The KInd Life Community Forum

Hi, I'm new to this site.I saw Alicia's interview about her book on The View and can't wait to read it. I'm waiting for it to come available at my local library. So i've been a vegetarian for about a year and a half. And have tried to go vegan as much as possible since September. Initially when I cut out the dairy I lost 10lbs which was great, because the whole time previously as a vegetarian I didn't lose any weight at all.

I guess I'm what you would call a bad veggie because I ate mostly carbs and cheese. So with dropping the dairy it really helped me to be more thoughtful about what I was eating and take more time and experiment a bit more with new products. My stomach loves the non dairy diet. It's so much more comfortable.

Although I am trying to stay as vegan as possible I really try to not beat myself up about the occaisonal piece of cheese on a sandwich that i picked up when i was out or that someone else has made for me. I find it's easier to be a bit more flexible when not in total control in my own home. It saves me the stress of trying to find the right thing and makes my visits with friends a bit easier also.

Although I am the only one of my group of friends that is a vegan I do find it frustrating that I don't have anyone to connect with and talk about products and recipes. I guess that's why I'm here. To learn more and be in touch with people who are like minded about there diets and the world.

So how are you all doing with it?

Ecrossle,
Like you my stomach likes the vegan way. I learned that the hard way this weekend when I had a slip up --- ugh not good.

I am with you it is hard when you are the only one in your group that is doing this. my husband is "kinda" doing this with me ---- only when he is home for meals

The great thing about that this lifestyle is that our bodies are amazing and my body seems to love this way. I haven't lost any weight like lucky you have! But my taste buds didn't even enjoy my slip up --- I was like oh wow this is too salty and this is too sweet. Not worth it and my stomach was hating me the whole day!!!

Don't beat yourself up about a slip up with your friends. Maybe after you have been doing this for a while longer you can bring over some food to your friends, or show them your new fave vegan cheese for them to try --- plus when they see you have lost weight they may want to join you too! :D

This thanksgiving I am bringing some vegan dishes with me, because if I don't then I won't be able to eat anything --- we are southern and everything is sadly cooked with ham/pig/ some type of butter or animal product even green beans!

Also, one big thing I have found is that if I tell people it is VEGAN they seem to be like oh no!! But if I don't tell people and they just eat it, they either like or not ..... but it seems that "VEGAN" seems to be associated with no taste, cardboard, and grass like --- so I just don't tell people and they all seem to love it! Even the vegan cream cheese :D