The KInd Life Community Forum
Use this space to share stories, exchange ideas, ask questions, and contribute to our growing community!
Hello from the mountains of Jersey!
Started
by NatureGirl
on October 13, 2009
I have struggled to accept life without meat for a long time. I am ashamed to admit I am mostly unsuccessfull. The reason I am ashamed is because I have the knowledge, motivation, and the desire to transition.
I saw my girl crush Alicia on the mag cover today at the market. I have recently bought a book by Mark Bittman about Vegetarian foods and was diagnosed as stage 1 hypertension. Add that I have psoriasis, a skin condition that has decreased and disappeared with a vegetarian diet in the past. So when I saw Alicia on the cover, who is about a year or so older than I am; I thought it was some sort of sign when the article posted her book.
My order is put through on Amazon for The Kind Diet. I hope it gives me the clarity and strength I need. I had decided earlier today that I am joining an organic co-op for my fresh in season local produce next year. I really don't feel I am void of the knowledge, but maybe the tips and tricks and some support from those who "kindly" understand I want to transition into a veg lifestyle.
When I moved to the mountains about six months ago I went on a hike that inspired me and caused a deep conection with nature. I came home and ate raw vegan for about a week. Too much too fast. I hope I find what I need here. Alicia is awesome for doing this!
What is it that you gravitate toward that makes it more difficult for you to stay veg(etarian)?
Hey!
I'm Melody and I'm from NJ and I too wish I could be more disciplined when it comes to being vegetarian. I was a vegetarian for 9 months before...well, let' just say it like this...you know how people have bad habits that they give up but when they become very stressed, those bad habits come back? Well I was so stressed that I went out and bought a cheeseburger and that was the end of that. But I do plan on becoming vegetarian again, this time with more discipline and more education on this way of living and I too believe that Alicia's book and this website will be of great help with that.
I do have to say that I don't plan on going vegan but who knows what will happen. Also, I am happy that I didn't become vegetarian too fast though - each week I got rid of one type of meat (and I'm allergic to seafood, so I was already ahead in a sense). I recommend people go into it slow...
I hate to speak my truths because they are ugly. It makes me feel so gluttoness and I wanna bap myself in the head with the sh*t or get off the pot motto!
I was vegan for 2 months. There was a lot of processed food in my diet. I suppose it had to do with being married to a man who was raised on lamb, beef, and potatoes. (He is Basque) Although his family ate the traditional basque vegetable soup, he never liked it, or ate it. There is a lot of temptation involved when I am a stay at home mom who has to cook these meals and I become like a child who just "wants" it. I know I don't need it. I know I shouldn't.
To be honest sometimes I am so busy with my kids, errands, ect.. that I find it difficult to prepare a veg meal. I know this sounds like a cop out but I really need help in this area. If I could be better prepared.. it would help.
Also, whole foods market is only 11.7 miles from my door now that I moved 6 months ago. However, I find that I come out of that store spending money I do not have. My husband turns red when I tell him I want to go there.
There is also a concern for soy. My mother, sister, and neice all have thyroid issues and soy aggrivates that. There is another member of the family that seems to have an issue with gluten. That makes me fear these veg staples. I don't have those issues mentioned but fear I could develop them on a veg diet.
Also, I began to feel very tired and lethargic at the end of the 2 months vegan. I don't think I was eating well. I really need to know what a complete nutrient rich diet is for a vegan. I know beans and rice are great protein wise.. but do I need to eat lots of greens every day? Do I need to be eating calcium rich bok choy, broccoli, ect.. every day?
I would love to see more than just the food pyramid. I don't even trust the fda. A sample menu with some variety and cheap quick veg on the go meals would be awesome!
Hi Melody!
I have cut out red meat. I also cut out pork. I am still eating chicken, turkey, and fish. I could cut it out if I wanted, but it isn't the first week or two I have trouble with, it's long term.
Hi! I am with you guys totally! I'm thinking of transitioning into vegetarianism, but thinking of the long term is where the difficulty lies. Already I've cut out a lot of meat from my diet, but to say no completely and forever is going to be quite hard. Especially with the holidays coming up, (and as the family chef) preparing the Thanksgiving turkey and other culinary traditions (I'm 1/2 Italian), will be trying. My family is full of carnivores, so there will be no support from them and will still expect meat during meals at my home - mainly my husband. He stands by what I want to do personally, but still wants for dinner what he wants, no substitutions. I would never push him though, because it is such a personal decision to make (have him try some stuff is one thing though I can and will do). Maybe some folks on here will have suggestions on how they successfully acheived this goal.
NatureGirl, when you mentioned how you were tired, it reminded me of something in my own life...I didn't know that I was anemic until my mother told me - after I fainted on a train when I was by myself - so when I became a vegetarian it was very important that I knew right away how to get my protein not only because of that but because my nails were not healthy, my hair was brittle, it was just not good because I didn't know how else to get my protein. That might be it, you may not be getting enough protein and other nutrients. You should meet with a nutrionist.
Jdoc, I agree, there really was not a lot of support from my fam/friends. At first, there was none, but then after the first 3 months they realized I was serious and got over it but then at the 9th month when I stopped, they all told me they were waiting for the day it would end. Although my mother knows that I want to become vegetarian again so she just encourages me to meet with a nutritionist next time I decide to start.
I know I am not anemic. I have had bloodwork done 2 weeks ago. I was actually in the emergency room for intense stomach pain and blood during (sorry if it's TMI) Vomitting. My Dr thinks it may be an ulcer. I have been trying to make a deal with myself to eat vegetarian atleast until dinner. And trying to choose veg all day atleast 1 or 2 nights per week. The Mark Bittman book "How To Cook Everything Vegetarian" calls this a flexitarian. Though I have to say everything vegetarian... I was disappointed to see how it contains many many high fat recipes. There is a lot of cheese, butter, ect. I think it defeats the purpose in many ways but atleast taking meat out of the equasion is a good step.
Hi Nature Girl
I've been vegan for 3 years and I do not rely on soy or gluten. Very rarely will I eat either of these allergens, the only time is when I am trying a brand new product.
You don't need to rely on them to be veg*n and there are many of us blogging about our soy and gluten free diets!
Start by basing your veg diet on legumes, grains (brown rice, quinoa, millet), nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables. And I use rice milk instead of soy but there are nut milks too and you can make your own (google for recipes).
My bf is omni, my family is omni but I have now made a lot of veg*n friends. I cook separate meals to my bf and I take my own food to work and to get togethers. Some friends make jokes but they are never mean and most people who make negative comments are reacting because they feel guilty.
NatureGirl, not sure if you picked up Alicia's book yet but it will be of more help than the book that you have now once you get it. :)
11 Comments