Well, I guess you are a vegetarian for real then! :D Welcome! :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

I agree---NO gelatin!

We have 2 Violins! :o

Where's a cello when you need it? ;)

VIOLINS rock!! (btw.. Jenn's my student) :D

Right now I'm a semi-vegetarian since I'm still eating poultry and fish occasionally. I gave up red meat two months ago and plan to make the switch to lacto-ovo within the next couple of months.

Don't know if I could ever go fully vegan since I love cheese, but we shall see.

I am an ovo-lacto veg. I have not eaten meat in almost 3 years, but I did eat fish and seafood for about 6 months into it. Sometimes, I really want to eat fish again but I do not struggle with anything else. I do think that too much cheese has contributed to my weight gain this past year. I am trying to be much healthier in my food choices in this new year, as I have realized (with my recent trip to a scale and to purchase new clothes!!) that vegetarian does NOT equal healthy and fit!!

I think I am a Semi-vegetarian.
nice classification , by the way

I am vegan, although I just started this new way of life after reading Dr. Furhman's "Eat to Live." I eat mainly fruit, vegetables, tofu and beans and whole grains which I try to keep to max 2 servings per day. I have been losing weight and I feel great. I consider myself vegan 95% of the time because if I am going out for dinner or on vacation I don't make a big fuss whether something I am eating contains eggs, dairy, etc. This works for me because my decision to become vegan was for health reasons rather than moral ones.

I'm about 90% vegan. On the weekends it's hard for me to eat healthy, so my 'treat', rather than something carb-heavy or sugary is fish... LOVE love shellfish. I might have it once a week or so. And occasionally I'll have eggs. but mostly I eat fruits, veggies, legumes, some soy, and vegan healthy fats.

I used to be a junk food vegan, buying all the frozen goodies at WF, like 'vegan pizza bites' and 'mac and chreese', and Tofutti. Omg, ok... even my carnivore DBF LOVES Tofutti.

Since veganism is based on the elimination of all animal products from the diet, how can one be 90% vegan?

I was wondering the same thing myself? I think either one is or one isnt vegan or vegetarian.

I am not entirely sure if I should use the title vegan. I eat completely vegan however I do still use leather items I had prior to eliminating animal products from my diet.

I am torn as to wether or not to throw away the items or just use them until they are worn out and replace with non animal products. specifically I am talking about a pair of Dr. Martens I have had for a long time and an wallet I have had for 3 years. I do feel a bit like a hypocrite but do not want to be wasteful either.

I've been a vegan since last September and I had the same struggle deciding what to do with my leather items (specifically my Doc Martens and my leather watch strap). I decided to keep using the items because tossing them didn't seem very vegan either! When they wear our, I'll get vegan replacements. My sister gave her leather items away when she became a vegan.

As long as you aren't buying NEW leather stuff, I think you can definitely call yourself a vegan!

Veganism is based on the belief and philosophy that involves embracing a cruelty- free lifestyle.

It's pretty clearly defined, really. Vegans don't EVER use animals for their own purposes (food or otherwise) where it can be safely avoided. I state that qualifier, because people often have to take medications that are tested on animals or have some animal ingredients, and these may be needed for survival, when all other alternatives have been exhausted.

Food choices are the area in which free people have much choice. Vegans choose not to consume animal products, at all.

I have heard people say, and I agree, that leather goods you had before you became vegan don't need be thrown away unless you feel strongly about it. Like SoulBliss said being vegan means embracing a cruelty-free lifestyle, what cruely to animals is prevented from you throwing out something you purchased before? None, so unless those leather goods really bother you I agree you should just keep them until the wear out and buy non-animal products to replace them in the future. Or like betsy said her sister did, you can always give them away then you aren't using them but they aren't wasted plus it could save them from purchasing that item in the near future.

:yes: ^^ Agreed! Why waste something you already purchased or were given prior to veganism? Unless one can afford to donate the item and purchase a vegan one, it is more sensible to keep the thing and use it until it wears out. ;)

I am an Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian. I can't give up eggs and dairy products, tried it, became VERY ill (that's with using replacements like soy milk), so it's more for my health. Plus no animals are killed in the process which makes me feel much better about it.

I get so many people who rag on me for being a Veggie ESPECIALLY family, and the whole, "well why don't you eat seafood, that's not meat" really gets to me. It IS meat, it was living, and that's all that matters. Plus it tastes gross. ;)

I used to think that no animals were killed in egg/dairy industry, but when I did research I was horrified to find out the truth. I only mention this because you might not know that. :)

Dairy cows do have a very short lifespan and when they have filled up their usefulness (within a couple years of their life), they are slaughtered for meat. Same goes for chickens. Both also aren't treated very well during their short life. It is a shame. I do think dairy though isn't the best for our health but eggs aren't so bad. Although I gave up dairy/eggs/meat for health reasons, not for animal rights reasons.

It is also possible to avoid soy and give up dairy. I actually eat very little soy and usually it is in the form of tofu or edamame. Again, just FYI. I believe everyone has a choice in the food they eat. Not eating meat is a big step for many so I'm happy for those that can choose that path.

