Guest guest Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 I thought I may as well join in since there seem to be so many new members within the past few days (I've been lurking for awhile)! First, I'd like to say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of you here, especially those who choose to be vegan and are successful! Ultimately this is my goal but oh gad, a pizza without mozzarella? My weakness! My name is Lisa, I am a 34 year old mother of six, and I have never enjoyed eating meat, though I never stood my ground either and refused it. With the encouragement of my three oldest daughters, ages 13, 12 and 10 - we are going completely vegetarian. My husband is Middle Eastern (I am American) so I am the queen of hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel, lentil soup, fou'l (a fava bean delight!) and am quite used to cooking with lots of fresh vegetables as most Middle Eastern diets involve. I must have a dozen questions, if you don't mind - My husband doesn't want to give up meat entirely, though he is good about trying new vegetarian dishes and he believes meat should never be the main dish, or even eaten every day, but a 'little bit' once in awhile. how have those of you married to meat-eaters managed, or compromised? To my absolute horror, I just watched 'Meat Your Meat' which only strengthen my resolve to live and eat morally. How could I have been so blind all these years??? (no need to answer this one!) Is it ethical to eat eggs from a free-range farm? (Plenty of them around here) I grew up with a best friend who was raised on a dairy farm. From what I recall, the cows were very well cared for, calves stayed with their mothers and they had green meadows to graze.and yes, the farm still exists .this is how I always visualized the source of the milk I buy at the supermarket. Is this completely naive? Any suggestions on weight loss? I am still nursing my 10 month old, so I am watching the proteins and iron, have added exercise, cut all drinks except water. Well, as fate would have it my 10 month old just woke up from his nap and my mind went blank.I'll be sure to remember the rest of my questions and post later - that way I don't overwhelm you anyway! Nice to meet you all! Lisa www.pbase.com/aljuwaie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 > > First, I'd like to say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for > all of you here, especially those who choose to be vegan and are > successful! Ultimately this is my goal but oh gad, a pizza without > mozzarella? My weakness! You MUST try Follow Your Heart Vegan mozzarella!! It is THE best alternative on the market!! http://www.imearthkind.com/ If you can't get it locally, you can get it online! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 Hi Lisa, I am so glad you posted. My dh eats some meat still as well. My daughter only eats a bit of chicken and fish. My son, the youngest, will hardly touch any vegetables! Making a dinner that everyone will enjoy can be a challenge. I just muddle along trying new recipes and using the vegetarian meat replacement items in the place of the meat in regular recipes. It seems to work out very well, and some days my dh just goes out and fires up the bbq grill and cooks his own meat to go with his dinner if he has a craving. Like you I have always loathed the taste of meat, so giving it up was easy for me. I have learned so much from the people in this group, and gotten many recipe ideas. I don't think there is anything wrong with eating free-range eggs. Especially if you happen to know the farm is treating the hens well! I am lacto-ovo vegetarian, so I am sure a vegan might differ in this opinion on eggs. But if a hen is living a good life on a nice farm and they will sell you the eggs, that is the best place to buy them. Some boxed eggs in stores that claim to be free-range eggs might not be in reality. There isn't really any firm regulation to control who can put that term on their egg cartons....so do your research to be sure. ~ PT ~ The palest ink is better than the best memory. ~ Chinese proverb ~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~~~~> , " l. a l j u w a i e " <aljuwaie@c...> wrote: > I thought I may as well join in since there seem to be so many new > members within the past few days (I've been lurking for awhile)! > My name is Lisa, I am a 34 year old mother of six, and I have never > enjoyed eating meat > I must have a dozen questions, if you don't mind - > My husband doesn't want to give up meat entirely, though he is good > about trying new vegetarian dishes and he believes meat should never be > the main dish, or even eaten every day, but a 'little bit' once in > awhile. how have those of you married to meat-eaters managed, or > compromised? > Is it ethical to eat eggs from a free-range farm? (Plenty of them around > here) > Nice to meet you all! > Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 Welcome, If you're looking to replace mozarella, I would strongly suggest you try " Follow Your Heart " vegan gourmet. www.imearthkind.com It is the only really good vegan cheese I have ever had; their mozarella isn't as stretchy as dairy, but tastes just as good. You may find the stretchiness is worth sacrificing for cheese without the pus, hormones, and support of the evil dairy farms. Unfortunately