I made the switch to Vegan last December. One could say I went pretty hard core into it immediately, literally within a day. Although I didn't throw out leather bealts, a leather chair, and some leather dog leashes (to me that's just a waste; I will use them til they are no longer useful then replace them with a Vegan alternative), I have not bought any non Vegan physical items (shoes, clothes, dog chew toys, etc). Diet wise I did GREAT for months, then started slacking and "sneaking" my one weakness... Pizza/Fast food. GROSS! The worst of gross things! I never buy non Vegan food at the grocery store, or prepare it in my house. But if I get hungry out on the road or something, I can't stop myself from getting a fish sandwhich. Then I get so mad. I know the answer is to eat before I leave, carry yummy snacks, etc. But I just get these cravings for junk food. I also order the odd Pizza when I crave it. I don't get meat on it, but I do get cheese. Oddly, chocolate, etc never tempts me. Nor does milk, in fact milk sickens me. We bake Vegan cakes, etc. I just had to let this out. I still consider myself Vegan, because I make every effort to do my best. But I do screw up, and a lot lately. Hoping I can get into this forum and it will give me some like minded support. I live with serious meat-eaters Another thing that bothers me ethically is the fact I do feed my dogs and cats meat (Super premium holistic kibble, no less, but at least I buy organic! LOL). I wish I could be a pureist, but as it is I do what I can to reduce suffering. Thanks for letting me talk... there is no one in my real life who understands!
I don't agree with a non-meat diet, yet I don't agree with how we get our meat. So, wtf. Furthermore, domesticating animals for pets as we have is almost as unnatural as the transition from hunting to growing life to be eaten, so you know, you end up kind of stuck in a rough spot if you want to really support a cause in all of it. IMO, we're SUPPOSED to like meat. We're supposed to crave it and eat it. B12 is abundant and kicks ass. Pets kick as too, but their food's made in sick fashion as well. So it's kind of a bitch when you have to boycott it. Perhaps you and your pets can bird-hunt in your back yard and be humane. You kill one o those cute lil birds and I'll come after you. :$
It's hard to change the way you live. Just try to be true to yourself. Don't beat yourself up over the occasional weakness for pizza or fish sandwich. Just remember that you are human. I'm trying to be a raw vegan yet tonight I ate pasta. Italian food is a weakness of mine. lol It wasn't even organic, vegan pasta. Also, don't worry about giving your animals meat. IMO cats and dogs are naturally carnivores and their bodies need the meat. At least you buy organic and that's great! Instead of beating yourself up when you slip maybe give yourself a pat on the back for the days you do really well. *hugs* and good luck! Jess
Thanks. BTW my pets don't kill wildlife. I don't even have a yard, and when I take my dogs to free run every day, it's in a dog park My cats are indoor only. Thanks for the post Jess... that makes me feel better. Oh, and I do take B12. Oddly, I never crave red meat, though, or chicken. Just fish! Jess I would love to go raw for a month every few months. I don't have the money to go raw all the time- it seems really good raw food that offers a lot of variety and interest is very expensive!
Not everybody can go vegan. Even if they want to. You have to pay attention to your body. As for your animals, you can't impose your beliefs on them. They have their own path just as you do. Its like getting married to a partner thats a meat eater. You have to respect their way as well. I recall a yogi in India who had a pet tiger who drank only milk. Exceptions exist, but I doubt your animals would stay healthy. When you took them on as pets, you assume responsibility to keep them in good health. Yes? x
Where did I ever once suggest I'd feed my pets a Vegan diet? No where. Only that I feel guilty when I buy meat containing pet food products.
Well, that depends on the purpose of being vegan. Some do it for diet, some due to cruelty to animals, or both. (Some don't even want to be indirectly related to animal cruelty, dog fod isn't vegan). Some predicament, then, to turn total vegan and have a pet dog.
I don't think having a pet dog is cruel. It is a predicament, but I'd never give up my beloved companions, nor would I give up my efforts to adopt and rescue homeless and needy companion animals. I am Vegan largely because of diet. I do believe it is healthier for both spiritual and nutritional reasons. I feel better, physically and mentally, when I eat a Vegan diet. Naturally, I want to reduce suffering as much as I can, and eat in the way that I believe is best for the environment.
No, not at all. Domestication was unnatural (arguably), but damn, dogs are awesome. What I'm saying is if one was to go vegan on principle of supporting the processes that are cruel to animals, and they had a pet of their own, they'd be presented with a dilemma. Can't be cruel to your own animal by not feeding it :$
Exactly- it's impossible to be perfect. But I can still try to reduce suffering. I have four dogs and two cats, so we go through a lot of petfood. But my animals have a loving home here.
Everyone slips up, don't beat yourself up. Especially if you're new at it, there's a small chance you're going to do it perfectly. Your body could be craving fat or something else... Sometimes I crave cheese or french fries or something. There are alternatives though... good luck in the future, and really you don't have to live strictly, no one is saying you have to.
i agree with most everything said here. for one, yeah, you can't beat yourself up. if it helps any, i'll share my experience with you. i went vegetarian when i was 16, vegan when i was 18. i've been vegan for 5 years now (being 23) and just this summer, i "temporarily" reverted back to vegetarianism. my initial decision came based on two things. for one, i was on the road, hitch-hiking around all summer, and i sort of hit a point where i had to take what i could get (still without eating meat, though) in order to get to eat at all. and also, after 5 years, my beliefs--in ALL aspects of my life--have changed drastically since i was 18 years old. part of me felt that i wasn't doing anything TOO horrible, by enjoying a vegetarian calzone here, and there. or ordering pizza. and you also have to think of how priviledged we are, in our society, to be so picky about food choices. in other societies in this world, they really DO have to take what they can get. my beliefs still stand strong, however. and nowadays, i consider myself to be a vegan, who eats dairy when the situation arises. (for example; eating out with friends/family, which has ALWAYS been such a pain, in the past) and i see absolutely nothing wrong with that. the initial uptight strict vegan attitude is necessary, i think, or at least it was for me. but now that i've settled a little, learned to be a bit more easy-going, i see that the occasional "slip-up" is nothing to be ashamed of at all. as i said, just feel lucky you get to eat as good as you do! and also, yes, please don't interfere with your pet's natural diet, either. i know you said you don't, but there are a lot of vegans out there who do. and i find it silly, because i'm one who personally believes that humans are NOT naturally omnivores, but are more "opportunitists" and our species was once faced with hunting/gathering as it's only option, you know? whereas cats and dogs ARE natural carnivorous, and that diet IS healthy for them, and IS what they're designed for. so don't deny them that. just try to find them the most cruelty-free options available to you! hope this helps.
maybe you are lacking something in your diet, and that's why you are craving this stuff. A great thing is vegan junk food! Maybe you need more protein in your diet.
