Still learning and lost
Posted by asweetpea83 on Apr 11, 2009 · Member since Apr 2009 · 21 posts
I am new to learning the different types. My fiancee and I both want to work to vegan..but it has been difficult..Knowing what foods to cook, the best substitutes, staples to have in the cupboard, making sure we get all the necessary vitamins and minerals, and what not. Any help for the nOObs? :):) I'd greatly appreciate it. I am the primary cook, cleaner, shopper, etc. and really need some ideas how to help with the transition and getting rid of each thing in our diet that we want to.
I would much appreciate it!!!!
One easy suggestion is to make a list of your current favorite foods/recipes and then find vegan recipes for them on this sight. There is pretty much everything you can imagine here and if you have a particular omni recipe that you love and don't know how to make the substitutions to make it vegan...post it in the food section of the message board asking for help...you will most likely get your answer and then some. :)
Hm...Didn't even think of that. I do search the recipes on here frequently..
I actually read a book that scared the .... out of me and I hate the thought of AC. It makes me :'( so yeah. Neither of us are big omnis either way..
Thanks :):)
Sounds like a smart idea...Brainstorm time :D
I actually read a book that scared the .... out of me and I hate the thought of AC. It makes me :'( so yeah. Neither of us are big omnis either way..
This confuses me...
but anyway,
If you are already accustomed to the vegetarian lifestyle, making the switch shouldn't pose any problems. There are vegan recipes for EVERYTHING (I think), as well as substitutes. I don't know what book you read, but The Vegan Sourebook is a great resource to have, as well as maybe a few popular vegan cookbooks: Joy of Vegan Baking and Veganomicon, to name a few. Earth Balance, Vegenaise, and soy/almond/rice milk are great substitutes. Some good staples: pastry flour, wheat flour, Florida Crystals unrefined sugar, dried beans, canned beans, different rices, pastas, agave syrup, molasses, nutritional yeast, oils, and lots of fresh produce. Your possibilities are endless.
I'll direct you to the review of meat substitute vegan products: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=24055.0
dairy substitute vegan products: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=24336.0
and vegan ice cream: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=22710.0
There are a few other review threads, also.
I read the book skinny b**** haha.
oh i think you meant the AC part..there was a section of the book on animal cruelty..I tend to abbreviate a lot..Sorry :-[
Oh..and thank you :):) I'm such a scatter today..we had to take our cat to the vet and I havent heard anything about her yet..so I'm a little out there today
Oh, no problem! I knew you weren't talking about me, but I couldn't figure it out. I hope you hear something back, soon!!
So do I! She had a fever of 105 and wasnt eating or drinking and was vomiting :( shes 10 years old so im a little worried
lol...for some reason I knew AC stood for "animal cruelty" I feel like the woman on Sleepless in Seattle who knew what the little girl was talking about whenever she abbreviated words....ykwim?
Im sorry to hear about your cat. I hope she will be okay. I know I freak out big time when my babies are sick....
AC made some good suggestions. Check out those links for sure and stick around this board...you will pick up plenty of tips!
I just got off the phone with the vet. Pippie is stable.....but her temperature went down to 103 then back up to 103.5..and she is extremely anemic...
We might have to take her to a teaching school (mspca angell) and have a bone marrow test and a blood transfusion.. :'(
Welcome and best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery for your kitty!
Now, foods and staples. When things run out, like say a tub of Parkay Margarine, buy instead Earth Balance Margarine. When you notice you are out of creamer buy Silk soy creamer. There are fantastic substitutes for darn near everything and as AC (Ally) posted we even have product reviews. Below are a list of my common use items.
Mayo = Veganaise
Cream Cheese = Better Than Cream Cheese by Tofutti
Sour Cream = Better than Sour Cream by Tofutti
Deli Slices = Tofurky Peppered slices or LiteLife Bologna
Bacon = LiteLife Smart Bacon
Ground Beef Crumbles = Gimme Lean Burger (in a tube shape and refrigerated) or MorningStar Farms frozen Burger Crumbles
Look into recipes with beans. As they are a wonderful protein source and taste great!
Good luck!
Deli Slices = Tofurky Peppered slices or LiteLife Bologna
Bacon = LiteLife Smart Bacon
I still have an arse load of Litelife coupons if anyone wants me to send you them....
Yay coupons..I love coupons! ;D thank you for the links everyone!! and the tips. I do appreciate it
Never under-estimate the power of spices! Alittle garlic always livens things up! Start small and expand your collection. Right now, I have a love for sweet smoked paprika! Went through a mesquite phase too!
This household LOVES garlic.. :> Our roommate loooooves hot and spicy! puts spicy things on everything! haha. I should see what we have so far and do trials and errrors
This household LOVES garlic.. :> Our roommate loooooves hot and spicy! puts spicy things on everything! haha. I should see what we have so far and do trials and errrors
sorry for the double post :-D it logged me out and said it didnt post it..then did..hmm
I highly recommend getting a copy of the book, Animal Ingredients A-Z. At first, it seems like nothing is vegan, but it's a huge help in knowing all the weird, hidden animal ingredients in things.
thank you! I will definately have to get it.
Welcome and best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery for your kitty!
Now, foods and staples. When things run out, like say a tub of Parkay Margarine, buy instead Earth Balance Margarine. When you notice you are out of creamer buy Silk soy creamer. There are fantastic substitutes for darn near everything and as AC (Ally) posted we even have product reviews. Below are a list of my common use items.
Mayo = Veganaise
Cream Cheese = Better Than Cream Cheese by Tofutti
Sour Cream = Better than Sour Cream by Tofutti
Deli Slices = Tofurky Peppered slices or LiteLife Bologna
Bacon = LiteLife Smart Bacon
Ground Beef Crumbles = Gimme Lean Burger (in a tube shape and refrigerated) or MorningStar Farms frozen Burger Crumbles
Look into recipes with beans. As they are a wonderful protein source and taste great!
Good luck!
You don't have to go for substitutes if you don't want to, though. For those listed, mayo subs well with soft tofu or just an oil and vinegar dressing in many cases, I use tahini instead of cream cheese quite often, strips of pan-fried shiitake mushroom in place of bacon, lentils instead of soya mince/burger crumbles...
Definitely go for the nuts, beans, seeds, grains, and legumes. Some people like subs, but I just think that incessantly reminding yourself of the fact that you're giving something up is counterproductive. Surely it's far better to branch out and embrace the 'real foods' rather than clinging to old habits?