Any vegetarians or vegens out there?

[hammerfanatic]

This post is mostly for my kids sake. My teen-age daughters have decided to go vegen. Not totally, since they still allow themselves cheese, milk and eggs. But all other animal products are strictly taboo. You'd be surprised how many "hidden" animal products are in our foods today. I've just started on my research, and at one point told them "Well girls, it looks like you're going to starve!" Ha-ha. I've sworn off all meats myself, but seafood for right now, because I know seafood t is very digestible to humans, unlike beef, chicken & pork. I've always enjoyed the garden and boca burgers, and all the tasty "meaty" treats that are offered from the vegetarian labels and such. I'm not the fanatic about this that my girls are, but I totally commend there committment to convert to vegetarian/vegenism. It's just alot more work for me, with the research I'm having to do and all, and coming up with tasty things for them to eat that are totally vegetarian. They are ex/McDonald's, Burger King fast food junkies, so it has been quite a switch for them!! I've ordered a vegen cookbook which I hope will help. Anyone else have any insight, suggestions, or just valuable experiences along these lines? Appreciate hearing from y'all!!

[jodieca]

hammerfanatic said:

This post is mostly for my kids sake. My teen-age daughters have decided to go vegen. Not totally, since they still allow themselves cheese, milk and eggs. But all other animal products are strictly taboo. You'd be surprised how many "hidden" animal products are in our foods today. I've just started on my research, and at one point told them "Well girls, it looks like you're going to starve!" Ha-ha. I've sworn off all meats myself, but seafood for right now, because I know seafood t is very digestible to humans, unlike beef, chicken & pork. I've always enjoyed the garden and boca burgers, and all the tasty "meaty" treats that are offered from the vegetarian labels and such. I'm not the fanatic about this that my girls are, but I totally commend there committment to convert to vegetarian/vegenism. It's just alot more work for me, with the research I'm having to do and all, and coming up with tasty things for them to eat that are totally vegetarian. They are ex/McDonald's, Burger King fast food junkies, so it has been quite a switch for them!! I've ordered a vegen cookbook which I hope will help. Anyone else have any insight, suggestions, or just valuable experiences along these lines? Appreciate hearing from y'all!!

hey HF, I'm a vegetarian almost vegan...have been for almost 8 years now. I went cold turkey (no pun intended) when I did a benefit with my skin care business (a vegan line) for Linda McCartney...PETA had a huge gala at Paramount Studios & the whole backlot was filled with vegetarian & vegan food. I realized that night that I was very limited on what I thought was available for a vegetarian diet. Easiest thing I ever did & I don't miss meat/chicken/pork/seafood one single bit. I don't use any healthcare products that have any animal (or human) by-products whatsoever, or products that have been tested on animals. If they eat out ever, they will want to ask lots of questions as what appears to be vegetarian (pizza, marinara sauce, soups, salad dressings) will actually be made with chicken stock or fish ingredients. Burger King actually makes the best veggie burger (in my opinion, better than McDonalds)...Hot Dog on a Stick also has veggie dogs now...another great fast food alternative. A great salad dressing is spicy rice vinegar..and there are so many ways I know to cook vegetables now! I put salsa on everything, too. For the grocery store...GardenBurger makes Riblets - they are awesome! (cook them in foil). Now some people don't even want something that reminds them of meat...I choose to eat fake stuff for variety because I am on the go a lot.
Well I hope this helps, feel free to pm me or write any other questions! Peta.com under cruelty-free living is a great resource... have fun!

[rockfan]

I did not realize Burger King made a veggie burger. They don't have them here, at least not yet. I could easily go without eating meat but since the rest of the family are meat-eaters, I do eat some. I could live off salad, fruit and cereal and still get the needed nutrition.

[rockbeast]

Gross. I eat meat but am very selective and use natural and organic when at all possible. but I would not eat fast food if it was put in front of me and I had not eaten in 3 days.

Burger King's veggie burger? its probably WORSE for you than a regular burger if your counting fat and carbs and calories like I am...

I eat little meat but my diet consists mainly of veggies, fruit, whole grains, legumes, and water

[hammerfanatic]

The only fast food places in our town that offer a veggie burger or any veggie foods that I know of is Burgerville. They have a garden burger. I had one once, but still prefer the ones I make at home. That way you can minimize the extra calories thrown on from the sauce, cheese, mayo, etc...Veggie burgers themselves have 80% less fat than beef, and 1/2 the calories. So it is an awesome choice for those wanting to eat healthier, as well as to NOT support the beef industry. I need to try some of those garden burger riblets! I saw them in the store last time I was there. Now if I can find seafood alternatives of the veggie source (I did see some scallops somewhere) , I could give up seafood too! I was pleased to find that Tillamook cheese (at least most of the varieties) is one of the "safe" vegen cheeses. Made with a vegetabele rennet, not animal enzymes. That's another thing to consider when ordering just a "cheese pizza". Better to make it at home yourself.

[hammerfanatic]

Here's an interesting article that my daughter printed out for me to read. It's somewhat graphic and pretty lengthy, but is worth the read and does make alot of sense....

www.celestialhealing.net/physicalveg3.htm