daiya, white pepper, soy milk, earth balance and paprika. mix until smooth.
3. Mix noodles and sauce.
4. cover and put mac and cheese in the fridge too cool down.
5. when cold enough to be formed into balls. and form into balls that are a little bit bigger than a golf ball. Ice cream scoops come in handy here.
6. in a bowl take the corn starch or ener-g egg replacer and nooch and pour enough hot water to make and egg wash. It should be thick but not super thick. I found adding a little bit of water at a time to the cornstarch/ ener-g egg and nooch mixture and use a whisk to minimize lumps.
7. put bread crumbs in a bowl and season if you want. I typically put herbs de province and a little seasoning salt in with the bread crumbs. and heat oil in a pot.
8. take mac and cheese balls coat int the "egg" wash, take off excess egg wash and then roll in bread crumbs.
9. fry until golden brown.

I hope I did a good enough job with the directions I'm so lazy when it come to these things. haha Here's the Vegan butter recipe.

Wow, nice. That is a very unique recipe and basic enough ingredients too! I'll have to look into it. Did you enjoy it? Thanks so much for sharing sweetie! ^_^

Wow, a recipe to make your own butter! You don't see that everyday. I even already have all of the ingredients handy! I purchased refined coconut oil a few days ago. Knowing I would use it for a recipe sooner or later! And, those deep fried mac and cheese balls... whoa, talk about comfort food! >.< I had to look up 'nooch', and turns out I have some nutritional yeast here as well, and the Daiya cheese (but it's shredded) too. I have Earth balance and just bought some panko bread crumbs! I've been deep frying onion rings and jalapeno slices.. mmmmm. I really have to get back into more fresh veggies and stuff because after 4 straight days of cooking I started in on the frozen 'replacement' foods a lot. >.< I have a fresh salad (or 2) everyday, but I'm learning I'm going to need a better variety when it comes to fresh veggies because I'm already getting a little sick of my salad. :P

I really want to venture towards that homemade butter though. Have you tried it and used it in baking with success? Brilliant! Thanks again for sharing. ^^ Also.. read the post below for a yummy Caesar salad recipe I'm trying too! ^^

We liked it, yes - this was actually the third time we've made it, and it seemed like a good veggie-alternative to the turkey at my parents' place. My mom liked it as well -- Dad didn't try it because he is offended by onions. Always glad to share recipes around and try other people's recipes as well! Most of what we cook is vegan, although we do have eggs and cheese occasionally.

Wow, nice to hear! You would most definitely like those cabbage rolls then. But, as I mention, they are quite time consuming. So, good for a 'special' dinner, or just a relaxing day of cooking. :)

I am currently working on this caesar salad recipe. Well, the croutons tonight, and will throw the rest together tomorrow.

And I am oh, sooo excited to try this delectable dish. I have never tried hominy before. I will have to wait to get most of these ingredients however. until I at least use up more of the huge variety (TVP, nutritional yeats, VWG, and tons more!) of stuff I bought so far. x) I am finding I am craving a lot of fresh veggies dishes more than anything at this point. I can't get over how overly 'regular' I've been since I started! x)

Sorry, TMI, but I felt it ok to share after watching this! ----> Alicia Silverstone. Too funny! x)

Anyway, take care hun. Have a great night. Hope all is well with you and yours. <3

Yes I have tried the homemade butter recipe in baking and cooking and it does just fine! It's not the best to use in frosting unless the cake or cupcakes were kept cold because of Coconut oils low melting point. I honestly like the the homemade butter better than earth balance because of there's no palm oil and after hearing about it I've been trying to avoid it. Awwww man I've been missing ceasar salads I'm gonna have to try that!

So, I wish I could say that the caesar salad was spectacular... but I kind of fudged it a bit! >.< I am a big garlic lover and thought I couldn't use too much. But, I really did. It calls for 3 or 4 cloves of garlic for the dressing. definitely use 3 and pretty small ones. I am aware that straight, raw garlic can be pretty potent, but for some reason I temporarily lost my mind doing this. >.< I had to use all kinds of things to counter-act the strong bite. I used honey, sugar, various dressings I had in the fridge (ranging from sesame seed dressing to Veganaise ) and added more lemon, more salt.. tasting as I went. I ended up having to toss some of it because I just couldn't tame it! :P

Well, after adding a little bit of anything and everything I could think of, it ended up, palatable. But then I still added a little more homemade house dressing to my salad. The croutons... would have been scrumptious also had I not near burned them!

Wow, not sure why but everything just went so wrong today. I am currently eating a bowl after shredding a bit of my rice 'chedder style' cheese into it. And it's not too bad! x)

Please let me know if either of you try this and it works out for you! >.< hunts for store bought vegan Caesar salad dressing online ... nah, just kidding. I won't give up that easily! After all, I bought friggin' capers just for this recipe! hunts for other recipes using capers. ^_^

Also, - I was wondering what you meant by what you heard about palm oil? Was it regarding the destroying of the Rain forests? Or, are you referring to it being a saturated fat? I'm really curious to know! :)

Here is some stuff about palm oil. I'm sure there is palm oil that's ethical, you'll have to do research on it though.

I totally forgot to answer you about the lentils, sorry! yes, we cooked them before hand. It turned out nice. :)

Ok, I read the article. It's funny, I was saying to just about everyone I watched 'Vegucated' with that even if the whole world decided to eat a plant based diet, they (the manufacturers, etc) would find a way to ruin that too. Regardless of what we eat, if someone can make money off of it they are going to 'rape' the source and throw the earth out of balance. As far as animals and their products (including seafood and items made from animals, for me) I can't support it in any way shape or form. It seems a little more immediate regarding animal welfare. But, yes, as that article points out the orangutans are, as a result, affected by the reaping of the palm oils. Wow. makes it hard for me to continue using Earth Balance. Hopefully they will catch wind of it and the general public (the 'conscious' people who generally uses their product ) will demand an alternative for the palm oil that they use.

It is hard to win these days when most corporations are so money hungry. :P We can only do our best when it comes to our food choices in the meantime! ^_^

Hey! c: It's awesome that you are transitioning to being vegan! I've been vegan for more more than a year, and vegetarian for much longer but I never miss any of the old food I liked and found many foods to enjoy instead c:

Yeah. If I remember correctly Daiya used to have palm oil in their shreds but they took it out of the recipe. I could be wrong but I'm too lazy to check. haha I checked it's not in any of the shreds but still in all the wedges.