buzzingtalk

ok so i have been vegetarian for 14 years now. im finally taking the steps towards going vegan, hopefully permenantly. every time i try, i run out of money as it is waaaay expensive to live this way in the uk. when i first stoppped eating meat i was vegan (my best mate was and at age 6, her family supplied me with info) i am gradually doing it - working towards it and also finding out which thing i miss the most and how much things cost to replace!!

week one (nearly over) - give up drinking milk and all egg products
week 2 - give up butter, honey, start giving up cheese (argh!) and other milk products.
week 3 - give up all milk egg products, final wean off cheeese (im an addict)
week 4 - vegan!! (hopefully)

i have done it before, for about a month, then starting getting ill cos i cant afford the right foods. i was jus wonderign if theres any other vegans out there that have any advice on paying for things. milk is easy to replace, as is cheese (i use grated carrot instead its lush) egg is easy cos i dont eat it anyway and honey is easy also. butter is easy as i use soy butter. dont wear make up or leather

also do any of you non meat eaters, how do you find your experiences as a veggie when you travel? i find vegetarianism easy, some people need explaining that i am a proper veggie that DOESNT EAT FISH!! ive been some palces and said im veggie, so they bring out fish i guess im worried about going to asia and trying to maintain veganism - i might have to stop it while i travel this summer and be vegan in the uk for a year to learn more. and to give me more time to study malaysian to explain what i cant eat!!!

yeah long thread. im just really excited and exhilarated at the same time. its somehing ive been building too and was eventually going to do it, so i guess sharing it with you wil spur me on

thoughts/advice/anecdotes appreciated!

buzzingtalk

oh yeah and my dad is really really anti me being veeggie - he just loves meat, any meat, and thinks im denying myself of food. (lies!!) im sure he will be pleased when i go out this year, and have to be a meticulous fussy eater

raoulduke

Sorry I can't help you out. I really love all the things your trying to give up.

Just out of curiosity though what are your reasons for doing it?

...and good luck!

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louse

Well I used to be a "practical" vegan I guess. That's my own term to describe
being practical about it, being practically a vegan. A year ago, I wasn't eating dairy or eggs as such because I didn't like the taste (as well as the fact that I was eating animal products), but I didn't avoid things like cake etc that used these as ingredients.
But then I moved to Holland and just to make life easier I stayed vegetarian but started eating dairy again. I don't think it is bad to be flexible.
I agree that when you are travelling by yourself it is easy to be vegetarian. But when you rely on other people...I always feel guilty and awkward about being so annoying when I am staying at other people's houses.
What exactly is so expensive about being vegan in England? I know you've said that before and I'm curious about the answer. I guess it depends what kind of things you eat. Theoretically, vegetarianism at least can be much cheaper. Especially buying dried beans and lentils and stuff compared to the cost of meat.
Anyhoo, congrats on the decision. When I hit the road again I will go back to my practical veganism I think.
Oh, for anyone who wants to give up eggs... just remember they are chicken's periods!!!!

Joker

SE Asia (specifically Thailand) has a long history of vegetarian cuisine that is remarkably good given the fact that it doesn't include my favorite stuff- pork.

Same goes for parts of India as well.

Bone up on some of the dietary supplements out there, since there are essential vitamins and nutrients like calcium your body has gotten used to via dairy that will need to be replaced.

Be ready to give up many beers, as they are clarified with egg whites (the larger mass-produced beers typically are filtered, but your smaller craft beers are sometimes still). Same goes for refined sugar- usually bleached with animal bone.

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pinknic38

Good luck! Are you doing it for health reasons, or you don't want to eat animal products, or what? My best friend is a veggie cos she's an animal lover and recently informed me that jello was made of horse hooves or something. I was like... whoa.

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joe7f

I guess people are different. Right now all I can think about is how much I want to make myself a hard boiled chicken period with ground black pepper



When I travel I become a little more vegetarian (just because that is what is cheap and available) but I think I also lost a little hair over that fortunately I had a lot to start with. I decided for the future to pack some vitamins.

