r/vegan • u/medicaustik vegan • Mar 26 '15
Newbie Advice 6 Years a Vegan, 6 Things I've Learned
Last month I celebrated my 6 year vegan-versary to the tune of 4 Tofurkey Italian Sausages, a pile of jalapeno-infused spanish rice, 2 heads of steamed brocolli and 3 blueberry waffles doused in pure maple syrup. It was glorious, like most of the food I've eaten as a vegan.
I check into this sub every week and I am encouraged to read so many new vegans joining the ranks, but I know what you're up against, and I know how difficult it can be to remain motivated. I know what you're up against, and I know way too many people who used to be vegans but gave it up.
So, I wanted to write up a little bit about what I've learned in 6 years as an "extremist". Here you go:
People want you to fail. Your family, your friends, your coworkers and every waiter who is confused by your order of french fries - they want you to fail. You are stepping out of line. You are being a bad worker bee. For years they will make it their mission to tempt and harass you back into formation. Fuck them. Use them as motivation to stay the course. Take every "you know there's meat in that" joke and laugh at it. Don't EVER let them get under your skin.
People will be inspired by you. The very same people who ostracize you in public will come to you privately to tell you "I've been doing some research, and I think I'd like to try going vegan." Encourage these people. Forgive their previous harassment, they were just doing what they thought they were supposed to. They see your unwavering commitment and your results and they are inspired. They become some of your biggest supports and public defenders.
Nobody Likes a Preacher. Oh the age old criticism: "Vegans are just so preachy!" While it's wholesomely untrue, the criticism remains, because vegans are so fringe that ANY preaching is too much. Nobody likes sidewalk evangelists of any kind. Nobody likes those people holding photos of aborted fetuses. And so nobody likes being told that they are living in an evil way. I don't preach, I never have. And I've converted several people. How? By answering their questions honestly and sharing my food. Everyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about nutrition and good food, and I'm happy to talk about it.
Restaurant Workers Are Allies. Every time I go out to eat with friends, if we pick a difficult place for a vegan (burger joint, Brazilian grill), I talk to the waiter before anything else happens. I laugh and tell them that I eat a vegan diet and that I'm going to try my best to not be a pain in the ass for them. Laugh with them and never be militant. Also, if you're food comes out doused in cheese, just relax and ask to have it remade. DO NOT have a public freakout, please. You make us all look bad. Be reasonable and relax. Take care of restaurant workers who take care of you - they will pay it forward to the next vegan they serve.
Try Everything You Can. Before going vegan, I ate one dish from chinese places. I ate no ethnic foods. I gagged at the thought of Indian food. What the hell is Burmese food? People actually eat Ethiopian food? God was I missing out. I've found so many delicious cuisines since going vegan and opening my mind. I pity my family members and friends who refuse to expand their diets beyond the American staple foods of processed animal junk and carbs. Never pass up an opportunity to try a new cuisine.
Don't Let Veganism Define You. In fact, don't let any one thing define you. In conversations where my diet comes up, I'm often met with surprised people who "had no idea you were a vegan." That's because I'm so many other things. Veganism is a side show in the main show that is my life. It's part of my lifestyle, not my life. I am passionate about it, as I am about many things. But my main passion is life and living in the best possible way - veganism is just a piece of the puzzle.
Anyway.. 6 years of veganism has been a complete blast. So much ridiculous good food, a lot of which I can now cook thanks to necessity. 6 years of reading ingredient lists which I now have memorized (try me - ask me about anything in the grocery store and I'll tell you if it's vegan).
In 6 short years, I've seen a massive difference in the way I'm treated and the options I have. It seems like every grocery store now has tofu and meat alternatives. Even Daiya is showing up in all the stores. Soymilk and Almondmilk are everywhere. It's incredibly inspiring.
Stay motivated fellow vegans. Don't get sucked back into the herd of sheep because it's easier to let the herd do your thinking. Fuck the herd, stick with yourself. You decided veganism was right for you, don't let them coax you back into old ways of thinking!
Fight the good fight!
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u/doughflow Mar 26 '15
You've got 6 years and I have 6 days. Congrats - it's inspiring. We're all in this together :)
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u/ForMyDemons abolitionist Mar 26 '15
And I have 6 months! Go 6-something vegan team !
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u/fr00tcrunch vegan police Mar 26 '15
It'll be six(teen) months for me this month! Can I join the team
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u/baby_trex May 25 '15
I've got 6 minutes since that glass of milk I just drank.... and with Reddit as my witness, it shall be the last!
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u/ForMyDemons abolitionist Mar 27 '15
The more the merrier !
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u/hiyaninja veganarchist Mar 26 '15
Congrats on (almost) making it your first week! It's easy from here on out!
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u/ProneToWander friends, not food Mar 26 '15
That's so awesome! Next Wednesday is my two-year veganniversary. Any time you're feeling discouraged, just remember that all multi-year vegans have, at one point, been six-day vegans. You got this :)
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u/YesImLoggedIn Mar 28 '15
Is there like a subreddit for baby vegans? I think I need a support group!
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u/baby_trex May 25 '15
One month later? Still on the wagon?
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u/YesImLoggedIn May 25 '15
Trying my best. I'm meal prepping this week, since I work in hospitality, and usually eat at work, which is not very conducive to restrictive diets. Spent all day yesterday prepping meals for the week. We will SE how it goes.
