Any vegans out there?

[smallblueplanet]

erm, I don't see anyone worried here...

Should have gone to Specsavers.

[Prince of Durham]

It's not the eating or not eating of meat that gets my hackles up, it's the ill informed arguments that are preached that by not eating meat we would somehow save the planet. When the production of crops for food is just as damaging to the natural environment. The destruction of rainforest s for soya, the pollution of water courses with fertiliser run off, the decimation of the flora and fauna with pesticides and herbicides. I fully appreciate the ethics of such a life choice, which we in affluent countries have the luxury of making, I just think if you're going to make such a choice then you should do so for the correct reasons. I can live with the fact that to turn something living into food, a certain amount of suffering has to be tolerated, that has everything to do with the evolution of a nervous system and nothing to do with a species using another for food.
I'm sure if you asked the horses your relative releases if they'd rather live in a field, be fed hay and looked after or not to have existed at all they'd choose to the former.

[zazen999]

It's not the eating or not eating of meat that gets my hackles up, it's the ill informed arguments that are preached that by not eating meat we would somehow save the planet. When the production of crops for food is just as damaging to the natural environment. The destruction of rainforest s for soya, the pollution of water courses with fertiliser run off, the decimation of the flora and fauna with pesticides and herbicides. I fully appreciate the ethics of such a life choice, which we in affluent countries have the luxury of making, I just think if you're going to make such a choice then you should do so for the correct reasons. I can live with the fact that to turn something living into food, a certain amount of suffering has to be tolerated, that has everything to do with the evolution of a nervous system and nothing to do with a species using another for food.
I'm sure if you asked the horses your relative releases if they'd rather live in a field, be fed hay and looked after or not to have existed at all they'd choose to the former.

Nobody is preaching here. The OP asked a question and we were discussing it nicely.

So if you could kindly stop preaching about people preaching; and let us discuss food that would be grand.

Thanks in advance.

[Prince of Durham]

If you bothered to read the thread instead of stalking me you would have noticed that my post was relevant, unlike anything you've written.

[northepaul]

I think you just need to point out that vegans don't wear leather. End of.

No thats not strictly true - some people I know will wear leather- as long as its second hand, most people I know who are vegan are also concerned about waste and eco issues, so buying second hand, or even using something you have (ie a pair of leather shoes you bought before becoming vegan) is ok.

I would draw the line at wearing fur or buying second hand ivory....

With regards butter - try vitalite dairy free its about the most buttery tasting spead.

No quorn but soya based mince etc from Sainsburys is ok. You need to break the habit of thinking that meat is the most important part of a meal. The best way to think is that you are not going to try and replace meat with non meat substitutes, because they are just not the same. Look at creating meals around vegetables.

Start small, try making a potato curry for example.

Hope that helps

By the way you dont need eggs to make cakes

[northepaul]

If you want some links to websites etc that feature vegan recipes, then let me know

[zazen999]

If you bothered to read the thread instead of stalking me you would have noticed that my post was relevant, unlike anything you've written.

I have read the thread - which is how I keep noticing your inflammatory comments.

If you could keep it about the food, that would be great. Thanks.

[northepaul]

Relative to Petal's post regarding Vegans not keeping pets or eating Honey, as it is 'enslavement' of animals Where do they stand on eating fruits that are only produced thanks to insect pollination?

(No, I'm not trying to start anything - I'm genuinely curious.)

Youre right it can get to extremes, but I think its up to the individual. I know a few people who are extremists, but thats up to them.
I eat honey, I burn beeswax candles, I drink mead - I would love to keep bees.

I also have a cat - and no, she doesnt have vegan food, she has Go Cat! However she's a rescue cat, who would have been put down if I didnt have her, so I did an animal friendly thing, right?

(I also use film and printing paper and go to the cinema!! Hope the vegan police dont get me! LOL)

[Alison]

You can find extremists in most areas of life and in my experience they are never the easiest of people to get along with. Anybody that is that sure that they are right is unlikely to be able to take part in a balanced debate or appreciate the views of others. They're also a real threat to people who share some of their beliefs but act in a much more reasonable and measured manner. It seems to me that the better we try to appreciate other people's views (there are clearly some exceptions that most people will never condone, I'm never going to agree with somebody being racist etc) but when it's something which doesn't cause any fellow people any suffering then surely we can live and let live. I firmly believe that debate and discussion are very important to gaining this status quo but can see that this view isn't shared by everybody here.

That said, none of this has anything to do with the original post which was more along a plea for recipes and ideas

[ladylottie]

With regards butter - try vitalite dairy free its about the most buttery tasting spead.

No quorn but soya based mince etc from Sainsburys is ok. You need to break the habit of thinking that meat is the most important part of a meal. The best way to think is that you are not going to try and replace meat with non meat substitutes, because they are just not the same. Look at creating meals around vegetables.

Start small, try making a potato curry for example.

Hope that helps

By the way you dont need eggs to make cakes

Thanks for that info, very useful, NP. Even though I've never been a great meat eater, I'm only just starting to "think vegetables"! Last week I was wondering what to eat - now I realise that there's loads of interesting things to try.

A couple of links to websites etc that feature vegan recipes that you've found useful would be great, thanks.

[veggiechicken]

Lots here Vegan recipes - Recipes - BBC Good Food
I make a Satay sauce by warming peanut butter and soy sauce, with water to thin it and have it with veggies like cauli, carrots, fennel etc. So easy!!

[zazen999]

Where to start on vegan recipes?

One of my faves is the 3 minute noodles; without the flavourings. So you cook fine sliced onion, pepper, carrot, celeriac and whatever else is in the fridge veg wise, until the veg is starting to go black. Add pepper, and chilli sauce and a little water. Meanwhile, cover a pack or two of 3 minute noodles with boiling water and drain after 3 mins; pour into the veg pan, pour some soy sauce over, stir for about 30 seconds and then serve. A dab of vegan mayo on top turns the dish into something absolutely wonderful.

Also - manchurian gobi - I'd never had it til Jeannie D ordered it when we had dosas [another vegan dish but not too easy to master]. but the manchurian gobi is relatively easy Easy Gobi Manchurian Recipe-Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe | Edible Garden

[Capsid]

Just make sure you have a source of vitamin B12. Vegan diets may need to be supplemented.

[northepaul]

Just make sure you have a source of vitamin B12. Vegan diets may need to be supplemented.

Eat marmite!
(Ooops not on its own! )

[Capsid]

Eat marmite!
(Ooops not on its own! )

It may still be an issue for those who prefer natural foods, since the B12 is added.