Hello

HI Everyone. I'm vegan (plus most raw food - living food). Been vegetarian for over two years now. This pod looks like a great place to connect with others who are of similar mind and lifestyle.

Re: Hello

Namaste friend!

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Thank you, A. Nice to be here. 

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Hey all, I just joined as well, my name is Andrew, and I'm twenty-five and I life in China.

Just started a blog for various reasons and I recently wrote two posts on vegetarians: hope you like them:

http://straightforthesun.blogspot.com/2008/08/eatin-meat.html

http://straightforthesun.blogspot.com/2008/08/notes-on-comments-from-eatin-meat-and.html

Enjoy!

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Thank you! Your blog is fantastic!

I think it is so important for people to learn about being vegetarian and know the facts. I truly believe that a trend towards a vegetarian/ plant-based diet is the best thing we can do for the Planet; and, the statistics and research support that.

I recently attended a lecture about vegetarianism by the owner of Zen Palate and Zen Burger, two vegetarian restaurant chains in New York City. He said that 50% of the water supply is used for farm animals and 80% of agricultural land. And, animal agriculture causes an estimated 18% of greenhouse gas, which is 40% more than all transport combined. So, a vegetarian diet would help the earth a lot more than even hybrid cars. Here's a blog I wrote a while back with some more links and resources.

Also, he said that a cow gets approximately 1000 shots in its lifetime before it is slaughtered, and we consume the stuff it was injected with.

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I'm fairly new too, both to Gaia and to veganism, and I'm really happy to have found this pod!

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Hello to everyone!
I still consider myself new to Gaia as well and definately new to a meat free diet…I have been enjoying the older threads on here…lots of information so far. 

Denim

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Hi Denim,

Welcome to Gaia and a veggie-life! I'm glad you found good info here. Also, congratulations to you. That is very exciting. A world of deliciousness awaits you :)

I found becoming vegetarian inspired me to expand my diet and try new things. I discovered many wonderful foods I'd never tried on the standard American diet. And I felt so good because I knew I was living in more alignment with my values.

By the way, I just opened an Introductions board for our Group. You can reply to this post there.

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Hi Cindy,

Welcome! I am glad you are here too!

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WELCOME all of you:  Please post something about yourself below or this thread.
This is what Integral Veg*n is about making it easy and fun to start:  Where people can come together and talk about vegetarianism & veganism in an integral and comprehensive way, practically, personally and philosophically. What does it mean to eat, to cook, to consume? With what do we nourish ourselves and how do interact with the world and its creatures?  This pod is meant to be inclusive of vegans, vegetarians, and those who want to learn more. The intent is to provide a compassionate space. We will share resources (including recipes!), ideas, and information. 

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Hey everyone!! 
My name is Jacque i'm 26 and from NYC … i'm new to this group as well as gaia … give me sometime to figure it all out and i'll have my page all set up! if you want to know a little more about me you could also check out my page … www.pure-conscience.webs.com

I was a vegetarian on and off for years (about 10 years) !! … and the weird thing is when i ate animal products for one i didn't really enjoy it and secondly i was always left with indescribable guilt … so than, more recently i decided to go vegan … and now i eat in peace. nothing has ever been so easy and i've never felt so good!! :)

Re: Hello

Welcome! I look forward to traveling with all of you!