The Everything VEGAN Thread

[disneyfav4ever]

This was posted on my FB today; http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/02/4460189/holland-america-line-now-serves.html

I keep on thinking about taking a cruise, and I always am looking at the Disney cruises, but this would make me seriously consider cruising with them.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

And I really want to attend this one year; http://vegetariansummerfest.org/ It's in my state, so I feel I should try even harder to make the time to attend, but with my Disney trip this fall, it's not in my budget for this year. Maybe next year, but it'll probably be 2014 before I can get there.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I have been to Summerfest twice - if you can go, it is SO worth it. Really!!

If you volunteer, you can save some money on the cost. My daughter is volunteering this year in the children's program. Maybe that is an option?

I was very interested in the cruise line article you posted, especially after my bad experience on the Disney Dream last year. I do have another Dream cruise booked, but perhaps I should cancel and go with a Holland Cruise instead.

TP

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I probably wouldn't mind volunteering. I really want to try and make someone from home come with me so we can car pool and share a room. I know they offer the option for singles to be put with a random person in a room, but I don't want to share a room with a stranger. I've just had really bad luck with roommates in the past. And I wouldn't want to make the drive myself, so flying is really my only option, and the flights there are $400, unless I fly to Pittsburgh, but then I'd need to rent a car or rely on their transportation back and forth.

Disney has me spoiled with transportation, the only thing I need to worry about with them is getting to and from my home airport. I don't even need to deal with baggage claim when I go to Disney.

I really hate the traveling aspect of trips, so the less I have to do the the better and less stressed out I am.

 

[LisaR]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I would caution some of you to really pay attention to the labels. The substitute meats, cheeses, butter spreads, frozen meals, cookies, cakes, and candies are really not any healthier than the animal based products. If your only goal is to remove animal products from your diet, the substitutes are fine. If your goal is to eat healthy, the substitutes and the vegan desserts are really not health food. Just my 2 cents.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

So I had Daiya yesterday and it was absolutely horrendous. I must have had a different cheese and just thought it was Daiya. Ugh oh well...off to continue my search for decent vegan cheese.

I do eat vegan for moral purposes, my choice has nothing to do with health, diet, etc. Although I find I do feel much better since being vegan and am healthier overall. As with any food, there are some vegan foods that are considerably healthier that non vegan food and of course there is vegan junk food. Vegan, vegetarian, carnivore...check labels regardless. On that note, just an fyi to vegetarians in case you didn't know, not all cheese is vegetarian. Cheese contains enzymes, some is microbial which is fine, some is animal rennet which is derived from the stomach of animals...not just like milk from a cow, the process is pretty nasty.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

It's so funny the different reactions to Daiya! I absolutely love it and so does my second son. My oldest son doesn't like it at all. Three of my grandkids love it, the fourth doesn't really care for it but will eat it.

Sometimes it is small local companies that make good vegan cheese. I was visiting friends in BC last year and found a locally-made hard vegan cheese that we all loved. Can't buy it here in Ontario, though.

My daughter (who is a vegan chef) makes nut cheeses that are really good. I just finished off the last batch she left for me and I'm hoping she'll give me some more for Mother's Day. She does some with a firmer texture, like a hard cheese, but most are a bit softer - wonderful on crackers. They don't melt, though, so I still like the Daiya for pizza or to top chili or something like that.

Teresa

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I would caution some of you to really pay attention to the labels. The substitute meats, cheeses, butter spreads, frozen meals, cookies, cakes, and candies are really not any healthier than the animal based products. If your only goal is to remove animal products from your diet, the substitutes are fine. If your goal is to eat healthy, the substitutes and the vegan desserts are really not health food. Just my 2 cents.

I completely agree. I try to reserve the vegan cheeses, spreads and desserts as occasional treats. I'm sadly an example of how someone can eat vegan and still be overweight because I'm all too tempted by those goodies! I am trying to follow the example of my daughter and son who focus on eating only whole foods: fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, etc. But once in a while I sneak in a little pizza (home-made, whole-wheat crust topped with tomato sauce, veggies and Daiya).

