Guest guest Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 I'm Dave, 38 in Chicago. I'll try to keep it brief. I was ovo-lacto for about 8 years and slowly drifted back into meat- eating for a few years, which I am not at all happy about now. I've been back to ovo-lacto now for about a month, and don't see going back to eating flesh again. I forgot how disgusting a piece of grilled flesh 'really' is. Anyway, I'm leaning toward going vegan. The first thing that I stopped was drinking milk, which I surprisingly don't miss much. Because I have been vegetarian, I know I won't have any problems with converting to that diet, but the vegan is way more of a challenge, namely cheese, eggs, and pretty much not eating anything out of a package. Also, vegan dress shoes are generally pretty hideous and cheap-looking for the professional world. And eating at restaurants is probably the hardest thing for me. I imagine going out with my meat-eating friends or business associates (which is all of them) to either be a baked potato and salad, or interrogating the waiter about what ingredients are in which dish (the hidden ingredients thing is daunting). I emotionally/in a guilt-ridden way feel like I should just jump into the vegan lifestyle, although my mind tells me I'm not quite there yet. My compromise so far has been that I am phasing out the dairy and eggs at home, and being choosier at restaurants, but not getting too down on myself if I do eats eggs or cheese. So do any of you members have any advice? Similar experiences? Jumping in vs. phasing in? How long it took for some of you to go vegan after going veggie? So, I joined the group to be around some vegans to see what the lifestyle is all about, and I'm looking forward to learning a lot here. Thanks, Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 hi dave are you welsh..you sure joined at the right time.........anyway......i found that i gradually started cooking everything from scratch at home........so i absolutely know whats in it..........i have tried to avoid going out to eat but the ubiquitos baked potato with beans has featured rather more than it would at all at home when i have gone out.......... i have also discovered a local pasta restuarant where one of the chefs is vegan(the restuarant isnt) so when i have been out, i go there and he does me a basil tomatoey thingy with dried pasta..........i have taken friends there because i know i am safe there.........if you need to go out with colleagues what about ringing up the restaurant you are going to, or several to see where you could be best catered for, in advance and have a chat with them?........rather than be embarassed at the table, or left with nothing palatable or filling to eat when all around you stuff them selves............ research is the answer.......i have also found a curry house locally that cooks with vegetable oil rather than ghee (saves them money!)..........and prepares meat dishes seperately because they have hindu clients as well as me........so i have a curry when i fancy something spicy........ but the other answer is to have all your work colleagues around and cook them all the vegan equivalents of exciting meals..........i just had two vegetarians in love with cheese staying for a month.........i cooked only vegan food for them and they were surprised that i didnt feed them mung bean cold salad.........but hearty warm dishes tasty that went down well............ get some vegan wine in!! amazon have great vegan cook books!! good luck catherine >"wales422" > > > Hi! New Member here. >Mon, 24 Nov 2003 00:48:19 -0000 > >I'm Dave, 38 in Chicago. I'll try to keep it brief. >I was ovo-lacto for about 8 years and slowly drifted back into meat- >eating for a few years, which I am not at all happy about now. I've >been back to ovo-lacto now for about a month, and don't see going >back to eating flesh again. I forgot how disgusting a piece of >grilled flesh 'really' is. Anyway, I'm leaning toward going vegan. >The first thing that I stopped was drinking milk, which I >surprisingly don't miss much. > >Because I have been vegetarian, I know I won't have any problems with >converting to that diet, but the vegan is way more of a challenge, >namely cheese, eggs, and pretty much not eating anything out of a >package. Also, vegan dress shoes are generally pretty hideous and >cheap-looking for the professional world. And eating at restaurants >is probably the hardest thing for me. I imagine going out with my >meat-eating friends or business associates (which is all of them) to >either be a baked potato and salad, or interrogating the waiter about >what ingredients are in which