Guest guest Posted July 30, 2001 Report Share Posted July 30, 2001 This is another message for Hilary. You probably have heard enough by now about why you should raise your kids vegetarian but I'd thought I'd contribute in case you needed more support. My husband and I have been vegan for about 12 years and we have 2 vegan daughters ages 5 and 2 1/2. I've explained to my 5 year old that we don't eat animals (She thinks it's bizarre that other people would want to). I explain that we don't eat products with eggs, " cow milk " , or cheese in them because the people who make those things are mean to the animals (a slight understatement). I don't give her grisly details yet but just the thought of hurting an animal is enough to make her understand. Whenever possible, I try to bring a substitute for the kids but they have gone without before when I haven't had advanced warning. Unlike her normal, negotiating, pleading, and debating self, my 5 year old has NEVER complained about or begged to eat something that I've told her is not vegan. She even asks people if something is vegan before she accepts it. She's very committed to being vegan and I think to not have instilled those values in her from the beginning would have been very confusing for her. Even our 2 year old doesn't complain if I tell her she can't have something because it's not vegan. Certainly when our kids are grown they will have to make their own decisions but while they live with us, it's part of our family lifestyle, like going to church, treating one another with respect, etc. If you and your husband don't instill your values into your kids, what do they base their decisions on? It's our job as parents to teach our kids right from wrong. If you and your husband believe it's wrong to eat or hunt animals, then your kids deserve to know that too. Maybe your husband had some bad experiences as a child with not fitting in. Remind him that you want your kids to be leaders, not blind followers. Good luck! andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2003 Report Share Posted February 8, 2003 In a message dated 2/5/03 12:56:02 AM, writes: << To be vegan, soy cheese would have to use " rennet " (the generic name for the process that does not use animal byproducts) as it's coagulate. DaveO >> OK, I am confused... " rennet " is not derived from animal byproducts? Susan " A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe. " Wayne Dyer, 1940 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2003 Report Share Posted February 8, 2003 There was considerable disagreement on the meaning of the word, " rennet " and it's confusion with " rennin. " I posted info from a Utah State Univ link describing the cheese making process since 1990. The link further described the genetic engineering alteration of a specific " rennin " enzyme into a new plant based host. Once the GM was completed, the new plant based enzyme was then synthesized in the lab in sufficient quantity to largely replace the unstable supply of " rennin. " So, back to your question is rennet " derived from animal byproducts? " The answer is BOTH yes and no!! Yes, " rennet " is genetically derived from an enzyme found in " rennin. " No, once derived, this enzyme stopped being " biological " and is now " botanical " based on it's new plant host. I have taken liberties with the explanation by using my own words rather than those contained in the original posting, but to the best of my understanding, this process is what makes these two confusing words uniquely different. DaveO stleowitch [stleowitch] In a message dated 2/5/03 12:56:02 AM, << To be vegan, soy cheese would have to use " rennet " (the generic name for the process that does not use animal byproducts) as it's coagulate. DaveO >> OK, I am confused... " rennet " is not derived from animal byproducts? Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2003 Report Share Posted February 8, 2003 FWIW, Daveo, I have learned a lot from your and Keith's exchange on this topic. Thanks to you both for helping to make a confusing topic understandable. ~ feral ~ ::: proud owner of a cheese diploma::: Growth itself contains the germ of happiness. ~ Pearl S. Buck ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> , " daveo " <daveo@m...> wrote: > I have taken liberties with the explanation by using my own words rather > than those contained in the original posting, but to the best of my > understanding, this process is what makes these two confusing words uniquely > different. > > DaveO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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