Teresa

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

It's so funny the different reactions to Daiya! I absolutely love it and so does my second son. My oldest son doesn't like it at all. Three of my grandkids love it, the fourth doesn't really care for it but will eat it.

Sometimes it is small local companies that make good vegan cheese. I was visiting friends in BC last year and found a locally-made hard vegan cheese that we all loved. Can't buy it here in Ontario, though.

My daughter (who is a vegan chef) makes nut cheeses that are really good. I just finished off the last batch she left for me and I'm hoping she'll give me some more for Mother's Day. She does some with a firmer texture, like a hard cheese, but most are a bit softer - wonderful on crackers. They don't melt, though, so I still like the Daiya for pizza or to top chili or something like that.

Teresa

Tell her to sell it online! I would absolutely buy some! They sound yummy. I've tried so many but I haven't really found one I like enough to regularly eat. There's a local vegan restaurant here with great cheese and I always forget to ask what they use...I'll have to remember for next time!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Tell her to sell it online! I would absolutely buy some! They sound yummy. I've tried so many but I haven't really found one I like enough to regularly eat. There's a local vegan restaurant here with great cheese and I always forget to ask what they use...I'll have to remember for next time!

I would buy some too.

Have any of you ever tried Sweet and Sara marshmallows? They defiantly go in the junk food category, but are so worth the calories. And Sara is a wonderful human being, with great customer service.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

So I had Daiya yesterday and it was absolutely horrendous. I must have had a different cheese and just thought it was Daiya. Ugh oh well...off to continue my search for decent vegan cheese.

I do eat vegan for moral purposes, my choice has nothing to do with health, diet, etc. Although I find I do feel much better since being vegan and am healthier overall. As with any food, there are some vegan foods that are considerably healthier that non vegan food and of course there is vegan junk food. Vegan, vegetarian, carnivore...check labels regardless. On that note, just an fyi to vegetarians in case you didn't know, not all cheese is vegetarian. Cheese contains enzymes, some is microbial which is fine, some is animal rennet which is derived from the stomach of animals...not just like milk from a cow, the process is pretty nasty.

That's how I am too. I absolutely did not change my diet for my health, but ever since I've cut out red meat and poultry, and cut way back on dairy and fish, I feel so much better, and have a ton more energy.

And I always read ingredient labels. There's just so much hidden dairy and animal products in some stuff. I really like stores like Wegmans and Trader Joe's that usually say right on front of the packaging if something is vegan. And I have an app on my phone - Animal Ingredients - that will tell me if something is vegan, sometimes vegan, or not vegan.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

I would buy some too.

Have any of you ever tried Sweet and Sara marshmallows? They defiantly go in the junk food category, but are so worth the calories. And Sara is a wonderful human being, with great customer service.

I've been on the site but we haven't actually bought anything yet...not sure why though. I'm sure with summer coming up and camp fires, etc. we'll be buying some. Especially with your thoughts!

That's how I am too. I absolutely did not change my diet for my health, but ever since I've cut out red meat and poultry, and cut way back on dairy and fish, I feel so much better, and have a ton more energy.

And I always read ingredient labels. There's just so much hidden dairy and animal products in some stuff. I really like stores like Wegmans and Trader Joe's that usually say right on front of the packaging if something is vegan. And I have an app on my phone - Animal Ingredients - that will tell me if something is vegan, sometimes vegan, or not vegan.

I love Wegmans!!! I don't know how I would function if I moved somewhere without a Wegmans! I've been looking for some decent food apps, I can't remember which one I have on my phone (it's not immediately available for me to check) but I'll look into the one you have. Do you know if it's available for a droid?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've been on the site but we haven't actually bought anything yet...not sure why though. I'm sure with summer coming up and camp fires, etc. we'll be buying some. Especially with your thoughts!