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buzzingtalk

wicked tips people - ive been vegan for a month of every year as a detox thing, and when i first stopped eating meat at age 6 my best freinds mum (who was strictly vegan all her live) told me about all sorts that even at the age i am now, wouldnt think animal products are in!!!

one weird modern example is dorito's crisps - the blue and red packets are vegetarian approved, but not the orange??? weird.

rauolduke - ok so my reasons for going vegan? well its something ive stood for by personal choice from a very young age and i think the treatment of animals be for dairy or meat is appauling in my country (the uk) and i dont want to be a part of it any more. increasingly theres progammes on tv over here showing you EXACRTLY how your meat is processed and where it comes from etc. and i think it tipped me over the edge watching a cow get slaughtered on tv. it wassn't humane, i think ending the life of an animal before its natural death can in no way be humane, which is why i am veggie. but recently these programmes show how the dairy animals are treated, and granted some of them 'better' than others but i think its horrible that these animals are born into the world with one purpose- to provide milk. i dont mind a small farmer with a few cattle that gives them a humane life (natural as possible - feilds and fresh air please!) milks them, and then when they die eats them, cos thats humane to me. and i dont have a problem with meat eaters...its the way the animals are processed that bugs me. *sigh* long answer! but yes, i don't like the way animals are treated


louse - yeah i think i will have to use personal discrecion at times - when i went to holland last month it was horrible - we were in the centre of amsterdam and i struggled to find anything healthy to eat that was veggie, the only thing i ate in 4 days was falafel and chips. and those looovely waffles i think in certain places, i would be happy to drink milk, or use egg, i wont buy it myself, but if for example i was in a place where that is the natural and only way to support the people there, then fine. if i was on a farm that uses humane milking, ok i will have milk. but in the UK, i refuse to support it. i think it is very very hard to be a 'perfect' vegan - youd have to refuse lifts in cars that have leather interiors, not use certain companies cos they support animal farming etc. confusing!
its expensive over here because i live in london. and EVERYTYHING is fucking over priced in london. where i live, fruit and veg comes at hightly inflated prices, i spent £12 on a weeks worth of fruit and veg last week, and it didnt last me long. there is only a waitrose near me (if anyone knows, its the most expensive supermarket in the uk) so if i need to pop down and get some milk, its gonna cost me £1.50. etc. see where im comming from? and thats for the basics. if i want a cake, im gonna have to pay for egg replacers, which is expensive, etc etc etc. free-from chocoalte buiscuits (vegan) are £1.50!! i dunoo, i just think vegan is the most pure way to live, off plant based foods, yet its the most expensive.
why can a meat eater walk into a supermarket and buy 20 chicken wings for £3 when i have to pay £3 for 2 veggie fillets. oh well im now willing to pay the price (if i can)
but also remember im living on £14 at the moment so i really dont have any money!!!

joker - i dont really drink a lot, i only have one kidney!!! but when i do drink its cider & wine SE Asia is a wicked place to be vegan and veggie- vveg is cheap out there and a staple food, as is rice and basic carbs. i always always loose weight out there and not deliberatley, the food is much better and to my taste than the shit we get out in the uk i dont take suppliments at the moment, you have to be careful with some as they use fish in them!! my trimethaprine i used for years in kidney treatment had fish in it and if my other kideny gets infected, i have to choose between total kidney failure or fishy pills

soory for the long message!!!! just its really really lovely to speak to people who are nice and supportive/curious about it - only one of my mates backs me, and my mum backs me. the rest of them think im making a mistake going vegan its wicked to have some support for once!!!

buzzingtalk

yeah jelly is made with all sorts of dodgy stuff in it. theres lots of things in the supermarket that are made with bits of animals, but they disguise it with funny names to hide it. i bet you your jello pakcet dosent have horse hoof in the ingredients!!

the same with meat - i always wondered why chicken is called chicken, but cow meat is called beef and pig meat is called bacon and gammon or whatever. are people scared of admitting to eat a pig or cow but not a chicken? what result does that name hiding the meat have on your psychology? always wanted to know why this is!!

Joker

Fact: Two largest consumers of horse in the world: The Chinese and Belgians.

Very little horse gelatin goes into the end product any more. More and more synthetics are coming to market, but as of yet they aren't as good as the real thing. Most are heavy chemical-laden lab creations with names for the ingredients that are nearly unpronouncible.

