the challenges of being vegan in a non-vegan society

[Guest guest]

Dawn, I have been vegan about 23 years. We started when our daughter was about

2 years old because all three of us had serious health issues. Thankfully, it

solved the health problems, although, yes, it did trigger other problems!

 

Some of the issues have been:

 

1. How and what to eat when socialing and sharing meals or living space with

non-vegans, especially challenging when it has been extended family members.

 

2. Getting through the cravings! My husband craved meat for years, whereas I

craved dairy products.

 

3. How to keep our daughter happy with what we were feeding her after she

started going to school and visiting non-vegan friends in ther homes.

 

4. Twenty years ago, availability of suitable products was a huge issue, MUCH

better now!

 

5. Dealing effectively with medical practicitioners who believed that a vegan

diet was child abuse.

 

6. Convincing myself that supplementation with vitamin B12 is necessary. :-)

 

7. Figuring out what and how much to say, and not say, when people eat flesh

and junk in front of me, when they are complaining about health problems that

are related to the food they are eating.

 

That's probably the biggest ones. I'm sure lots of the folks on this list have

faced them too.

 

Deborah

 

 

 

Thanks Deborah!

 

How long have you been vegan? What have been your biggest obsticles?

thanks, dawn

 

Deborah Pageau <dpageau

Friday, August 29, 2008 10:01:55 PM

Re: newbie

 

Congratulations on making The Big Step Dawn. We're here for you, and with you!

:-)

 

Deborah

 

Hi I am new to the group and looking for information about my new lifestyle

choice.

 

I am allergic to eggs - so I have been egg-free for 30 years. I have had many

ups and downs trying to find things I can eat with transient food an chemical

allergies and sensitivities.

 

About two weeks ago I decided - pretty much out of the blue - that the

healthiest choice for me would be a vegan diet and lifestyle. This is a health

based decision. I know I need to get rid of milk, wheat, processed foods and

meats from my diet.

 

I am surprized how easy it has been thus far.

 

I do need help and suggestions on a balanced diet and living in junkfood

america.

 

thank you for your help.

 

dawn

.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Good thoughts. I find it much more difficult to be gluten-free and

avoiding other allergens when out than being vegan. And I'll admit

that in a bind, I will still occasionally eat something with eggs if

there is are no other viable solutions for one who is gluten-free,

dairy-free, corn-free, and vegetarian!

 

Of course we used to be able to get veggie burgers - still junk food,

but vegan - but not any more because of the gluten. Being gluten-free

and corn-free has forced us to move more towards " natural " foods -

fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts & seeds, and to stay away from

commercial stuff and vegan/vegetarian junk food. I gained weight

while I was " just " vegan, so obviously I was eating plenty of junk.

 

We roughly follow Joel Fuhrman's " Eat to Live " diet, which has made me

more accepting of just eating salad at a restaurant. Before, I always

complained about places where the only vegan option was the salad

(sans dressing). Now, I'm okay with that. The salad is the meal.

And I can have something else at home when I get there. We are going

to be away from home for three weeks this fall, so I will be tested

then! So far we have not done any amount of travelling while

gluten-free. We're going to have a cooler for lots of produce, and

have to take things like salad dressings with us.

 

I never craved meat or dairy. Once I figured out they were making me

throw up, I developed a strong aversion! That's not to say that I

don't still enjoy the smell of bacon or KFC, but I don't want to eat

it. In fact, I have nightmares where I forget I am vegetarian or eat

meat " by accident " .

 

Dealing with children is an issue. Making sure that hubby and DS take

food with them when they go somewhere so I don't get a call that they

have to go get potato chips and juice because they are hungry or

everyone else is eating, or whatever. Always having to bring your own

food to family or church or other social get-togethers. You get used

to that, but it can still be annoying that you don't get a " break "

like everybody else does and have food provided to you without any

work. I spent three days this weekend perfecting a recipe for

cupcakes that my son and three other multiple-allergy families can

have at our Cubs dinner tonight. Gluten-free, vegan, nut-free,

apple-free, soy-free, etc. So much for a relaxing long weekend.

Though my boys were very happy to test multiple batches of cupcakes!

 

It does bother me when I see other people abusing their bodies and

talking about how they could never be vegetarian or gluten free or how

they can't give up this or that or they think you're a kook, yet they

look and feel awful. We live in a very redneck area, and there are

still a lot of people around who think that vegetarians are

whack-jobs.

 

Pam

 

 

On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 9:11 AM, Deborah Pageau <dpageau wrote:

> Dawn, I have been vegan about 23 years. We started when our daughter was

> about 2 years old because all three of us had serious health issues.