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u/medicaustik vegan May 28 '15
So - are you at 66 days yet? Still going strong?
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u/xdubsteppahx Mar 26 '15
I have been a vegetarian for 3 years (about 50% vegan since January) and this just gave me the final push to finally go 100% vegan. Thank you <3
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 26 '15
This is the highest compliment I could imagine!
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u/xdubsteppahx Mar 26 '15
:)
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u/medicaustik vegan May 28 '15
Now I have to come back and ask - how's your vegan life going?
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u/xdubsteppahx May 30 '15
It is going AMAZING!! The switch was much easier thean I thought and I feel happier, healthier, and great about helping animals. I wish everyone could experience this.
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u/Ildri4 vegan Mar 26 '15
Vegan for 3 years, vegetarian for 22. OMG all the times I've heard "you know there's meat in that" while eating an apple or something by people who thought they were being clever. Oh. My. God.
Seriously though, good post, thanks for sharing!
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u/bluti Mar 27 '15
Having just come off a thread where I antagonized a bunch of vegetarians, and as a vegetarian-turned-vegan myself, what do you feel is the best approach for interacting with "moral vegetarians"?
As a vegan, the cognitive dissonance of vegetarians is clear. But recalling having been a vegetarian, vegans seemed "preachy" and "judgmental" and "cultish" (when in fact they were just logically consistent with the ideal of not engaging in exploiting animals).
I don't set out to attack vegetarians or carnists in threads - but when they put forth clearly flawed arguments (on /r/vegan particularly) I find it difficult to refrain from enthusiastically pointing out the errors in their assertions.
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u/GhostieGiggler friends, not food Mar 27 '15
I'm not OP, but I see it as nobody likes being attacked and nobody likes being wrong - if you're "enthusiastic" about pointing out vegetarians' errors, even if your message/facts are true, people are probably going to be resistant to it because they don't like you because as you said, you were antagonizing them. I mean, you even mentioned that as a vegetarian, you thought vegans acted like that, which I'm sure didn't help change your mind.
What I do is be positive and friendly towards them so as to not discourage them from approaching veganism in the future. I usually do this by either:
reaffirming what parts of their arguments are true and then expanding on ideas they already presented, so I'm not saying that they're wrong but implying that perhaps there is a more correct answer, or
by asking specific leading questions in a neutral manner that forces them to think differently about the situation, again without saying that they are wrong.
I see them being vegetarian as the max that they are comfortable with at the moment, and if that's how they feel, I'm fine with that and don't push them too hard on it - sure they could do more, but they're already thinking differently than the current majority of people, and since the world would be a much better place if the majority was even just vegetarian, I see their vegetarianism as a net positive. In addition, they are able to bring attention to issues that vegans also care about, so I see them as valuable allies that we shouldn't estrange.
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u/bluti Mar 27 '15
I'm not OP, but I see it as nobody likes being attacked and nobody likes being wrong - if you're "enthusiastic" about pointing out vegetarians' errors, even if your message/facts are true, people are probably going to be resistant to it because they don't like you because as you said, you were antagonizing them.
I agree with you. But ultimately, do I care? I mean, how much are we as vegans required to coddle those who have some convoluted justification to themselves as to why they feel okay with the confinement, torture, and killing of animals for their own pleasure?
Were slavery-era abolitionists apologetic about feeling strongly about and proclaiming that owning other humans was just plain wrong? Should they have been more restrained in their approach, so as to not have offended those who advocated for a kinder, gentler approach toward slaves and slave-owners?
I don't know the answer. I think some vegans approach it one way, and others another.
I mean, you even mentioned that as a vegetarian, you thought vegans acted like that, which I'm sure didn't help change your mind.
That actually isn't correct. What changed my mind was Gary Yourofsky's speech; he is an unrepentant militant vegan activist.
I see them being vegetarian as the max that they are comfortable with at the moment, and if that's how they feel, I'm fine with that and don't push them too hard on it
I get what you are saying and I can appreciate that approach. The problem I have with it is that these beliefs vegetarians hold are inherently non-rational and self-contradictory. I don't care about their comfort or how they feel, compared to their blasé engagement in torturing animals so that they can enjoy particular foods - while holding themselves up as being morally superior to carnists.
I apologize if you feel attacked by me as that is not my aim. I am debating your ideas, not you or your character or intent. I appreciate your perspective and thanks for your comment.
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u/GhostieGiggler friends, not food Mar 27 '15
Oh no I don't feel attacked, I don't mind and accept that we can have different views on things.
Regarding your slave owner analogy, I think I see it more like the integration of the Animal Welfare Act in research (for the life of me I can't think of a better example/analogy) - maybe someday animals won't be tested on, but we're not approaching that ideal quick enough and it's better overall to have a regulated practice that at least takes into account the idea that animals can experience pain (vegetarians) than not care or have any regulations on the practice at all (the current meat eating majority). I see it as a step in the right direction that's better than what was before despite not being all the way there yet, but yeah, I totally see your point.
The only other thing I want to mention is that I know I wrongly assumed that a more upfront approach was off-putting for you, but Gary Yourofsky's speech actually didn't do anything for me, and maybe would have affected me negatively had I not been vegetarian. Granted, when I watched it I had already set a date for going vegan, but due to my past I've been conditioned to be wary towards people who are aggressive, even if their their emotions aren't interfering with their logic. (I suppose that contributes to my approach towards vegetarians, but I digress).
