Becoming Vegan » shopping vegan food http://becomingvegan.net Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:28:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Becoming Conscious and Aware Through A Vegan Lifestyle http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/becoming-conscious-and-aware-through-a-vegan-lifestyle/ http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/becoming-conscious-and-aware-through-a-vegan-lifestyle/#comments Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:05:06 +0000 admin Becoming Conscious and Aware Through A Vegan Lifestyle

By: Sutiyo Na

What is a vegan? A vegan is a person who cuts-out from eating and using animal products including their by-products. Some products are clearly non-negotiable such as red meat, fish, poultry, dairy, milk and eggs. Other items such as honey, silk and refined sugar are also being debated. Gelatin and whey milk are also avoided by vegans much as wool, suede, animal leather and animal skins. Vegans also advocate against animal cruelty and they don’t like to pay visits in pet stores, circuses, zoos and animal rodeos. There are different factors that need to be considered and so far a vegan lifestyle is a personal choice.

If vegan lifestyles sound interesting for you, there are numerous ways that you can pursue this lifestyle and get to know all about the aspects of living a vegan life such as supplying your pantry with vegan products.  You can also learn how to use replacement foods that you already consume with vegan preferences and how to follow your nutritional body needs, also address common beliefs and misconception about the vegan lifestyle, and learn how to cut-out animal products.

You should always remember that living a vegan lifestyle is often attributed with reduced risks for some health problems such as lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and high blood pressure, although specific measures have to be carried out by vegans to ensure that nutritional necessities are met.

A vegan lifestyle is a personal choice, that, when all factors are considered, involves asking and answering questions on some ethical factors of animal farming practices, the moral issues associated with slaughtering living things for staple, and even about the chemicals that are taken that may enhance the wellness and longevity and might also be encountered to the recent evolutionary stage of man.

A full-pledged vegan may simply follow a certain vegan diet. But most vegans consider it a full lifestyle and have some ethical, ecological and spiritual convictions for their lifestyle preferences. They try to avoid animal products not only in their food consumption but also in the material things they use. Some food such as gluten, sugar, wine and even vinegar are usually processed with animal components. As an example, charred animal bones are normally used in the refining of sugar and wine refining. Even though it is very hard to avoid totally all products that involve animals, vegans try to minimize their use.

Most vegans purchase only from vegan companies. Some advocates more conservative businesses who offer some products that are free from animal components. Also other vegans take a different approach. Some of their preferences are based on different criteria and conditions for both animals and humans.

Furthermore, aside from avoiding animal-based products, most vegans prefer not to use wool, leather and silk or some cosmetics that are made from animal products. In reality, this would eliminate leather goods and specific soaps, fabrics, detergents, and glue. In a typical vegan household, the people inside attempt to live consciously and in harmony by not doing any harm to their environment.

There are numerous benefits of living a vegan lifestyle. In increasing longevity and vitality, one can enjoy his, her or its life more. Taking some effort to make aware decisions in the personal diet and lifestyle can lead to being less in accordance with the pressures of consumerism that involves mass marketing and psychological marketing.

About the Author

Check out my complete guide to living the vegan way , visit :
www.veganlifestyletips.info

(ArticlesBase SC #1332158)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Becoming Conscious and Aware Through A Vegan Lifestyle


Related Blogs

Recommended Reading

]]> http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/becoming-conscious-and-aware-through-a-vegan-lifestyle/feed/ 0 What you Want to Know About Veganism http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/what-you-want-to-know-about-veganism/ http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/what-you-want-to-know-about-veganism/#comments Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:19:05 +0000 admin What you Want to Know About Veganism

By: Scott Hughes

If you are a vegan, different people probably ask you the same general questions. If you are not a vegan, then you probably have some basic questions for vegans about veganism. In this article, I will answer some basic questions that vegans often get asked.

What do you eat? Vegans are defined by what they do not eat, not by what they do eat. Basically, vegans eat anything that does not contain animal products. Like vegetarians, we do not eat meat, but we also do not eat other animal products such as milk and eggs. Some general foods that we do eat include grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, beans, and any other non-animal products. And we can make countless dishes using countless recipes that use those foods as ingredients.

Why did you become a vegan? Obviously, each vegan has their own specific reasons for becoming vegan. However, the most common reasons include the environment, personal health, and empathy with animals. Concerning the environment, the production of animal products wastes resources such as land, energy and water because the farmer has to feed the livestock food that could have gone directly to humans. Many vegans also see their diet as healthier, namely because of the lower amounts of cholesterol, fat, and germs in non-animal products. And of course many vegans feel bad about slaughtering and mistreating animals, which they usually view as an inherent quality of farming livestock.

