Gone Vegan

[OnBongos]

I made the decision to become vegan after seeing what the animals who are raised for meat are put through and have to endure. For 2 days now I have eaten only veggies (no eggs, cheese or milk), and I have to say that I am really surprised at how filling this diet is.
The recipes you all share here are terrific and I am very grateful that this space exists.
I am wondering if there is a vegan "additive" - a nutrient rich mix to sprinkle on my food? I am worrying that I won't be getting the right nutrition in the beginning of this lifestyle change.
I have sent away for the starter vegetarian kit on PETA's site. That won't come for a week or so and I am asking for you to share any advice you have for a beginner vegan? What books do you recommend? Thank you for all your help.

[kramer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cereal_germ

Wheat germ is a concentrated source of several essential nutrients including Vitamin E, folate (folic ****), phosphorus, thiamin, zinc and magnesium, as well as essential fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is a good source of fiber. Along with bran, germ is often a by-product of the milling that produces refined grain products. Wheat germ oil, rice bran oil (germ), maize germ, and others may be used to extract vegetable oil or directly as a food-making ingredient. The germ is retained as an integral part of whole grains. During the making of white bread, flour that has had the germ removed is used.

Wheat germ, due to its high concentration of complex carbohydrates and protein, aids in gaining muscle and reducing instances of catabolism. These properties, in addition to the essential vitamins and fatty acids also present, make wheat germ a possible supplement for body builders and athletes.

It can be added to protein shakes, casseroles, muffins, pancakes, cereals, yogurt, cookies, and other baked goods.

It can go rancid if not properly stored in a fridge or freezer, and away from sunlight.

[georgi]

I got the vegetarian starter kit off the Peta site...it was just a full color pamphlet on what happens to animals before we eat them. :puke:

(Maybe you are talking about a different starter kit?)

[HoopsTer]

Make sure you get a vitamin B12 vitamin supplement.

I went Vegan for the month of March. I LOVED the way my body felt and I had lots of energy...but my brain was loopy. I wasn't feeling grounded, I had no attention span and I was just plain flakey. It was the lack of B12.

Sea Veg is a really good thing to add to dishes for extra nutrients. I have two different shakers, one is pretty much straight kelp and the other is sea veg and sea salt. I sprinkle them on just about everything. :)

GOOD LUCK!!!

I am not sure I will ever be a full time vegan...but taking the month away from animal products certainly did make me much more conscious (and picky) than I was before...and I was pretty picky to start! :lol:

[Arglebargle]

I bought some packets of roasted endamame at job lot for a buck and a quarter. It's loaded with protein and fiber, and also has some iron. While it's not the greatest thing I've ever eaten, I was impressed with its nutritional make up enough to buy it again.

[OnBongos]

Thank you so much Kramer for the wheat germ suggestion! That is what I was thinking of! Had a friend in college that sprinkled that over everything.

HoopsTer thank you for the B12 tip. That is so important. I love that sushi seaweed salad. That is kelp I think. I will check out Sea Veg when I get to our local healthfood store again. Sounds like that is something to always have on hand.
Thank you ArgleBargle for the heads up on the endamame. It's great to know of truly nutritious foods available to us.

Georgi I sure don't need any full color pictures of that! If that's what they send it's going to make me cry again. They say they have lots of meat alternatives and recipes in the one I think I am getting. I will have to report back to let you know what arrives.
There are lots of really healthy recipes and advice at this site the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine:
http://www.pcrm.org/health/

[georgi]

Good luck to you! I would love to go vegetarian...I'm such an advocate for animals that I feel guilty when I eat meat, but I just know my body couldn't handle it. I am super iron deficient, can't eat gluten...god only knows what would happen to me if I took meat and cheese out of my diet. (I'd definitely whittle away to nothing, that's for sure. :lol: ) I do try to buy free-range and all that stuff when possible, so that's one tiny thing I try to do that's "better". :)

[fire_rocket]

What about nutritional yeast? It's a cheesy type of substance that you can sprinkle on foods- don't know much about it or if it's even vegan, but that might work for you. :)

[OnBongos]

Thank you for the well wishes everyone! So far, so good.

Yeast is alive, but I'll eat it, it's an enzyme. It's not like a creature. I found info on it at this bulk foods site:

http://www.bulkfoods.com/yeast.htm

A terrific food, providing nutrition, enhancing flavor, and adding taste to your favorite meals and drinks.
An excellent source of protein (52%), containing essential amino acids. Gluten Free.
Rich in vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins. An excellent source of folic ****, which is important for formation, growth, and reproduction of red blood cells.

Thank you Fire Rocket this is so good to know. They say it goes with a lot of things and can enhance the flavor too. Sounds really good.

[Jersey Thug]

What about nutritional yeast? It's a cheesy type of substance that you can sprinkle on foods- don't know much about it or if it's even vegan, but that might work for you. :)

i made a mushroom fondue with it for a party last Friday (along with a vegan shabu shabu broth to dip into) and it came out really good!

the recipe is here: http://vegetarian.about.com/od/saucesdipsspreads/r/MushroomFondue.htm

and this is the shabu shabu recipe, for anyone who might be interested. it made the tastiest broth ever, and i can't wait to use it in others ways besides fondue :)

http://www.bestfondue.com/vegetable-fondue.html

[OnBongos]

Hey thanks JerseyThug that recipe looks really good and the broth is essential! Kudos to you on this invention!
HoopsTer I couldn't find SeaVeg but I got some dried kelp and something called VegIt that is a veggie seasoning that is high in nutients. What store do you find SeaVeg in?
Wheat Germ is only $1.99/lb in bulk at Organica by me :D The bulk cereals and granolas and beans are the same price.
I got soy Silk milk but next time I think I am going to try the rice milk. The soy milk has a taste of it's own and i think the rice milk is a lighter flavor. Is that right? I like the soy milk fine, but don't want to use that in everything that calls for milk.
Thanks so much you guys for all the links and kind advice. Enjoy this beautiful day! :heartflag:

[MistyMountain]

try almond or hemp milk. more nutritious. :)

[MistyMountain]

oh and check out this thread : http://gatheringofthevibes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5588

[sums]

one of the best things you can add to your diet is spirulina. it even has b12. and tons of other great stuff. check it out!

http://www.naturalways.com/spirulina-analysis.htm

[HoopsTer]

try almond or hemp milk. more nutritious. :)

Ive been drinking oat milk lately. I think I might like it more than the almond! :)

[MistyMountain]

hell yeah oat milk rules. and it's easy to make at home! (as is almond & hemp)

[OnBongos]

Almond or oat milk? I bet almond milk tastes really good. Thanks for the link to HoopsTer's Feb vegan thread Misty Mountain. I am glad to know there are really good milk, egg and cheese alternative subs out there.
Summer I never heard of spirulina and WOW is it nutritious! Does it taste okay? Should I get the spirulina pills instead?
How do you make almond milk? Is it pureed almonds?

[Joia]

I love spirulina... it's a little pricey for me, but I love it!

[OnBongos]

I got the vegetarian starter kit off the Peta site...it was just a full color pamphlet on what happens to animals before we eat them. :puke:

(Maybe you are talking about a different starter kit?)

I just got it. It's the same one you got. :undecided:

[OnBongos]

I love spirulina... it's a little pricey for me, but I love it!

The spirulina pills are cheapest, so I am going with them for now.
I splurged on Acai berry juice last week. That's near $20.00 a bottle. The good stuff is pricey fo sho. My new mantra: "I'm worth it!" :heart:

[georgi]

I love spirulina... it's a little pricey for me, but I love it!

What do you do with it? Add it to smoothies and such?