> Thankfully, it solved the health problems, although, yes, it did trigger

> other problems!

>

> Some of the issues have been:

>

> 1. How and what to eat when socialing and sharing meals or living space with

> non-vegans, especially challenging when it has been extended family members.

>

> 2. Getting through the cravings! My husband craved meat for years, whereas I

> craved dairy products.

>

> 3. How to keep our daughter happy with what we were feeding her after she

> started going to school and visiting non-vegan friends in ther homes.

>

> 4. Twenty years ago, availability of suitable products was a huge issue,

> MUCH better now!

>

> 5. Dealing effectively with medical practicitioners who believed that a

> vegan diet was child abuse.

>

> 6. Convincing myself that supplementation with vitamin B12 is necessary. :-)

>

> 7. Figuring out what and how much to say, and not say, when people eat flesh

> and junk in front of me, when they are complaining about health problems

> that are related to the food they are eating.

>

> That's probably the biggest ones. I'm sure lots of the folks on this list

> have faced them too.

>

> Deborah

>

> Thanks Deborah!

>

> How long have you been vegan? What have been your biggest obsticles?

> thanks, dawn

>

>

> Deborah Pageau <dpageau

>

> Friday, August 29, 2008 10:01:55 PM

> Re: newbie

>

> Congratulations on making The Big Step Dawn. We're here for you, and with

> you! :-)

>

> Deborah

>

> Hi I am new to the group and looking for information about my new lifestyle

> choice.

>

> I am allergic to eggs - so I have been egg-free for 30 years. I have had

> many ups and downs trying to find things I can eat with transient food an

> chemical allergies and sensitivities.

>

> About two weeks ago I decided - pretty much out of the blue - that the

> healthiest choice for me would be a vegan diet and lifestyle. This is a

> health based decision. I know I need to get rid of milk, wheat, processed

> foods and meats from my diet.

>

> I am surprized how easy it has been thus far.

>

> I do need help and suggestions on a balanced diet and living in junkfood

> america.

>

> thank you for your help.

>

> dawn

> .

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dawn, yes, I have generally found getting enough acceptable food while

travelling a challenge. It was harder 20 years ago, but indeed, it is still a

reality check when I start getting all excited about making vacation plans away

from home. Like you, I have had to resolve to make do with a bare salad at

times, even though friends and relatives are gorging on delectables of all

types. Get togethers can be a lot less fun for us than them because of it. It

can be a bit tough at times, although when a friend or relative makes the effort

to provide something I too can eat (which has happened occasionally!), it is all

the more exciting and wonderful.

 

This past summer, our daughter was married on the other side of the country.

Over the years, we've visited that city often though and gradually located vegan

restaurants that label all dishes with the ingredients right on the buffet. We

frequent them as often as possible. With vigliance towards potential

opportunities, this trip we also found a restaurant that caters to all palettes,

offering meat and vegetarian dishes on the buffet, and also posts labels with

ingredients. We had several family meals there that everyone had enough to eat,

including me.

 

It sounds like you are experiencing a social environment in your area similar to

the way is was for us here, 20 years ago. Once my mother found out we were

eating vegan, she never came to visit us again; same with my husband's parents.

Waiters would look at us like we were speaking a different language! The Public

Health nurse from my daughter's school insisted that I defend my dietary

practices under threat of having my daughter taken from us. It was pretty grim.

It all worked out well for us, thankfully. It helped a lot having scientific

material from PCRM and McDougall to back up my choices.

 

We just kept on keeping on, and gradually over time, some of those, who were the

most resistant initially, became serious advocates. It's so true what 'they'

say about the impossible just taking a little longer. :-)

 

Deborah

 

 

 

Good thoughts. I find it much more difficult to be gluten-free and

avoiding other allergens when out than being vegan. And I'll admit

that in a bind, I will still occasionally eat something with eggs if

there is are no other viable solutions for one who is gluten-free,

dairy-free, corn-free, and vegetarian!

 

Of course we used to be able to get veggie burgers - still junk food,

but vegan - but not any more because of the gluten. Being gluten-free

and corn-free has forced us to move more towards " natural " foods -

fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts & seeds, and to stay away from

commercial stuff and vegan/vegetarian junk food. I gained weight

while I was " just " vegan, so obviously I was eating plenty of junk.

 

We roughly follow Joel Fuhrman's " Eat to Live " diet, which has made me

more accepting of just eating salad at a restaurant. Before, I always

complained about places where the only vegan option was the salad

(sans dressing). Now, I'm okay with that. The salad is the meal.

