How did you become vegan or vegetarian? -Was it slowly or was it sudden? -Did you do it alone or with others? -Was it for animal rights, your health, environmental reasons, world hunger, or all of the above? For me, I went from omni to vegan overnight. I had gone to an animal rights convention and saw a lot of footage that was enough impetus for me to switch my lifestyle and never look back. I did it alone, but I did know other vegans, so I had exposure to what it was; I just didn't know all the important reasons yet. I feel it's the best decision I've ever made in my life. Although I did it mainly for the animals, the health benefits are like a cool added bonus for me. As if mother nature is rewarding me for being kind to her.
It just stopped eating meat one day, was definetly the way to go because I'm trying to phase in veganism and it's not happening. Managed all by myself, though with this forum as motivation and suppourt. Hmm for pretty much all the reasons people give, mainly animal rights. Though to be honest I just couldn't find a single good reason to eat it, and didn't want to, so quit.
Meh, I can't decide whether mine was slow or sudden...I suppose you'd say I slowly worked my way into it because I was an on and off veggie since I was EIGHT until I reached about age 14 and then I didn't go off of it again... I SLOWLY went vegan, because I was so unaware of all the nutrition I needed and what products were available to me to ween myself off of dairy products, eggs, and other animals products. I started eating soy cheeze, now I don't eat any type of cheese not even a substitute. I still indulge in vegan mayonaise... But for the most part I eat mainly raw foods lots of grapes, nuts, seeds, bananas, carrots, green beans... I did it alone. I didn't know a single vegetarian until as of recently... I met a girl a year ago who was veggie and we went to a KFC "protest" together... And recently I met a guy who I became fast friends with who just made the transition to being a veggie.. My best friend is now a full fledged veggie as well... she slowly worked her way into it. When we were in high school she eliminated red meat, then fish, then poultry and now she's completely weened off of meat. What was it for...ALL OF THE ABOVE. Oh yeah and I did I mention my MENTAL health? You have no idea how obsessive I always was about food; that's what led to my eating disorder... Going vegan REALLY helped me snap out of it, and recover. I had something to control, something to focus my energy on other than ...well, starving my body completely. I can't think of ONE good reason to EVER go back to eating meat...or being a plain veggie for that matter either.
My transition was slow. I was always interested in vegetarianism, but my parents wouldn't let me do it. So when I was sixteen and able to make decisions and base them of research and facts, I stopped eating red meat. My mom wouldn't let me stop it unless I continued to eat chicken, so for the next two years, I only ate chicken, eggs and dairy. When I moved out with my boyfriend (now DH), I dropped meat completely, and it was just fine. I lost thirty pounds in two years and I've never felt better about myself. Last year I developed lactose intolerance, so I cut that out of my diet and am now down to just eggs. Eventually I see myself going vegan, when money isn't so tight, but for now, my contribution to vegetarianism is good enough for me. Bright Blessings! Aphrodite Pretty
I was reading the bhagavad- gita and saw and heard about vegetrianism thrue the book and so it was origionally for spirituality. jahbless
I just decided. I quit cold turkey and was a vegan for three months. Then I got sick and had to be an egg, milk and cheese vegitarian. It's been 11 months in all, and I haven't regretted my decision once.
I saw an article about raw-veganism and decided to give it a try... switching so quickly from omni made me ill so I became vegetarian and now I'm vegan. Don't know if I'll go as far as being raw-vegan again, not just yet anyway I also realised that shopping at supermarkets and eating processed foods was no good for me, my husband or my local shops ( ) so I stopped that six months ago and lost 3 stone (42 pounds) and now I'm much healthier!!!
I must say the weight loss was MY favorite part... I used to have to work at it... and aside from that, I see all these other people going on fad diets like "Atkins" "Cabbage Soup" "Grapefruit" diets...etc...and when they ask me what I do to stay slim I have the pleasure to say "Well, I don't eat animals or their products as a way of life" People often go on these fad diets, lose weight, and return to their unhealthy eating habits...they don't realize that the only way is to make healthy eating a way of life. I can't think of anything healthier than a vegan lifestyle. Once you get the ball rolling, you dont have to work at it anymore, and you dont feel like youre giving up anything. And if you must there are so many vegan replacements that you can indulge in the same tastes you have before, except that they havent come from an animal and are much more heart-healthy. How can you go wrong with that? And I have to admit... one of my new favorites is Tofutti vegan ice cream. It's great for PMS. The flavors are amazing and it has a nice soft creamy texture... it's my favorite brand so far. For the most part, other vegan ice creams I've tried seemed more icy and tasted more or less like frozen yogurt...EVERYONE TRY TOFUTTI ICE CREAM!! NOW!
I picked up Laurel's Kitchen. Started off by making the healthiest breakfasts known to mankind. Expanded the meal towards lunch. Eventually all three meals were vegetarian. So I'd have to say it was done quite gradually.
I did a bit of research into other sources of iron, protein etc then it was overnight. Just stopped eating meat. My reasons were for all of what you listed. I know a few vegetarians and vegans so they've helped with meal ideas and have been very supportive. My family have been great too.
I'm sitting on a cot in Texas, listening to the first cuts released off Double Fantasy. I'm reading the Penguin translation of the Bhagvad-Gita, and have the Life book on world religions open at the end of the bed. Hinduism is really sparking my interest. I note in the Life book that millions of Indian Hindus are veg. They see cattle as sacred and do not kill them. I look up vegetarian in the dictionary. I call directory assistance in Dallas for the Hare Krishna temple. within days, I no longer eat meat. I'm 13, barely. Less than a month later, Lennon would be killed. I discover George Harrison's solo work, above the radio hits, and his devotion keeps me veg for , five years. By then I'm a researching fool: calories v. Kcals, iron absorption rates. I have the original Diet for a Small Planet and combine foods like crazy. I'd heard the term vegan in a telly interview and a brief mention in Teen magazine. (I always wanted to write and thought that would be an outlet. I learned.) in 1983. I look into that, and decide animal use for vanity was well, silly. I resolve no more leather. Wool and silk would dawn on me eventually. Today, I'm lacto-veg. I enjoy Indian food (dairy) and really haven't found a decent equivalent. I have started eating far less of it out of the house. Who knows? one day I might be raw vegan. I like some raw cuisine. Now, I'm attending synogogue , still with a lot of foundation of love based from ISKON, I'm the only veghead. I'm the info source for vegan ingredients for the families going kosher. they like bocca cheeseburgers and brats. tofutti has entered their freezers. one day, they will think "Thou shall not kill" means even for dinner.
just one day, i decided not to eat any meat. and the next day i didnt either, or the next, and i just decided i wont again.
