I had no idea you guys were down here!

I am glad to see a vegetarian/vegan forum on DU!

My wife and I became vegans this summer after my doctor told me that my HDL was so low, that I had the profile of men who have heart attacks by 40. Yikes! I came home and told my wife (a physician), and she said, "That does it, we are going vegan!" At first I was horrified...not because I couldn't eat meat but because I couldn't eat cheese. Ahhhh! But after 6 months of this diet, I have lost 23 pounds, I feel healthier than I have ever felt, and the thought of eating meat has become very distasteful. Isn't that interesting? I didn't become a vegan due to animal protection issues (although I am sickened by the treatment of "food" animals), so one would assume that I would always crave meat. You end up realizing that meat is nasty once you stop eating it for a while. Honestly, that realization has blown me away. I still crave my cheese every now and again, but meat just isn't on the radar.

Some questions....

Why is it that when I tell family and friends that we have become vegans, I get a horrified look that one would expect from someone if you told them you had just become a prostitute? Why is veganism so threatening?

Why can't one find a decent vegetarian/vegan restaurant in most mid-size cities? Sure there may be one, but you would think that entrepreneurs would realize that the vegetarian/vegan market is very big and would start finding ways to make money from this market.

What are some good vegan vacation destinations, or places to go that have vegan restaurants nearby?

Why is seitan so damn good, and how do you say it, 'seetan' or 'satan'?

How can we get our kids to enjoy the vegan fare?

A statement....

I am damn proud of our local Publix here in Birmingham, AL. They go out of their way to provide healthy, organic, and vegan supplies. Way to go, Publix!

So...hi all, I'll be stopping by more!

23 pounds...very nice. I have to say that one of the first things I noticed from going meatless, was just how GOOD I felt.

As for your questions...

When you tell them you've gone vegan, you're giving them a label, so to speak, that they just don't get, most likely. Lots of folks will knee jerk assume that you'll be firebombing fur shops next, or moving to Waco to avenge Koresh. That, or they're thinking "why, oh why would you give up the delight of eating meat?" They think it's unnatural, and you might as well have grown a second head.

Give it time. As more folks realize the health benefits of veg*ism, the demand will increase. We're seeing them more here in Florida. The biggest change, I've found, is that more and more waitstaff understands veganism, and I don't have to explain it.

I've heard San Francisco is veg friendly, but I think Seattle has it the best.

(Say-tan) I think.

Kids? Depends on what they'd rather have. Soy Delicious ice cream rules.

Our Publix are usually fairly good as well. If I could just keep the staff from trying to shove samples of death down my through, I'd be happier. Oh, and that fried chicken smell just permeats the place. Smells like a morgue (really...that's what dead bodies smell like).

Firebombing fur shops next...

I guess you are right. People have warped understanding of what a vegan is. They already know that we are ultra liberals, so they must figure that we have gone completely off of the deep end with the vegan stuff. They don't even seem to listen when you tell them about the health hazards of being a meat eater. Oh, well. I guess people are set in their ways. As I continue to be a vegan and don't look frail and sickly, perhaps they will realize that it actually is a good thing.

We'll check out San Fran and Seattle...thanks! We are looking for a fun place to go for our 10 year anniversary this summer, but we want it to be a vegan friendly place. There is a vegan eco-tour thingie in Costa Rica that looks incredible as well.

As for the chicken...my mother just called to invite us over tonight. She said, "I don't have much for you to eat, but the girls can eat with us...we have a rotisserie chicken!" Great. It is so appetizing to see dead animal carcass in the kitchen. :eyes: It is amazing to me how fast one realizes that dead animal is just stomach turning.

I look forward to the conversations here!

Veganistan said it well. Once you affix a label to yourself, that is who you are, to most people. Even my close friends introduce me as Meg, she's vegan. I don't mind so much, I just don't see it as relevant. That's like introducing your wife as X, she has type A+ blood, at least the way I see it. :shrug:

You are so right about the restaurants. I live in a fairly small town. The only place I can get my meal vegan is in Mexican restaurants. Otherwise, wait staff looks at you like you are speaking in tongues. Before I was vegan, I went out to eat a lot. Now, I RARELY go out to eat. There just aren't any options. It sucks!

As for kids, I don't have any so I can't help you out there!

Glad you found us!! :D

Meg

Yep...I can see your friends saying in hushed tones, "She's a vegan!". Oh, my!

We were at a restaurant the other day, and the waiter was taking my wife's order. She asked if the dish had any dairy products in it, and he looked at her kind of funny. She said, "I'm a vegan." He looked at her with a pity/sorrowful look and said "Ohhhh" like she just said "I have cancer". We couldn't stop laughing after he left. It was hilarious.

I know I will enjoy the conversations here! I look forward to spending more time with you folks.

lol, I think anyone here could actually! :P

:hi:

I just found the group/realized DU HAD groups a couple days ago myself.

Been vegan 3 years now, over the first 16 months I dropped 60 LB, from 225 - 165, and have kept it off with no effort whatsoever.

What are some good vegan vacation destinations, or places to go that have vegan restaurants nearby?

I haven't traveled much so I don't have a broad knowledge. Atlanta is a huge improvement over Mobile but I imagine that should go w/o saying for its size. Maui was very good to my diet and is a wonderful place to vacation. Even small take out booths offer veggie foods. Hell, their Subways even have faux meat options.