How do you get enough protein? Most natural foods have at least some protein, including most vegetables and grains. Nonetheless, some vegan foods have an especially high protein content, including beans and nuts, which by extension includes nut-based products such as peanut butter, soy milk, soy burgers, and so on and so forth.

Do you eat plants which are living creatures? Vegans eat many things that are alive; we just do not eat animals. Non-animal organisms are usually not considered sentient. People cannot empathize with plants. Vegans can and do empathize and sympathize with most animals.

Do you miss non-vegan foods such as meat, cheese, or ice cream? Overall, we obviously prefer to not eat animal products than to eat them. We may miss a specific pleasure we received from consuming animal products, but overall we believe the consequences outweigh the benefits. In other words, we get more total pleasure from not eating animal products than we get from eating them–otherwise we would choose to eat them.

I hope my answers to those questions prove to be helpful. If you are not a vegan, I hope you now understand veganism better, and I thank you for keeping an open mind. If you are a vegan, please share this article with people who ask you similar questions or who show an interest in veganism.

Whatever you do, good luck and have fun!

About the Author

Scott Hughes maintains an internet-based vegan club. You can discuss veganism and animal rights at the Vegan Forums. It’s completely free.

(ArticlesBase SC #313828)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – What you Want to Know About Veganism


Related Blogs

Recommended Reading

]]> http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/what-you-want-to-know-about-veganism/feed/ 0 Becoming Vegan http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/becoming-vegan-5/ http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/becoming-vegan-5/#comments Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:17:17 +0000 admin Becoming Vegan

By: Vickie Chatsworth

Becoming a vegan is not simply about a choosing not to eat meat. It is a philosophy, a lifestyle, and a commitment. The foundation of vegan philosophy is the belief that animals should not be killed for any reason, including food or clothing.Veganism is the purest form of vegetarianism. Not only do vegans not eat meat; they also do not use or consume animals products in any way. Some do this because they feel it is better for their own health and that of the environment. Others do it because of their compassion and love for animals and the promotion of animal rights and welfare.

Unlike some vegetarians, vegans do not partake of any product derived fully or partially from any animal. This means no dairy products and no eggs, in addition to no meat. The practice of veganism extends to clothing and accessories as well as products containing animal byproducts or derivatives. Many vegans also avoid products such as cosmetics that have been tested on animals prior to being marketed. Vegans seek to promote a cruelty-free world with more awareness and compassion for the rights of animals.

One cannot enter into a lifestyle of veganism without a bit of planning and education. While a vegan diet can certainly satisfy nutritional needs, one must be careful about planning their diet to ensure they are getting proper amounts of protein, calcium, iodine and other important vitamins and minerals. Vegans are encouraged to also include a dietary supplement, such as a multi-vitamin, to round out their daily nutrition. It is crucial to add more to the diet than fruits, vegetables, and grains, in order to maintain a healthy balance of nutritional requirements. Although some critics insist that the vegan diet or any diet that avoids meat consumption is unhealthy, in fact with proper planning it can be just as healthy, if not more so, than the diet of those who choose to eat meat.

Vegans exist all over the world. This movement is growing in popularity, as more and more people seek to make the change to this lifestyle. This will become especially true in the coming years, as the world becomes more conscious of health, lifestyle choices, environmental issues, and the ethical treatment of animals.

Going vegan is a personal choice based on individual philosophy. Many vegans believe that it is unacceptable to kill an animal for any reason, while some non-vegans argue that animals are here for humans to use for food and other purposes. Philosophy and passion are powerful motivations for going vegan. Becoming committed to this lifestyle is certainly commendable. It does require a bit more work in order to seek out vegan-friendly meal options and vegan-friendly fashions, although doing so is becoming easier as more and more people recognize the value in avoiding animal products.

Veganism is gaining more ground and more recognition within the mainstream culture, as vegan-friendly foods, recipes, and products make their way into the market. Now, more than ever, with the growing awareness of the world around us and animal rights movements, veganism is gaining a larger following that is sure to only increase in the years to come.

About the Author

Vegan Chic has a great selection of cruelty-free footwear for women and men. Also view their extensive selection of women’s casual shoes

(ArticlesBase SC #2382777)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Becoming Vegan


Related Blogs

Recommended Reading

]]> http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/becoming-vegan-5/feed/ 0 Meatless Musings, An Answer to Healthy Eating and Global Warming http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/meatless-musings-an-answer-to-healthy-eating-and-global-warming/ http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/meatless-musings-an-answer-to-healthy-eating-and-global-warming/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:27:36 +0000 admin http://becomingvegan.net/?p=65 vegan1

By: C L Cohen PhD

This article is published by citydebate.com

Miami Beach – City Debate – March 29, 2009 – There are not many vegan newspaper columns or columnists to whom I can turn on a daily or weekly basis. I have found two. Occasionally, newspapers showcase a “healthy lifestyle” cover feature by displaying facts to help us get in shape and stay healthy; statistical analyses; recipes. However, there is not a dedicated vegan daily or weekly column sharing information and delicious foods.