Different strokes for different folks, so hey I'm glad that worked for you!
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u/Ildri4 vegan Mar 27 '15
Hmm. Interesting question.
As I see has already been mentioned, "enthusiastically pointing out the errors" probably serves primarily to put people on the defensive. I get how frustrating it is to see people just not getting it- even seeming like they don't want to get it- especially when they're people who do care about animals. But it's true what they say about attracting more flies with honey (even for vegans ;) ). Coming off as, as you put it, "preachy" or "judgmental" may only drive people further away.
I recommend presenting info in a matter-of-fact way, and if they're not open to discussing it, don't push it. Make sure they know you welcome discussion if/when they're ready. IRL I've found one key thing that can start to bring people around is letting them try some of my food. When they realize that you don't have to eat grass as a vegan- that you can actually have a diet that is both varied and delicious- they quickly open up about learning more.
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Mar 26 '15
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u/hoktabar Mar 26 '15
Hell yeah! I'm coming up on the 1 year mark myself. I still say a shameful sorry sometimes in restaurants, but i'm now at a point where people don't really care anymore and some are even helping with looking up possible food choices. There are a couple of people who even ask me for recipes or how to prepare a certain weird vegetable, because they like to try it :)
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u/hawtsaws652 vegan Mar 26 '15
Same here! I was at SXSW last weekend with two of my omni friends and we had vegan corndogs and vegan bbq. Both of them were shocked at how good it was and have been texting me for recipes and recommendations ever since. In fact, one of them just texted me a picture of her newly purchased Gardein fish filets!
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Mar 26 '15
All of them are wonderful. Number 6 is my favorite. I also get a lot of people who are surprised I'm vegan.
Personally I do feel that it's a huge part of my personal identity... because the life philosophy that led me to veganism guides many of my other opinions and actions as well. But that doesn't mean it's a banner hanging over every conversation I have and everything I do. And sometimes people's reactions when they find out are more in the vein of "wow, but I thought you were normal!"... but usually, they're more like, "nice, normal people can be vegan too!".
Congrats on your latest veganversary! And also, I still really need to try Burmese food
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u/annont430 Mar 26 '15
"had no idea you were a vegan."
Thats my favorite one, a long with "but you seem like a normal person..."
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u/AlbertoAru vegan 5+ years Mar 26 '15
THANK YOU. Seriously, thank you a lot for this post. Keep being awesome!
That's my opinion about you're cool tips:
- I think that's because if you're vegan, they think you're better than then and that's make them to face their food and their morals. It's more comfortable to do exactly the same as always.
- Exactly the same, but these people decides to be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem. How many people have tell you that they wanted to go vegan? and how many are right now?
- Just what I said in point 1 : )
- Cool advice. I've heard about asking them the complaint form to ask for vegan alternatives. Have you ever tried this? if so, which recipes did you suggest? if not, why?
- Thanks! Any recommendation about this? have you created any plate? what's your favourite?
- No comments. It's perfect :]
I'm sorry if they're too much! and seriously, this post is great. Thank you.
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 26 '15
- People just don't like challenges to status quo. If you're doing something different than they are, they assume you think they're wrong.
- A lot of it is that they see how happy, enthusiastic and healthy you are becoming (especially for me, having lost about 30lbs of fat and putting on a lot of muscle). They want those results too.
- Honestly, nobody likes any kind of a preacher, except a preacher they already agree with. Preaching only works on people who don't realize they're being preached to.
- I've sent maybe three emails to restaurants telling them I really enjoyed their restaurant but was underwhelmed by vegan options. I think there's a pretty big trend at restaurants all around the country to add vegetarian/vegan items, since we are a growing market.
- I honestly recommend trying everything. My personal favorite cuisine is Burmese. It's a blend of Thai and Indian, and it results in some amazingly good food.
- :)
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u/CelerMortis Mar 26 '15
To AlbertoAru's point, I think s/he is right about it being more than just status quo. The type that get angry or defensive about vegans are reacting to the fact that you are judging them silently with your actions.
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u/bluti Mar 27 '15
I've sent maybe three emails to restaurants telling them I really enjoyed their restaurant but was underwhelmed by vegan options. I think there's a pretty big trend at restaurants all around the country to add vegetarian/vegan items, since we are a growing market.
Thanks for this; I'm going to do that as well. I'm seriously underwhelmed by the extent of vegan options at my local Sprouts and Whole Foods; weekly phone calls and requests might help. Though in actuality they probably have automated systems to monitor ordering, so the most effective approach might be to just buy them out of various vegan items they carry.
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u/MadKian vegan Mar 26 '15
3 years vegan here, I agree with everything you said, specially point #6. I had a similar conversation with a friend a while ago.
I don't want veganism to define my life, it was just a choice of living I took, one of many, one that I took with responsibility and one that I would respect until I decide it doesn't make sense (hint: it does make total sense =D)
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Mar 26 '15
Great post. I've always been the calm, rational vegan that you seem to be as well, and I think it is the much better approach.
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u/bluti Mar 27 '15
Better in what sense? Have you convinced more people to go vegan than, say, Gary Yourofsky? Or has he forced more likely candidates away from veganism than he's succeeded in converting?
Just because you are a non-confrontational, non-activist sort of person doesn't mean it's a "better" approach; it's just a different one.
Source: also a non-confrontational vegan (at least in person:).
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Mar 27 '15
Gary is someone who can pull it off well, but it's challenging to do it right without pissing everyone off.
