How Long?

How long have you been veg(itari)an??

I'm celebrating a year of vegetarianism this week!! I'm having fits of veganism and will hopefully go full vegan in the next few months. I'm having a hard time giving up gormet cheeses, but this too will pass.

Re: How Long?

I've been veggie since the first of the year, so just over six months. I plan to lapse into Pescatarianism when I'm in HI next month, then back into the pure veggie groove when I return to CA.

Re: How Long?

I started life as a vegetarian on May 1, 2007 and slid into veganism about 10 months after that. No turning back, man.

Re: How Long?

And by the by, I miss cheese all the time. ;) But such is life.

Re: How Long?

true!! I guess some things are worth giving up for your values, despite what your taste buds tell you.

Re: How Long?

This is my second attempt at being a vegetarian. I tried about a year ago but didn't have the proper knowledge and became sick (I also didn't have the support of family and friends).
Being as I am only sixteen, its not too easy because I have to make time to go shopping with my mom to be sure that my diet is properly kept up with. I have now been a vegetarian for about a month and a half.  I'm doing well and diet is good. I congratulate everyone who's done it for a long amount of time.
It wasn't the easiest thing for everyone to accept but it makes me, me and everyone loves that :)

Re: How Long?

well i've been a vegetarian for 10 years now…its really not easy since I have to date not a single friend who is vegetarian and no one around me was supportive at the point of time. but well….i survived - all for the principles and by now; everyone accept me as a vegetarian… and my friends are wonderful indeed - keeping me in mind everytime we go out for dinners - ensuring we choose a place that offers vegetarian meals….

Re: How Long?

Congrats to everyone…!

Re: How Long?

Hi all :)

21 years, for the most part …and I still miss pizza.

10 days or 21 years, it's right here right now that I'm vegan.

How did it go with the gourmet cheeses, Stephanie?

Re: How Long?

Since I met Jessica - officially indoctrinated into veggie land and am grateful.

.

I gotta ad a HAPPY HALLOWEEN THINGIE HERE…

Over a billion pounds of pumpkins are produced every year in the United States. Most of these are sold in October and used as holiday decorations or for baking. 
 
That's a lot of pumpkins that can end up in landfills!
 
After Halloween, the most 'green' thing you can do is to compost your pumpkin.
 
If you already have a compost bin or pile, chop up the pumpkin into smaller pieces so decomposition will be faster. (Be sure to remove any candles or wax inside first.) Cover the pumpkin with a layer of dried leaves or shredded paper.
 
If you don't have a compost pile you can bury the whole or diced pumpkin directly into your garden soil. The winter freeze/thaw cycle and bacteria will likely break it down by spring. (You may end up with a few pumpkin seedlings sprouting if seeds remain in the soil.)
 
However, a pumpkin that naturally decomposes by either method creates nutrient-rich compost that can help you grow vigorous, healthy garden plants and provides food for earthworms.
 
 
Other Ideas for Using Pumpkins 
 
Roast the Seeds
 
You can save the seeds from your carved pumpkin.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in Vitamins B, E, and fiber. Homemade baked pumpkin seeds often taste better and are healthier than the ones you buy in the store, because they have less salt.
 
Remove as much pulp as you can from the seeds. Rinse the seeds and spread out to dry on a clean dish towel. Spread seeds out evenly on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle them with a little olive oil or melted butter and salt. (Additional seasonings can be added like garlic powder, chili powder, seasoned salt, or Parmesan cheese.) Bake at 350 degrees in the oven for 10-20 minutes, or until they just start to turn brown. Remove and cool. Store in an airtight container.
 
Freeze the Flesh for Baking
 
Save the flesh from your pumpkin for baking later in pies or other recipes. (Carved pumpkins can be cut up and frozen for baking if they are still firm and not moldy and have not have had any petroleum jelly applied to the cut areas.)
 
Save Uncarved Pumpkins for Decor
 
Uncarved pumpkins, kept cool, dry, and indoors (away from heat and frost) may last as décor until Thanksgiving

Re: How Long?

Thanks ~KES for sharing your pumpkin news…!

Re: How Long?

Yes! I will go compost my pumpkin too :)

I've been vegetarian for 13 years now and I haven't regretted a single day. It's been awesome and one of the best choices of my life.

