Going Vegan again...

[scenthound]

The hardest thing will be giving up the cheese. My dog has come to expect it too. Since I ate no flesh since '87, except for this one lapse this Fall into a couple isolated smoked salmon episodes, and clams once or twice, it isn't a real big change. I'm blaming a broken arm and some shoulder or bicipital tendonitus for my recent indiscretions. Especially the cheese. There's been no meat, milk, or eggs. Except what's sneaked by me.

Living in this culture makes this very hard. There will be NO PLACE in the entire downtown area here where I can lunch. I will have to shuttle in everything I eat. I will be ostracized by relatives and co-workers. This will be a real challenge. I've wanted to go back to Veganism for many years. Reading on this forum is giving me some real motivation. I won't feel alone.

There's no time like a cardinal point to start something. So...come the Winter Solstice I will make the leap. The country I live in may be on the highway to hell, but that doesn't mean I have to join in.

[Mary]

Yay! Great news.

In England there is a fantastic vegan cheese called "Redwoods melting Cheezly" which tastes and acts just like cheese. But here is the thing, I used to think cheese would be the hardest to give up. Nowadays though it does tend to smell of - well - rotten milk. It gets easier anyways, so don't worry.

As for the doggy, I should think he will happily eat what you eat. My fellahs certainly do.

Really glad you are going vegan again. Did this site help you make your mind up?

[JO]

Scenthound,

do you have a vehicle? ever been to Yellow Springs/Antioch? that's a veg friendly place.

[scenthound]

Really glad you are going vegan again. Did this site help you make your mind up?

Well, I don't think a day has passed in years where I didn't think of it. Yes, this site might just have been the last push I need.

I was getting an almond cheese here that was definitely superior to any milk cheese. As for the soy stuff, no can do. I'm really wanting to avoid processing anyway. Actually most cheese does have an unclean taste to me even now while I'm still somewhat used to it. I remember in my vegan past how cheese seemed absolutely vile to me. Once out of the system you can really sense that. It is only the smoked Amish cheddar that still compells me.

and JO...haven't gotten quite to Antioch lately. I know it's cool. I go for the Lake Erie area when I drive - which I tend to avoid doing. Returning to Ohio from the Pacific NW was the begin of my long slide. Now I've got to buck the tide and do what I know is best.

[JP]

scenthound, good stuff man. Thing is, it may such in places like where you are, but to be honest, that is where vegans are most needed, isn't it? It would be cool if we could all live in santa cruz, but that would not take things forwards i guess.

Have you met other vegans in the area? There must be people around feeling pretty damn isolated...

[scenthound]

scenthound, good stuff man. Thing is, it may such in places like where you are, but to be honest, that is where vegans are most needed, isn't it? It would be cool if we could all live in santa cruz, but that would not take things forwards i guess.

Have you met other vegans in the area? There must be people around feeling pretty damn isolated...

I hear you. Maybe that's why I'm still here. I could have gone back West after my mom passed but getting too old to move around so much. All I've seen is an occaisional bumper sticker. I'm isolated but the dog keeps me busy enough, so I'm not seeking anyone out. At least the barbeque maniac that was downstairs is gone. Thanks for this forum. I'll perservere. I'm in university district so they must be around.

[Cuguacuarana]

This sight has been my saving grace. I have gotten to the point of not even wanting non vegan stuff. I think its great that you are going to make the leap again. I remember how hard it was to give up cheese, now I can't believe I ever ate the stuff. There is a vegan cheese called vegan gormet that is really good. I have had it on pizza and it really hit the spot. My biggest temptation is pizza. I know what you mean about cheese seeming unclean. I had a little after being vegan for a little while, and It had this gross aftertaste that I never noticed when I ate it all the time. And my throat felt mucousy. There is a vegetarian indian food restaurant near columbus. Its sort of in a suburb near a university. We ate there when we were driving through. They use dairy, so you have to ask what had dairy and what doesn't, but it was really good food. We ate there when we were driving through. Also the guy who was there when we were didn't consider butter to be dairy, so you have to ask about that too. I will see if I can find the address. good luck making the leap. You will definitely have the support of everyone here.

[scenthound]

There is a vegetarian indian food restaurant near columbus. Its sort of in a suburb near a university. We ate there when we were driving through.