A sprinkling of vegetarian magazines do exist, among them, Vegetarian Times – which has been publishing for 25 years. (The magazine has recently decided to include a monthly vegan column.) As for the internet, yes, there are websites devoted to vegetarian/ vegan recipes. Most include a brief definition of each ism, recipes and comments by bloggers.

Today, people’s personal mantras and our advertising slogans are about ‘living simpler lives, about going green, about decreasing our carbon footprint ‘. Remember FLOWER POWER? – The same back to nature (translation: living simpler lives), organic foods and natural products useage (translation: going green), recycling (translation: decreasing our carbon footprint) mantra was chanted everywhere. The easiest means I know to accomplish these goals is to change to a vegan diet. Your life will evolve dramatically; your eyes will open to what is really happening to people’s health, to the lives of animals, and how eating meat IS the global warming problem. More discussion on the politics of eating in future columns…

Of course the health benefits of a vegan diet are a given. The deliciousness and ease of eating this way are a joy to discover.

I have now been following a vegan diet for 43 years. Wow! You say. How could you?! Isn’t it hard? My answer is NO. Not today, anyway. People even know what “vegan” means today. A top chef in a three/four star establishment knows not only what the term vegan means, may even offer up a couple of vegan items on the menu. (Yes, even GORDON RAMSEY, everyone’s beloved, chef extraordinaire)

This is not rocket science. This is a way of life which does not require a PhD, long hours of study, nor a huge investment of cash. More on the economics of vegan to follow in future columns…

My journey has been filled with humor, inquisitiveness, international culinary intrigues and downright disdain by people I have met along the way. It has thus far been a delightfully delicious global adventure and one, which I would love to share with you.

More vegan politics, answers to your questions, fabulously easy-to-prepare recipes, miscellaneous nibbles coming soon…

Recommended Reading

]]> http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/meatless-musings-an-answer-to-healthy-eating-and-global-warming/feed/ 2 Where to Locate Vegan Foods http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/where-to-locate-vegan-foods/ http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/where-to-locate-vegan-foods/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:51:00 +0000 admin http://becomingvegan.net/where-to-locate-vegan-foods

Trying to change your entire dietary habits might sound a bit frightening but for most people it is not that scary.  What is really scary is trying to determine which foods are acceptable to eat and which are prohibited.  Working through these issues also tends to bring up the questions about where you can even find proper vegan foods as well.  These are issues that tends to occur for everyone who is looking to switch to a Vegan lifestyle and is certainly not something that you are likely to skip over yourself.

The majority of people simply do not realize that Vegan is just a more advanced form of vegetarian eating.  This means that unlike what you are likely thinking purchasing foods that are vegan friendly is actually quite simple.  You perhaps were thinking that the local health store was going to be the only place to shop, and which this is always an option it is certainly not a requirement.  Most vegans are able to easily do their shopping at the same places that everyone else shops, the only differences are the foods in the buggy, rather than the places to actually shop.

The standard grocery store is still frequently a favorite for vegans.  Going here is great because it will allow you to quickly and easily handle the majority of your grocery shopping at an extremely affordable price.  However, you will typically find that you might be a bit tempted by the foods that you previously ate as well.  This is common and does tend to wane after a bit of time.  However, the standard grocery store is often the best place to get started since you already know the layout of the store where you typically shop.

If you have a local farmer’s market this is another great place to do some shopping.  You can purchase a wide variety of fruits and vegetables here, which are extremely useful in the Vegan diet.  The added benefit of this produce is they are typically grown locally as well, and often you can get organic produce as well.  Reduced prices and locally grown makes these a great asset for many vegans.

You can also look towards your very own yard to obtain many of your foods.  Growing your own food is always going to be one of the cheapest and least expensive ways to feed your family.  A few minutes of your time every day tending to your garden will lower your grocery costs by thousands of dollars a year plus you will have the sense of pride that growing your own food brings.  Adding this together with some other typical shopping methods will give you the biggest impact and allow the greatest variety as well.

As you can see, getting the foods you need for your vegan diet is not difficult nor complicated.  A well thought out plan will have you well on your way to getting the process moving smoothly and with a least amount of effort.  A vegan diet is not something that will break the bank, nor is it something that will require numerous trips to a specialty store in order for you to survive.  Some planning ahead and a bit of effort to ensure a well balanced menu is all it will take to ensure you are still able to eat delicious meals that do not require extensive shopping.

Article Written By J. Foley

Recommended Reading

]]> http://becomingvegan.net/%catergory%/where-to-locate-vegan-foods/feed/ 2