New in every aspect...help!

[politicalmonty]

So, I've only been a vegetarian for 15 weeks...so far, I'm loving it! I'm a lacto-ovo... Anyhow, I'm trying to make the next step to veganism. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make a small, yet large, step?

Thanks!

[Tweety]

Well you can just go cold "tofurkey" and just pick a day and there you are.  But everyone's lifestyle is different, some people live at home, some live in college campuses, some have unsupporitive spouses that will always eat meat, others like me live alone.  

But we all are in control of our own individual destinities and what we put in our mouths.

Or you could transition by taking a look at what you cook and what you buy and make changes.  My transition to veganism took about a year or so, since to me being vegan is a lifestyle.  First I decided to eliminate all animal products from my home-cooked meals.  I bought cookbooks and started cooking.  I'm a cookbook junkie, but there are plenty of great recipes on the internet, the best site being this one.

At the same time, one by one, product by product I switched to vegan options.  I now use all plant based cleaners in my home, use a brand of soap called "Veganu", use soy-based candles, have a vegan wallet from "the Vegan Collection", vegan belts, and vegan shoes (love my Earth shoes), use vegan supplements,  etc. etc.  

Then finally about two months ago, I took the plunge and decided I was going to start eating vegan when I went out and completely eliminate all animal products.  It's a process, I unknowingly ate cheese in a pizza crust once, and I completely forgot myself and drank some tea with cream in it.  

Good luck.  We're hear to support you in anyway possible.  Please share your journey with us.

[faylinameir]

Most people I talk to suggest getting rid of milk products first. For me its the only thing holding me back, I love my cheese and just can't find anything close to the real thing in taste. But I agree with tweety everyone is different.

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Please check out my new recipe : Easy Vegan Caramel Sauce Let me know what you think!

[Tweety]

Cheese is just one of those things when you go vegan you have to make up your mind that you're just going to do without.  It's one of those "too bad so sad no cheese" kind of things.  I do miss it cause I love cheese and pizza, and everything.  There really isn't a good substitute.  When I get weak, I think of the cows.  There's plenty of good Youtube vids about the cruelty of the dairy industry to motivate you. 

[hespedal]

my advice would be to to try veganize all of your favorite things to eat. when i went vegan i would just look up "vegan ______" (which is how i came across vegweb!) and find a nice recipe and try it out. it's also fun to try new products and such.

i also always suggest re-focusing your diet on produce, if you can. it's the healthier, cheaper alternative with no label reading!

[politicalmonty]

You guys are amazing! I already feel a sense of community here. Awesome! I just took myself out on a date and went to the artsy/cultured area of downtown. I had myself a vegan burrito. It's technically a veggie burrito, but I asked for no cheese, making it vegan. Black bean hummus on the burrito - delicious! I could get used to this lifestyle.

I forgot to mention that I don't use a lot of milk. I use soy milk for my cereal and just to drink. Once I learn how to cook, I'll check out milk alternatives because I hear soy milk isn't the best for cooking/baking. I dunno, like I said, it's all new to me. Thanks for your help!

[faylinameir]

Cheese is just one of those things when you go vegan you have to make up your mind that you're just going to do without.  It's one of those "too bad so sad no cheese" kind of things.  I do miss it cause I love cheese and pizza, and everything.  There really isn't a good substitute.  When I get weak, I think of the cows.  There's plenty of good Youtube vids about the cruelty of the dairy industry to motivate you. 

yeah i know I'm eating up whats left in the fridge and then I'm try to go no cheese for good, we'll see how it goes! Eggs were suprisingly easy to give up. I actually like baking without them even more. I'm just a cooking freak though 

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Please check out my new recipe : Easy Vegan Caramel Sauce Let me know what you think!

[Tweety]

yeah i know I'm eating up whats left in the fridge and then I'm try to go no cheese for good, we'll see how it goes! Eggs were suprisingly easy to give up. I actually like baking without them even more. I'm just a cooking freak though 

woo hoo!  Dr. Bernard in his book "breaking the food addiction" presented research that dairy is addicting and I believe it.  Good luck!   The good thing is that if you're a cooking freak then finding and cooking lots of good vegan stuff is going to be fun and easy.  Just don't spend a lot of time looking for that elusive cheese substitute, because it's an exercise in futility. 

[Living Dead Girl]

Hurrah! for your 15 weeks! That is truly awesome!

I am new to this community, just one day, and new to veganism, as of 10/13/09. I had never been anything but an omnivore before 10/13, but I did not feel very good, my tummy was always bloated, yada yada. Well, what spurred me on to go vegan was an interview on The View with Alicia Silverstone. It made sense, the food looked great. I had to do it all at once, because lingering on cheese would lead me into damnation!