dish (the hidden ingredients thing is >daunting). > >I emotionally/in a guilt-ridden way feel like I should just jump into >the vegan lifestyle, although my mind tells me I'm not quite there >yet. My compromise so far has been that I am phasing out the dairy >and eggs at home, and being choosier at restaurants, but not getting >too down on myself if I do eats eggs or cheese. > >So do any of you members have any advice? Similar experiences? >Jumping in vs. phasing in? How long it took for some of you to go >vegan after going veggie? So, I joined the group to be around some >vegans to see what the lifestyle is all about, and I'm looking >forward to learning a lot here. Thanks, Dave. > Half price modem, FREE connection and one month FREE - click here to sign up to BT Broadband. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Hey there Dave. I'm also from the chicagoland area and semi-new to veganism. Good to not feel so outnumbered with all of those west coast and european people, which there seems to be a plenty around these parts. That also comes with much love too. I was actually never a vegetarian, so I wouldn't really understand your situation, but I personally didn't phase much at all. It was something I wanted and I didn't see any point in waiting especially when starting sooner meant not contributing at all to the continuation of any of those practices I didn't agree with. I can see where you're coming from on the dress shoes thing, I hear that can be a problem being a professional. I'm not much of a dresser-upper I'm a sneakers kind of guy and I make them work with whatever I wear. However since that's most likely not how you do things there are a few websites that offer business shoes that seem pretty decent. A few websites if you're interested are: www.veganessentials.com www.mooshoes.com www.veganstore.com I've pretty much stopped dining out now, though it's not out of the question as I'd be interested in finding some vegan restaurants, otherwise I'd say it just depends on where you go. Many asian restaurants probably offer a good deal of vegetable dishes along with using mock meats or tofu. Other people say you can ask the chef to cook you up something. Or if you can do without just don't get anything and if anyone asks tell them whatever you feel comfortable letting them know. Reading ingredients is pretty daunting at first, but there's information out there that can help, and you can always ask. And trust me, it does get easier I didn't think it would but soon enough I got used to what to look for. Paul >I'm Dave, 38 in Chicago. I'll try to keep it brief. >I was ovo-lacto for about 8 years and slowly drifted back into meat- >eating for a few years, which I am not at all happy about now. I've >been back to ovo-lacto now for about a month, and don't see going >back to eating flesh again. I forgot how disgusting a piece of >grilled flesh 'really' is. Anyway, I'm leaning toward going vegan. >The first thing that I stopped was drinking milk, which I >surprisingly don't miss much. > >Because I have been vegetarian, I know I won't have any problems with >converting to that diet, but the vegan is way more of a challenge, >namely cheese, eggs, and pretty much not eating anything out of a >package. Also, vegan dress shoes are generally pretty hideous and >cheap-looking for the professional world. And eating at restaurants >is probably the hardest thing for me. I imagine going out with my >meat-eating friends or business associates (which is all of them) to >either be a baked potato and salad, or interrogating the waiter about >what ingredients are in which dish (the hidden ingredients thing is >daunting). > >I emotionally/in a guilt-ridden way feel like I should just jump into >the vegan lifestyle, although my mind tells me I'm not quite there >yet. My compromise so far has been that I am phasing out the dairy >and eggs at home, and being choosier at restaurants, but not getting >too down on myself if I do eats eggs or cheese. > >So do any of you members have any advice? Similar experiences? >Jumping in vs. phasing in? How long it took for some of you to go >vegan after going veggie? So, I joined the group to be around some >vegans to see what the lifestyle is all about, and I'm looking >forward to learning a lot here. Thanks, Dave. > > > >To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Howdy neighbor! Whereabouts Chicago are you? Born and raised south sider here, now living in Oak Lawn. Nice to meet ya! Hmmmm..... can't help ya too much on the phasing/jumping question other than to say do what you can and what you feel. Tis not easy, but you have to follow your heart and mind