damn... wanted to write this ages ago! long overdue and now I just can't find Lyxzen's blog anymore around so I'm posting it on my page...
How long have you been vegan? Were you vegetarian beforehand? Aged 11 I was diagnosed with a lactose intolerance. Started cutting on all dairy + some meat/sauces back then and got introduced to soy alternatives. Later on I decided to go vegan for good, I only ate vegetarian at my parent's place (mainly desserts) and a few months after I told my mother I wouldn't eat eggs anymore. I've been vegan nearly the same day I decided to go vegetarian, more or less, and have been vegan for over 23 years now.
What was your introduction to veganism? What "sold" you on the lifestyle?
I was never found of meat of fish that much (and was pretty difficult with it) and always cared about and loved animals, living in the countryside was a plus. My diet (following a period of violent heardache) when I cut on all dairy products already made me enclined to vegetarianism. A couple years after primary school I got into punk rock and then into more underground world, getting ahold of records, bands, penpals from around the world. Getting to read many zines, interviews, books about ALF, animal rights, vegetarianism and so on.... It just naturally led to my turning into a vegan a bit later on. So, DIY punk (hardcore/crust call it whatever you want) definitely sold me onto the vegan lifestyle.
What was your transition to veganism like? What was the hardest part &how did you deal?
As mentioned I was already avoiding all dairy products, so when I turned vegetarian, I nearly directly went for the vegan lifestyle and just never quit. Didn't feel any body problems, I have a balanced diet, never was tempted too much about non vegan food so it was pretty easy for me. My parents, although not 100% supportive did respect my choice and my mother really paid attention to the cooking. I had a vegetarian brother too so, she basically had to re-think meals or 2 people. I later on started cooking (and enjoying doing it) a lot.
The hardest part was probably the social part for me, at that time I was pretty shy and didn't have a lot of friends so it just turned me into an outcast more. Most people back then weren't at all supportive about veganism, nor vegetarianism and jokes flying around. Going ot to a restaurant, except in very big cities was nearly impossible. Most restaurant wouldn't have even a simple vegetarian plate so vegan was out of question... I guess, as I was pretty much lonely, I didn't care that much about restaurants, and luckily never really cared much about people joking about my diet. I always saw it as a way for them to comfort themselves into there own little world, not having to think too much about this issue, just like most bullies I assume, would do, using their strength to try and get respect. The majority Vs the minority sort of thing. I guess I dealt with it just by confiding in my choice and never let go, I didn't care about the pressure, the others were to me the ignorant ones (I grew a bit less radical with time, its more grey-ish than just black or white! :) )
The hardest part about being vegan now?
I find it much more easier these days to be vegan, nearly all places have vegan restaurant, you can find (either online or in most malls or health food stores) vegan alternatives pretty easily. I'm not as much as a militant for "animal rights" or vegetarian/vegan lifestyle as much as I used to be so I don't get to deal with people that much. But most often I still here the same issues again and again, and I've basically learned to deal with them or ignore them. Most people know about veganism now and respect it or just don't care anymore. But i'd go with the same as you I assume ( @lyxzen ) : Paranoia! I am so used to cook my own food and shop my groceries scrutinizing every stickers that I usually don't really trust people when I have to go eat at their place, unless I know they're vegan (and yet, sometimes I question their veganism!) people who aren't and tell me they'll work something out... Its really hard for me to try and stay "cool" if I have a doubt about the food. I'd rather not have it even if it may appear unpolite. Its like a mental thing for me. the doubt grows inside and I just feel really bad if I'm not sure its 100% vegan. With time I have developped some strategies (like usually eating with people we know a bit so we bring some food that we made ourselves, or arranged to know exactly what's been used or participate in the cooking!) anyway, quite paranoid I'd say and that's the hardest. Travelling abroad used to be an issue too but nowadays as mentioned I can find vegan food nearly everywhere. I have seen many people telling about how they tried / or have been vegan or are vegetarian (but still eat fish/ meat once in a while) so I just don't consider them vegetarian and don't really care anymore. I grew softer with time as I said and I don't judge them although it appears quite hard for me to understand how some one who has been militant for animal rights and claiming he/she was vegan can all of a sudden go back to meat eating without feeling bad... but anyway. I've had my share of "I could never cut on sausages or cheese" and it sort of always made me laugh (well maybe when I was younger I thought: "idiot"). For me its just the typical line of the person who doesn't want to involve or try and question his/her way of life. But same thing: I don't care anymore. I live my life for me.
