VeganXTC

Chas, I forgot! Coffee is vegan. There's a saying that everyone is vegan between meals. So, Welcome to the community, lol! Mstar, I don't really have a wonderful story to tell. In February of 2004, I was looking to make guacamole, but I was tired of the same old recipe. So, I went searching online and was sent to GoVeg.com. After I wrote down the recipe, I noticed a small ad that said ( this link contains graphic images) "Chew On This." I clicked on it, and watched many reasons why I should go vegetarian. Some reasons made me laugh, some made me angry, some made me cry. But that very short movie was all it took. I haven't eaten meat, dairy or eggs since. Really the only change I've noticed was that I'm not so tired. I use to come home from work so exhausted, that I had to take a nap before I could do anything. Now when I get off from work, I can run the vaccuum around, or go shopping, or protest KFC (lol!), or post on GreaseSpot. I think its really cool that alot of you know people in real life who are veg*ns. I knew many vegetarians, but I was the first vegan I ever met. I didn't even know how to pronounce the word. But there's a huge and active online community, and I found out there are quite a few vegans in my area. Hap, I hope your sons know how blessed they are. I hear so many stories from teens and young adults about how unsupportive their parents are. Its refreshing to hear from someone who is proud of their veg*n children.

Hurray! for socks! Hurray! Hurray! for being pain free!

I'm copying someone's style here. Maybe Wordwolf's? I hope its ok. Ugh! I thought I had more time, but if I write any more, I'll be late to work. Mstar I'll come back later to answer your questions.

David- I talked with some older people that live in the nursing home I work at, and with my mother, and they all said there were always man made materials around since they could remember. One man said that he had a pair of rubber work boots that he wore for work. Allan- I take vegetarian B12 supplements that come from bacterial fermentation, not animal sources. So, will I die from a B12 deficiency? I don't know. I do know that vegans aren't falling down dead from heart attacks or strokes, but many omnivores are. I do know that studies have shown that a vegan diet can eliminate diabetes. And I know that animals will not suffer needlessly because I want a hamburger. But you don't have to believe me. And you can make fun of me and my lifestyle and call me names. I'll still love you. Because that's what veganism really is about. Reducing suffering. Compassion. Love.

Wow David, no one has ever asked me the history before! I'll tell you what little I know. In the 40's there was a debate among vegetarians in the UK about whether it was ethical to consume dairy. Out of this debate in 1944 The British Vegan Society was formed. Vegan was chosen because it comes from VEGetariAN, it "starts with vegetarian and carries it through to its logical conclusion." Donald Watson, founder of The British Vegan Society. In 1960, The American Vegan Society began. Some would say that Veganism is as old as time. God put Adam in Eden, naked and plant eating. You can't get more vegan than that! LOL! But I don't think that's what you're asking. I really don't know what people did in the 1940's for wool and leather alternatives. I'll ask around and see what I can find out. You say you can't relate, but I bet we're more alike in our thinking when it comes to animals, than we are different.

Never mind!

I found this great avatar for Halloween! My problem is it won't move! I've used other animated avatars here, and I've seen other posters use them. Why won't this one work?

No problem, in fact it was my pleasure. October is Vegetarian Awareness Month. Its really cool I get to celebrate here!

Do Mormons consider themselves to be pagen?

There's a beautiful passage in Romans that deals with God not being a respector of persons. Let's see.......Romans 2:10 starts what I'm thinking of. Paul speaks of how the Jews and Gentiles will be judged according to their works. Verse 13 says that its not the hearers of the law that shall be just before God, but the doers. So, say a man (Twinky's friend) heard some horrendous things that were done in the name of Christianity. And he says, "If this is what being a Christian is all about, I don't want anything to do with it!" I don't see how that is rejecting Christ. I see it as rejecting man made theology. But even if he did reject Christ, doesn't Romans 2 still apply to him? (LOL! Twinky, is he going to mind being the subject of some posts?)

Good Night, Nottawafer! That's horrible! How could the class coordinator allow that person to undershepard their extramarital lover? And what was the Limb thinking to allow them to become twig coordinators? How can anyone think TWI is a Godly ministry that teaches the one true Word?