the same. Me, I went full fledged vegan once I found out what was in the food, how they prepped the meat etc and what they did to the animals. Never was a veggie. In the beginning I missed some stuff, but now could never go back. I've thought about it from time to time, but cannot stand the thought. I think one you cleanse your system, it gets easier every day. I do wish you lots of luck, and let me know if I can help. Have found a few great vegan/veggie restaurants and some great places to get food. My fav restaurant so far is Amitubal on Milwaukee Avenue near Niles. They have classes there too to teach you how to prepare foods to your lifestyle. I want to sign up, but haven't found the time yet. nikki , " wales422 " <wales422@a...> wrote: > I'm Dave, 38 in Chicago. I'll try to keep it brief. > I was ovo-lacto for about 8 years and slowly drifted back into meat- > eating for a few years, which I am not at all happy about now. I've > been back to ovo-lacto now for about a month, and don't see going > back to eating flesh again. I forgot how disgusting a piece of > grilled flesh 'really' is. Anyway, I'm leaning toward going vegan. > The first thing that I stopped was drinking milk, which I > surprisingly don't miss much. > > Because I have been vegetarian, I know I won't have any problems with > converting to that diet, but the vegan is way more of a challenge, > namely cheese, eggs, and pretty much not eating anything out of a > package. Also, vegan dress shoes are generally pretty hideous and > cheap-looking for the professional world. And eating at restaurants > is probably the hardest thing for me. I imagine going out with my > meat-eating friends or business associates (which is all of them) to > either be a baked potato and salad, or interrogating the waiter about > what ingredients are in which dish (the hidden ingredients thing is > daunting). > > I emotionally/in a guilt-ridden way feel like I should just jump into > the vegan lifestyle, although my mind tells me I'm not quite there > yet. My compromise so far has been that I am phasing out the dairy > and eggs at home, and being choosier at restaurants, but not getting > too down on myself if I do eats eggs or cheese. > > So do any of you members have any advice? Similar experiences? > Jumping in vs. phasing in? How long it took for some of you to go > vegan after going veggie? So, I joined the group to be around some > vegans to see what the lifestyle is all about, and I'm looking > forward to learning a lot here. Thanks, Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Hi Paul Well put! Ok so, whereabouts are you as well? nikki - remembers when she was the only Midwesterner here gaining on the CA/UK , Paul <nospam@u...> wrote: > Hey there Dave. I'm also from the chicagoland area and semi-new to veganism. > Good to not feel so outnumbered with all of those west coast and european > people, which there seems to be a plenty around these parts. That also comes > with much love too. > > I was actually never a vegetarian, so I wouldn't really understand your > situation, but I personally didn't phase much at all. It was something I > wanted and I didn't see any point in waiting especially when starting sooner > meant not contributing at all to the continuation of any of those practices I > didn't agree with. > > I can see where you're coming from on the dress shoes thing, I hear that can > be a problem being a professional. I'm not much of a dresser-upper I'm a > sneakers kind of guy and I make them work with whatever I wear. However since > that's most likely not how you do things there are a few websites that offer > business shoes that seem pretty decent. A few websites if you're interested > are: > > www.veganessentials.com > > www.mooshoes.com > > www.veganstore.com > > I've pretty much stopped dining out now, though it's not out of the question > as I'd be interested in finding some vegan restaurants, otherwise I'd say it > just depends on where you go. Many asian restaurants probably offer a good > deal of vegetable dishes along with using mock meats or tofu. Other people > say you can ask the chef to cook you up something. Or if you can do without > just don't get anything and if anyone asks tell them whatever you feel > comfortable letting them know. > > Reading ingredients is pretty daunting at first, but there's information out > there that can help, and you can always ask. And trust me, it does get easier > I didn't think it would but soon enough I got used to what to look for. > > Paul > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 In a message dated 11/24/03 5:16:29 AM Pacific Standard Time, nikkimack writes: gaining on the CA/UK sounds like a hairball cough.