The Vegetarian & Vegan Thread

[kylie80]

That's right ... in the US, organic guidelines also specify humane conditions. Just avoid Horizon Organics--they don't follow the rules--see documentation by the Organic Consumers Association. (And it shows in the taste.) I like Organic Valley for a national brand, and Central Market's private organic label for a local brand.

thanks for heads up. That is the milk I buy, but not anymore. That company sucks!

http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/feedlots060905.cfm

 

[lostinemotion]

I love feta cheese and honey but I never thought to mix the two. I'll definatly have to try that! Thanks for the tip!
I think I posted on this thread about my vegetarian past, but I've been trying to limit my dairy intake. I don't want to commit to being a vegan because I go to school in small town WV so it's hard to get organic products. But this might be a dumb question, but is there such a thing as organic or vegan (or whatever) cottage cheese? For some reason, I've been eating the fat free like it's my job lately. Anywho, I've never seen around here but it is out there?

If it were vegan then it wouldn't really be cottage cheese...unless it's faux cottage cheese.
Yes, there are organic cottage cheeses...that have to meet guideline's to ensure it is organic.
I

 

[LifeNatureLove]

^ Yeah, I knew it wouldn't be vegan because I know they have vegan yogurt, other cheeses, egg nog, ice cream, etc. but I've never seen cottage cheese before.

 

[fashionista-ta]

thanks for heads up. That is the milk I buy, but not anymore. That company sucks!

http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/feedlots060905.cfm

You're welcome Unfortunately, organics is big business now, and some unscrupulous companies who just want the premium $$$ but don't care to work for it are coming into the space. The OCA has a very informative e-mail newsletter that you may want to subscribe to ...

 

[Becky_da_da_da]

Wow, this thread is great!

I'm a recently converted veggie, so I will be paying close attention to all these fab recipes - thanks guys

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

Welcome to the green side Becky

 

[greeen]

I found the best vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe at vegweb. my roommate's love em hehe..I'll have to find it tho..

 

[lostinemotion]

If it were vegan then it wouldn't really be cottage cheese...unless it's faux cottage cheese.
Yes, there are organic cottage cheeses...that have to meet guideline's to ensure it is organic.
I

Well maybe they do have vegan cottage cheese. I meant it were "real" cheese, it wouldn't be vegan.
They would just make it out of something else other than from a cow.

 

[Bonchic]

On monday my mom and I are going vegan! I can't wait! She's going to be out of town this weekend which is why we're waiting until monday! I'll keep ya'll posted on the results!

 

[Sweets]

Bonchic you will discover so many new foods! Which seems weird because you would think you would feel limited, but i doubt you will!

 

[Meg]

Congrats Bonchic. It's so great that you mum is going vegan with you. I think it's so helpful when your home environment is receptive to these things! Makes all the difference!

 

[Becky_da_da_da]

Welcome to the green side Becky

Thanks!


I've been on it for a bit, and I do feel healthier.

Is being a veggie healthier, or is this psychological? Lol.



Question... what do you guys do at Christmas? Buying a fake turkey doesn't sound appealing to me... are there any good veggie Xmas foods?

 

[skot4mc]

i am so pleased that there are people interested in the fashion industry and still compassionate when it comes to animals. I'm a fairly new vegetarian (7 months maybe) and i love it, no more guilt.

great thread, great people, great food!
thanks everyone.

scott.

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

Question... what do you guys do at Christmas? Buying a fake turkey doesn't sound appealing to me... are there any good veggie Xmas foods?

Nut roasts, filo pastry parcels...usually with stuff like goats cheese, tomato, red pepper etc in...I know you can get stuff like that from M&S anyways. As a starter I usually have something like mozzerella with tomato and avocado

 

[Bonchic]

Congrats Bonchic. It's so great that you mum is going vegan with you. I think it's so helpful when your home environment is receptive to these things! Makes all the difference!

Yes I think it will help each of us, having the other. She's started it before but never stuck with it because it was alot to do for one person. But now it's the 2 of us starting monday can't wait for the benefits either

 

[Becky_da_da_da]

Nut roasts, filo pastry parcels...usually with stuff like goats cheese, tomato, red pepper etc in...I know you can get stuff like that from M&S anyways. As a starter I usually have something like mozzerella with tomato and avocado

Ooooh, that sounds yum! I may take a trip to M+S now - thanks

 

[lostinemotion]

I am going to be doing a vegetable or 2 a day for dinner and trying to be creative. I will let you know how it turns out!

 

[Bonchic]

I suggest subscribing to Vegetarian magazine! It's amazing! My mom subscribed to it for ideas. And they have all vegetarian recipe's and it will say by the recipe if it's vegan or not! I just think it's a great all around vegetarian magazine with tons of delicious sounding recipes! Or just take a peak at it when you're in a store that sells it next time, I'm sure you'll like it

 

[Bixby]

I suggest subscribing to Vegetarian magazine! It's amazing! My mom subscribed to it for ideas. And they have all vegetarian recipe's and it will say by the recipe if it's vegan or not! I just think it's a great all around vegetarian magazine with tons of delicious sounding recipes! Or just take a peak at it when you're in a store that sells it next time, I'm sure you'll like it

You could also take any recipe and make it vegetarian, or vegan. Just switch the ingredients around.

 

[Bixby]

I've been a plant-eater for years now and there's no way I'd go back to meat. Besides, baby cows are just too freaking cuute.

I became a vegetarian gradually, and it wasn't even intentional. My brother became vegan when I was about 12 for a few years, so I wasn't new to the concept. My mom rarely cooked any other meat besides chicken, so I was never addicted to red-meat. I stopped eating meat about the same time my best friend did, and from there we slowly became full-fledged vegetarians. And then a few years ago I read this amazingly good book called Eat More Weigh Less about eliminating saturated fats and unnecessary processed foods from your diet, including diary products. Just thinking about milk from a smelly cow's t*t makes me queasy. But yeah, I still read that book because it's got the best recipes in it. Oh yum

And I agree with the person who mentioned cooking--it's really so much nicer to know exactly whats in your food. And so many people don't realize how freaking fantastic veggies can be. My favorite things are Mexican tofu-scramble, oatmeal & whole grain cereal w/ blueberries, fruits, delicata squash/cauliflower/mushroom/broccoli medley, wild rice pancakes, morrocan spice carrots, fennel and white bean salad, roasted eggplant compote, beans beans and more beans, etc. I could go on for miles. I prefer not to eat the tofu meat substitutions that're available--I don't know, they're just not for me. But I do love tofu and soy milk.

I still feel that awkward moment whenever I go out to restaurants because I don't eat oil either (except EVOL) and most places cook with butter. I hate having that feeling of, "oh no! What can I eat and how do I completely alter the meal without sounding like a freako?" But usually the menu is full of colorful salads that turn out to be really perfect.

So yeah. Be healthy. Be anti-meat.