And I can have something else at home when I get there. We are going

to be away from home for three weeks this fall, so I will be tested

then! So far we have not done any amount of travelling while

gluten-free. We're going to have a cooler for lots of produce, and

have to take things like salad dressings with us.

 

I never craved meat or dairy. Once I figured out they were making me

throw up, I developed a strong aversion! That's not to say that I

don't still enjoy the smell of bacon or KFC, but I don't want to eat

it. In fact, I have nightmares where I forget I am vegetarian or eat

meat " by accident " .

 

Dealing with children is an issue. Making sure that hubby and DS take

food with them when they go somewhere so I don't get a call that they

have to go get potato chips and juice because they are hungry or

everyone else is eating, or whatever. Always having to bring your own

food to family or church or other social get-togethers. You get used

to that, but it can still be annoying that you don't get a " break "

like everybody else does and have food provided to you without any

work. I spent three days this weekend perfecting a recipe for

cupcakes that my son and three other multiple-allergy families can

have at our Cubs dinner tonight. Gluten-free, vegan, nut-free,

apple-free, soy-free, etc. So much for a relaxing long weekend.

Though my boys were very happy to test multiple batches of cupcakes!

 

It does bother me when I see other people abusing their bodies and

talking about how they could never be vegetarian or gluten free or how

they can't give up this or that or they think you're a kook, yet they

look and feel awful. We live in a very redneck area, and there are

still a lot of people around who think that vegetarians are

whack-jobs.

 

Pam

 

On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 9:11 AM, Deborah Pageau <dpageau wrote:

> Dawn, I have been vegan about 23 years. We started when our daughter was

> about 2 years old because all three of us had serious health issues.

> Thankfully, it solved the health problems, although, yes, it did trigger

> other problems!

>

> Some of the issues have been:

>

> 1. How and what to eat when socialing and sharing meals or living space with

> non-vegans, especially challenging when it has been extended family members.

>

> 2. Getting through the cravings! My husband craved meat for years, whereas I

> craved dairy products.

>

> 3. How to keep our daughter happy with what we were feeding her after she

> started going to school and visiting non-vegan friends in ther homes.

>

> 4. Twenty years ago, availability of suitable products was a huge issue,

> MUCH better now!

>

> 5. Dealing effectively with medical practicitioners who believed that a

> vegan diet was child abuse.

>

> 6. Convincing myself that supplementation with vitamin B12 is necessary. :-)

>

> 7. Figuring out what and how much to say, and not say, when people eat flesh

> and junk in front of me, when they are complaining about health problems

> that are related to the food they are eating.

>

> That's probably the biggest ones. I'm sure lots of the folks on this list

> have faced them too.

>

> Deborah

>

> Thanks Deborah!

>

> How long have you been vegan? What have been your biggest obsticles?

> thanks, dawn

>

>

> Deborah Pageau <dpageau

>

> Friday, August 29, 2008 10:01:55 PM

> Re: newbie

>

> Congratulations on making The Big Step Dawn. We're here for you, and with

> you! :-)

>

> Deborah

>

> Hi I am new to the group and looking for information about my new lifestyle

> choice.

>

> I am allergic to eggs - so I have been egg-free for 30 years. I have had

> many ups and downs trying to find things I can eat with transient food an

> chemical allergies and sensitivities.

>

> About two weeks ago I decided - pretty much out of the blue - that the

> healthiest choice for me would be a vegan diet and lifestyle. This is a

> health based decision. I know I need to get rid of milk, wheat, processed

> foods and meats from my diet.

>

> I am surprized how easy it has been thus far.

>

> I do need help and suggestions on a balanced diet and living in junkfood

> america.

>

> thank you for your help.

>

> dawn

.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

It does sound like a challenge.  I am new to the vegan lifestyle, but since I am

anaphylatic to eggs I have had to deal with people who would either just not

check because they were lazy or out right lie because allergies are " all in your

head " .

I don't like calling attention to myself and can be happy in the corner eating a

salad and some nuts, but it seems someone is way too concerned that you aren't

getting enough.

 

Where out east did you find the restaurant - what is it's name?

Do you find that any  type of ethnic establishment is easier to find things at? 

Japanese?  Mediterranean?