 Anywho, I know I am not helping much, but maybe if you just do without dairy/eggs for one week. Make that commitment and go from there.

Chips and cheese were at the top of my food pyramid. I don't have the luxury of eliminating meat/dairy/eggs from my cupboards because there are 4 omnivores living here, too. I will confess that I think about cheese...alot, but have not cheated. I have also eliminated white flour and white sugar, as well as, cut way back on nigtshade veggies, tomatoes, white potatoes, peppers and eggplant (I hated eggplant anyway). The point is, is that, I am really doing this and if I can do it, ANYONE can!

Try the week, when you feel weak and tempted, log on to this site and read some posts or connect with someone here.

And good luck!

(ps - Alicia's book is The Kind Diet, that helped me, too.)

[faylinameir]

yeah i know I'm eating up whats left in the fridge and then I'm try to go no cheese for good, we'll see how it goes! Eggs were suprisingly easy to give up. I actually like baking without them even more. I'm just a cooking freak though 

woo hoo!  Dr. Bernard in his book "breaking the food addiction" presented research that dairy is addicting and I believe it.  Good luck!   The good thing is that if you're a cooking freak then finding and cooking lots of good vegan stuff is going to be fun and easy.  Just don't spend a lot of time looking for that elusive cheese substitute, because it's an exercise in futility. 

hehe oh i know. We're making the 2 hour drive to whole foods here in a few weeks, I figure I'd buy some soy cheese and rice cheese and see how we like it,last time though the stuff i bought tasted like carbboard... ick!. Most likely I'll just give up cheese. I've been reading about Dr. McDougalls theory about carbs make you lose weight if you eat the right ones, and fat of almost any kind is bad. Thats probably one of the reasons I'm not covetting cheese as much as I was before. I'm just not gonna throw it out, it was rather expensive stuff

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Welcome LivingdeadGirl I used to be vegan about a year or whatever ago and then when i quit smoking i started craving/eating meat again. I haven't had any meat products for about a month now and I'm very happy with it. I feel more satisfied and its amazing. Although i haven't stopped completely, the cheese which im trying to get rid of is still from milk 


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Please check out my new recipe : Easy Vegan Caramel Sauce Let me know what you think!

[Living Dead Girl]

Hello again, Fay! PS - My name is Jane, I just like Rob Zombie, hence the nickname, mmm... but sometimes I feel like a living dead girl.


I have tried all those cheeses and yuck. What I do like, is the tofutti cream cheese. I use that in small quantities in my burritos or on pizza because it gets creamy when melted. The other solid "cheeses" are not desirable. I still dream about cheese.

I also have a 2 hour drive to whole foods, but my local Wegman's does have a nice selection of vegan stuff, just not alot of organic veggies.

Super that you quit smoking!!! I have never smoked. But your body must be thanking you!

And yes, I thought the same thing about carbs. I thought carbs and veggies were bloating me, uh uh, it was all the freaking dairy.

Good luck!

[Vexierspiegel]

Cheese. This is the only reason I am not completely vegan. Soy milk I actually prefer over regular milk for the taste (and I don't notice any difference when baking with it). I love tofutti cream cheese, I like soy yogurts. I make a tofu sour cream (recipe on this site) that I like just fine. The big problem is cheese. I love cheese. My favorite favorite lunch is always a thick slice of good bread, fresh carrots, a fresh fruit of some sort... and sharp cheddar cheese. All eaten separately and plain. It's my inner German. I just can't give up cheese. I've tried. I can even deal with soy cheeses if they're on a sandwich or something... but it's those times when I just need a nice square of cheese, eaten plain, that I can't do it. I live with an omni, but he's lactose intolerant, so there's little dairy in the house anyway (because he has no self control ), but cheese is my weakness.

[Chef Don]

  Have you tried the veggie shreds from Giant Martin's or Food Lion, we use them on tacos (tvp of course).  They come in cheddar and mozzarella. It does not melt bubbly but does OK on pasta bakes and the like.  Also veggie slices come in swiss and provolone flavors if you can find them.  One slice with pizza sauce on half an english muffin toasted for lunch doesn't break the bank on calories.
Don

[little2ant]

I don't think veggie shreds are vegan. They have casein

Chips and CHeez! you can still enjoy them. they are still at the bottom of my food pyramid. Try this recipe. YOu will be amazed!

I got this off of veganlunchbox.com.   


makes about 2 cups

2 cups water
1/4 cup raw cashews
One 4 oz. jar pimentos, drained
1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin, heaping

Combine all ingredients and blend until completely smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium saucepan and whisk constantly over medium heat until thickened, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Serve as a dip with tortilla chips and vegetables.

[amymylove]

Jane what is the reasoning for not eating "nightshade vegetables"? I googled it but don't quite get it... I think all veggies r good for u... I do agree eggplant is disgusting!