I am vegan; Ask me anything

[Kel Varnsen]

A few things. I like diet soda. Is it that much different from flavored water in terms of health? I can no longer tolerate the taste of sugar in soda. Diet soda and flavored water has served me well. I no longer buy the argument that the newer artificial sweetners are bad for you.

In regard to preservation of wildlife, the game and fish departments helps keep a healthy wild life population by controlling hunting and fishing. Actually overpopulation of animal populations is destructive to the ecosystem. I have not hunted since my youth and I would rather watch wildlife than kill it but I appreciate the role of hunting. It provides funds to protect wildlife and preserve habitat. I cannot kill an animal I raise. If I raised chickens, I see no harm in harvesting and eating the eggs. Those chickens would not be alive except for me.

Also, I am not against being a vegan if it will provide a more healthy life. I am not convinced lean meat, fruits and vegetables is not the way to go. However, as I grow older I have myself eating less meat so I am open to this lifestyle as a matter of choice. Maybe a more tolerant vegetarian diet might fit my lifestyle.

Does anyone have a link or name of good books that deal with this lifestyle?

I don't know much about soda, but I think you could drop it altogether and not really miss it.

In theory, Fish & Wildlife and similar groups should be managing wildlife appropriately, but they are strongly criticized for doing just the opposite. Part of the problem is the relentless attack on predators, which allows populations of deer and similar animals to explode, thereby throwing the ecosystem out of balance. Then there's this guy from the USDA's Wildlife Services who used a bear trap to catch his nieghbor's dog. http://www.azcentral.com/story/news.../18916349/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

Yes, there are a lot of people who raise their chickens for eggs. I don't think most people have a problem with that. It's the horrific conditions and exploitation in big factory farms that upsets people.

There are a lot of books available now that cover all of the aspects of a veg lifestyle. I think you might be interested in Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism @ Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism: Melanie Joy PhD, John Robbins: 9781573245050: Amazon.com: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ny6xkgupL.@@AMEPARAM@@41ny6xkgupL as a general introduction, but if there is something more specific you are interested in, let me know and I will find something for you.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Hey Krepie;

Have you seen this;

http://www.alternet.org/environment/why-you-should-stop-eating-breakfast-lunch-and-dinner?akid=12858.47049.AiDq0J&rd=1&src=newsletter1032849&t=7

Interesting.

It is a little odd that we are told to eat three times a day, but to drink water whenever we are thirsty. Seems like it would make more sense to eat whenever you are hungry instead of at particular times of the day.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

This should read "No animals are killed that I eat to become part of it"

Unless you are raising 100% of your food, I can assure you that many, many animals died during the raising of the crops needed to feed you.

Soy and Corn farming is brutal on wildlife, with monoculture ag turning million s of square miles of America into virtual wildlife deserts, with the poisoning of waterways, loss of ALL habitat, etc.

Trust me, I'm no fan of big ag. That whole industry is a disaster for so many reasons.

 

[Dback Jon]

So I drove down Grand Ave between Van Buren and Roosevelt around lunch, spurred by a story on the news about the changes there.

Stopped at Treehouse Bakery on the corner of Roosevelt and Grand - didn't know it was a vegan bakery until I got inside. I passed on getting coffee (need cow juice for that), but I did get a snickerdoodle and a lemon cupcake.


So far, snickerdoodle a little disappointing. Chewy but dry.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

So I drove down Grand Ave between Van Buren and Roosevelt around lunch, spurred by a story on the news about the changes there.

Stopped at Treehouse Bakery on the corner of Roosevelt and Grand - didn't know it was a vegan bakery until I got inside. I passed on getting coffee (need cow juice for that), but I did get a snickerdoodle and a lemon cupcake.


So far, snickerdoodle a little disappointing. Chewy but dry.

Vegan cupcakes rule.

Also, try almond milk. Better than dairy.

 

[Dback Jon]

Have you tried the vegan places on Grand?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Have you tried the vegan places on Grand?

I've been to Bragg's Factory Diner. Really good sandwich there.