This would have taken me forever to do! I liked that you gave the vegetarian diet as an event. And there lots of things from sources that I haven't studied. Would you mind if I shared your timeline with some friends of mine?

When baby lambs are born into the wool industry, their ears are punched for identification, their tails are cut off (I don't know why) and the males are castrated without any anesthetics. In Australia, where alot of our wool comes from, the sheep have been bred so they have wrinkly skin, which produces more wool. It also means the sheep are at risk for flystrike, which is a maggot infestation. To prevent this, the sheep undergo "mulesling" which is cutting off huge strips of flesh off lambs, again without anesthetics. When the sheep are no longer able to produce wool, they are shipped to the Middle East on crowded ships to be sent to slaughter in countries where there are NO animal welfare standards. Most down comes from slaughtered birds, but there are some that are live plucked. In countries where this is allowed (again it is not the US, but the United States buys down from these countries) birds will be plucked every six weeks from the time they are 10 weeks, until they are 4 years old. Its painful and stressful, like if we were to have our hair pulled out. Eider ducks are protected, so they cannot be harmed. But down "farmers" will still rob the nests of ducks, removing the insulating feathers that the eggs need to hatch. It takes 80 nests to fill one comforter. Angora rabbits are strapped down for shearing, but the still try to escape. Its very hard to shear a rabbit without cutting them. They live cages with wire floors, which cause pain because of their very delicate foot pads. Ulcerated feet are very common. Males are killed at birth, because they do not produce the wool that females do. There are vegetarians that eat eggs and/or dairy. No vegans do. I do not.

You have a wonderful family. It sounds like you have lots of good times, and share a lot of love. Your daughter looks alot like you did when you were 21, hey? Thanks for letting us get to know you better. Its really cool.

Wow Roy! The imagery is really beautiful! Let me read a little, and I'll write some more.

I'm back from work. So, where was I? Ok, dinner! I try to build my meals around a grain. So, I'll have a pasta, say vermicelli, and toss it with some veggies, and throw some cubes of marinated tofu in it. Or maybe a stir fry. Or a stuffed baked potato. I can do a burrito with refried bean, and rice, and guacamole. Or veggie pizza, no cheese. Or falafels. Or a portabella mushroom sandwich. Or peppers stuffed with red beans and rice. I try to have a raw salad with every dinner, but some nights, the chips win out, Which leads us to .......... Snacks! My downfall! LOL! Do you know how many not good for you food is vegan? Fritos plain AND barbeque, potato chips, Uh-Oh Oreos, Halloween Oreos (coming out soon if not now!) chocolate and cinnamon Teddy Grahams, Ritz crackers, most of the Tricuit crackers, Twizzlers, and starburst jelly beans! Woo-Hoo! I also do healthy snacks, like dried and fresh fruit, nuts, applesauce, peanut butter crackers, and veggies, dipped in hummus. I take it that you really want to know what fabric my clothing is, and not what guys on the internet usually mean when they ask me what I'm wearing, lol! So, no wool or cashmere or angora, my sweaters are cotton, my winter hats and gloves and scarves are that Therma-fleece stuff. Do you know what I mean? No, leather, my shoes are either canvas or man made materials. For work, I wear New Balance running shoes. All their running shoes are vegan. And no down. My winter coat is Thinsulate. No silk, although there's a company in India where the women gather cocoons from the worms who have hatched, and make silk from them. The women recieve all the profits, so its a good company. Their silk is vegan. I can't think of any other animal materials. Oh Fur! No fur! I hope this post helps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

For those who commemorate Yom Kippur, I wish all your prayers be granted, and if you fast, that it be easy.