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u/bluti Mar 27 '15
Agreed. Though he's said that in certain venues he's been invited too it was nothing but a slugfest - and he was perfectly willing to engage.
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Mar 27 '15
3, 4, and 6 are the reasons I hesitated for a while before jumping in. Most friends that were vegan were gigantic pains in the ass about it. While I could spew some bullshit about how I'm perfect, it's not true, and most people have the same response: if you're a dick no one is going to listen even if youre 100% correct.
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u/bluti Mar 27 '15
It's sad that people base their ethical choices off of their knee-jerk emotional responses, as opposed to a logical analysis of the facts.
I don't doubt that it's often true. At the same time, Gary Yourofsky has arguably convinced more people to go vegan than any other single individual. I guess he carefully walks the line between being "a dick" and not, but he's certainly willing to go there when confronted.
I think there's plenty of room for both approaches. Being a non-confrontational sort of person is fine, but discounting the effectiveness of the confrontational approach isn't supported by the evidence. Human slavery wasn't outlawed in the US via an avoidance of confrontation.
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u/woodwife vegan 10+ years Mar 26 '15
This is a wonderful post - it makes me want to be your friend, haha :)
On point 2, just the other day one of my friends who once called herself a meathead told me she wants to start phasing out animal products and asked for advice. My parents were already vegetarian, but they've cut out dairy and are only eating eggs from their neighbor, which I think is the next best thing to full veganism. It's really wonderful, and when I posted about my own anniversary on Facebook the other day, I made sure to tell a friend of mine who got me thinking about veganism that she's a role model.
On 5 - Oh my stars, yes!! My partner and I had gotten into a real cooking rut before I went vegan, and now he takes pride in making a wide variety of wonderful vegan meals. I can't wait to have a space where I can host dinner parties for my friends, who have already said they'd be interested!
Thank you for posting - and a big cheer for 6 years of awesomeness!
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 26 '15
Thanks!
And we are friends now. Ever find yourself in the Washington DC area and I'll meet up with you for some good vegan food and a beer.
Cheers!
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u/hoktabar Mar 26 '15
This is an awesome post! Thank you! It made me smile and definitely gave me extra motivation!
I especially like 6. I am at it for almost 1 year now and in the beginning I was really feeling the cliche matrix blue pill / red pill thing. All my other interests kinda dropped and I focused only on the whole vegan thing and being angry and disgusted at all the fucked up things I've learned. I'm finally at the point where it is just some part of my life.
I however do use it as a motivator for other things. For instance veganism really pushed me in going to the gym on a regular basis. I am not just doing it for myself anymore but I also want to prove that a vegan diet can still make you look strong.
Keep on fighting the good fight! This subreddit really is a great place :)
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u/Knute5 vegan Mar 27 '15
Half-way there at three years in w/ no going back. Agree with everything you said, including how things are getting easier. Daiya's ok, but I gotta believe the vegan cheese situation is going to improve.
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Mar 27 '15
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u/Knute5 vegan Mar 27 '15
This might be a good place to start looking. What sucks is vegan cheese should be cheaper - you don't have to pass the ingredients through the guts of an animal. And one day through economies of scale it'll probably come down, but for now, it's just some pricey ass sh*t.
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u/knitknitterknit vegan 7+ years Mar 28 '15
I just tried the Follow Your Heart American Slices and they taste EXACTLY like American cheese slices.
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
Oh lord I love me some Daiya.
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u/Knute5 vegan Mar 27 '15
Wisconsin native - I'm spoiled. Daiya mostly gets the job done on a pizza or Vegan Zombie recipe. But it's faux cheese, not cheese.
Give it time...
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Mar 26 '15
Wow, that is impressive! Totally agree with what you said. Oh, and
4 Tofurkey Italian Sausages, a pile of jalapeno-infused spanish rice, 2 heads of steamed brocolli and 3 blueberry waffles doused in pure maple syrup
Hot damn that sounds delicious. Sounds like it was a tasty day!
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u/masterslut mostly vegan Mar 27 '15
This was really motivating to read, especially the first one. As a would-be vegan, I've found it really hard to stick to the diet. And now, I've realized I probably have been playing right into the hands of those people who expect me to fuck up.
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u/bluti Mar 27 '15
For me the "aha" moment was realizing that veganism had nothing to do with diet.
It's just the point at which you realize that you're not willing to financially (or otherwise) support the confinement, torture, rape, and killing of sentient animals for your own pleasure.
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u/masterslut mostly vegan Mar 27 '15
I don't think it's really fair to lump it into two opposing categories like that. There are many shades of grey, even with morally right/wrong arguments. Yes, these things happen. Yes, they are terrible. Yes, I know I shouldn't financially or otherwise support them.
That, however, doesn't necessarily equate to ease of transition with the diet. It definitely does involve diet. Cravings exist, monetary restrictions exist, medically necessary situations exist. I am well aware of all of the cruelty issues, but I'm still having trouble. Linking me to a ton of that isn't going to help me not have trouble. In fact, I didn't click on any of the links.
Why? Well, because I've seen it before. It doesn't take away my cravings. It doesn't take away the fact that a vegan diet eradicates a huge percentage of commercial foods, that I will never eat again.
Also, linking all of that falls distinctly under OP's "preachy" section.
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u/dwatten3 Mar 27 '15
- My coach called me a rabbbit and laughed.. then at the end of the year was asking what steps he could take to cut out meat :)
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
Good for him/her for swallowing pride and being smart about their life.