it's quite expensive if you can't find it locally (maybe even if you can). When you're ready to go vegan, the best way is just go cold turkey. Casein contains addictive opioids so you'll never break the craving for cheese by eating dairy in moderation. Now, I eat cheeseless pizza and don't miss the " rancid mammary secretions " one bit. Now as for your question about free range eggs... Unfortunately, no. There are absolutely no legal regulations for what may be labeled free range. Sadly, they can shove a bunch of chickens into a tiny room and call it free range because technically there's no cage. Also, since there's no animal cruelty laws applying to farm animals, there's nothing stopping a " freerange " egg farmer from cutting the beaks of chickens or starving them in order to make them lay more eggs. This is not to say that no " ethical " free range farm exists, but unless you inspect the farm yourself, there's no way to tell. Unfortunately, Your vision of dairy cows is naive, yes. Most dairy farms do not graze the cows so they are crammed into tight, filthy areas. Cows are often injected with hormones (i.e. BGH) in order to produce more. A cow is essentially raped in order to make her lactate (they artificially inseminate her by cramming a " turkey baster " like object in her). Also, since dairy cows need to be impregnanted, that means the bull calves (or excess female calves) will probably end up as veal. Also, once a dairy cow " dries up " she will probably end up as beef. Therefore, supporting the dairy industry is always indirectly supporting the meat industry. Again, this is not to say that there isn't some organic, free-range dairy farm somewhere, but unless you inspect it, there's no way to know. Also, (and not to scare you), but since you are nursing an infant, the hormones and toxins which are in cow's milk may very likely be passed into your breast milk and on to your child. There isn't much research (that I'm aware of) which has suggested exactly what cow hormones can do to a nursing child. But I guarantee it isn't good. From the biology and neuroscience classes I've taken I can tell you that young children (who have brains still rapidly developing) are the most susceptible to dangerous substances in general. Not to mention that milk and egg yolks are extremely unhealthy for all humans, containing high levels of saturated fat. Just think, humans are the only species to ingest milk of another. We haven't even been doing it very long (in evolutionary terms), so humans certainly have not evolved to benefit from cow's milk. As for your husband, well, perhaps you could offer him some of the many soy / vegetable based meat substitutes out there. If he can replace the meat he occassionally indulges in with something else, then I can't see why he wouldn't become vegetarian, too. If not, then I don't think it unfair for you to insist that he cook all his own meat when he wants to eat it. I hope I've helped you more than bored you.... In , " l. a l j u w a i e " <aljuwaie@c...> wrote: > > > First, I'd like to say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for > all of you here, especially those who choose to be vegan and are > successful! Ultimately this is my goal but oh gad, a pizza without > mozzarella? My weakness! > > My name is Lisa, I am a 34 year old mother of six, and I have never > enjoyed eating meat, though I never stood my ground either and refused > it. With the encouragement of my three oldest daughters, ages 13, 12 and > 10 - we are going completely vegetarian. My husband is Middle Eastern > (I am American) so I am the queen of hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel, > lentil soup, fou'l (a fava bean delight!) and am quite used to cooking > with lots of fresh vegetables as most Middle Eastern diets involve. > > My husband doesn't want to give up meat entirely, though he is good > about trying new vegetarian dishes and he believes meat should never be > the main dish, or even eaten every day, but a 'little bit' once in > awhile. how have those of you married to meat-eaters managed, or > compromised? > > To my absolute horror, I just watched 'Meat Your Meat' which only > strengthen my resolve to live and eat morally. How could I have been so > blind all these years??? (no need to answer this one!) > > > > Is it ethical to eat eggs from a free-range farm? (Plenty of them around > here) > > I grew up with a best friend who was raised on a dairy farm. From what I > recall, the cows were very well cared for, calves stayed with their > mothers and they had green meadows to graze.and yes, the farm still > exists .this is how I always visualized the source of the milk I buy at > the supermarket. Is this completely naive? > > Any suggestions on weight loss? I am still nursing my 10 month old, so I > am watching the proteins and iron, have added exercise, cut all drinks > except water. > > > Well, as fate would have it my 10 month old just woke up from his nap > and my mind went blank.I'll be sure to remember the rest of my questions > and post later - that way I don't overwhelm you anyway! > Nice to meet you all! > > > > Lisa > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I was vegan for years and when I added in pizza with dairy cheese and eggs, I started gaining weight and my cholestrol level went up. After a