How many vegans on board?

MakingaDifference_3

sleepymy wrote: »

Like I've already stated, I'd appreciate it if you'd start your own thread up debating veganism rather than turn this one into a flame fest

Not flaming just asking, but if you would rather I did not ask any questions then fine. I withdraw my question and apologise for any offence you may feel by my simple enquiry...

Cat72

sleepymy wrote: »

Oohh cat I've ME too, has your health improved since going vegan?

HIYA !!
It has improved a bit but I had developed bad food intolerances where I just could not eat cheese or milk. I think diet definately can help ME and am always looking at ways to improve my health through my diet. I do feel more tired if I eat too much pasta , bread etc ( i get heavy knees if I eat pasta ! ).
I also try to only eat organic but this can be hard due to being too ill to travel to get organic things & money. However I do feel that my stomach is " calmer " and less irritated if I eat organic fruit & veg .The other problem I find in sticking to healthy eating is I often slump at night and am too tired to make healthy food .SO although you can be vegan you still can eat unhealthily .
I also looked at macrobiotic diets -which are vegan- and although it has raving reviews I have found it to hard to follow. Unfortunately temptation is too hard sometimes to resist !

sleepymy

MakingaDifference wrote: »

Not flaming just asking, but if you would rather I did not ask any questions then fine. I withdraw my question and apologise for any offence you may feel by my simple enquiry...

Sorry, didn't mean to imply you would flame but I've never seen a thread that debated the vegan ethos without it attracting the numbn*t types who just want to start a row. This thread is intended for vegans on the forum to meet and swap recepies/chat etc and that would all be lost if it was turned into a debate thread. You're more than welcome to start your own tread in the discussion forum to ask questions like this. Personally I wouldn't answer because I don't feel a need to defend my decision to be vegan and frankly vegans do get a little tired of explaining themselves to every tom !!!!!! or mary that feels the need to question their lifestyle. Thank you for respecting my request, it's much appreciated :T

Hey cat, I found that I couldn't tolerate the dairy or eggs either. I had decided to go dairy and egg free for a month (was veggie for over 20yrs) to see if it helped but when I read into what is actually in dairy food and the process involved in producing it (veal calves etc) I realised that I could never go back onto it. My sinusitis is a bit better and I no longer have itchy skin after drinking milk :T
I'm the same with pasta, even wholewheat pasta spikes my blood sugar and makes me feel rubbish. I'm off wheat at the moment and have just got some wheat free pasta and will see if it's any better.
The organic helps I think, less toxins to process but it is so expensive. I think it's hard for anyone to stick to healthy eating with ME with the carb cravings . I do my best and am very lucky that I have a husband who does all the cooking.
lol I don't think I'd go the macrobiotic way at all, too much hard work! Don't think my body would survive it lol but I am trying to eat more raw foods (when it's sunny enough) and limit the amount of sugary fruits I eat.

I always thought that being vegan would be too difficult for me but I can't believe how simple it is when you get used to it. It really is the best way for me personally, I can honestly say I LOVE being vegan :cool:

P.S. if any of the vegans are interested, I know a nice little vegan forum, just PM me and I'll give you the address

Cat72

You seem very optimistic sleepymy which is nice to hear.Once you start to find out whats in dairy it seems mad to eat it- it just doesnt seem natural . I have a bit of difficulty giving up wheat and sometimes for easiness I eat it.Also I love bread. It is a huge problem trying to afford the right foods and this is usally a big problem for people who are ill & their income is already reduced. Have you found anything else that has improved your ME and how long have you had it ?
Your SO lucky that your husband cooks !wow I have always wanted a man who cooked - i thought they only existed in the movies:rotfl:

sleepymy

I've PM'd you Cat

sleepymy

Wheat free farls

10 oz rye flour
3 tsp bicarbonate of soda
8 fl oz soymilk (if you need more add in small amounts at the end)
3 tbl sp agave syrup

1. Pre heat oven to 350°F / 180°C 4 or 160°C
2. Sieve rye into baking bowl (I keep the rough bits aside and will hopefully make biscuits with them later)
3. Mix four and bicarbonate of soda in bowl.
4. Mix soymilk and agave syrup and stir quickly into flour until a soft dough is formed.
5. With floured hands shape into round cake about 1 ½” thick.
6. Cut into quarters, put onto floured baking sheet & bake at 160°C for 30-40 mins.

Can be cooled on baking tray or wrapped in a clean tea towel to soften the crust (thanks to the ladies on OS for that tip :cool: )

These can be cut in half and used to make sarnies. I’ve also cut in half, spread with pure & garlic paste and heated under the grill for yeast free garlic bread.

Can also be made into treacle farls by adding three tbl sp of treacle and two of agave, or if you're trying to be good just the treacle.

sleepymy

Healthy Breakfast Muffins

10 oz rye flour
1/2 cup of dried raisins
1/2 cup of walnuts broken into small chunks
10 fl oz soya milk
2 fl oz of sunflower oil
teaspoon of vanilla essence

1. Sift flour into a large bowl

2. Whisk the sunflower oil, soya milk & vanilla and quickly stir into the mix

3. Quickly stir in raisins & walnuts

4. Put into muffin cases and bake 350°F / 180°C 4 or 160°C for fan assisted oven for 20-30 mins until risen

5. Cool on baking tray.

For a healthy treat I cut the muffins in half, spread with sugar free jam (Meridian) and serve with soy yogurt (sojasun), cream scones vegan style

Tuttifruitty_Theresa

MakingaDifference wrote: »

Why do people turn Vegan or Vegterian and then spend their time eating dishes that are made to taste and look like a non vegetarian dish... Tofu Sheppards pie, bacon flavoured tofu etc? Why not eat the real version but ensure you make it using fresh, local grown produce and the meat from a source you know to be good where the animals well looked after.

Don't get me wrong, I have no issues with someone being vegan, it just strikes me as strange that someone can declar themselves vegan and then spend time trying to recreate the flavour/texture of none vegan meals. Surley there are lots of Vegan dishes in their own right.

I expect my thoughts here may upset a few people, dont be upset! educate me!

hahahaha i can tell you now that tofu shepherds pie does not taste anything like the meat version, i just didn't know what else to call potato topped tofu in marmite with mushrooms and onions lol.


xxx

ps if anyone has a lovely recipe for mushrooms i'd be really grateful, thanks

pudding06

i

can tell you now that tofu shepherds pie does not taste anything like the meat version, i just didn't know what else to call potato topped tofu in marmite with mushrooms and onions lol.

tofu shepherd-less pie?

I do want to remind you all to pay particular attentiuon to your iodine intake!!! I was vegan for years, but due to not really understanding where to get alternative sources of iodine and other stuff ( pre internet days) I screwed my thryroid up. 8 stones gained since then!!! I wish I'd had access to some of the sites I have now.

so please ensure you are protecting yourselves. It doesnt always show up straight away - its more a longtern thing - but so easy to avoid if you are careful with your diet.

pudds

JamesM_2

Another vegan here!

Nutrient deficiencies aren't solely a concern for those with vegetarian/vegan diets, everybody needs be careful to make sure they're getting what their body needs!