Just wanted to add that I was very much like you with the dairy cows/chickens for eggs for a long time. Even before switching to vegetarian I really thought California was full of "happy cows". I watched a few documentaries and read up on how they're actually treated - quite frankly it's just as bad as those that are slaughtered. It's something you have to decide for yourself and whatever you decide is your decision alone. As far as the health concerns did you talk to a nutritionist about why you were ill with no dairy/eggs? From what I can tell we can replace everything that they provide via other food or even supplements.
Please don't take this as an attack, just something to think about.

I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian. Like it this way - ain't changing a thing!

Ovo-lacto, organic/free range only. It's not so much animal cruelty as I took an environmental biology class and found out the impact farming animals for food has on the environment, particularly greenhouse gases (methane). I don't eat fish (this was hard), it's almost imposible to really know if it was caught in a low impact way, farmed shrimp and other fish are actually as bad or worse for the environment.
Ok I'll get off my :soap:.

Vegan!!!

vegan, dear.

I am a semi, but my hubby is a strict no meater. I love seafood and just can't give it up, though.

vegan!

A few months ago I reverted to my "roots" as an ovo-lacto vegetarian, which lifestyle I followed for decades until the year my mother died when for a variety of reasons, I decided to eat meat for a period of time. That period has now ended and so that's my answer to the question lol: ovo lacto

took the words right out of my mouth...
 

mamakaydee, who I don't even think is on this board any more, summed up what I think (below)... I qualify as "semi" - I am a strict lacto/ovo (free-range/organic when I eat milk & eggs)... BUT I eat fish, and I try to always make good choices about which kinds from here: [OK, I was told I can't post links yet, so if you are interested you will have to search for Monterey Bay Aquarium's seafood watch pages - VERY useful if you are a conscientious fish/shellfish-eater]

My biggest concern is not supporting an industry that I despise - factory farming. Beyond caring about how the animals feel, I just think that consuming some tortured beast just *can't* be good for anyone.

I haven't eaten beef/pork/chicken, etc for more than 20 years - but in principle, I have less concerns about an animal raised and slaughtered humanely (still, it's icky and I have no desire to eat meat) than milk from a high-output dairy or eggs from chickens crammed in small cages.

Ugh - but I married a carnivore. So I am just pushing to pay the big bucks for the organic, free-range meat when we must purchase it ... it's like the universe is testing my convictions!!

Hello all I am new and a new vegetarian- I went Lacto vegetarian right after Thanksgiving= I had previously given up red meat 3years ago and only ate Poultry and Fish- Now I am done with meat.
I met the most beautiful healthy person who had gone Vegan and I want her health and radiance so I am planning on giving up cheese soon...Although I have to admit an addiction to it even though I Have been Lactose intolerant since birth...

Starting today, I am back to being Ovo-lacto. I was a vegetarian for two years but stopped due to iron deficiency anemia. I was the lazy type who ate granola and fruit and wasn't into tofu, veggies, or beans; its a wonder I lasted two years. I am back now with tons of tofu, bean, and veggie foods I enjoy and look forward to getting back to being a vegetarian for the new year. I'm so glad I've made this choice and I'm tracking my macro/micro nutrients to make sure I'm getting enough so no anemia this time.

Hi. Is anybody here doing vegan right now?

There are quite a few vegans around here. Myself included. :)

Hi Shanaigans! "Powered by tofu" lol that is so funny!

Nice to meet you.

hi
im happy to see other vegetarians here! i have been vegetarian for over 30 years. so thats effortless for me now. as a kid, i hid meat in napkins and fed pets under the table. i never liked it.
i have been struggling to go vegan for a year now. much of the year i have avoided milk products (which was the only animal product in my diet AND im allergic.) cheese has really been my downfall. i like pizza, taco bell and grilled cheese sandwiches.

we visited DC last summer and i was thrilled to be able to get a pizza with soy cheese in a restaurant. thats unheard of where i live!

i have been married 11 years and originally, my husband was also a long time vegetarian. a few years ago when the fish studies came out, he began eating fish. i hate the smell of it. now when we walk by fishtanks i ask him if he is getting hungry. lol. thats bad. i usually dont preach to anyone. but now i wish the vegetarianism had been in our wedding vows.
;)

when i go off the deep end, i live on things like soda and chips and brownies!
when im in control, i dont even have any sugar in the house. i only use agave nectar and chocolate sweetened with grains. im so much happier that was, but stress and conflict will have me driving out to get high carb foods at all hours.

i would really value any advice about how to manage that!:?:
im currently out of control!
thanks!
kitten

Welcome kitten.

Regarding cheese, it used to be one of my most favorite things but I haven't had it in over a year and I don't miss it at all. You can still have bean burritos from taco bell :) I eat cheeseless pizza sometimes and avocado/hummus sandwiches are better than any grilled cheese.

Well, I am a vegan by birth.
Nice to meet you all vegans.

Ohh so jealous foodieUS!!

I'm jealous too, i'd love to be vegan by birth :)

I'm on my way to being vegan. I generally eat vegan food - I don't eat any eggs or dairy directly anymore, but I have food I've already bought before hand which have eggs and/or milk as part of the ingredients, so I'm still eating them purely so the food doesn't go to waste, however from now on I check the ingredients when I buy food. It's a bit of a pain but I've only been shopping once since attempting the change so I'm hoping I'll get more used to it.