chat with my doctor, it was obvious what to do. I feel a lot better without dairy in my diet though I was able to get good karma cheese. While most dairies are not what you described, there are some around. When spending 6 weeks in Switzerland, I had the opportunity to visit a farm where the cows and chickens were treated kindly and raised in a natural environment. There are many small farms in that country but people pay a premium for animal products. , " l. a l j u w a i e " a pizza without mozzarella? My weakness! > Is it ethical to eat eggs from a free-range farm? (Plenty of them around here) the cows were very well cared for, calves stayed with their > mothers and they had green meadows to graze.and yes, the farm still > exists .this is how I always visualized the source of the milk I buy at > the supermarket. Is this completely naive? > Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 Thank you Star – this is interesting to me since I would like to lose a few pounds. Lisa pan [starcollage] Saturday, January 10, 2004 12:26 AM Re: Another new member, new vegetarian... I was vegan for years and when I added in pizza with dairy cheese and eggs, I started gaining weight and my cholestrol level went up. After a chat with my doctor, it was obvious what to do. I feel a lot better without dairy in my diet though I was able to get good karma cheese. While most dairies are not what you described, there are some around. When spending 6 weeks in Switzerland, I had the opportunity to visit a farm where the cows and chickens were treated kindly and raised in a natural environment. There are many small farms in that country but people pay a premium for animal products. , " l. a l j u w a i e " a pizza without mozzarella? My weakness! > Is it ethical to eat eggs from a free-range farm? (Plenty of them around here) the cows were very well cared for, calves stayed with their > mothers and they had green meadows to graze.and yes, the farm still > exists .this is how I always visualized the source of the milk I buy at > the supermarket. Is this completely naive? > Lisa _____ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 Thanks Dave, I went to the site and the mozzarella does look good! I did pick some (other brand) up the other day but it looks a bit grey so I’ve been hesitant. I will definitely try this though! And you didn’t bore me at all! You – and everyone who wrote to me – have enlightened me further. I feel like I am seeing for the very first time! Lisa dave [dave4sale] Friday, January 09, 2004 9:37 PM Re: Another new member, new vegetarian... Welcome, If you're looking to replace mozarella, I would strongly suggest you try " Follow Your Heart " vegan gourmet. www.imearthkind.com It is the only really good vegan cheese I have ever had; their mozarella isn't as stretchy as dairy, but tastes just as good. You may find the stretchiness is worth sacrificing for cheese without the pus, hormones, and support of the evil dairy farms. Unfortunately it's quite expensive if you can't find it locally (maybe even if you can). When you're ready to go vegan, the best way is just go cold turkey. Casein contains addictive opioids so you'll never break the craving for cheese by eating dairy in moderation. Now, I eat cheeseless pizza and don't miss the " rancid mammary secretions " one bit. Now as for your question about free range eggs... Unfortunately, no. There are absolutely no legal regulations for what may be labeled free range. Sadly, they can shove a bunch of chickens into a tiny room and call it free range because technically there's no cage. Also, since there's no animal cruelty laws applying to farm animals, there's nothing stopping a " freerange " egg farmer from cutting the beaks of chickens or starving them in order to make them lay more eggs. This is not to say that no " ethical " free range farm exists, but unless you inspect the farm yourself, there's no way to tell. Unfortunately, Your vision of dairy cows is naive, yes. Most dairy farms do not graze the cows so they are crammed into tight, filthy areas. Cows are often injected with hormones (i.e. BGH) in order to produce more. A cow is essentially raped in order to make her lactate (they artificially inseminate her by cramming a " turkey baster " like object in her). Also, since dairy cows need to be impregnanted, that means the bull calves (or excess female calves) will probably end up as veal. Also, once a dairy cow " dries up " she will probably end up as beef. Therefore, supporting the dairy industry is always indirectly supporting the meat industry. Again, this is not to say that there isn't some organic, free-range dairy farm somewhere, but unless you inspect it, there's no way to know. Also, (and not to scare you), but since you are nursing an infant, the hormones and toxins which are in cow's milk may very likely be passed into your breast milk and on to your child. There isn't much research (that I'm aware of) which has suggested exactly what cow hormones can do to a nursing child. But I guarantee it isn't good. From the biology and neuroscience classes I've taken I can tell you that young children (who have brains still rapidly developing) are the most susceptible to dangerous substances in general. Not to mention that milk and egg yolks are extremely unhealthy for all humans, containing high levels of saturated fat. Just think, humans are the only species to ingest milk of another. We haven't even been doing it very long (in evolutionary terms), so humans certainly have not evolved to benefit from cow's milk. As for your husband, well, perhaps you could offer him some of the many soy / vegetable based meat substitutes out there. If he can replace the meat he occassionally indulges in with something else, then I can't see why he wouldn't become vegetarian, too. If not, then I don't think it unfair for you to insist that he cook all his own meat when he wants to eat it. I hope I've helped you more than bored you.... In , " l. a l j u w a i e " <aljuwaie@c...