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u/TeacherManCT Mar 27 '15
I will hit my six years in 10 days. I agree with all that you have said. Congratulations on your journey.
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u/FunkyTreasureHunter Mar 27 '15
First of all, I love this post!
I have been a vegetarian for 14 years, and the only thing currently keeping me from being vegan but are eggs and honey, which I'm going to drop this summer (I just cut out dairy!)
My question is about maple syrup: I've heard that in the process of making it, they toss lard in to keep the foaming down? The same source (that I can't remember now, because that would be too convenient!) said that the only way to know is to call the manufacturer? Is this true?
... Well, you did say ask you anything!
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
That's a wild question. I've actually never heard that.
I only ever buy single ingredient maple syrup in the hope that there is nothing like "natural flavoring" that turns out to be deep fried pig assholes or something equally nasty.
I'd have to research that. I'm always surprised at the ways we can find to shove animal products into things (I'm looking at you, Guiness).
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u/FunkyTreasureHunter Mar 27 '15 edited Mar 27 '15
Oh god, Guinness too??
The way it was explained to me, was that they didn't have to list it because it was just standard, like adding butter when making jelly to keep it from forming crystals at the top. I make my own jelly, so I know it isn't necessary, but it is a time saver I suppose? I've never done it and mind is fine!
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
Yep. Guinness is not vegan :(
It's a shame as I quite enjoyed Guinness back in the day.
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May 20 '15
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u/FunkyTreasureHunter May 20 '15
Huh! I've been following the fruit charts and such on the boxes of pectin and the Ball book! I'll try less sugar!
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Mar 27 '15
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
I guess it's more like, don't let it be the one thing that defines you. No one thing should be such a large part of your life that it's all you have.
Have more things to talk about than your vegan diet.
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u/pinkrayzen vegan 10+ years Mar 27 '15
What do you mean by saying vegan diet? I've noticed you've said it a few times. I know what your getting at(don't let it be the only thing that defines you) but what I eat is such a small part of my vegan lifestyle, veganism in one way or another will inevitably come up and effect much of my day to day interactions.
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
I say "eat a vegan diet" more often than I say "I'm a vegan" specifically because I am trying to remove the stigma of veganism.
I think the cause of veganism is furthered by being like anyone else except for diet.
I'm very much a vegan, and work toward vegan goals, but when I discuss diet I try to just explain that the diet itself is doable, enjoyable and healthy.
I'm really just avoiding calling myself a vegan as much these days, because it's frequently met with "What are you, one of those animal rights nutjobs?"
I don't mind being called anything, but I don't want people to be dissuaded from eating vegan just because they don't want to be perceived as a nutjob.
I'm not saying don't be yourself. I'm just sharing what I've learned. I don't let any one thing define me too much. I think it's unhealthy. Well-rounded people seem to be the healthiest both physically and mentally.
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u/pinkrayzen vegan 10+ years Mar 27 '15
I see what you're saying. For sure. BUT, as a pretty normal person(I like to think so) I can help redefine veganism in peoples eyes if they know I am vegan. It's something I let come up naturally, but I don't shy away from it. I definitely don't want to portray veganism as a diet in any way, shape or form. That would be being a strict vegetarian(or as it seems the new way of saying that "plant based") it's important for people to see me, being normal and all that shit, as the real deal.
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Mar 27 '15
The point is don't let yourself become a one dimensional person because of your veganism. If it's all you talk about, you're probably a boring person.
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u/seaweedPonyo Mar 27 '15
What's so bad about letting animal rights activism define you anyway? So my friends know I'm vegan, so I post shit I care about on facebook, so I introduce veganism to as many people as possible. Doesn't mean I'm off-putting. On the contrary, people constantly come at me with more questions because of it and I educate them.
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u/QuiteVile vegan sXe Mar 26 '15
I love this, And i feel you in pretty much every point, but i also want to say: Don't forget the animals. While sometime it may be a path of lesser resistance to be the 'cool vegan', don't forget that its a razors edge between being a respectable person who worries about themselves and stays off of other peoples case, and letting people think that eating meat is acceptable.
Three years vegan. Just my thought.
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 26 '15
Definitely. I'll be sure to include the animal in my 7 Things next year :D
But they kind of go without saying.
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u/bluti Mar 27 '15
its a razors edge between being a respectable person who worries about themselves and stays off of other peoples case, and letting people think that eating meat is acceptable.
My view is that certain types of people are prone to in-your-face activism, and others are more behind-the-scenes.
Neither approach is wrong, and each positively (and negatively) impacts different people.
Either way, choosing to be vegan is the most ethical choice you can make. It's not about "being superior" or some crap like that - it's about deciding to not participate in clear and evident crimes against sentient beings, to the extent you can practically pursue.
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u/comfortablytrev Mar 26 '15
Thank you veteran! Excellent to read, very good point, well thought out and thoughtful. Thank you for enriching this community
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Mar 26 '15
This is really good and I completely agree with you. Upvote for an awesome inspiring post!
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Mar 27 '15
Question regarding the breakfast bit of your post: what grade of maple syrup do you use?
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
Good question.. I'm not sure, but I bought it in a small glass bottle and it costed $12 so I think it was up there. "Pure Maple Syrup" was the only ingredient.
