intro

[jaimelebacon]

Hey guys, I'm new to both this group and to veganism, so hello. This is my fourth day as a vegan, I know you're all impressed. It's more complex and difficult than I anticipated, even though I researched it heavily before starting. So I'm probably going to ask stupid questions, and you seasoned vegs can just tune me out

Comments

[vgnwtch]

The Vegan Society, established in 1944 and the people who coined the term vegan, say in their Articles of Association:

the word "veganism" denotes a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude - as far as is possible and practical - all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment.

In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals. [my emphasis

[springdaisyk]

well said

[wefoughtharder]

i don't really understand different levels of veganism. i don't consume or use products that contain animal ingredients or were tested on animals or contain ingredients that were tested on animals. i think that, for the most part, is what veganism is for everyone. as far as eating - check the ingredients. if any of them came from an animal or you're not sure, you don't eat it. if none of the ingredients came from an animal, you do eat it. pick up a personal hygeine product - if any of the ingredients came from an animal or you're not sure, don't buy/use it. don't buy/use it if the company tests. if all ingredients are animal-free and there is no animal testing involved, go for it. clothing, car upholstry, shoes made of animal hide, fur, feather, or fibers? nope. made of plant or synthetic fibers? yep.

pretty easy, cut and dry to me.

[wefoughtharder]

hmm, to add: if i am only 99% sure a product is vegan, i won't eat it. i'll eat something else, or i'll eat later if there is nothing vegan around. i might get hungry, but i'm not going to die, i'm just going to be slightly uncomfortable with an empty stomach.

[tiredshaw]

If it has meat or dairy in it, then I don't consider it to be food. A couple of years ago I ate french fries at Chik Fil A, only to find out later that they had beef in them. Gross! So there are things like that where you wouldn't imagine they'd have meat in them; but when you find out they do you don't barf it up or fast to purify, you just don't eat it again.

[subpolka]

Beef in Chik-Fil-A fries...no kidding? I find that very bizarre, especially in light of their "eat mor chikin" ad campaigns.

[tiredshaw]

Yep, plus who would think to put beef in fries? Perhaps the chickens should launch a counter-campaign begging humans to eat more french fries.

[futurejane]

this is tough to answer, because i feel like i need to outline everything i do and don't do, but i'll give it a shot and try to keep it short

[whisperdryad]

I just wanted to say high fives to you! I am almost a month-old vegan. At first I just thought I was going to be a dietary vegan, but the more I read and learn and talk about it, the more that things like leather shoes, multivitamins derived from animals, and soaps with animal glycerin in them get very distasteful and saddening. The more concious I am, the more I really want to take this as far as I possibly can with the options and degree of knowlege availible to me.