> wrote: > > > First, I'd like to say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for > all of you here, especially those who choose to be vegan and are > successful! Ultimately this is my goal but oh gad, a pizza without > mozzarella? My weakness! > > My name is Lisa, I am a 34 year old mother of six, and I have never > enjoyed eating meat, though I never stood my ground either and refused > it. With the encouragement of my three oldest daughters, ages 13, 12 and > 10 - we are going completely vegetarian. My husband is Middle Eastern > (I am American) so I am the queen of hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel, > lentil soup, fou'l (a fava bean delight!) and am quite used to cooking > with lots of fresh vegetables as most Middle Eastern diets involve. > > My husband doesn't want to give up meat entirely, though he is good > about trying new vegetarian dishes and he believes meat should never be > the main dish, or even eaten every day, but a 'little bit' once in > awhile. how have those of you married to meat-eaters managed, or > compromised? > > To my absolute horror, I just watched 'Meat Your Meat' which only > strengthen my resolve to live and eat morally. How could I have been so > blind all these years??? (no need to answer this one!) > > > > Is it ethical to eat eggs from a free-range farm? (Plenty of them around > here) > > I grew up with a best friend who was raised on a dairy farm. From what I > recall, the cows were very well cared for, calves stayed with their > mothers and they had green meadows to graze.and yes, the farm still > exists .this is how I always visualized the source of the milk I buy at > the supermarket. Is this completely naive? > > Any suggestions on weight loss? I am still nursing my 10 month old, so I > am watching the proteins and iron, have added exercise, cut all drinks > except water. > > > Well, as fate would have it my 10 month old just woke up from his nap > and my mind went blank.I'll be sure to remember the rest of my questions > and post later - that way I don't overwhelm you anyway! > Nice to meet you all! > > > > Lisa > _____ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 Hi PT! I think my husband might have to renew his relationship with the grill this summer as well, LOL. I plan to ask him to watch ‘Meet Your Meat’ though and he is a very open-minded and caring man so maybe that will help too! Whatever he chooses, I’m sure we can make this work! Thanks;) Lisa ~ PT ~ [patchouli_troll] Friday, January 09, 2004 6:53 PM Re: Another new member, new vegetarian... Hi Lisa, I am so glad you posted. My dh eats some meat still as well. My daughter only eats a bit of chicken and fish. My son, the youngest, will hardly touch any vegetables! Making a dinner that everyone will enjoy can be a challenge. I just muddle along trying new recipes and using the vegetarian meat replacement items in the place of the meat in regular recipes. It seems to work out very well, and some days my dh just goes out and fires up the bbq grill and cooks his own meat to go with his dinner if he has a craving. Like you I have always loathed the taste of meat, so giving it up was easy for me. I have learned so much from the people in this group, and gotten many recipe ideas. I don't think there is anything wrong with eating free-range eggs. Especially if you happen to know the farm is treating the hens well! I am lacto-ovo vegetarian, so I am sure a vegan might differ in this opinion on eggs. But if a hen is living a good life on a nice farm and they will sell you the eggs, that is the best place to buy them. Some boxed eggs in stores that claim to be free-range eggs might not be in reality. There isn't really any firm regulation to control who can put that term on their egg cartons....so do your research to be sure. ~ PT ~ The palest ink is better than the best memory. ~ Chinese proverb ~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~~~~> , " l. a l j u w a i e " <aljuwaie@c...