The university here is urban. Maybe you were near one of the college towns. I've got two East Indian, one Ethiopian, and several Middle Eastern restaurants within walking distance of my flat. They all have vegetarian fare.

[Fruitbat]

I used to think I would miss cheese so much but now the idea of the heavy fattiness of it just puts me off. And for me cheese wasnt something to grate in sandwiches or melt on lasagne - that was always minging - no cheese was a dinner course before dessert where there were platters of cheese - goats, soft, hard, blue, pasteurised or not , alpine or plateau, swiss, english or french... and now I shudder.

And Mary is right - the Redwood cheezly is excellent if you miss melted cheese on things like pizza - its also excellent for toastie sandwiches to sober up at 3am!

The only thing I have and sometimes still miss is fish - fresh fish grilled with almonds, or smoked salmons but redwood comes to the rescue there also because their smoked salmon and tune pates are lush - and realeats fishcakes have all the taste of fish without the nasties!!!! So I never even feel tempted. Nothing in the world would make me break with veganism- not even a fish craving. It's been 1.5+ years now of veganism and 3 years vegetarianism so fish was a long time ago now!

I hope we continue to inspire your conversion and dont feel shy of telling us of problems!!!!

[michaelhobson]

I hear you. Maybe that's why I'm still here. I could have gone back West after my mom passed but getting too old to move around so much. All I've seen is an occaisional bumper sticker. I'm isolated but the dog keeps me busy enough, so I'm not seeking anyone out. At least the barbeque maniac that was downstairs is gone. Thanks for this forum. I'll perservere. I'm in university district so they must be around.

Scent man, you are in vegan paradise! My girlfriend and I spent the Thanksgiving weekend in Columbus visiting friends and family. This is the most veg friendly city I have seen since Asheville, North Carolina.

Have you checked out www.benevolencecafe.com on block off of high on Swan, across from the North Market. All vegetarian and ALL soups and bread are vegan. Everything else is vegan on request.

Then, there is the Dragonfly. If you have a pocket full of cash, this place is all vegan! They are adding a kitchen garden in the back next spring with a chef's table for 6. All fare at the chef's table will be fresh from the garden. www.dragonflyneov.com

Then there is the Whole World Pizza and Bakery north on High St. in Clintonville. They are all vegetarian with vegan options.

The Victorian Midnight Cafe in Victorian Village is smoke-free and just added a vegan section to the menu. This is a way cool little place to hang out, I don't think they even care if you buy anything.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Michael

PS I have also been vegetarian since '88 and have had two periods of vegan, the first for four years and the second for one year. Thanks to Robert Cheeke's inspiration www.veganbodybuilding.com ( and all of you people here) I am taking the plunge once again today.

[Mary]

Yay! Glad you are again taking the plunge.

[fredrikw]

That's great, good luck this time Michael! And welcome to the board by the way

[michaelhobson]

That's great, good luck this time Michael! And welcome to the board by the way

Thanks Mary and Fred for the welcome and encouragement.

After 4 years of being stricly vegan, I moved to a Hare Krishna community where I lived for the next 4 years. All of the food had dairy in it, but was from our own protected cows on the farm. Well, that was six years ago and the dairy around here is definitely not from protected cows. It's time to get my act together again.

I like defying the image of the skinny vegan too. I was once just that at 6' 4" and 165 pounds when I was vegan in the early 90's. Now I'm 230, having gotten back in to bodybuilding after a summer of triathlons. I was a sleek 205 for racing, but have added 25 pounds in the last few months. I want to get up to 250, adding 20 more pounds of vegan muscle before the end of the winter. I think it can be done.

Thanks for the support, this board is a great resource.

[Mary]

Hey, Fruitbat. There is another great fishy substitute you know, something called "seacake" (I think!) which is a tofu with seaweed in it, made by clearspring (or clearspot?) Keep looking out for it. It is fantastic. I used to slice it up, roll it in batter, and have "fish" and chips, before I realised about my gluten situation.

And also, try some of the fantastic recipes for vegan sushi. Ask Rochelle. She is the queen of sushi, apparently. I haven't had fishy cravings since I started eating seaweed, so they can be outgrown.

[Frostfire]

Welcome Michael! That is a great picture you have for your avatar! Are you wearing a metal from a triathlon? Fantastic . Keep us updated on how your veganism goes!