Gelatin is a naturally occurring byproduct of cooking marrow/bones and animal fats. When I make veal stock, the end result is a sticky flavorful broth that cools into something that resembles a big ol' brown jello block.

Cows are raised for milk, steers are raised for beef. Cattle is another plural term for multiple cows/steers. Milking cows make awful beef. The grass that creates nutritious milk makes one damn awful tasting steak. Veal is cattle under 1 year old.

Pigs are raised for pork, and bacon is the cured belly of the oinker. The only thing that a pork chop has in common with bacon is that they both were a part of a pig.

Chicken, as are guinea fowl, turkey, pheasants, etc. are considered poultry. There are many classifications with chicken, like poisson, capon, broiler, fryer, etc. The broiler/fryer designation is used nationwide here in the States, may be different across the pond.

Deer, Elk, Caribou, and the like are all considered venison.

Lamb is sheep under 8 mos old, young mutton is 8-14 or so months old. Mutton is sheep older than that.

You mention kidney problems. I would consult with a real doctor versus a group of internet folks before you make this jump. There are some real risks here that shouldn't be taken lightly. A quick google searge of Renal Failure Vegan gives some cautionary advice. I'd strongly advise consulting a doctor or dietician before making the jump to avoid any issues.

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Misadventures of a Crazed Kitchen Pirate

"Steve is the prototypical cool American male. Y'know, I'm talking about Steve McGarrett, alright? Steve Austin, Steve McQueen. Y'know, he's the guy on his horse, the guy alone. He has his own code of honor, his own code of ethics, his own rules of living, man. He never, ever tries to impress the women but he always gets the girl."

buzzingtalk

You mention kidney problems. I would consult with a real doctor versus a group of internet folks before you make this jump. There are some real risks here that shouldn't be taken lightly. A quick google searge of Renal Failure Vegan gives some cautionary advice. [b]I'd strongly advise consulting a doctor or dietician before making the jump to avoid any issues -


thanks for the advice! my doctor knows about this as i do it every year for a month anyways, and i have pleanty of vegan freinds who give me support. theres shit loads of websites i vist as well, and i have books on how to keep your vitamin levels equal to how you would with meat. i didnt used to care about shit like that, its only in the last 5 years or so i opened up to how much your body is affected by what you eat

with the kidney i had one out 9 years ago cos it failed, i had cystitis from a very young age and it got infected and withered away, so i had it removed before it spread. my main worry is urine infections!!! they give me the fear!!

but excellent answer - is wicked to hear from why the food is called what it is. i always found it weird that it had different names. you eat meat? you seem to know a lot which is good, i htink people should be informed about this stuff.

DC_Jessica

I support you too! (I'm just late on the thread...)

I went full veggie in HS (cripes, 7/8 years ago) when I worked at a Chinese restaurant and proved to my parents that I could indeed eat veggies and soy as a regular part of my diet. Never tried vegan, maybe because my only association with it was an anorexic roommate (eating disorder + eating restrictions = bad bad bad) and I like to "try" things" I was maybe full veggie for 4/5 years before I developed my new eating tradition, which the Post did an article on called "flexitarianism." I loooove trying new stuff (esp. when I travel) and I am also totally opposed to massive wasteful consumerism. The US drives me crazy like that. I would honestly prefer to eat only halal or kosher meats, if any. I never really make a full meal of meat unless it's poultry, but rarely. I just don't have the moral compass in my to do full vegan (plus I chicken periods with feta and spinach ).

I think it's great that you seem to know your stuff about veganism! I would suggest a lot of cooking!! It's healthier even for meat eaters, and saves you a TON of label reading. I'm for it 100%! If we get to meet up in KL, we'll have to get a vegan meal together or sumpin!

Delaney

What is a chicken period? Sorry, probably a dumb question but I have never heard that phrase before

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DC_Jessica

Aww, dammit, I used the joke too late! I carried it too far when everyone else was over it...

joe7f

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Dig

I just thought I would chime in and say what an interesting thread this is! Buzzingtalk, I wish you all the best in going vegan.

I'm thinking about a nice dish of red beans and rice that a local restuarant has here in Lubbock called Jazz. Mmm...

