How Vegan Are You?
Before I was pregnant, I considered myself completely vegan. After being on here and reading more about the choices of other people (this was almost 4 years ago - I now label myself vegetarian - I ate cheese all through my pregnancy), I realize I probably wasn't completely vegan. I didn't eat dairy or eggs, but in restaurants, I ate bread, baked products, ate chocolate, etc., and didn't read the label on all items I bought. I actually don't eat dairy or eggs now, but realize I can't truly call myself vegan. (Yes, I just ate a Reese's Pieces out of my daughter's halloween bag!)
This might sound like an ignorant question, but how hard is it to be a completely TRUE vegan? Isn't it impossible to eat at restaurants? Have relatives and friends been supportive when eating out or at holidays?
Funny--as many times as I've read that, I never put the "unreasonable and irrational" together with "religious ideologies." I always took it to mean that adding in other ideologies muddies the waters of "what is vegan?" for the newbies (sort of like when people began to worry that high fructose corn syrup wasn't vegan because so many vegwebbers made a big deal of avoiding it).
I read it a bunch of times, too, and each time it was a head-scratcher. I'll put it down to a poorly constructed sentence and paragraph that it should be used as an example of how not to write. I associated the sentiment because of the semi-colon.
The vast majority of people in our society have no problem gnawing on an actual chicken leg. Yet we make an issue of honey, despite the fact that insects and other animals are killed in the process of planting, raising, harvesting, and transporting our vegan food. It is no wonder that many people dismiss us as unreasonable and irrational when they are told (or when it is implied by our actions) that they must not eat veggie burgers cooked on the same grill with meat, drink wine, take photographs, use medications, etc.; some vegans even tack on other political or religious ideologies.
Yikes!
Being vegan is super easy. I don't know what the fuss is about.... I don't even think twice about it!
The way I look at it is every step is a step. Sometimes we step forward, sometimes we step back, but the fact that we endeavor to reach the higher ideals we have set for ourselves, speaks volumes to the world in and of itself.
Everyone is at different places on the vegan path and I think all of those places are equally respectable. Just because some people don't struggle with choices doesn't mean there aren't those that do struggle very hard.
I guess it's just a silly question for me "how vegan are you". It's all so individual. I mean, just because I make someone makes one choice right now today, doesn't mean they'll make that same choice tomorrow.
I think the point is, lovies, that we try, that we learn, that we grow, that we accept fallbacks with grace and wisdom and persevere from there.
Being vegan is super easy. I don't know what the fuss is about.... I don't even think twice about it!
I periodically go vegan, or more vegan and I don't find it so easy because my eating patterns aren't quite in alignment with the no-dairy thing. But I've had people say "I don't know how you live without meat" and my answer is the same to them as your post. So it's all horses for courses - or not ;)
I'm a level five vegan.
I won't eat anything that casts a shadow.
Most of you are probably just simple level three and level four vegans.
Don't worry... I don't judge.
I'm a level five vegan.
I won't eat anything that casts a shadow.
Most of you are probably just simple level three and level four vegans.
Don't worry... I don't judge.
Pop culture reference appreciated.
Not eating anything that casts a shadow is fairly easy (and I don't just mean eating in total darkness), because all essential macro- and micro-nutrients are nearly transparent, microscopic in size, and can be diluted in enough clear liquid so as to cast no visible shadow. Furthermore, you can survive without "eating" at all - you can get all your nutrients injected into later stages of your digestive system (or intravenously). But avoiding all economic contact with anything that is taxed, subsidized, or regulated by the government - now that takes a serious effort! ;)
i'm only level 4...i feel lame. haha
Everyone is at different places on the vegan path and I think all of those places are equally respectable. Just because some people don't struggle with choices doesn't mean there aren't those that do struggle very hard.
I really liked your whole post, but this paragraph really stood out. I've explained to my boyfriend many times that sometimes I feel guilty that going vegan was so easy for me. I've been vegetarian for a long time, so meat wasn't an issue. And then I figured out I was lactose-intolerant, so giving up dairy was sooo easy. For 2 seconds I was tempted, and then I thought "self, do you want your intestines stripped of their lining?" I mean, it was easy to give up milk/cheese/yogurt, because it was physically making me sick. If it weren't for that, I feel like I would have experienced what a lot of vegans do, and miss cheese. The rest of veganism fell into place almost immediately.
So, I try to remember that there are vegans that didn't fall into their decisions and struggled with temptation, and I truly respect you guys. I'm watching my boyfriend try to give up dairy now to become vegan, and I feel bad that he's struggled some. He's trying to hard, and we're taking it a day at a time!
I'm a level five vegan.
I won't eat anything that casts a shadow.
Most of you are probably just simple level three and level four vegans.
Don't worry... I don't judge.
Pop culture reference appreciated.
Not eating anything that casts a shadow is fairly easy (and I don't just mean eating in total darkness), because all essential macro- and micro-nutrients are nearly transparent, microscopic in size, and can be diluted in enough clear liquid so as to cast no visible shadow. Furthermore, you can survive without "eating" at all - you can get all your nutrients injected into later stages of your digestive system (or intravenously). But avoiding all economic contact with anything that is taxed, subsidized, or regulated by the government - now that takes a serious effort! ;)
Can you post one thing without injecting google search results into a conversation?
How do you talk to people in real life?
You're quite scary.
I don't think he talks to people in real life... isn't it obvious? I think people would run screaming once he opened his mouth and started spiting his typical crazy garbage
I'm a level five vegan.
I won't eat anything that casts a shadow.
YOU MEAN YOU DON'T POCKET MULCH?!
I've been vegan for twenty-two years now as far as I'm humanly capable of. Of course, even vegans inadvertently harm animals in an economic sense. You just do the best that you can and hope for the best.
I consider my self a "laid back" vegan.
Meaning, I don't eat any animal products or buy clothes made out of animals, but I still have a pair of leather shoes my mom bought me years ago, and sometimes i stir my food and my boyfriends non-vegan food with the same wooden spoon.
There are way more important things to get stressed out about in life, honestly. I agree with everyone who is saying stay away from labels and stay true to yourself.
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