 

thanks - dawn

 

 

 

 

Deborah Pageau <dpageau

vegan gluten free list

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 4:14:15 PM

Re: the challenges of being vegan in a

non-vegan society

 

 

Dawn, yes, I have generally found getting enough acceptable food while

travelling a challenge. It was harder 20 years ago, but indeed, it is still a

reality check when I start getting all excited about making vacation plans away

from home. Like you, I have had to resolve to make do with a bare salad at

times, even though friends and relatives are gorging on delectables of all

types. Get togethers can be a lot less fun for us than them because of it. It

can be a bit tough at times, although when a friend or relative makes the effort

to provide something I too can eat (which has happened occasionally! ), it is

all the more exciting and wonderful.

 

This past summer, our daughter was married on the other side of the country.

Over the years, we've visited that city often though and gradually located vegan

restaurants that label all dishes with the ingredients right on the buffet. We

frequent them as often as possible. With vigliance towards potential

opportunities, this trip we also found a restaurant that caters to all palettes,

offering meat and vegetarian dishes on the buffet, and also posts labels with

ingredients. We had several family meals there that everyone had enough to eat,

including me.

 

It sounds like you are experiencing a social environment in your area similar to

the way is was for us here, 20 years ago. Once my mother found out we were

eating vegan, she never came to visit us again; same with my husband's parents.

Waiters would look at us like we were speaking a different language! The Public

Health nurse from my daughter's school insisted that I defend my dietary

practices under threat of having my daughter taken from us. It was pretty grim.

It all worked out well for us, thankfully. It helped a lot having scientific

material from PCRM and McDougall to back up my choices.

 

We just kept on keeping on, and gradually over time, some of those, who were the

most resistant initially, became serious advocates. It's so true what 'they' say

about the impossible just taking a little longer. :-)

 

Deborah

 

Good thoughts. I find it much more difficult to be gluten-free and

avoiding other allergens when out than being vegan. And I'll admit

that in a bind, I will still occasionally eat something with eggs if

there is are no other viable solutions for one who is gluten-free,

dairy-free, corn-free, and vegetarian!

 

Of course we used to be able to get veggie burgers - still junk food,

but vegan - but not any more because of the gluten. Being gluten-free

and corn-free has forced us to move more towards " natural " foods -

fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts & seeds, and to stay away from

commercial stuff and vegan/vegetarian junk food. I gained weight

while I was " just " vegan, so obviously I was eating plenty of junk.

 

We roughly follow Joel Fuhrman's " Eat to Live " diet, which has made me

more accepting of just eating salad at a restaurant. Before, I always

complained about places where the only vegan option was the salad

(sans dressing). Now, I'm okay with that. The salad is the meal.

And I can have something else at home when I get there. We are going

to be away from home for three weeks this fall, so I will be tested

then! So far we have not done any amount of travelling while

gluten-free. We're going to have a cooler for lots of produce, and

have to take things like salad dressings with us.

 

I never craved meat or dairy. Once I figured out they were making me

throw up, I developed a strong aversion! That's not to say that I

don't still enjoy the smell of bacon or KFC, but I don't want to eat

it. In fact, I have nightmares where I forget I am vegetarian or eat

meat " by accident " .

 

Dealing with children is an issue. Making sure that hubby and DS take

food with them when they go somewhere so I don't get a call that they

have to go get potato chips and juice because they are hungry or

everyone else is eating, or whatever. Always having to bring your own

food to family or church or other social get-togethers. You get used

to that, but it can still be annoying that you don't get a " break "

like everybody else does and have food provided to you without any

work. I spent three days this weekend perfecting a recipe for

cupcakes that my son and three other multiple-allergy families can

have at our Cubs dinner tonight. Gluten-free, vegan, nut-free,

apple-free, soy-free, etc. So much for a relaxing long weekend.

Though my boys were very happy to test multiple batches of cupcakes!

 

It does bother me when I see other people abusing their bodies and

talking about how they could never be vegetarian or gluten free or how

they can't give up this or that or they think you're a kook, yet they

look and feel awful. We live in a very redneck area, and there are

still a lot of people around who think that vegetarians are

whack-jobs.

 

Pam

 

On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 9:11 AM, Deborah Pageau <dpageau (AT) dccnet (DOT) com> wrote:

> Dawn, I have been vegan about 23 years. We started when our daughter was

> about 2 years old because all three of us had serious health issues.

> Thankfully, it solved the health problems, although, yes, it did trigger

> other problems!

>

> Some of the issues have been:

>

> 1. How and what to eat when socialing and sharing meals or living space with

> non-vegans, especially challenging when it has been extended family members.

>

> 2. Getting through the cravings! My husband craved meat for years, whereas I

> craved dairy products.

>

> 3. How to keep our daughter happy with what we were feeding her after she

> started going to school and visiting non-vegan friends in ther homes.

