The Vegetarian & Vegan Thread

[posed to death]

yes, of course. i guess it's the same as with honey. but it feels like it's a really blurry line between what's okay and what's not when it comes to insects.
i understand the feeling of not wanting to wear or eat anything made by animals, but, personally, i think there is a real difference between insects and cows.

 

[Belowen]

^ That is interesting, I am curious as to why you think there is a difference? Is it the size of the animal that matters to you?

 

[posed to death]

No, not the size. for me it's about the level of consciousness. of course, we can never really know, but all scientific research says insects do not feel.
then there is the part about how the animal is being treated. I don't know much about how the silk worm lives before it dies. Even if it's treated bad it still isn't as bad as treating a pig bad because the pig will certainly feel the pain. but of course the silk worm should have a good life too. In that way, for me it's more okay to eat fish than pig. Not that they don't feel pain when they suffocate to death, but they probably had a good life while being alive, but the pig did not. I would never eat an animal, but if i had to choose, of course I would pick the animal i believed had suffered the least before it died.

but with silk.... that's my favorite fabric. and nothing would stop me using it.

 

[CaitlinC]

I'm not a vegetarian but I just wanted to give you a eggplant parmesan recipe I make when some of my vegetarian friends come over.

Edit:I don't know how to convert the eggs into a vegan substitute, so I wouldn't know what to recommend for that. Sorry D:

Ingredients
2 eggplants peeled and thinly sliced
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
6 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice eggplant, sprinkle with sea salt, and leave in colander in sink for 30 mins. Rinse well with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel until dry. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with extra virgin olive oil. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes on each side.

In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

 

[4everinprogress]

I couldn't handle being a true vegetarian, but I'm amazed by anyone who is. It's a very tough lifestyle choice to make and very difficult to stick to.

I only eat red meat (beef) on weekend and stick to mostly chicken, seafood and salads/veggies during the week.

Also, how to you feel about vegetarians who eat seafood?

 

[cestmagique]

Also, how to you feel about vegetarians who eat seafood?

I don't consider that to be vegetarian, it just doesn't fit the definition. It's more like a healthy-diet choice. But anyway, I think eating seafood (depending on the type) is preferable to eating meat, mostly for the reasons posed to death mentioned.

 

[EXOskeleton]

Do you guys think it's bad to drink soy milk everyday?

 

[holierthannow]

I'm not a vegetarian but I just wanted to give you a eggplant parmesan recipe I make when some of my vegetarian friends come over.

Edit:I don't know how to convert the eggs into a vegan substitute, so I wouldn't know what to recommend for that. Sorry D:

Ingredients
2 eggplants peeled and thinly sliced
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
6 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice eggplant, sprinkle with sea salt, and leave in colander in sink for 30 mins. Rinse well with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel until dry. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with extra virgin olive oil. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes on each side.

In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

>>> oh god why did i read this right before dinner when i have none of these ingredients?? It looks awesome. thank you so much for posting!!

xo holier

 

[Eimii]

Do you guys think it's bad to drink soy milk everyday?

Not at all, as opposed to dairy do you mean? or just outright? There are some lovely members who post on this thread however, that a more likely to be more insightful than me I have been vegan for 4 years, and vegetarian for 6/7, this thread is really great, subscribing

 

[tigerrouge]

A friend of mine, who runs his own health store, has the opinion that you can have too much soy, and says that he has known women who have experienced thyroid problems from it. He feels that not everyone would develop something like that, but some people are susceptible, so it's worth keeping in mind, and he mentions this to anyone that he regularly sees buying soy products in his store.

 

[EXOskeleton]

@Eimii: outright, as i'm vegan. i just don't like rice milk or oat milk in my coffee as it coagulates.

@tigerrouge: i'm a guy and there is alot of speculation of the affects of too much soy, there are pros and cons but i guess moderation is key.

 

[chichina]

^It contains plant oestrogens which damage mens fertility. It's in most processed foods anyway apparently.
Another reason to avoid it is that they are cutting down vast amounts of rainforest for soya farms.

 

[papa_levante]

I have never liked the taste or texture of soy milk. It's way too thick. I prefer rice milk, then almond milk.

 

[cestmagique]

Has anyone here had issues with feeling kind of "light" and unsatisfied with food after becoming vegan/vegetarian? It's been a while for me now, being vegan I mean, and although I eat plenty of foods that should be filling-- beans, whole grains, lots of veggies-- I find myself missing animal foods just because they're more satisfying and I don't get hungry again too quickly. I'm not interested in adding back meat or cheese, etc., they really don't appeal to me at all, but does anyone get where I'm coming from?

 

[Lilliana]

@Eimii: outright, as i'm vegan. i just don't like rice milk or oat milk in my coffee as it coagulates.

@tigerrouge: i'm a guy and there is alot of speculation of the affects of too much soy, there are pros and cons but i guess moderation is key.

honestly I doubt that the amount one uses for coffee can harm you even on a daily base. it's probably less than typical processed food contains - and as you're vegan I guess you don't eat that anyway As long as you don't eat additionally tofu each day you should be fine It isn't scientifically proven that the plant oestrogens harm mens fertility, the studies are not clear enough (and indicate you need really high amounts of soy to achieve that), but I guess a varied and balanced diet is always recommendable.

and although I am concerned about the rainforest as well, one should not forget that the vast majority of soy planted there is used for animal food, then a small amount is used for bio-fuel and then soy-food-products, if I'm not mistaken. And there are brands who produce soy-products which do not harm the rainforest, with a little effort you can find out where they get they're soy from. For Germany/Austria the soy milk from DM is alright

 

[Lilliana]

Has anyone here had issues with feeling kind of "light" and unsatisfied with food after becoming vegan/vegetarian? It's been a while for me now, being vegan I mean, and although I eat plenty of foods that should be filling-- beans, whole grains, lots of veggies-- I find myself missing animal foods just because they're more satisfying and I don't get hungry again too quickly. I'm not interested in adding back meat or cheese, etc., they really don't appeal to me at all, but does anyone get where I'm coming from?

yes!!! I was totally like that hehe I wish I could give you some tipp, apart from snacking more often. But this feeling disappeared after quite some time by itself.

 

[ChloeFrancoise]

The only times I've had issues with feeling light with food are family gatherings when there are barely any options. It sucks.

 

[parisia]

You can pick up egg replacer in the heal food isle of most supermarkets. You can't eat it like you would scrambled eggs but it's perfect for baking.

 

[wekilledcouture]

Great thread!
I was vegan for a year and vegetarian for 2 before that then health reasons caught up to me and i got rather sick as i physically cant consume enough protein and calories to maintain my weight ( i dont eat wheat, gluten or rice either or any carbohydrate or un-natural sugars and soy if i can help it) so my doctor has made me start having higher amounts of protein, we compromised and i now eat fresh atlantic salmon everyday (thanks to my very indulgent mother) but i still eat like a full vegan (with the added fish)
i love rice milk and almond milk, then oat milk. i use soy as a last resort as it is proven that soy is not as good for you as other alternatives.
Today i just discovered this AMAZING seed mix which is fantastic as my body has trouble processing nuts, its packed full of every kind of raw seed (the rawness is important as the enzymes are still active then) and is full of protein
Another thing i discovered while trying to gain some weight is when i have my protein shakes to make them taste really good (great if you hate the taste like so many people do) is just have a frozen banana or frozen mixed berries, rice or almond milk and vanilla protein powder, its amazing and tastes better than any dairy smoothie ive ever had!

 

[sill]

How does not eating meat become better for the skin? Why would it get clearer?