Yea, leather and wool are an issue for me too. I'd rather not use animal products, but the alternatives never biodegrade. And I personally have never come across hemp or 100% cotton boots, for example, and anything specialty like that would be insanely pricey anyway. I think the best option is buying second hand leather/wool. It also tends to be warmer than synthetics.
Don't worry about fitting the deffinition of vegan. Do the best you can (which might mean eating some animal to keep the household peace), and make your own decisions (ie, being environmentally, health, and animal rights conscious isn't just about cutting animal products out, in fact sometimes, like the above issue, the 'vegan alternative' might even be worse).
This is great advice. A big pitfall for some beginning vegans is the belief that a life of chastity is actually possible and that they just aren't doing something right. Do what you feel is appropriate and pay no mind to those who might suggest that it isn't enough.
I'm also a new vegan. I also noticed how much better I felt on the new diet, and in subsequent months, I've noticed a very positive change in my body fat (read: it's going away! yay!). And I feel happier and healthier.
I haven't really gotten much past the diet and into the lifestyle or animal-friendly clothing. But I don't think wearing leather shoes makes you any less of a vegan.
The smiley at the end of the sentence tells me it's okay that I kinda giggled at your post.
But on a more serious note, I've struggled with food and diet since I was very young, and with my body image since my pre-teen years. But since going vegan, most of my discomfort that I've attributed to digesting is gone. And I actually feel happy and healthy. It's something I've never felt before. I don't know if it has these results for everyone, but it has for me.
I agree with scraatch--don't worry about fitting a pre-conceived definition of vegan. Each individual does what they can to make the world a better place. Do what you feel is right within your own capabilities, and don't worry about other people judging you--your own convictions are enough.
As for vegan film, so far I've found that only Ilford makes vegan black'n'white film. I've only called them and Kodak. Kodak uses animal gelatin in all their film; Ilford uses plant matter. I haven't found a vegan color film yet, unfortunately...
that's actually such great news, because i only use black and white film (i develop my own pictures). i'll definitely check it out. thanks for the information!
Ilford's great; you can order their film from B&H and it's ridiculously cheap if you get it imported. HP5+ 400 is basically equivalent to Kodak's T-Max or Tri-X 400 (I always got the two confused...) Personally, my favorite is Delta 3200. I also develop my own photos :) I'm glad to help; have fun!
Hey welcome! I just got my IB diploma this past spring and am now working toward a b.s. in chemistry too! So yay for all of that!
Leather in general kinda grosses me out because I can't stop thinking that I'm wearing the skin of a dead animal, so I buy everything hemp though I realize that this is not the same as leather, so some people would prefer leather.
I think that it is great that you are doing as much as you can and as we like to say "every little bit helps." It's practically impossible to be a "complete" vegan.
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you have a really beautiful name ;)
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i feel dumb, haha.
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and you spell it the right way too
but now when you say it i like your username too =)
mine is just the title of a movie i love (- the xxx's)
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Don't worry about fitting the deffinition of vegan. Do the best you can (which might mean eating some animal to keep the household peace), and make your own decisions (ie, being environmentally, health, and animal rights conscious isn't just about cutting animal products out, in fact sometimes, like the above issue, the 'vegan alternative' might even be worse).
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I haven't really gotten much past the diet and into the lifestyle or animal-friendly clothing. But I don't think wearing leather shoes makes you any less of a vegan.
And welcome :)
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But on a more serious note, I've struggled with food and diet since I was very young, and with my body image since my pre-teen years. But since going vegan, most of my discomfort that I've attributed to digesting is gone. And I actually feel happy and healthy. It's something I've never felt before. I don't know if it has these results for everyone, but it has for me.
Oh, and I love your icon.
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As for vegan film, so far I've found that only Ilford makes vegan black'n'white film. I've only called them and Kodak. Kodak uses animal gelatin in all their film; Ilford uses plant matter. I haven't found a vegan color film yet, unfortunately...
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Leather in general kinda grosses me out because I can't stop thinking that I'm wearing the skin of a dead animal, so I buy everything hemp though I realize that this is not the same as leather, so some people would prefer leather.
I think that it is great that you are doing as much as you can and as we like to say "every little bit helps." It's practically impossible to be a "complete" vegan.
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