>

> 4. Twenty years ago, availability of suitable products was a huge issue,

> MUCH better now!

>

> 5. Dealing effectively with medical practicitioners who believed that a

> vegan diet was child abuse.

>

> 6. Convincing myself that supplementation with vitamin B12 is necessary. :-)

>

> 7. Figuring out what and how much to say, and not say, when people eat flesh

> and junk in front of me, when they are complaining about health problems

> that are related to the food they are eating.

>

> That's probably the biggest ones. I'm sure lots of the folks on this list

> have faced them too.

>

> Deborah

>

> Thanks Deborah!

>

> How long have you been vegan? What have been your biggest obsticles?

> thanks, dawn

>

>

> Deborah Pageau <dpageau (AT) dccnet (DOT) com>

> Vegan-and-Gluten- Free@ .com

> Friday, August 29, 2008 10:01:55 PM

> Re: [Vegan-and-Gluten- Free] newbie

>

> Congratulations on making The Big Step Dawn. We're here for you, and with

> you! :-)

>

> Deborah

>

> Hi I am new to the group and looking for information about my new lifestyle

> choice.

>

> I am allergic to eggs - so I have been egg-free for 30 years. I have had

> many ups and downs trying to find things I can eat with transient food an

> chemical allergies and sensitivities.

>

> About two weeks ago I decided - pretty much out of the blue - that the

> healthiest choice for me would be a vegan diet and lifestyle. This is a

> health based decision. I know I need to get rid of milk, wheat, processed

> foods and meats from my diet.

>

> I am surprized how easy it has been thus far.

>

> I do need help and suggestions on a balanced diet and living in junkfood

> america.

>

> thank you for your help.

>

> dawn

..

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

The restaurants to which I was referring are in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Is that

your neck of the woods by any chance? The Green Door and The Table are both

vegan with labels on everything. Many of their dishes are gf, and labelled as

such. Fabulous!

 

Yes, Japanese offers sushi, which is fine as long as we avoid the soy sauce and

no mayonaise, which usually goes into veggie rolls. One can get a plain veggie

stir fry anywhere Asian with steamed rice, which is my staple when we travel.

 

Mediterranean offers humus (chickpea dip) and baba ganoug (egg plant dip) with

steamed veggies, potatoes or rice usually. Sometimes the dolmades are filled

with just rice and veggies, no meat. That varies though, so requires checking.

 

I've heard of some pizza places offering gluten free crust somewhere, although I

might be a bit worried about cross-contamination, depending on how it's made.

 

Some Italian restaurants make a veggie based spaghetti sauce called Marinara,

and if you take your own gf pasta to them to boil for you, will serve you that.

Sometimes, I get the marinara sauce on potatoes or rice instead of pasta.

 

Deborah

 

 

 

 

It does sound like a challenge. I am new to the vegan lifestyle, but since I

am anaphylatic to eggs I have had to deal with people who would either just not

check because they were lazy or out right lie because allergies are " all in your

head " .

I don't like calling attention to myself and can be happy in the corner eating

a salad and some nuts, but it seems someone is way too concerned that you aren't

getting enough.

 

Where out east did you find the restaurant - what is it's name?

Do you find that any type of ethnic establishment is easier to find things

at? Japanese? Mediterranean?

 

thanks - dawn

 

Deborah Pageau <dpageau

vegan gluten free list

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 4:14:15 PM

Re: the challenges of being vegan in a

non-vegan society

 

Dawn, yes, I have generally found getting enough acceptable food while

travelling a challenge. It was harder 20 years ago, but indeed, it is still a

reality check when I start getting all excited about making vacation plans away

from home. Like you, I have had to resolve to make do with a bare salad at

times, even though friends and relatives are gorging on delectables of all

types. Get togethers can be a lot less fun for us than them because of it. It

can be a bit tough at times, although when a friend or relative makes the effort

to provide something I too can eat (which has happened occasionally! ), it is

all the more exciting and wonderful.

 

This past summer, our daughter was married on the other side of the country.

Over the years, we've visited that city often though and gradually located vegan

restaurants that label all dishes with the ingredients right on the buffet. We

frequent them as often as possible. With vigliance towards potential

opportunities, this trip we also found a restaurant that caters to all palettes,

offering meat and vegetarian dishes on the buffet, and also posts labels with

ingredients. We had several family meals there that everyone had enough to eat,

including me.

 

It sounds like you are experiencing a social environment in your area similar

to the way is was for us here, 20 years ago. Once my mother found out we were

eating vegan, she never came to visit us again; same with my husband's parents.