Your *musts* for the new vegan?
Your *musts* for the new vegan?
Starting as a vegan, I used to get many flyers and info (about nutrition as well) from the Vegan Society (the now have a website, and so on). Along with this, most of my infos and recipes were actually taken from fanzines and alternative writings. There used to be a pamphlet called "je ne mange pas de viande pour ne pas tuer d'animaux" (sort of ALF informative thingy in french) which basically translate as "I don't eat meat not to kill animals" which explained step by step why not to eat meat and all animal products, info about nutrition, addresses and contacts for other associations and so on. Not that much of books and all. Now, there is plenty of choice.
cookbooks I'd recommend "Veganomicon" "easy vegan cooking" and for those who speak/understand French (but I know it has been published in English recently!!) "Vegan" by Marie Laforet (It has plenty of explanation about why going vegan, nutrition facts, alternatives, step by step recipes and all.
Some interesting things can also be some conferences about the usual issues/questions that vegans/vegatarians often face. It can help you gain confidence with your new lifestyle and know how to deal with it. "animal liberation" by Peter singer (though quite phylosophical) is very informative.
Most infos I think you can find on the internet now, just browse whatever you're looking for, may it be easy recipes or easy answers to nutritions or the basic issues you'll be bullied with :) For travellers you also have things like "vegan passport" which will allow you to tell what you eat and don't eat worlwide, even if you don't speak the language. You can also find guides (either printed books or on websites) about places that are 100% vegan or vegan friendly. Can be helpful sometimes!
Your absolute favorite vegan food? And your favorite treat? (So hard to answer, I know!) Indeed very hard to answer! I love sooo many things... Thaï, mexican, ... I'd say chili, lasagne and chocolate cheese cake but there are many more!
Your favorite restaurants in your area? What is your area &is it an awesome place to be vegan? Not much in my area unfortunately! My favorite place would be mine!! So its not really an amazing place to be vegan, unless you cook yourself. Portland sure is a rad place to be vegan!
My favorite places are all abroad: the lotus pound from Victoria BC, Bundgies burritos from Vancouver BC, Maya's from SF and many more whose name I've forgotten at the moment! (wait until you get older!)
What keeps you vegan when it gets hard? I don't really miss anything, any meal with meat or fish directly turns me off, I'd rather fall for sweets I guess. Sometimes seeing a nice cake or something has me going like fuck I'd like to eat that... so I go home and try cook a vegan version of it :)
while shopping groceries I sometimes look at products that are appealing and NEARLY vegan ... and I'm like "damnit! why do they have to put honey or additives in it when they so easily could not... " so, just a temporary frustration of not being able to blindly pick some food that seems good!
And as you mentioned: stay informed, there are literally tons of websites, books, medias about veganism these days.
-Don't be afraid to try new things! Same as you: I eat a much more varied diet than almost anyone I know!
-Know your shit, don't get discouraged its your choice, be proud of it (but stay humble)
I'll just quote you to end this with: going at restaurant or eating out with unknown people if I have any doubt I have always find it easier to tell I'm allergic to dairies. People usually won't mess around with it and will respect it and pay more attention if they wouldn't with just saying I'm vegan.
Lyxzen said: the best thing we can do as vegans is to be as informative &open about our experiences when folks are interested, &politely decline to carry on with somebody who is making rude comments or jokes about you, your food, or "this one vegan i used to know." something like, "id be happy to talk more about it if youre genuinely interested, but these comments are honestly pretty insensitive &kind of hurtful to me." (being a jerk right back is stooping right down to their level, &theres no reason to fuel the flames!)