nice to meet you :)

[nicky]

hi everyone.
im new here, and im also not a vegan or even a vegetarian, but strongly considering coming one. this is for many reason animal cruelty issues and more which i can't explain without confusing everyone.
i haven't done to much research on this topic, but have so far found vegan represent by far the most useful and helpful forum for a person considering going vegan.
ok so i have many questions, and i didn't think it was right if i posted a vegan story, when im not vegan and my story has spanned over about three days. i dont think i deserve the space. so if its okay i thought id put my questions here :). also the reason im not researching it more is because i find it more helpful and inspiring to get it directly from those who are vegan.
im a sixteen year old girl living at home with a family who would never consider this lifestyle. is it possible for me to get all my essential nutrients, vitamins etc? and is there anyway i can work around my families lifestyle?
i hope this is okay. and thank-you.
honestly before i discovered this forum whilst doing a biology prac, i didn't understand vegans or their lifestyles, however i now feel enlightened and see this as a way i can give back to the earth. im not sure what my choice may be but what i do know is that you are all wonderful people.
thank-you.
p.s i hope it is okay im using your forum even though im not vegan/vegetarian yet.

[phloxy]

Nicky, I think it's great that you're considering a vegan lifestyle despite the obstacles you may face in your family setting. I'm sure you have a ton of questions, and you can probably find the answers here.

A vegan diet is definitely nutritionally complete and, in many ways, nutritionally superior to a standard meat-centered diet. Like any other diet, you have to think about what you're eating and plan healthy meals. I don't know if your library would have a copy of Becoming Vegan by Vesanto Melina, but it's an excellent resource that answers all of the questions you might have about vegan nutrition. You can probably pick it up used somewhere for not much money, and it's worth the investment if you're serious about choosing veganism.

At 16, I think there's no reason that you wouldn't be able to fit vegan choices in with your family's choices. Many grocery stores carry cruelty-free options for personal care items that you may need, and you can ask your family not to buy you gifts or other items that contain leather, silk, or wool. Avoiding fabrics made from animal skin or fur is very easy.

Who prepares most of the meals at your house? Would that person be open to your helping out in the kitchen, perhaps veganizing a portion of what everyone else is having or preparing some of your own meals? If you take an interest in cooking at all, this would be a great time to learn a bit about cooking/baking and spend some fun time with whomever is working in the kitchen. There are lots of great cookbooks out there that have recipes with wide appeal. And vegan desserts are easy and taste just like their animal-laden counterparts.

One little bit of advice I might give for times when you have an opportunity to choose a recipe for a family dinner is to steer clear of trying to make a exact vegan copies of the meals they're used to eating. It's often better just to make something that's vegan and different than anything they've ever had. That way their expectations for it tasting "just like meat/cheese/eggs" are eliminated and they can enjoy vegan food for what it is: just food.

I'm wondering how you think you're family will respond to your desire to be a vegan. Do you have any ideas or do you anticipate a certain reaction?

Discovering the vegan way of life definitely feels like a kind of enlightenment, and it's the best way to be kind to the earth. I hope you'll choose to try it. :)

[Provoked]

Hi Nicky - and congratulations on thinking about changing your diet to a more compassionate one. I would think involving your family (especially the "cook") might be a great start. There are plenty of foods out there that can supply all the vitamins and nutrients you need - Think "variety" in the way of colorful veggies - lots of whole grains & beans, lentils to replace the protien. Substituting "milk" is easy: soy milk, Rice Dream and Almond Milk are just a few options. And there are lots of veggie cheeses out there as well.

I'm sure if you posted this question on the food thread, others can give you much better advice. I'm no expert... but do know that both me & my husband went "veg" almost a year ago & we both feel great.

I applaud you for your compassionate heart... if you love animals - really, the only way to help them is to go vegan. Good luck - and welcome! :)

[VegeTexan]

Hi Nicky.
I hope you decide that veganism is for you.
It's really easier than most people think. I have been vegan for ten years in cattle country.
The information about vegan nutrition is really spread around many threads here at VR.
I hope you will google 'vegan nutrition', there are many good sources for information on the web, including http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/
and as phloxy mentioned, the book Becoming Vegan by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis is one of the best books on the subject.
Also see Brenda Davis' website...and her articles at http://www.brendadavisrd.com/articles.php

[bumblebee]

Hello, nicky. :)