Waiters would look at us like we were speaking a different language! The Public

Health nurse from my daughter's school insisted that I defend my dietary

practices under threat of having my daughter taken from us. It was pretty grim.

It all worked out well for us, thankfully. It helped a lot having scientific

material from PCRM and McDougall to back up my choices.

 

We just kept on keeping on, and gradually over time, some of those, who were

the most resistant initially, became serious advocates. It's so true what 'they'

say about the impossible just taking a little longer. :-)

 

Deborah

.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah,

 

No I am suth of there in Ohio.  But it's good to know when traveling.

And thank you, now I know what I react to in sushi, (mayonaise) my friends won't

invite me out for sushi any more after a trip to the ER.

 

thanks dawn 

 

 

 

 

Deborah Pageau <dpageau

 

Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:09:55 PM

Re: the challenges of being vegan in a

non-vegan society

 

 

The restaurants to which I was referring are in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Is that

your neck of the woods by any chance? The Green Door and The Table are both

vegan with labels on everything. Many of their dishes are gf, and labelled as

such. Fabulous!

 

Yes, Japanese offers sushi, which is fine as long as we avoid the soy sauce and

no mayonaise, which usually goes into veggie rolls. One can get a plain veggie

stir fry anywhere Asian with steamed rice, which is my staple when we travel.

 

Mediterranean offers humus (chickpea dip) and baba ganoug (egg plant dip) with

steamed veggies, potatoes or rice usually. Sometimes the dolmades are filled

with just rice and veggies, no meat. That varies though, so requires checking.

 

I've heard of some pizza places offering gluten free crust somewhere, although I

might be a bit worried about cross-contamination , depending on how it's made.

 

Some Italian restaurants make a veggie based spaghetti sauce called Marinara,

and if you take your own gf pasta to them to boil for you, will serve you that.

Sometimes, I get the marinara sauce on potatoes or rice instead of pasta.

 

Deborah

 

It does sound like a challenge. I am new to the vegan lifestyle, but since I am

anaphylatic to eggs I have had to deal with people who would either just not

check because they were lazy or out right lie because allergies are " all in your

head " .

I don't like calling attention to myself and can be happy in the corner eating a

salad and some nuts, but it seems someone is way too concerned that you aren't

getting enough.

 

Where out east did you find the restaurant - what is it's name?

Do you find that any type of ethnic establishment is easier to find things at?

Japanese? Mediterranean?

 

thanks - dawn

 

 

Deborah Pageau <dpageau (AT) dccnet (DOT) com>

vegan gluten free list <Vegan-and-Gluten- Free@ .com>

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 4:14:15 PM

Re: [Vegan-and-Gluten- Free] the challenges of being vegan in a

non-vegan society

 

Dawn, yes, I have generally found getting enough acceptable food while

travelling a challenge. It was harder 20 years ago, but indeed, it is still a

reality check when I start getting all excited about making vacation plans away

from home. Like you, I have had to resolve to make do with a bare salad at

times, even though friends and relatives are gorging on delectables of all

types. Get togethers can be a lot less fun for us than them because of it. It

can be a bit tough at times, although when a friend or relative makes the effort

to provide something I too can eat (which has happened occasionally! ), it is

all the more exciting and wonderful.

 

This past summer, our daughter was married on the other side of the country.

Over the years, we've visited that city often though and gradually located vegan

restaurants that label all dishes with the ingredients right on the buffet. We

frequent them as often as possible. With vigliance towards potential

opportunities, this trip we also found a restaurant that caters to all palettes,

offering meat and vegetarian dishes on the buffet, and also posts labels with

ingredients. We had several family meals there that everyone had enough to eat,

including me.

 

It sounds like you are experiencing a social environment in your area similar to

the way is was for us here, 20 years ago. Once my mother found out we were

eating vegan, she never came to visit us again; same with my husband's parents.

Waiters would look at us like we were speaking a different language! The Public

Health nurse from my daughter's school insisted that I defend my dietary

practices under threat of having my daughter taken from us. It was pretty grim.

It all worked out well for us, thankfully. It helped a lot having scientific

material from PCRM and McDougall to back up my choices.

 

We just kept on keeping on, and gradually over time, some of those, who were the

most resistant initially, became serious advocates. It's so true what 'they' say

about the impossible just taking a little longer. :-)

 

Deborah

..

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

From what I have read, the rice wine vinegar that's used in sushi often

contains glutenous barley, as well. So that's something else to be looking

out for with sushi.