And, congratulations to everyone on here for being veg! I really believe it's one of the best things you can do for the animals, yourself, the environment and the whole world.

Re: How Long?

i LOVE this question and this pod just for being what it is. yay, another new little home i can be every now and then, especially this week when US meat eaters go kind of meat mad (but at least give thanks).  My husband and I are always the odd ones out! Thankfully, being a veg isn't as weird as it used to be…

I tried being a vegetarian when i was 16 too and had not only no family support, but a lot of downright hostility. It was just too hard, plus it was the 70's, well before you could find tofu in any mainstream grocery store. I postponed it til i was out of the house and on my own. By the time i was 19, that was it, became a veg. and never went back to eating meat.

I am 49 now, so that's a lot of years back! Wow, 30 years! Holy cow–and you know i mean that! Just think of how many cows, pigs & chickens lives i've spared. (Anyone know the answer?) It really adds up and aside from back problems, I am really healthy. For example, this cold I am getting over is the first in at least 3 years!

It feels good to walk my talk, and for such a long time. That is not my ego, but my conscience speaking. How can anyone say they are socially and environmentally conscious and committed to being green yet eat factory farmed animals who were killed under great diress after living in constant distress? A lot of people don't connect the dots–so I used to do that for them, but i was too militant about it. Now I am more mellow, but as you can see, i can still get riled up a bit! How 'bout you?

I think meat-eating is an addicting habit that most people aren't willing to give up. I am grateful this year for all the people who have kicked the habit…Thank you for being a vegetarian or vegan.

Have a happy, cruelty-free Thanksgiving!


mary

Re: How Long?

Hey,
This is a rather old discussion but I'm chiming in anyways. I'd like to hear how vegetarianism/veganism for the newbies is going…

I've been a vegetarian for 17 years now, gave up meat when I was 15 and was lucky to have grown up in a vegetarian household so it just came naturally. I don't even remember announcing it to my parents or anything. All I remember is that during a family holiday in Paris I silently decided I'm not going to eat meat any more. And that was pretty much it.

Re: How Long?

Funny thing about the user interface and dated reads Jenny!  Most of the things on this site are timeless so thanks for pushing the lower threads and coming up with this gem. When vegan/vegetarian falls out and depending on one's discipline they practice, it's just ok if it does once in a while.  Please don't feel any guilt.  I know I was upset with the news when PETA made a comment about Obama killing a fly.  That is not the way for that group to have good judgement - com'on!  That was where I draw the line in the dirt.

That is great that you have been a vegetarian so long.  Do you have to take D3 or something for protein like fishoil?  Just curious.  I have been one because I grow my own food.  We buy celery at the store is all.  Knowing how far food travels to get to the market its great to grow in your own garden or do a local farmer's market or use a health food store.  it does take discipline.  We all know things like “I need more green today” feeling.  I use my instincts with what color veggies do I want today. 

Another good thing is not having tempting foods around.  That helps me.
Thanks for asking!

Re: How Long?

Hi Lee,

Yes, I read in other threads that you grow your own food and I think it's awesome! You are very lucky to have the opportunity to do so (along with that green thumb). :))  I've never grown my own food, not even herbs, mainly for a lack of garden/balcony. But maybe one day I'll be able to do that. My mom is the one with the green thumb in the family. She takes care of their garden but mainly grows flowers and stuff (our garden looks pretty wild though), I have to admit that I've never been very interested in gardening… But I admire people who substantially grow their own vegetables. Certainly very green. And green I like. :)

As for vegetarianism, I think it should always be a choice, never an obligation. If someone “lapses” - so what?! I personally have long given up all radicalism about vegetarianism. When I was 17 I actually ate chicken once or twice while I was living in India (the Tibetan friends I lived with were crazy meat eaters and ate it all the time). Both times I was drunk but damn, I felt like it so I had it. Didn't feel very bad about it either. I can't imagine me eating meat again - ever and I don't know what triggered me into doing it then but it's not something I ponder about.

I don't take any substitutes. And I'm neither sickish nor skinny nor anything else. Here in Sri Lanka I take vitamins and when I do sports, I take magnesium. C'est ca.

Re: How Long?

Over eight months. Went vegetarian, and then vegan, in October. No looking  back.

Re: How Long?

Congrats! :)