Hi, I'm Harumi. I'm an RN currently living in Missouri, but from all over the world.

I used to be the enemy. I had two veg roommates in college who I thought were crazy. I was convinced I could never give up meat, milk or cheese. I even had an anti-veg rant. Last September I lost a bunch of stubborn weight on a very heavily animal-laden Atkins-type diet. I started reading books about organic, sustainable meat and my book trail eventually led me to treatises on vegetarianism, veganism and animal rights.Slowy I began to realize that even though I had lost that weight that I could no longer eat the animal products that had helped me to do so. I went Vegetarian in November and resolved to go Vegan in Jan. I LOVE being vegan. It makes me feel so free and light. I did cheat a little bit (nothing blatantly over the top, mostly accidents common for newbies....label reading fails...and stuff with trace nonvegan elements--but cheating nonetheless). The one I felt worst about is the fact that my boss has a dish of milk chocolate I would dip into, esp on more stressful days. But I just finished watching Mercy for Animals' new video and now that candy dish just looks totally disgusting. I bought my own vegan chocolate and bring it to work with me now.

I'mglad I found this forum and hope it will be a good resource for me. Any tips from veterans regarding the use of this forum and veganism in general?