Echeverry

I'm one, see I eat what I want but I imagine it's all tofu Naw I'm kidding, to be honest I do eat normally anything I like I'm not stuck on just eating by some chart instead I eat by hues and I have like my own little list where I define what I like eating and what not, For example I love Soy milk and Bran muffins (yeah I know you guys already knew that but whatever) And I eat that every single day, Then I would eat a fruit salad whenever I please with some sour cream (Yes SOUR Cream) with some fresh brewed iced tea yummy(unsweeted duh! and with lemon)! And by like night I will eat a B& Jerry's Icecream so see I gradually turn from vegan into sudovegan and even sometimes I eat a hamburger (A veggie burger thou) but with sour cream. But I don't do it for the animals I do it cause I find that stuff nasty and oh I do eat fish every once in a while. hehehe I'm still training for my Wonton soup thing. You guys know how insane I am.

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buzzingtalk

Yeah, I know some fucking lush veggie and vegan restaraunts out there. Do you like curry? I know the BEST curry house in the world. EVER. True story.

{I just thought I would chime in and say what an interesting thread this is! Buzzingtalk, I wish you all the best in going vegan.

I'm thinking about a nice dish of red beans and rice that a local restuarant has here in Lubbock called Jazz. Mmm...}

that sounds lush! i love beans, they are my main source of protein, and can use them in anything. 10 bean chilli, put them cooked in salads, mix with cous cous or rice, stuff a pepper full of them...ahh im lucky i quite like cooking. theres something sinister about nuking ready made food (microwave). lucky at my mums we never had a microwave so all food is cooked fresh

[I'm one, see I eat what I want but I imagine it's all tofu Naw I'm kidding, to be honest I do eat normally anything I like I'm not stuck on just eating by some chart instead I eat by hues...]

well im going to be doing something similar - ill be using discretion at times, if i am travelling, for example in holland, ill have to cos everything in amsterdam is non vegan. i challange you to find something cheap and quick out there that i can eat in the same place as my meat eating family thats vegan!! i willNEVER eat meat, fish or gelatine. those three things are my line. ill have a drop of milk if theres no soya, ill occasionally have a cake if its got egg...i think with me the main thing is to stop buying things with animal products in myself. it is also a good cleansing process, and i find the first week of going vegan you feel liek crap and have no energy and are grouchy as fuck. but after that, your full of NATURAL energy. plus ill loose some weight cos most british food with refined sugar in it also has some sort of animal product with it too.

plus im not clever enough (or have a good enough memory) to remember allll of the names for food, ill stick to what i know, continue to cook for myself rather than use ready meals, and use discrecion at times of doubt.

louse

Hey thanks for that explanation about why it is so expensive. It is really stupid that vegan stuff is so dear... or alternatively, that dead animals are so cheap! Life is so undervalued...
But in certain ways, making your own stuff can save a bit of money... like making your own veggie burgers in bulk from heaps of lentils or split peas and grated/finely sliced veggies, then just chuck them in the freezer.
In my family, with the types of meals we ate, we found vegetarianism much cheaper. But we never bought the very processed products, more like we used chickpeas and splitpeas etc in place of meat. I am the only vegetarian in my family but we ate vegetarian most of the time because not just because it was easier, and I cooked a lot of the time, but it was also cheaper! Unrelated, but my mum is a coeliac and can't eat any gluten and lots of other stuff, and we didn't really have any problems with doing that as well as vegetarianism. So it is stupid when people act as though special diets are so difficult

And I agree with you about the microwave thing. I always say that I am "cancerating" my food when I microwave it.


Umm... well it's just kind of an analogy that I heard once and thought was funny... kind of gross to explain it. But anway, a girl's period is the basically an egg coming down and not being fertilized, and a chicken also has eggs and when they aren't fertilised, we eat them...kind of... yeah... makes sense in my head

MeTurk

I love meat but I hate industrialised farming. Luckily where I live the farmers sell direct to the butcher and there's allot of organic farmers in the area, so the cattle lives well up to the point of death. I could never justify giving up meat for the good of the animal though, if we don't eat meat then cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep become endangered animals overnight. They depend on us eating them to survive. They also get a nicer death to say that of a pack of wild dogs and free health care.

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