You have the right definition for veganism. Its really not as hard to be vegan as you might think. I don't think I eat or look that much different than you. For breakfast, I'll have some cereal. In the winter, I like oatmeal with a little flax or wheatgerm, and I'll throw some raisins or bananas or berries in it. I cook it with water. In summer, I'll have cold cereal, usually bran flakes, with the same additions as my oatmeal. I use Silk vanilla soy milk on top. Or I'll have some toast, with peanut butter, or Earth Balance (a vegan margarine). Or a bagel with peanut butter or Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese. Or, I'll make a smoothie with fruit and juice. If I have lots of time, I'll make a tofu scramble. Its crumbles tofu with lots of spices. For lunch, its usually leftover dinner. Or I'll make a wrap, with veggies and beans or hummus wrapped in a tortilla. Or a sandwich, with the same ingredients as my wrap. Or a veggie burger. Or a vegetable soup with a tomato or vegetable broth base. Or a salad. I'll throw beans or tofu in my salad along with the veggies. K, now, I'm hungry, lol! Plus I need to get ready for work. So, I'm gonna run and I'll post my dinner and clothing a little later. By the way, did you know today was World Vegetarian Day? And tomorrow is World Farm Animals Day? Some cities will be celebrating, but not Milwaukee. *sigh* Anyway, your topic is timely!

I found this and it held my interest. Has anyone here read this book? http://www.dpjs.co.uk/hell.html#Christian

My son played French Horn in grade school. He was very small compared to other students in his grade, and he didn't have much trouble carrying it. It is more awkward than a flute or clarinet, but lighter than a saxophone. I wouldn't buy one until she got serious. As in she's going to play it for the rest of her life. The school loaned my son his french horn. Will her school be able to let her use one of theirs? I'm not sure what's a good price for rental. Now, we rented my daughter's violin until she was in high school. Her rental was only $25 a month, but that was in 1990's prices. Then we bought her a violin, but continued renting one for her to take back and forth to school. My son didn't continue to play. In fact he only played for that year. I don't think it was the french horn that did him in, but just that he hated practicing. For him, I don't think any instrument would have helped or hindered. I'm sure whatever decision you make will be great. Um, yeah, just googled french horn rentals in Milwaukee $15 a month

OMG! I thought the WOW program was crazy! I bet you ran lots of classes, lol! Whatever happened to the "contacts" after we left? In both WOW and Way Disciples way people who lived in the area weren't suppose to contact the "ambassadors." So, it wasn't like the new people knew the established twigs. Were they just left to fend for themselves?

Hi Lori! Welcome to Greasespot! Glad you're here! I haven't taken any prescription sleeping pills, but I did take some Tylenol PM once. Never, ever again! I was a walking zombie the whole next day. There's another over the counter sleep aid that's not suppose to be as bad, but I don't know what it is. The Tylenol was enough to turn me off to all sleeping pills.

T-Bone-I enjoyed reading your post on Sprawled Out's thread, especially the story of the prodigal son. Its the first time in my adult life that I thought that story might be teaching how to be a good neighbor, instead of who is my neighbor. Thank you. I disagree with some points though. True, no one can force someone to love them. However, I don't consider sending someone to a lifetime of torture in hell as a loving thing. Surely a God who can create all life, and is love and light, can think of somewhere else to place people who do not want to be with Him. I'm not saying you believe that hell is a place of torment, or that anyone else here does. But I do know there are many Christians who see hell as a place more gruesome than Dante's Inferno. And delight that some will be sent there.

Hi Rascal, I haven't spent too much time with cows. I'll have to disagree with you about chickens, though. While they are not an inside animal, (LOL! Pooping Machine does not even begin to describe them!) they are curious, friendly, smart, shy, aloof; individuals like our dogs and cats. And they are affectionate. Some will come to you to be scratched and they talk to their babies while still in the shell. They understand cause and effect. Wild chickens spend their time together in groups. Christ told of the way of a hen with her chicks when he was speaking of himself. I'm glad your experience with slaughter has been positive. What I have seen has been cruel, and unnecessary.

I don't understand it either, Bramble. When I was a child, I went to a friend's church. Her minister taught fire and brimstone so vividly that I was terrified for months. I think the same mentality goes on when someone is jailed for a crime, and people wish for rape and beatings. I look at the words of Christ, and while he had no pity for Jewish leadership, he was very compassionate to all others. People have told me that hell was necessary to motivate people to do the right thing, or to show us how good heaven was. I personally think people are smart enough to know good when they see it, and to do the right thing without fear of punishment. Some people have made God in their image, and since they cannot see justice unless there is an extreme show of punishment, have God handing out punishment like Hitler did in Nazi Germany. I too would be interested to hear how people reconcile these beliefs.