 

[puckhead]

Lux Coffee makes an incredible vegan sugar donut. I don't miss the veal at all.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

A few things. I like diet soda. Is it that much different from flavored water in terms of health? I can no longer tolerate the taste of sugar in soda. Diet soda and flavored water has served me well. I no longer buy the argument that the newer artificial sweetners are bad for you.

10 Reasons to Give Up Diet Soda

Why is Diet Soda Bad For You? The Truth About Diet Drinks

Personally, I gave up all soda over two years ago. No benefits and plenty of negatives, IMHO. I drink water, water plus a flavoring (Mio, etc.), juices, lemonade, or flavored waters.

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

So I drove down Grand Ave between Van Buren and Roosevelt around lunch, spurred by a story on the news about the changes there.

Stopped at Treehouse Bakery on the corner of Roosevelt and Grand - didn't know it was a vegan bakery until I got inside. I passed on getting coffee (need cow juice for that), but I did get a snickerdoodle and a lemon cupcake.


So far, snickerdoodle a little disappointing. Chewy but dry.

Cow juice = hormone & chemical bombs. They won't even sell US Milk in parts of Europe because of the crap they give the cows in the US.

Coffee tastes great w/ Almond Milk

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Cow juice = hormone & chemical bombs. They won't even sell US Milk in parts of Europe because of the crap they give the cows in the US.

Coffee tastes great w/ Almond Milk

AZ, has your family tried Follow Your Heart cheese slices yet? I just found them this week and they are excellent - taste just like dairy cheese and even melt very well.

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[Zobaczcie suki]

AZ, has your family tried Follow Your Heart cheese slices yet? I just found them this week and they are excellent - taste just like dairy cheese and even melt very well.

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No, but will have to try it I haven't seen it around here. All I see is the "Daiya" brand "cheese", which is a pretty good vegan item

 

[Hollywood]

10 Reasons to Give Up Diet Soda

Why is Diet Soda Bad For You? The Truth About Diet Drinks

Personally, I gave up all soda over two years ago. No benefits and plenty of negatives, IMHO. I drink water, water plus a flavoring (Mio, etc.), juices, lemonade, or flavored waters.

I have a friend that used to work at the coke bottling plant. He said, "you would be amazed at the amount of chemicals they have to put in diet soda to make it palatable to drink."

I was never a big fan of diet soda but that sealed it for me. I have since cut WAY back on even regular soda making it more of a treat than a drink. I mostly drink water now.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

No, but will have to try it I haven't seen it around here. All I see is the "Daiya" brand "cheese", which is a pretty good vegan item

If you like Daiya, you'll love Follow Your Heart.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't know much about soda, but I think you could drop it altogether and not really miss it.

I like it, I like it a lot. However, your point is well taken.

In theory, Fish & Wildlife and similar groups should be managing wildlife appropriately, but they are strongly criticized for doing just the opposite. Part of the problem is the relentless attack on predators, which allows populations of deer and similar animals to explode, thereby throwing the ecosystem out of balance. Then there's this guy from the USDA's Wildlife Services who used a bear trap to catch his nieghbor's dog. http://www.azcentral.com/story/news.../18916349/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

I'm definitely against the unnecessary killing of wildlife even if they are considered predators. Mountain Lions are prevalent where I live and they never seem to cause a problem. I hate to see people kill them like they are doing a good deed. I've even read they use house cats to train hunting dogs. IMO, some pretty sick people. Game and Fish has done some good things like trying to introduce the Mexican wolf against huge public outcry.

Yes, there are a lot of people who raise their chickens for eggs. I don't think most people have a problem with that. It's the horrific conditions and exploitation in big factory farms that upsets people.

I live on several acres and my chicken eat the best food. They have it made.

There are a lot of books available now that cover all of the aspects of a veg lifestyle. I think you might be interested in Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism @ Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism: Melanie Joy PhD, John Robbins: 9781573245050: Amazon.com: Books as a general introduction, but if there is something more specific you are interested in, let me know and I will find something for you.

