New vegan wannabe

[dezla]

I am new to this forum and what is really exciting is that I will be moving closer to the area next month.

I currently live in Nova Scotia, Canada and will be moving to Modesto in September.

Also, I have struggled with giving up meat, and dairy. Although I like my veggies more than I like meat I find myself craving meat after a while, which I find very disturbing.

I don't drink miik but I like whole milk in my tea and coffee.

Then there's cheese, and yogourt.

It becomes rather overwhelming!

Once I get moved I must take a look at the cookbooks that are recommended on the site.

So, I am happy to join this group, and look forward to any help you have to offer!

Cheers
d

[LisaMarie]

Welcome to the almost neighborhood.

I went vegan for Lent and haven't looked back. I credit Sarah Kramer's books. I bought all three at Overstock.Com along with a pair of Vegan Earth Shoes.

I have found the cheesiness of NutritionalYeast (not to be confused with brewers yeast) totally kicked any cheese cravings I had.

I used Silk Soy Creamer for a time. But now I've got my own soy milk maker. I LOVE fresh tofu!

[kmeldrum]

Hello, Dezla.

Welcome to our group and our community.

I'd like to try to address your concerns about going vegan.

1. Craving meat - Sometimes it is not the meat you are craving but the associations it has. For example, the smell of pot roast might bring back good childhood memories and make you feel that you are craving meat when it is really the good times you would like to have again.

Another thing that makes people feel they crave meat is all that we've been told about how we need it, etc. Sometimes it gives us anxiety that we are not doing what our parents told us was good for us.

There are so many great meat substitutes in the Bay Area, you won't miss it at all soon, I predict.

2. Milk in tea and coffee- Soy creamer is a good tasting substitute. You can get it at Whole Foods, as well as lots of other places. The one I buy is made by Silk. It is rich and creamy. Everyone I've given it to liked it.

3. Yogurt - There are really good tasting soy yogurts available. Silk and Whole Soy are my favorites, but there are other good ones as well. They come in many flavors.

4. Cheese - Follow Your Heart makes the best vegan cheese substitute I've had, but I must admit, it doesn't do what cheese does - melt easily, ooze oil, bubble. I thought I could NEVER give up cheese, and when I first went vegetarian I kept eating cheese. But I found that after a while I just didn't want it any more. I don't really miss it, either. I get my pizza with "no cheese". Stays crispier that way.

Good luck to you. Going vegan was the best decision I ever made. I hope you'll feel that way, too.

Karen

[dezla]

Thank you, Karen and LisaMarie!

I am really hopeful that I will be able to find food choices more easiliy in California that will help me with this transition!

Once I move I will purchase some of the books that have been recommended, as I am sure they will be a big help!

Also I live in an area where eating meat and lots of it is the thing to do!

I feel much guilt when I cave in and eat an egg, or chicken, or put milk in my tea.

I shall try the silk milk options. I have never been fond of milk and have been using a rice milk for my cereal which I find is close to skim milk. As far as the tea and coffee goes, I did notice that StarBucks at the LA airport was offering soy milk in their coffee, so perhaps I shall try that.

I am still in the hurry up and wait phase of the move. It is taking a long time for the paperwork to get done so that I can get my visa. Such is life. Heh, I should be in sunny California before the snow starts to fall!

Cheers
d

[tammy]

Hi Dezla

I posted my favorite vegan cheeze sauce for you to try as a separate topic (so it would not get buried in this discussion)

http://www.bayareaveg.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=754

It's simple to make and I've only tried it in a few ways
- sandwich spread
- made nachos with black beans & sauce (with chopped green onions, olives too)
- sauce on steamed greens (like collards) or broccoli

My friend who raves about it put it as a layer on a bean dip and cooked it (I can imagine that was awesome too)

I hope you like it and have fun with it!

Tammy

[dezla]

Thanks Tammy!

I really appreciate the support!

My friends and colleagues regard my with much suspiciion as I begin this journey. Some suggest I just give it up and realize that denying myself these (animal derived) foods is foolish!

It may be difficult to find the necessary ingredients and/or the support locally but I know I will find it all when I get to California!

Cheers
D