Is Being Vegan Easy? - Animal Rights Zone2024-03-28T09:45:53Zhttp://arzone.ning.com/forum/topics/is-being-vegan-easy?commentId=4715978%3AComment%3A22811&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWell, being vegan is easy if…tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-26:4715978:Comment:809152012-01-26T21:08:41.963ZLise Duckhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/LiseDuck
<p>Well, being vegan is easy if you're an independent adult (at least in buying and cooking food/toiletries), are single or have a partner/family who will go along with it (either by going vegan themselves or by accepting that they will eat vegan food most of the time at home), and have been vegan long enough to get into the relevant habits (checking ingredients, taking packed lunches to work, I'm sure we all have the general idea). Going vegan in the first place isn't always easy, and I think…</p>
<p>Well, being vegan is easy if you're an independent adult (at least in buying and cooking food/toiletries), are single or have a partner/family who will go along with it (either by going vegan themselves or by accepting that they will eat vegan food most of the time at home), and have been vegan long enough to get into the relevant habits (checking ingredients, taking packed lunches to work, I'm sure we all have the general idea). Going vegan in the first place isn't always easy, and I think some of us lose sight of that. I'm just as guilty of that as the person who lambasted me when I was going vegan for the second time for daring to say it was difficult - had forgotten after a few years what most of the issues were, until I became friends with a very new vegan who was still getting into it. And of course not everyone's circumstances make veganism the most straightforward option, have to admire the people who still try!</p> Blackpanther, Michelin tyres…tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-26:4715978:Comment:807242012-01-26T11:59:30.424ZKerry Bakerhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/KerryBaker
<p>Blackpanther, Michelin tyres do not contain any animal products.</p>
<p>I find being vegan, that is being satisfied with vegan food, is easy. The difficulties around being vegan are more about social issues I think. I don't work with people who are vegan or even vegetarian, although they all respect that I am and go to trouble to try and find something vegan when we have a morning tea or lunch. It's amazing though that they get confused between vegan and gluten free. But I persevere and…</p>
<p>Blackpanther, Michelin tyres do not contain any animal products.</p>
<p>I find being vegan, that is being satisfied with vegan food, is easy. The difficulties around being vegan are more about social issues I think. I don't work with people who are vegan or even vegetarian, although they all respect that I am and go to trouble to try and find something vegan when we have a morning tea or lunch. It's amazing though that they get confused between vegan and gluten free. But I persevere and I think their interest is growing. At first they looked at me sideways and I think were waiting for me to drop dead with some nutritional deficiency, but that I am quietly vegan has been the best way to manage the work situation.</p>
<p>Most of my friends are OK but I think they get a bit tired of being restricted by where we can go for a meal or vegan friendly wines to drink, as they have to acknowledge that animals products are used in so many things. You never stop learning, but I became vegan when I went from knowing in my head that eating animals is wrong to knowing in my heart. So for me, it's primarily just having to ask questions when I go shopping, but I think that's part of the process of spreading the awareness.</p>
<p>On the issue of animal testing, the point is to buy from companies that don't test now and do not buy ingredients from companies that do. I also use herbal and homeopathic products primarily, nothing of which is derived from animals and people who work in health shops are now very aware of this as well. </p>
<p></p> Thanks, Louise! I think Jose…tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-26:4715978:Comment:808102012-01-26T07:29:04.463ZCarolyn Baileyhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/CarolynBailey
<p>Thanks, Louise! <br></br><br></br>I think Jose an Sharon are awesome too. <br></br><br></br>I think we all feel a little overwhelmed at times, but I always try to think of people like Jose and Sharon, and other activists who have been around for 30 or 40 years and are still going every bit as strong as they were 30 years ago, then I feel encouraged to keep doing my best, and learning as much as I can, in order to make a difference. <br></br><br></br>Thanks for listening to our podcasts, it makes us feel so…</p>
<p>Thanks, Louise! <br/><br/>I think Jose an Sharon are awesome too. <br/><br/>I think we all feel a little overwhelmed at times, but I always try to think of people like Jose and Sharon, and other activists who have been around for 30 or 40 years and are still going every bit as strong as they were 30 years ago, then I feel encouraged to keep doing my best, and learning as much as I can, in order to make a difference. <br/><br/>Thanks for listening to our podcasts, it makes us feel so encouraged when wonderful people like you offer us such positive feedback! :)<br/><br/> <br/> <cite>Louise, London said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://arzone.ning.com/forum/topics/is-being-vegan-easy?page=4&commentId=4715978%3AComment%3A80558&x=1#4715978Comment78704"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Oh...I am sorry. My really depressing post yesterday seems to have stopped the flow of an interesting conversation. Its just I've only recently opened up to all this and it had just become overwhelming and was struggling to deal. But then... just listened to the fantastic interview on ARZone podcast with Jose Vallez and Sharon Nunez about their activism in Spain... and the black cloud is completely lifted. To hear how much they do, the lengths they go to, their creativity and passion, drive...amazing ! Just want to learn as much as i can, get involved, and get to the place they are at, helping animals that effectively too. Great interview, thanks Carolyn, Tim, Roger !</p>
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</blockquote> You're welcome!