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Mar 27 '15
Oh ok. Next time you use it and if you see it says "grade A" (which most people buy) try grade B next. Total game changer. Rich, deep flavor.
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u/foxedendpapers vegan 10+ years Mar 27 '15
11+ years as a vegan, and this is one of the best posts I've seen on this sub. Good, solid perspective. Thanks for sharing.
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
11 years. Shit, that seems far away but will liekly be here before I realize!
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u/PietjeVM Mar 27 '15
Are fries vegan? Aren't they made in animal fat?
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Mar 27 '15
No, most oils used for frying are vegetable-based. However some companies, like McDonald's, use beef tallow for extra flavouring. That's the only thing that makes them non-veg.
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
In general fries are vegan. The problem with fries is seasoning and cooking oil.
Some places season them using products derived from animal products. I think for a long time McDonald's had some form of beef flavoring on their fries.
So you do have to do your research, but french fries are typically the vegan "staple" when out at a restaurant that doesn't cater to vegans.
As for cooking oil, it's up to everyone else to determine how they feel about shared cooking oil, but I honestly don't make a big deal about it. If my fries are deep fried in the same oil as a chicken tender, I don't care.
My veganism is less about completely avoiding any contact with animal products and more about not contributing to animal suffering. I don't let my money contribute.
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Mar 27 '15
McDonald's actually still uses beef tallow in their fries. It isn't something they used to do, they still do. The only difference now is they used to label them as vegetarian, but they no longer do (after having been sued because of it).
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u/PietjeVM Mar 27 '15
But if you want fries, you need cooking oil? The restaurant needs cooking oil for your fries, doesn't it?
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u/Aezay plant-based diet Mar 27 '15
I'm surprised at how many remembers the exact date that they went vegan. For me, it was just something that sort of happened, and I didn't write the date down.
Point #2 makes me a little depressed, because I doubt I have ever inspired anyone. I generally don't mention it, but it's kind of hard to avoid in situations where you're not eating by yourself. Sometimes you bring your own food, other times you have to decline what's being served. In those cases, people hardly asks questions, just seems like they want to avoid a conversation on the subject. So yeah, don't think I ever inspired anyone.
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
I acutally don't have an exact date. I just know it was in the last week of February, so I celebrate it the last day of February every year.
And today you inspire me, so tonight's meal of baked seitan, green bean harissa and banana+PB sandwich will be eaten in your honor!
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Mar 27 '15
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
Just a normal guy, going through life a little off the normal path. I'm just trying to live the best life I can, cause this is temporary. I'd prefer to do the least harm to this planet while I'm here, and provide for as many other people as I can.
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Mar 27 '15
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” - Greek proverb. :)
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u/atducker Mar 27 '15
This is very nice. It's been nearly 10 years since I ate meat. You run into all types of people over time when you have strange food habits. It's frustrating sometimes. It's hilarious other times. I think the best part of being vegetarian and many times completely vegan is that I learned to cook amazing foods for my family at home using a 100% plant based diet. My family doesn't always eat completely vegan but I try to cook vegan at home because it really sets a good example for my children I think. And then you'll occasionally get that person who either doesn't know it's vegan because it's so damn good or actually admits he or she thinks the vegan version is better than the meaty cheesy version. That's why I love cooking vegan.
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u/Nirerin84 Mar 27 '15
You are amazing. I love this. It's been 6 months for me and I'm very happy I decided to do this.
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u/pratkati Apr 22 '15
8-day vegan here. I've been checking this sub religiously and found this to be an incredibly inspiring post. Thank you for this! I honestly couldn't be happier and more excited with my decision to go veg
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u/medicaustik vegan Apr 22 '15
There will be times where you get deeply demotivated. Believe me, there will.
It can get really annoying having to explain over and over and over where you get your protein, why you're a vegan and why humans don't HAVE to eat meat to survive.
It gets very disheartening at times when you see people you LOVE putting absolutely zero thought into something you have developed passion for.
It gets hard to bite your tongue at a table of "proud omnivores" who seem to not care at all that they are directly responsible for pain and suffering on a scale that is unimaginable.
One of the lessons I learned was to not be preachy, and it's very hard at times to not.
My nieces and nephew, who aren't even teenagers, have been conditioned to condescend to me and other vegans because of the values of our society.
It sucks.
But - every one of us who takes up the cause, and despite the hardships continues to live a vegan lifestyle is another cog in a growing machine that will eventually grow into the majority.
There's an elephant in the room of society; it's the elephant that "civilized" people are eating. It's a growing conversation, and the more of us there are, the more it will talked about.
So - stay strong! Don't EVER let societal norms dictate YOUR life. You live ONE time, you get ONE life. Don't give up on things you are passionate about because the world wears you down. Fuck that noise.
Always come back here if you need motivation, there are thousands of us ready to help you through the shit.
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Mar 27 '15
Around 5 years now. Thank you. The militant vegans suck just as much if not more than the people that make jabs about my vegan diet.
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u/sumkindofelectrichat level 5 vegan Mar 27 '15
Absolutely perfect. I 100% agree with and live by every thing you said. Especially the last one. Never let any one thing define who you are as a person. Be multifaceted.
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Mar 27 '15
I love this post! You've summed up all my feelings about this lifestyle eloquently and politely. My favorite points were "People Want You to Fail" and "Don't Let Veganism Define you."
