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Hi, fellow Kind Lifers,
I've been easing into a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle for a few months now and have been doing a TON of research on all things food, nutrition, medicine, and environment.
It seems that as soon as I find one good thing, I end up reading about a bad thing that counteracts it and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed.
For example, in switching from meat and dairy to non-meat and non-dairy products, I'm finding that some well recommended items either carry some questionable ingredients (i.e., partially hydrogenated palm oil) or have enormous amounts of sodium or come in plastic containers instead of glass.
Another example is that I'm finding some organic companies are actually owned by mega-corporations and am nervous that their ethical ways are being compromised because they need to pay the bills.
Where do you draw the line? What are you comfortable with? What choice do I make? What's the lesser of two evils? I'm sure I'll go nuts--or hungry--if I wait it out and try to find the "perfect" solution, so I'm just not sure as to what the pros and cons are at this point. As a caveat, I will say that I'm not afraid to write companies and ask my questions or send requests to make their products better, but, in the meantime, any help or suggestions from the KL family would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,Dina D.New York, NY
I have been a vegetarian for 22 years. A vegan for just a couple of months. Yes, this is hard. It is too much to carry it all, or be perfect. I do what I can. I do my best to buy organic and local, and am lucky to live in an area where locally grown foods, and health food stores (locally owned even) are common. I have certain guidelines, like only buying organic corn products.
I try to use as many whole foods as I can, but I work full-time, and am a single mother. I have a life that cannot involve countless hours of cooking, and so I do have to look for convenience. I am not rolling in cash, but I make buying good healthy foods a priority, even if that means eating in, and renting a movie from redbox.
If I want a product, I look for the most kind version. Sometimes, if I am just not satified with what I find, I just don't get the item, but others I just do that best I can.
I stick wirh certain staple items, old stand-bys, and then try new stuff as time to research and money allow.
I do not beat myself up when I am simply hungry, short on time, and just need to eat.
Ellie, thank you so much! That's kind of what I figured, but didn't know if there were "rules" I should be following. Plus, as a newbie veg, I don't want to start off cutting corners; however, having you validate me makes me feel a ton better about some of the choices I've made and will have to make.
Again, thanks a bunch and have a wonderful day!Dina
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