 

On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 10:31 AM, Dawn <dragonsladydawn wrote:

 

> Hi Deborah,

>

> No I am suth of there in Ohio. But it's good to know when traveling.

> And thank you, now I know what I react to in sushi, (mayonaise) my friends

> won't invite me out for sushi any more after a trip to the ER.

>

>

> thanks dawn

>

>

> Deborah Pageau <dpageau <dpageau%40dccnet.com>>

> To:

<%40>

> Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:09:55 PM

> Re: the challenges of being vegan in a

> non-vegan society

>

> The restaurants to which I was referring are in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Is

> that your neck of the woods by any chance? The Green Door and The Table are

> both vegan with labels on everything. Many of their dishes are gf, and

> labelled as such. Fabulous!

>

> Yes, Japanese offers sushi, which is fine as long as we avoid the soy sauce

> and no mayonaise, which usually goes into veggie rolls. One can get a plain

> veggie stir fry anywhere Asian with steamed rice, which is my staple when we

> travel.

>

> Mediterranean offers humus (chickpea dip) and baba ganoug (egg plant dip)

> with steamed veggies, potatoes or rice usually. Sometimes the dolmades are

> filled with just rice and veggies, no meat. That varies though, so requires

> checking.

>

> I've heard of some pizza places offering gluten free crust somewhere,

> although I might be a bit worried about cross-contamination , depending on

> how it's made.

>

> Some Italian restaurants make a veggie based spaghetti sauce called

> Marinara, and if you take your own gf pasta to them to boil for you, will

> serve you that. Sometimes, I get the marinara sauce on potatoes or rice

> instead of pasta.

>

> Deborah

>

> It does sound like a challenge. I am new to the vegan lifestyle, but since

> I am anaphylatic to eggs I have had to deal with people who would either

> just not check because they were lazy or out right lie because allergies are

> " all in your head " .

> I don't like calling attention to myself and can be happy in the corner

> eating a salad and some nuts, but it seems someone is way too concerned that

> you aren't getting enough.

>

> Where out east did you find the restaurant - what is it's name?

> Do you find that any type of ethnic establishment is easier to find things

> at? Japanese? Mediterranean?

>

> thanks - dawn

>

>

> Deborah Pageau <dpageau (AT) dccnet (DOT) com>

> vegan gluten free list <Vegan-and-Gluten- Free@ .com>

> Tuesday, September 2, 2008 4:14:15 PM

> Re: [Vegan-and-Gluten- Free] the challenges of being vegan in a

> non-vegan society

>

> Dawn, yes, I have generally found getting enough acceptable food while

> travelling a challenge. It was harder 20 years ago, but indeed, it is still

> a reality check when I start getting all excited about making vacation plans

> away from home. Like you, I have had to resolve to make do with a bare salad

> at times, even though friends and relatives are gorging on delectables of

> all types. Get togethers can be a lot less fun for us than them because of

> it. It can be a bit tough at times, although when a friend or relative makes

> the effort to provide something I too can eat (which has happened

> occasionally! ), it is all the more exciting and wonderful.

>

> This past summer, our daughter was married on the other side of the

> country. Over the years, we've visited that city often though and gradually

> located vegan restaurants that label all dishes with the ingredients right

> on the buffet. We frequent them as often as possible. With vigliance towards

> potential opportunities, this trip we also found a restaurant that caters to

> all palettes, offering meat and vegetarian dishes on the buffet, and also

> posts labels with ingredients. We had several family meals there that

> everyone had enough to eat, including me.

>

> It sounds like you are experiencing a social environment in your area

> similar to the way is was for us here, 20 years ago. Once my mother found

> out we were eating vegan, she never came to visit us again; same with my

> husband's parents. Waiters would look at us like we were speaking a

> different language! The Public Health nurse from my daughter's school

> insisted that I defend my dietary practices under threat of having my

> daughter taken from us. It was pretty grim. It all worked out well for us,

> thankfully. It helped a lot having scientific material from PCRM and

> McDougall to back up my choices.

>

> We just kept on keeping on, and gradually over time, some of those, who

> were the most resistant initially, became serious advocates. It's so true

> what 'they' say about the impossible just taking a little longer. :-)

>

> Deborah

> .

>

>

[Guest guest]

And the imitation crab is seitan. If it's been chopped all over the

prep board... Trouble.

 

At 07:08 PM 9/4/2008, you wrote:

 

> From what I have read, the rice wine vinegar that's used in sushi often

>contains glutenous barley, as well. So that's something else to be looking

>out for with sushi.