> wrote: > I thought I may as well join in since there seem to be so many new > members within the past few days (I've been lurking for awhile)! > My name is Lisa, I am a 34 year old mother of six, and I have never > enjoyed eating meat > I must have a dozen questions, if you don't mind - > My husband doesn't want to give up meat entirely, though he is good > about trying new vegetarian dishes and he believes meat should never be > the main dish, or even eaten every day, but a 'little bit' once in > awhile. how have those of you married to meat-eaters managed, or > compromised? > Is it ethical to eat eggs from a free-range farm? (Plenty of them around > here) > Nice to meet you all! > Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 Thanks Sheryl! Dave recommended this as well so it must be good!!! I’ll give my review as soon as I get some! ;o) Lisa Sheryl [ssarndt] Friday, January 09, 2004 1:08 AM Re: Another new member, new vegetarian... > > First, I'd like to say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for > all of you here, especially those who choose to be vegan and are > successful! Ultimately this is my goal but oh gad, a pizza without > mozzarella? My weakness! You MUST try Follow Your Heart Vegan mozzarella!! It is THE best alternative on the market!! http://www.imearthkind.com/ If you can't get it locally, you can get it online! _____ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2004 Report Share Posted January 11, 2004 Lisa, If you do decide to go vegan make sure you get enough vitamin b12. Unfortunately it isn't in very many vegan foods, but you can find it in vegan b-complex/multivitamins, fortified soymilk (i.e. vitasoy), algae supplements (i.e. chlorela or spirulina), and some fortified " nutritional yeast " . , " l. a l j u w a i e " <aljuwaie@c...> wrote: > Thanks Dave, I went to the site and the mozzarella does look good! I did > pick some (other brand) up the other day but it looks a bit grey so I've > been hesitant. I will definitely try this though! And you didn't bore me > at all! You – and everyone who wrote to me – have enlightened me > further. I feel like I am seeing for the very first time! > > Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2004 Report Share Posted January 11, 2004 Nutritional yeast is good for a cheesy dip though their are recipes for nut cheese and also various products in the marketplace if you desire. I also use nut.yeast in soups, gravy, on popcorn, etc. when I'm not sharing with someone's cat :]. Yer welcome, Lisa so , " l. a l j u w a i e " <aljuwaie@c...> wrote: > Thank you Star – this is interesting to me since I would like to lose a few pounds. > > Lisa > > Another new member, new vegetarian... > > I was vegan for years and when I added in pizza with dairy cheese > and eggs, I started gaining weight and my cholestrol level went up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2004 Report Share Posted January 12, 2004 , " pan " <starcollage> wrote: > Nutritional yeast is good for a cheesy dip though their are recipes > for nut cheese and also various products in the marketplace if you > desire. I also use nut.yeast in soups, gravy, on popcorn, etc. when > I'm not sharing with someone's cat :]. www.chreese.com has some interesting nutritional yeast dips and other products. I tried some of their stuff when they donated some products to the Kansas City Vegetarian group. I did not like their Macaroni and Chreese, but the Nacho chreese dips weren't too bad. I did appreciate their donations and like to support companies who support the vegetarian cause, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 I love Mac and Chreese. The secret is to NOT follow the preparation directions on the package. Instead, use a lot of Vegan Margarine (probably 3 TBS) and just enough soy milk to make it creamy. Also, I think it's a lot better if you top it with chopped fresh tomatoes and avocado. Yum! Of course, don't bother to try it until/unless you develop a taste for nutritional yeast, since that's the main ingredient in the sauce packet. --- Sheryl <ssarndt wrote: > www.chreese.com has some interesting nutritional > yeast dips and > other products. I tried some of their stuff when > they donated some > products to the Kansas City Vegetarian group. I did > not like their > Macaroni and Chreese, but the Nacho chreese dips > weren't too bad. I > did appreciate their donations and like to support > companies who > support the vegetarian cause, though! > > Hotjobs: Enter the " Signing Bonus " Sweepstakes http://hotjobs.sweepstakes./signingbonus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 heh, i guess I like mac & chreeze really soupy. i'll add a lot of soy milk & vegan margarine to it, but to make up for the dilution I'll add more nutritional yeast, which is what that powder sauce packet is mostly anyway. Megan - I love Mac and Chreese. The secret is to NOT follow the preparation directions on the package. Instead, use a lot of Vegan Margarine (probably 3 TBS) and just enough soy milk to make it creamy. Also, I think it's a lot better if you top it with chopped fresh tomatoes and avocado. Yum! Of course, don't bother to try it until/unless you develop a taste for nutritional yeast, since that's the main ingredient in the sauce packet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 , Lori <mrsshf> wrote: > I love Mac and Chreese. The secret is to NOT follow > the preparation directions on the package. Instead, > use a lot of Vegan Margarine (probably 3 TBS) and just > enough soy milk to make it creamy. Also, I think it's > a lot better if you top it with chopped fresh tomatoes > and avocado. Yum! > > Of course, don't bother to try it until/unless you > develop a taste for nutritional yeast, since that's > the main ingredient in the sauce packet. I think that's why I didn't like it. I don't think I liked the nutritional yeast! I figured it was easier to just go without! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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