:)
tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-25:4715978:Comment:805582012-01-25T12:26:17.337ZSusan Chohttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/SusanCho
<p>You're welcome!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p></p>
<p>You're welcome!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p></p> Thanks Susan:-).
tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-25:4715978:Comment:805352012-01-25T00:24:01.894ZLouise, Londonhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/LouiseLondon
<p>Thanks Susan:-). </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks Susan:-). </p>
<p> </p> Louise, I don't think your po…tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-23:4715978:Comment:797302012-01-23T07:54:45.403ZSusan Chohttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/SusanCho
<p>Louise, I don't think your post stopped the flow of the conversation, or even that it was so depressing. There had already been 3-4 pages worth of conversation, during which much had already been said. I'm glad you found such inspiration from Jose & Sharon, though. They really ARE amazing, aren't they? It's nice that the Zone brought them to you. :)<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Louise, London said:…</cite></p>
<p>Louise, I don't think your post stopped the flow of the conversation, or even that it was so depressing. There had already been 3-4 pages worth of conversation, during which much had already been said. I'm glad you found such inspiration from Jose & Sharon, though. They really ARE amazing, aren't they? It's nice that the Zone brought them to you. :)<br/> <br/> <cite>Louise, London said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://arzone.ning.com/forum/topics/is-being-vegan-easy?xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=4715978%3ATopic%3A17283&page=4#4715978Comment78704"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Oh...I am sorry. My really depressing post yesterday seems to have stopped the flow of an interesting conversation. Its just I've only recently opened up to all this and it had just become overwhelming and was struggling to deal. </p>
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</blockquote> Tim, I think you're right 100…tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-22:4715978:Comment:795972012-01-22T03:24:46.663ZRob Brevendthttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/AdrianoMannino
<p>Tim, I think you're right 100%. Thanks!</p>
<p>Tim, I think you're right 100%. Thanks!</p> Oh...I am sorry. My really de…tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-20:4715978:Comment:787042012-01-20T01:10:02.231ZLouise, Londonhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/LouiseLondon
<p>Oh...I am sorry. My really depressing post yesterday seems to have stopped the flow of an interesting conversation. Its just I've only recently opened up to all this and it had just become overwhelming and was struggling to deal. But then... just listened to the fantastic interview on ARZone podcast with Jose Vallez and Sharon Nunez about their activism in Spain... and the black cloud is completely lifted. To hear how much they do, the lengths they go to, their creativity and passion,…</p>
<p>Oh...I am sorry. My really depressing post yesterday seems to have stopped the flow of an interesting conversation. Its just I've only recently opened up to all this and it had just become overwhelming and was struggling to deal. But then... just listened to the fantastic interview on ARZone podcast with Jose Vallez and Sharon Nunez about their activism in Spain... and the black cloud is completely lifted. To hear how much they do, the lengths they go to, their creativity and passion, drive...amazing ! Just want to learn as much as i can, get involved, and get to the place they are at, helping animals that effectively too. Great interview, thanks Carolyn, Tim, Roger !</p> This is a good question, and…tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-18:4715978:Comment:784082012-01-18T22:32:28.670ZLouise, Londonhttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/LouiseLondon
<p>This is a good question, and offers people the opportunity to talk about their process of becoming a vegan, which is sometimes not at all easy . I'm very grateful to find this site and find it filled with inspiring people and useful information.</p>
<p>As far as changing my eating habits is concerned, it was off and on to start, and a gradual process, but there is definitely an enjoyment of simple natural foods now and I'm enjoying cooking in a more creative way than before when I just went…</p>
<p>This is a good question, and offers people the opportunity to talk about their process of becoming a vegan, which is sometimes not at all easy . I'm very grateful to find this site and find it filled with inspiring people and useful information.</p>
<p>As far as changing my eating habits is concerned, it was off and on to start, and a gradual process, but there is definitely an enjoyment of simple natural foods now and I'm enjoying cooking in a more creative way than before when I just went in the supermarket and had a wide range of ready made to choose from. </p>
<p>Speaking of the supermarket... I'm finding I avoid going wherever possible now, because its really hard seeing the bodies of animals on the shelves everywhere and everyone filling their shopping baskets, mostly unaware of the conditions on factory farms and abattoirs. I find the worst thing about being vegan, is waking up to become aware of the suffering of animals. Before, I was in denial. Now, I'm in what can only be described as living hell. No, living hell would be to be an animal on a factory farm...I'm just empathically observing their living hell. It was only recently that I saw any footage of what happens in factory farms and abattoirs. I'd been a vegan for some time but still, had always turned away from any information about animal suffering because it was too painful to look. Some weeks ago I decided I couldn't do that anymore. Had to stand and look, because only if I knew what was happening to the animals, understood more about each animal, could I help raise awareness. I'd say now that the worst thing about being a vegan, is how painful it is to let the scales of denial fall away, the comfort of denial, and to see the world we are living in more clearly. The sad thing is a lot of people do care, but they actually can't bear to hear or to look. Which unfortunately leads them to continue to contribute more to the suffering. </p>
<p>I'm finding ways of switching off, finding my centre, thinking about something else and stay connected to the joy in life. But seeing it everywhere in everything, and knowing the lives and deaths those poor animals suffered, are suffering right now, in their billions all over the world....is, for me, the hardest thing about being a vegan.</p> There's not a lot we can do t…tag:arzone.ning.com,2012-01-18:4715978:Comment:783402012-01-18T20:43:10.965ZRonnie Leehttp://arzone.ning.com/profile/RonnieLee
<p>There's not a lot we can do to prevent new vegans stumbling across the sort of "nasty" vegans that Carolyn mentions. What we can do though, is to give such new vegans really good "friendly and supportive vegan" alternatives. I think the creation of strong networks of local vegan groups is essential for this, as new vegans are likely to want to meet other vegans near to where they live, as well as communicating with distant vegans via the internet.</p>
<p>There's not a lot we can do to prevent new vegans stumbling across the sort of "nasty" vegans that Carolyn mentions. What we can do though, is to give such new vegans really good "friendly and supportive vegan" alternatives. I think the creation of strong networks of local vegan groups is essential for this, as new vegans are likely to want to meet other vegans near to where they live, as well as communicating with distant vegans via the internet.</p>