>

>On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 10:31 AM, Dawn

><<dragonsladydawn%40>dragonsladydawn wrote:

>

> > Hi Deborah,

> >

> > No I am suth of there in Ohio. But it's good to know when traveling.

> > And thank you, now I know what I react to in sushi, (mayonaise) my friends

> > won't invite me out for sushi any more after a trip to the ER.

> >

> >

> > thanks dawn

> >

> >

> > Deborah Pageau

> <<dpageau%40dccnet.com>dpageau <dpageau%40dccnet.com>>

> > To:

>

<%40>@\

s.com<%40>

> > Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:09:55 PM

> > Re: the challenges of being vegan in a

> > non-vegan society

> >

> > The restaurants to which I was referring are in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Is

> > that your neck of the woods by any chance? The Green Door and The Table are

> > both vegan with labels on everything. Many of their dishes are gf, and

> > labelled as such. Fabulous!

> >

> > Yes, Japanese offers sushi, which is fine as long as we avoid the soy sauce

> > and no mayonaise, which usually goes into veggie rolls. One can get a plain

> > veggie stir fry anywhere Asian with steamed rice, which is my

> staple when we

> > travel.

> >

> > Mediterranean offers humus (chickpea dip) and baba ganoug (egg plant dip)

> > with steamed veggies, potatoes or rice usually. Sometimes the dolmades are

> > filled with just rice and veggies, no meat. That varies though, so requires

> > checking.

> >

> > I've heard of some pizza places offering gluten free crust somewhere,

> > although I might be a bit worried about cross-contamination , depending on

> > how it's made.

> >

> > Some Italian restaurants make a veggie based spaghetti sauce called

> > Marinara, and if you take your own gf pasta to them to boil for you, will

> > serve you that. Sometimes, I get the marinara sauce on potatoes or rice

> > instead of pasta.

> >

> > Deborah

> >

> > It does sound like a challenge. I am new to the vegan lifestyle, but since

> > I am anaphylatic to eggs I have had to deal with people who would either

> > just not check because they were lazy or out right lie because

> allergies are

> > " all in your head " .

> > I don't like calling attention to myself and can be happy in the corner

> > eating a salad and some nuts, but it seems someone is way too

> concerned that

> > you aren't getting enough.

> >

> > Where out east did you find the restaurant - what is it's name?

> > Do you find that any type of ethnic establishment is easier to find things

> > at? Japanese? Mediterranean?

> >

> > thanks - dawn

> >

> >

> > Deborah Pageau <dpageau (AT) dccnet (DOT) com>

> > vegan gluten free list <Vegan-and-Gluten- Free@ .com>

> > Tuesday, September 2, 2008 4:14:15 PM

> > Re: [Vegan-and-Gluten- Free] the challenges of being vegan in a

> > non-vegan society

> >

> > Dawn, yes, I have generally found getting enough acceptable food while

> > travelling a challenge. It was harder 20 years ago, but indeed, it is still

> > a reality check when I start getting all excited about making

> vacation plans

> > away from home. Like you, I have had to resolve to make do with a

> bare salad

> > at times, even though friends and relatives are gorging on delectables of

> > all types. Get togethers can be a lot less fun for us than them because of

> > it. It can be a bit tough at times, although when a friend or

> relative makes

> > the effort to provide something I too can eat (which has happened

> > occasionally! ), it is all the more exciting and wonderful.

> >

> > This past summer, our daughter was married on the other side of the

> > country. Over the years, we've visited that city often though and gradually

> > located vegan restaurants that label all dishes with the ingredients right

> > on the buffet. We frequent them as often as possible. With

> vigliance towards

> > potential opportunities, this trip we also found a restaurant

> that caters to

> > all palettes, offering meat and vegetarian dishes on the buffet, and also

> > posts labels with ingredients. We had several family meals there that

> > everyone had enough to eat, including me.

> >

> > It sounds like you are experiencing a social environment in your area

> > similar to the way is was for us here, 20 years ago. Once my mother found

> > out we were eating vegan, she never came to visit us again; same with my

> > husband's parents. Waiters would look at us like we were speaking a

> > different language! The Public Health nurse from my daughter's school

> > insisted that I defend my dietary practices under threat of having my

> > daughter taken from us. It was pretty grim. It all worked out well for us,

> > thankfully. It helped a lot having scientific material from PCRM and

> > McDougall to back up my choices.

> >

> > We just kept on keeping on, and gradually over time, some of those, who

> > were the most resistant initially, became serious advocates. It's so true

> > what 'they' say about the impossible just taking a little longer. :-)

> >

> > Deborah

> > .

> >

> >