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 I'm in Northwest Indiana, the whereabouts of Schererville and Dyer. Paul >Hi Paul > >Well put! > >Ok so, whereabouts are you as well? > >nikki - remembers when she was the only Midwesterner here >gaining on the CA/UK > > > , Paul <nospam@u...> wrote: >> Hey there Dave. I'm also from the chicagoland area and semi-new to > >veganism. > >> Good to not feel so outnumbered with all of those west coast and > >european > >> people, which there seems to be a plenty around these parts. That > >also comes > >> with much love too. >> >> I was actually never a vegetarian, so I wouldn't really understand > >your > >> situation, but I personally didn't phase much at all. It was > >something I > >> wanted and I didn't see any point in waiting especially when > >starting sooner > >> meant not contributing at all to the continuation of any of those > >practices I > >> didn't agree with. >> >> I can see where you're coming from on the dress shoes thing, I hear > >that can > >> be a problem being a professional. I'm not much of a dresser-upper > >I'm a > >> sneakers kind of guy and I make them work with whatever I wear. > >However since > >> that's most likely not how you do things there are a few websites > >that offer > >> business shoes that seem pretty decent. A few websites if you're > >interested > >> are: >> >> www.veganessentials.com >> >> www.mooshoes.com >> >> www.veganstore.com >> >> I've pretty much stopped dining out now, though it's not out of the > >question > >> as I'd be interested in finding some vegan restaurants, otherwise > >I'd say it > >> just depends on where you go. Many asian restaurants probably offer > >a good > >> deal of vegetable dishes along with using mock meats or tofu. > >Other people > >> say you can ask the chef to cook you up something. Or if you can > >do without > >> just don't get anything and if anyone asks tell them whatever you > >feel > >> comfortable letting them know. >> >> Reading ingredients is pretty daunting at first, but there's > >information out > >> there that can help, and you can always ask. And trust me, it does > >get easier > >> I didn't think it would but soon enough I got used to what to look > >for. > >> Paul > > >To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Hi Dave Welcome to the group. I hope you enjoy it here. Personally, I think it is best to dive straight in - you will make mistakes anyway for quite a long time. In restaurants I would phone up beforehand if at all possible to find out what they can do that doesn't contain anything animal, but failing that then by all means ask the chef as many questions as you need to - you are the customer and he is taking your money. Good luck Jo - wales422 Monday, November 24, 2003 12:48 AM Hi! New Member here. I'm Dave, 38 in Chicago. I'll try to keep it brief. I was ovo-lacto for about 8 years and slowly drifted back into meat-eating for a few years, which I am not at all happy about now. I've been back to ovo-lacto now for about a month, and don't see going back to eating flesh again. I forgot how disgusting a piece of grilled flesh 'really' is. Anyway, I'm leaning toward going vegan. The first thing that I stopped was drinking milk, which I surprisingly don't miss much. Because I have been vegetarian, I know I won't have any problems with converting to that diet, but the vegan is way more of a challenge, namely cheese, eggs, and pretty much not eating anything out of a package. Also, vegan dress shoes are generally pretty hideous and cheap-looking for the professional world. And eating at restaurants is probably the hardest thing for me. I imagine going out with my meat-eating friends or business associates (which is all of them) to either be a baked potato and salad, or interrogating the waiter about what ingredients are in which dish (the hidden ingredients thing is daunting). I emotionally/in a guilt-ridden way feel like I should just jump into the vegan lifestyle, although my mind tells me I'm not quite there yet. My compromise so far has been that I am phasing out the dairy and eggs at home, and being choosier at restaurants, but not getting too down on myself if I do eats eggs or cheese. So do any of you members have any advice? Similar experiences? Jumping in vs. phasing in? How long it took for some of you to go vegan after going veggie? So, I joined the group to be around some vegans to see what the lifestyle is all about, and I'm looking forward to learning a lot here. Thanks, Dave. To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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