[100% veg*n ] Trying very hard to be vegan!

[Guest guest]

Have you tried looking at this site:

http://www.vegieworld.com/index.asp

They have a lot of convenience foods. I have been told they offer vegan foods as well. I kind of put them on the back burner for another time because they do not deliver outside the U.S. I've been told that their products are pretty good. Hope this helps.

NimaNamasta--- On Mon, 2/9/09, magpie2979 <magpie2979 wrote:

magpie2979 <magpie2979[100% veg*n ] Trying very hard to be vegan!vegan-network Date: Monday, February 9, 2009, 8:07 PM

 

 

Hi everyone,For the last several years, I've tried at various times to be vegan. (I haven't had beef, pork, or chicken for over six years). Alas, I've run into several problems that have knocked me off the vegan wagon. I was wondering if anyone had any advice in dealing with these issues:1) I can't cook. Seriously. I will overcook pasta, even following the timer instructions. 2) I guess you could call me a lazy vegan. I like convenient meals, but trying to find variety in my diet as a vegan is difficult. There are only so many soups, salads, vegan frozen dinners I can eat.3) I do eat out a lot - since I can't cook, and going back to the laziness issue. And where I live, there are no strictly vegetarian restaurants, much less vegan ones.4) Due to thyroid issues, I avoid soy. So I'm having a hard time getting enough protein.This is something I really want to be

committed to, but I'm wondering if it's possible. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!Magpie

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 8:07 PM, magpie2979 <magpie2979 wrote:

 

> I've run into several problems that have knocked me off the vegan

> wagon. I was wondering if anyone had any advice in dealing with these

> issues:

>

> 1) I can't cook. Seriously. I will overcook pasta, even following the

> timer instructions.

 

Hmm, I'm kind of curious as to exactly how that happens. Are you

really following the directions? Or are you trying to follow them,

then getting distracted (which is what my probably-ADD mother did

while I was growing up, which is why I didn't find out what

non-overcooked food is like until I started cooking for myself)? Do

you have a gas or electric stove? Sometimes that has an effect on how

long it takes to cook things.

 

> 2) I guess you could call me a lazy vegan. I like convenient meals,

> but trying to find variety in my diet as a vegan is difficult. There

> are only so many soups, salads, vegan frozen dinners I can eat.

>

> 3) I do eat out a lot - since I can't cook, and going back to the

> laziness issue. And where I live, there are no strictly vegetarian

> restaurants, much less vegan ones.

 

I don't think there's any way around the fact that cooking for

yourself is more work than eating out. (Though it's probably less time

consuming, and definitely less expensive.) But there are a lot of

vegan things that aren't terribly complicated to make. My favorite

cookbook is _The Teen's Vegetarian Cookbook_ by Judy Krizmanic. It's

written for teenagers, and the recipes are easy, quick, and tasty.

While looking it up on amazon.com to confirm the author's name, I also

found _Student's Go Vegan Cookbook: Over 135 Quick, Easy, Cheap, and

Tasty Vegan Recipes_ by Carole Raymond. And I've recently read a

positive review of _Vegan Express_ by Nava Atlas.

 

> 4) Due to thyroid issues, I avoid soy. So I'm having a hard time

> getting enough protein.

 

What have you tried for protein?

 

If you don't have celiac disease, you can use seitan (made from wheat

gluten, not soy) as an alternate " meat substitute. "

 

I rarely bother with either tofu or seitan. My favorite protein

sources are hummus (made from chickpeas), falafel (also made from

chickpeas), and nuts. Lentils can be good too. Kasha (buckwheat

porridge) has way more protein than oatmeal or couscous.

 

> This is something I really want to be committed to, but I'm wondering

> if it's possible. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

Yes, it's possible. I've been vegan for years, and I'm living in a

place where I don't even have access to a regular stove and oven. I

just use a microwave and a toaster oven.

 

Jim Sinclair jisincla

www.jimsinclair.org

http://moosepuppy.petfinder.com

[Guest guest]

Hi, Magpie,

 

Maybe I can help. I'm not a great cook either, and my hubby used to say I could burn water. But like everything else, you will need to work at it a little bit.

 

It is never difficult to get enough protein by eating good, wholesome foods, in a big variety. Nuts, seeds, and all kinds of legumes (beans) will ensure that you do get enough. Generally, people eat way too much protein and this is very bad for you health. It is hard on your kidneys, your bones, and digestive system.

 

Try buy a small vegetable/rice steamer. You can make any kind of grains in it, like rice, amaranth, millet, quinoa, barley, etc. It is like magic. If you follow the directions, you won't have to stir or even watch it. It comes out perfect every time!

 

Eating out is not the best choice for your health. However, it has been my experience that in just about any restaurant (other than "down home country cooking" places) the chefs are more than willing to accommodate your requests. If you ask for a nice vegetarian plate, minus eggs and dairy, you will be surprised at what a nice meal you will end up with.

 

It is never required to replace meat with something else. The largest thing on your plate should be whole grains of some kind. But if you want to feel like you are eating a more traditional meal, with a meat substitute, there are many alternatives that don't contain soy. Hummus is available at nearly every supermarket. It is also easy to make your own (and better) with no cooking required! Seitan (wheat meat) has no soy in it. There are vegan cheeses and lunchmeats, nut butter/spreads, etc.

 

Try to eat some new food every week. You could have a unique type of grain or squash, some new weird vegetable, or something you see all the time but have never tried. Some foods take a while to acquire a taste, but as you venture out, you will start to love them, and appreciate the variety.

 

I know when we would go to dinner at relatives' houses, we would always end up with salad and a potato. That got old fast, but I just fixed something else once I got home.

 

Please give it another try. Your body will thank you, and so will the animals!

 

Judy B.