I love Wegmans!!! I don't know how I would function if I moved somewhere without a Wegmans! I've been looking for some decent food apps, I can't remember which one I have on my phone (it's not immediately available for me to check) but I'll look into the one you have. Do you know if it's available for a droid?

I have a droid, so it's defiantly available on droids!

Sweet and Sara was having a sale a couple days ago, not sure if it's still going on, but their vanilla (plain) marshmallows were on sale buy one get one free for the big discounted bags. They are kind of pricey, but so worth it.

And I love Wegmans too. They have a lot of vegetarian prepared food at mine, and though I cook a lot at home, I do love to eat there before I do my shopping.

 

[npmommie]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I would caution some of you to really pay attention to the labels. The substitute meats, cheeses, butter spreads, frozen meals, cookies, cakes, and candies are really not any healthier than the animal based products. If your only goal is to remove animal products from your diet, the substitutes are fine. If your goal is to eat healthy, the substitutes and the vegan desserts are really not health food. Just my 2 cents.

completely agree with this. I used to use a lot of faux products, but I don't anymore, my focus now is whole natural food.

 

[wonderalice23]

Hi - just found this thread - vegan for about 5 months and making my first vegan wdw trip in a week!
@MyMagicKingdom- omg! another StrongHearts fan!!!! I live in Canastota, so we go out for pizza and especially their shakes!!!
I think Disney should check them out for ideas

We also love Wegmans, but also stop at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods when we are in another neighborhood. Good to meet you all!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

In case any of you are interested, my daughter's website has tons of vegan recipes, vegan cookbook reviews, and links to other vegan blogs. She is a vegan chef. Her website is about to launch a new design (which will make it much easier to find recipes by categories or to look up cookbooks she's reviewed) but you can look at the old version now (the new version will have the same URL): www.veganculinarycrusade.com.

(I know I'm her mom, but I think she's amazing!)

Teresa

 

[disneyfav4ever]

In case any of you are interested, my daughter's website has tons of vegan recipes, vegan cookbook reviews, and links to other vegan blogs. She is a vegan chef. Her website is about to launch a new design (which will make it much easier to find recipes by categories or to look up cookbooks she's reviewed) but you can look at the old version now (the new version will have the same URL): www.veganculinarycrusade.com.

(I know I'm her mom, but I think she's amazing!)

Teresa

I've been on that blog before! I remember when she did the princess parfaits.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

Hi - just found this thread - vegan for about 5 months and making my first vegan wdw trip in a week!
@MyMagicKingdom- omg! another StrongHearts fan!!!! I live in Canastota, so we go out for pizza and especially their shakes!!!
I think Disney should check them out for ideas

We also love Wegmans, but also stop at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods when we are in another neighborhood. Good to meet you all!

Hey neighbor! Are there any Trader Joe's around this area? I didn't think there were any close. That would be great.

In case any of you are interested, my daughter's website has tons of vegan recipes, vegan cookbook reviews, and links to other vegan blogs. She is a vegan chef. Her website is about to launch a new design (which will make it much easier to find recipes by categories or to look up cookbooks she's reviewed) but you can look at the old version now (the new version will have the same URL): www.veganculinarycrusade.com.

(I know I'm her mom, but I think she's amazing!)

Teresa

This is great, I've bookmarked it! Thank you!

 

[WDWBarb]

I hope I can join in! I'm a 23 year vegetarian trying hard to make a complete transformation to a vegan diet. Thanks to vegan blogs and Pinterest, I've found inspiration but this looks like a great thread to help me along. I'm excited that we have our first Trader Joe's opening soon.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I hope I can join in! I'm a 23 year vegetarian trying hard to make a complete transformation to a vegan diet. Thanks to vegan blogs and Pinterest, I've found inspiration but this looks like a great thread to help me along. I'm excited that we have our first Trader Joe's opening soon.

You're going to love it! They have so many unique vegan items.