Alright, so I had a question. And before I start off, I'll just say that this is not my attempt at grasping for a label, or to fit into a category. I'm just trying to find some clarity, and maybe hear from some other vegetarians and vegans and see what you guys think. So, when I was about 15, I went vegetarian. At 17, I went vegan. I was vegan for 5 years, and then at about 22 I went back to being vegetarian. I spent the last 2 and half-ish years eating dairy and even a little fish here and there. Then, I decided, after discovering that I'm lactose intolerant (which I think may have been caused by some sort of shock to going back to dairy or something) I decided to make the switch back to vegan. My initial reasoning for making the switch to veggie at 15 was for moral reasons. And while that is still in the back of my mind, my choices are much more geared towards my own health, nowadays. However, (and here's where I'm confused) my veganism these days is slightly less strict than it was before. I'm allowing myself to eat breads and certain products that I know will most likely contains traces of eggs, cheese, or milk. And when I'm on a budget, I will even go for some products that do contain these ingredients straight up. I own a leather jacket and belt that I bought in my 2nd round of vegetarianism, and I still love to wear them sometimes. My biggest confusion I guess stems from the fact that the people around me are confused, and even kind of laughing it off, calling me a "fraud." Now, I'm not out to please anybody, but I had just wondered: what the hell would I be considered? A vegetarian? A vegan? What? I identify as vegan, but I can't always/don't always want to live up to the highest standards of veganism. I'm fully aware that it is my life, and I can do what I please, but I wondered if anyone else is in a situation similar to mine? Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!
You're vegetarian. Vegan = no animal products or derivatives ever, for any reason, even trace ingredients, no exceptions, end of story. There's nothing wrong with being "just" vegetarian. Every bit counts.
About the leather, the question is not so simple. Someone consider wearing leather hypocritical because you have to kill the animal to get its leather; others say it's legit because animals are primary killed for flesh. I decided to stop buying leather, but I still wear what I bought before this decision. If you eat eggs, dairy, etc, you are not vegan. But, as SweetBlasphemy says, there's nothing wrong with being just vegetarian. Remember that if you still eat some fish here and there, you should call yourself "pescetarian".
Fair enough. I did buy the coat (from a second hand store, for what that's worth) while I was in a more aloof pescetarian phase. I don't wear it often, but every once in awhile it's nice to wear. Funny thing, however, that not long after I posted this thread, I had some cheese which ended up REALLY not agreeing with me, and giving some pretty severe sharp pains and stomach cramps. The whole thing was just a friendly little reminder to get back on the vegan thing, and just stay with it. I'm giving up dairy again, and for good. It's just not agreeing with me, so why bother with it? I guess every day is a day of rediscovery. I saw drumminmama say in another thread that "I've been doing this for years, yet every day is day one." I think that is a very great and true quote to me. The whole "life's a journey, not a destination" thing. Thanks for the help, friends.
I am of a similar diet. I have been a vegetarian for 16+ years. I eat very little dairy and such, but I have no desire to go full-on vegan.
If you answer a survey, the answer is vegetarian. I'm a veg who cooks vegan at home but relaxes the rules out and about. I have beeswax lipbalm, mainly because the WF carries no vegan option. I have preowned wool and silk.
this sounds pretty much exactly like me. i cook vegan for myself, but when i go out i bend the rules a little bit. i own a few wool sweaters and a leather belt. the sweaters were preowned and bought from thrift stores, and the belt was a gift from a dear friend. other than that, i have been living pretty vegan, actually. i would say i am a vegan. i have even changed my ways a bit since my initial post, and am back to pretty much vegan. good enough for me! i look and feel better than i ever have, and am doing the best i can to help stop some suffering and be a more compassionate and eco-friendly person. right arm! thanks everyone.