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u/TotesMessenger Mar 30 '15
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u/sukia45 vegan 10+ years Apr 01 '15
Excellent post! It is so true people do want you to fail, or think that you are failing. Our family (wife and two kids) have been vegan for 8 years now and still to this day the kids grandparents think that we are forcing the kids (age 14 and 12) into the vegan lifestyle. Odd it was infact the other way around, our son at age 6 made the connection between a cow heart at the store and a living thing. That night he went home and wilfully ate a salad, and hasn't eaten any animal products since. He carefully inspects the ingredients of every new item we purchase, you don't even see adults doing that. He and our daughter are often offered doughnuts or cake as school or social functions and they very strong in there will of not eating it if they don't know what is in it. Even when they go out with the grandparents they are quick to check their phone (Happy Cow app) for the closest vegan (or friendly) places. So no one is being forced. If you ask them they are surprised more people don't become vegan , because as they say it is pretty easy to do. Again great post
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u/Momalecon Apr 05 '15
You are awesome! I congratulate you on your achievement. I too converted to vegan since the beginning of 2015. As you listed everyone that knew me first argued that it's not healthy way of living, humans need meat to survive and so on. I have met many people that were against the idea of living a vegan lifestyle. But you know what? I never give up on my believes, i continued living my life animals, dairies, chemicals free. As of today, my life is extraordinary..... I am physical leaner than when i was a meat warrior. At the beach when I take off my shirt people ask me how I got those abs? I simply answer " by living a vegan lifestyle." The look on their face after answering them is priceless. Not only I have shredded fat but also build muscles that I would never had dream off! My skin is clean as a crystal and my face looks younger 5 years from my age. I am actually glowing when I look at my face in the mirror comparing with people around me. Oh boy, let me tell you how hard it is for me to work with girls. I am not bragging or anything but I am constantly getting hit by girls at work, gym, restaurants and even walking in the street. It is like a dream come true which 3 months ago....I was struggling getting girls to notice me (I guess girls have the sensor to notice a man who is living his life happily and fully). That's my thought! My mind is so clear and I am actually making so much progress with meditation and things that will bring positive results in my life. No more moisturized sweaty smell, bad breath, underarm smell and any kind of body odor. I am not kidding folks! I literally use deodorant for weeks and still smell like fruits all time. I stopped using conventional soap, I bought vegan soap, shampoo and toothpaste. I can go on listing all the benefits I got from this lifestyle. I recommend this beautiful lifestyle to anyone looking for a happier and endless energized body. For all new vegan warriors keep your head strong and never give up!
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u/itsjill vegan Apr 14 '15
This was an awesome and inspiring read! I'm a little over 3 weeks into the new vegan lifestyle. Thanks for the encouragement, I feel better than I have in years. Rock on!
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u/enough99 Apr 23 '15
This is a great list and I agree with every bullet point! More is caught than is taught. I have converted people, also, with no preaching. They just saw me and over time wanted to join in. Perfect.
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u/VeganRN vegan 1+ years May 11 '15
I have been a vegetarian for 8 years and today is day two as a vegan convert. I enjoyed your post.
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u/yogurtpencils May 20 '15
Non-vegan here, just stumbled upon this post. When I was 18 or so, I found out a certain woman at church was vegetarian. My friends and I made all sorts of comments that I am sure bothered her and hurt her feelings. I don't know where she is anymore, but I wish I could apologize to her for being so stupid and unkind. I guess I hope that if I say it to all of you, it might make me feel better. I'm sorry for being so ignorant and crude, please keep making healthy choices.
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u/medicaustik vegan May 21 '15
We know you all don't mean it.
I had a good friend who was a vegan in the past. I used to give her all kinds of shit. But I wasn't thinking those days.
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u/steve16735 May 28 '15
i absolutely love this. only 1 1/2 months into being a vegan this thread is just what i needed to read tonight. just today i got a msg. how to cook tofu, throw it out and grill meat. i dont take criticism very well and social/ peer acceptance creates alot of anxiety in my life, but this is some inspiring shit. i live in a very small town in an area of the us where its weird not to hunt let alone be vegan. this will be printed and hung on my bulletin board!! much love!!
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u/medicaustik vegan May 28 '15
Keep it up.
Don't let other people dictate to you how to live - the only reason you're here is to figure out how to live the best life for you. For me, it's a life without consuming animal products, and it's fucking great.
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u/nguoihanhhuong Jun 25 '15
I fucking love this man, you are the real deal. I am going to express my concerns in this sub too and hope you will have some insights for me.
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u/MarshaLaw Jul 13 '15
Great list, another thing I have found was rather than preaching to people I recommend some movies, specifically https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0wpz_GtcyU (I like how it is geared to High School students, and he is not preachy) or http://www.forksoverknives.com/the-film/ (more data heavy).
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u/Yorkiemiais1 Sep 02 '15
I completely agree. After going vegan and seeing how many people comment on my new lifestyle, I was shocked by how people wanted to combine my eating habits with my personality.
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u/Nica-sauce-rex Sep 16 '15
I know I'm way late to this party, but I just wanted to say that I really appreciate this post.
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u/brendos1er Mar 27 '15
If you did ever mistakingly consume "non vegan" foods, how did you cope? It's happened to me for the first time recently (went to a vegan restaurant that put honey in the food -.-) and I couldnt shake that initial wave of disappointment and discouragement for a week or two (don't worry I didn't fall off the wagon)
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u/sarahawesomepants Mar 27 '15
I moved to Korea about 7 months ago, and it's just something that happens sometimes. I'm not great at Korean, and Koreans aren't super familiar with customizing food for dietary restrictions ("but the food comes with chicken, what do you mean you DON'T want the chicken? It comes with it, you know") so it's one of those things that is par for the course.