I will try to get around to reading one of these books. Thanks for the information. And please, be against horse slaughter. They are pets too.

 

[Mainstreet]

10 Reasons to Give Up Diet Soda

Why is Diet Soda Bad For You? The Truth About Diet Drinks

Personally, I gave up all sodhe links.a over two years ago. No benefits and plenty of negatives, IMHO. I drink water, water plus a flavoring (Mio, etc.), juices, lemonade, or flavored waters.

I'm sure there is a lot of truth to it. I have no doubt clean water is better for you. Thanks for the links.

Slowly the TV series "The Big Bang Theory" is driving me this direction. They are always drinking water on that program.

 

[8ndkorner]

If man were meant to be vegan, brocolli would be more fun to hunt.

Bacon is meat candy.

Have you ever tried Magic Mushrooms or 'shrooms? I think I have but I can't remember.

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

So I am watching a game and Carl's Jr. keeps running a commercial raving about a new burger they have--

NO STEROIDS

NO HORMONES

NO ANTIBIOTICS

Am I to correctly assume that all other burgers sold in the US are loaded with this stuff?

 

[Heucrazy]

Do you do crossfit as well? And if so, what do you talk about first?

 

[AzStevenCal]

So I am watching a game and Carl's Jr. keeps running a commercial raving about a new burger they have--

NO STEROIDS

NO HORMONES

NO ANTIBIOTICS

Am I to correctly assume that all other burgers sold in the US are loaded with this stuff?

Poor krepitch. Here he was volunteering to be our expert on Veganism and now we're nailing him with questions better asked of a carnivore.

Steve

 

[Linderbee]

Vegan cupcakes rule.

Also, try almond milk. Better than dairy.

I love Silk's Vanilla Almond Milk. I'll take that over cow milk almost 100% of the time. I drink the unsweetened as well, but I prefer regular milk over that. I've largely cut drinking regular milk out of my diet. I don't really have a good reason, other than I feel it's a baby step in the "healthier-me" direction.

When I run out of my current container of almond milk, I'm going to try cashew milk. Sounds interesting.

 

[Southpaw]

So I am watching a game and Carl's Jr. keeps running a commercial raving about a new burger they have--

NO STEROIDS

NO HORMONES

NO ANTIBIOTICS

Am I to correctly assume that all other burgers sold in the US are loaded with this stuff?

Yup. Fatten those cows up and infectious disease free. So you are eating their medicine cabinet when you eat the meat IMNSHO.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Do you do crossfit as well? And if so, what do you talk about first?

LOL. I'm aware of the stereotypes (but question the accuracy), so I try not to be obnoxious. I just started this thread based on something in the football forum, I think.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Poor krepitch. Here he was volunteering to be our expert on Veganism and now we're nailing him with questions better asked of a carnivore.

Steve

LOL.

First, I am impressed that anyone remembers any spoken words on text in a Carl's Jr commercial.

Second, if they do offer a more natural burger, just imagine what's in the rest of their menu. Humans have been ingesting these hormones and steroids for a long time now (to negative effect), but the underappreciated, scary part is the antibiotics.

Animals raised on factory farms are all given constant, low doses of antibiotics as they are grown. It is not because they are sick (sick animals are just discarded), but because the antibiotics make them grow faster and prevent disease that spreads rapidly in places of such tight confinement and minimal or non-existent sanitary conditions.

One of the main problems with this is the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Just like you and I are not supposed to take antibiotics unless it is truly necessary, this continuous use of antibiotics in animal agriculture is creating enormous risks for us.

Obviously, there are major problems with modern animal agriculture, but this is certainly a big one that we don't hear much about. I wouldn't be surprised if the beef industry starts complaining about companies who advertise this kind of product.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I love Silk's Vanilla Almond Milk. I'll take that over cow milk almost 100% of the time. I drink the unsweetened as well, but I prefer regular milk over that. I've largely cut drinking regular milk out of my diet. I don't really have a good reason, other than I feel it's a baby step in the "healthier-me" direction.

Definitely healthier.

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