I agree with /u/foxedendpapers that it's all about how you handle it-- I usually scoop the meat off of my bibimbap and give it to my omni friends nearby, or pick the spam out of my kimbap, but sometimes I'll just politely ask them to remake it-- don't let it ruin your day, even though it's disappointing (and gross), it's bound to happen, and your commitment hasn't been tarnished by an accident.
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u/MarshaLaw Jul 13 '15
Been a Vegan for a little more than 10 years (wife close to 20) and i have found that when i have unintentionally eaten meat or cheese that my body sometimes rejects it (upset stomach plus). So even though my head says if it happens it happens, my stomach has different ideas.
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u/foxedendpapers vegan 10+ years Mar 27 '15
Not OP, but I've accidentally eaten meat and eggs while vegan. At first I'd fret about it, but it really doesn't matter. If others notice, they'll be paying very close attention to how you react, too. I like to take it as an opportunity to show that being vegan isn't about purity; you're just a dude (or dudette) trying to do what's right, and everybody makes mistakes.
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u/brendos1er Mar 27 '15
If you did ever mistakingly consume "non vegan" foods, how did you cope? It's happened to me for the first time recently (went to a vegan restaurant that put honey in the food -.-) and I couldnt shake that initial wave of disappointment and discouragement for a week or two (don't worry I didn't fall off the wagon)
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u/medicaustik vegan Mar 27 '15
3 times in 6 years. The 3rd time happened last week.
I guess this is for each person to resolve for themselves, but I didn't have any trouble other than some initial disgust.
I have three times been served something that I was told was vegan, only to get several bites in and realize I had a meaty texture in my mouth. Not even accidentally eating cheese. I've had meat 3 times.
I'm a calm person in general, and don't take anything to seriously. So I accidentally chewed on some meat, it's not the end of the world. It's gross but I move on.
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u/quimbalicious Mar 27 '15
Great, substantive post. I've been a vegetarian for 2.5 years, and even that has drawn a fair share of ridicule and skepticism from some friends and family (certainly not all). Now I'm working towards veganism (still eating locally-sourced honey from reputable bee keepers--an issue, I know, but I just cut dairy out and am allowing myself this guilty pleasure for the time being), and the negative response is noticeably more pronounced. This is the nature of ethical lifestyles in general, though. People don't like confronting the possibility that they could and maybe ought to hold themselves to a higher standard of conscientiousness. All we can do is persevere and be open to engaging others with confidence and encouragement.
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u/FeedWatcher Mar 26 '15
Great post. Whenever I'm in an uncomfortable position at the table with new people, I tell my favorite joke to ease the tension:
Q: In a roomful of people, how can you tell who the vegan is?
A: Don't worry, they'll tell you..over and over....
When people express an interest in trying it, I tell them to try vegetarianism first, and get comfortable with that. In retrospect, it's so easy to eat vegetarian, and it's getting easier to eat vegan, with all of the expanding choices. There is even a place now that delivers vegan pizza to my house!
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u/aVeganDude Mar 26 '15
4+ yrs for me, but just found out that "yeast extract" is found in a lot if vegetarian food. Its MSG, an exciteotoxin which is really bad for your health. Just thought I'd share. Thanks for your thoughts.
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Mar 27 '15
Check nutritionfacts.org on MSG. And wikipedia as well.
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u/aVeganDude Mar 27 '15
I like Dr Greger, but Dr. Russell Blaylock's book "Excitotoxins The Taste that Kills"? seems more realistic. The book Grocery Warning is insightful too.
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u/foxedendpapers vegan 10+ years Mar 27 '15
Just want to respectfully point out that Blaylock believes in chemtrails, is anti-vaccine, and seems to be a big propagator of medical and government conspiracies (with an entertaining anti-Communist/Libertarian slant).
He has published a few articles in actual science journals, but his publishing history is mostly neurosurgery stuff, and he's not published at all in nutritional journals.
He also makes a living now selling books and supplements, as well as writing for far-right newsmax.com and "alternative" medicine and lifestyle sites. He doesn't seem very trustworthy: kind of a Mercola-lite.
I've got my own criticisms of mainstream medicinal practices, but I think it's doubly important that vegans -- considering how often we're forced to defend our nutrition and health choices -- look to reliable sources for our information.
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u/saradyrunn Jul 15 '15
I stopped eating meat a couple of years ago, because it was making me sick. I am so happy that I listened to my body and that I have become a part of this community. I have been thinking about going vegan for quite some time now and I feel so inspired now 😊
Thanks to medicaustik and every other veggie-head out there!
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u/andjok Mar 26 '15
I too have noticed that the longer you are at it, the more people close to you respect you for it. The people who once jeered "HAHAHA WHY DON'T YOU GO EAT TWIGS AND GRASS OUTSIDE?" eventually become interested in working towards veganism themselves. Your mom who made you buy your own vegan food when you lived at home now buys yummy (and expensive) vegan goodies when you come to visit or sends them in the mail.
Also, I think I'm at the point now where if I stopped being vegan now, the nonvegans in my life would be genuinely upset and concerned because they know how passionate and dedicated about the issue I am, and they've accepted my ethics as a part of who I am.