Comments for Staying Vegan

Comment on How to handle Anti-Population people by Kate

Kate — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:24:56 +0000

*should not whould
Oh and before I get shouted at for comparing overpopulation with rape I just want to point out that I was using an extreme example to illustrate a point. If you accept that an awful consequence can sometimes justify the prevention of the fulfillment of a basic desire you can accept that the ‘it’s a basic desire so we can’t stop it from being fulfilled’ argument is bogus.
And by ‘anti-populationist’ I just mean anyone concerned about population growth, not just those who want humans to die out.
@jason doucette your micro vs macro argument is one that really grates with me. This is exactly the same argument as the one that says ‘well one more person eating meat doesn’t make a difference’, and as a vegan you would probably accept that that is not an acceptable argument; one person’s decision to eat/not eat meat is important. The argument is even less convincing when talking about population management – if you have one child that can potentially lead to a never-ending supply of more people.

Comment on How to handle Anti-Population people by Kate

Kate — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:12:20 +0000

It’s worth noting that although it’s true that a vegan foursome has a smaller carbon footprint than an omnivorous twosome, at the very least the childless omniverous couple’s carbon footprint has a cut-off point. Having children makes your footprint potentially neverending, which obviously means it may eventually be bigger.
Furthermore it’s a bit of a cop out to say ‘having children is a personal decision, therefore no-one can judge it’ or alternatively ‘having children is a basic human desire, therefore we should not prevent people from doing it’. There is no reason why personal decisions should not fall under moral rules – committing adultery is a personal decision but that doesn’t mean that morality should not govern it (and that may well include judging people who act immorally).
And it is not true that we should never stop people from fulfilling basic human desires. Most people would agree that you whould if fulfilling that desire would result in a consequence worse than the consequence of simply not having a basic desire fulfilled. For example having sex is a basic human desire but if it involves rape then it should be prevented. Overpopulation might be such an awful consequence.
As for mass suicides, some extremists will advocate this as an anti-population growth measure. But even if an anti-populationist doesn’t, there are perfectly good reasons for opposing both childbirth and mass suicides. An OBVIOUS one might be that killing is worse than preventing births. Just like being anti-infanticide and anti-abortion is compatible with being pro-contraception.

and @jendiggity it is worth pointing out that lots of anti-populationists realise that third world starvation could be solved by redistribution of resources. They are anti-population growth because of the mass extinctions that will certainly result from exponential population growth than with third world starvation. This is not a problem that can be solved by any other means than limiting human population (not necessarily at this current level but at some point). Even if we stopped eating meat and adopted greener lifestyles and stopped climate change if the population keeps growing and growing millions of species will die out simply because there is not enough space in the world for them.

Comment on How to handle Anti-Population people by Sami

Sami — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:33:41 +0000

I’ve recently decided against having kids in favour of adopting, it makes little sense for me to be against animal breeders because of how many homeless domestic animals there are yet to support the same problems in human society.

I think it’s a far more productive approach than being anti kids.

Comment on The Three Types of Tofu by Garlic Tofu with spicy dipping sauce | d e l i s h i o n o

Garlic Tofu with spicy dipping sauce | d e l i s h i o n o — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:01:08 +0000

[...] when it comes to tofu is that you’re buying the right kind and that you prep it correctly. Staying Vegan has some great tips for tofu buying. I always buy my tofu in tubs from the Asian market though well-stocked American megamarts should [...]

Comment on Getting started: avoid the weakness trap by betty

betty — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:28:58 +0000

Thanks, Jason. Betty

Comment on Getting started: avoid the weakness trap by Jason

Jason — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:37:39 +0000

Hi Betty! The site’s in hiatus but here are a few thoughts: I’ve just started working with a personal trainer and as part of that I’ve been doing a new food audit. While I’ve been working hard at getting my protein levels up, it turns out my calories are much lower than I thought, so once you factor out my workouts, my net intake is probably less than you right now! I need to change that for other reasons, but the key is that I haven’t been feeling any fatigue at all, and that’s as a vegan with no eggs or dairy in the mix.

My best recommendation (besides consulting with a health professional) is to pick up the book Thrive by Brendan Brazier and try to take some of his dietary principles into action. And get your blood tested to check your baseline levels for things like iron and B12 – if there’s an existing deficiency you’ll want to adjust accordingly.

Comment on Getting started: avoid the weakness trap by betty

betty — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:52:07 +0000

Don’t know if this thread is still open but I just started vegetarian about a month ago and starting to feel really yucky….meaning fatiqued and tired. No SAD diet for a month, just a few eggs, veggies, salads, nuts occasionally, almond/peanut butter, some green drinks and smoothies. Started adding greek yogurt today because of the fatigue.

The fatique really bothers me. Because I need to lose significant weight, I try to keep calories to about 1500/day. Have to watch the carb/sugar intake due to health issues.

Any input would greatly be appreciated because I dont want to drop out.

Comment on How to handle Anti-Population people by Brandon

Brandon — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:29:36 +0000

If I could only upvote you, Samuel…

Comment on Is eating vegan more expensive than a ‘normal’ diet? by jamie

jamie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:49:42 +0000

I tried being vegan this year as i was vegetarian for the past two years and i found it extremely difficult. First and foremost just about everything has a little egg, cheese, milk, or butter in it. Even bread and spaghetti. I didn’t have a problem eating any mockmeats as they all contained egg in it…at least the ones i’ve looked at. My problem was finding time to cook food. I’ve been to culinary school so i know how to cook. It was just finding the time. Fresh produce is so expensive!!! Im not a fan of beans or legumes at all!! But making some rice or even spicing it up and making coconut rice with coconut milk is always a favorite of mine. I love tofu (which is like $3-4 at walmart) and that only lasts maybe two days when cooked. I love to eat and i am a very skinny girl but since ive been vegan i’ve already lost 4 lbs and i am now down to 110 as opposed to being 114 and im 23!!!!yikes! i can’t afford to lose weight. To even make simple things like an eggless egg salad with tofu! vegenaise is expensive! and then buy the tofu and find a bread with no milk but with fiber! or what if i want oatmeal in the morning? soymilk can be pricey too! vegan eggplant parm? what about vegan fried icecream for dessert? what about italian food? I’ve made pasta from scratch. You need eggs to make pasta….well egg yolks more specifically. What if you want to buy vegan spaghetti? You bet that will cost some $$$$
vegan no chicken base or no beef base are ridiculously high! and although i call companies to thank them for making vegan products as i am truely happy about! I still am aware how difficult it is to continue to be this way. I am a full time college student and I work full time paying out of pocket every paycheck i have for school because i get no financial aid or scholarships and don’t want to spend the rest of my 10 years paying back loans! Sometimes i only have $25 to last me for two weeks!!! juggle in car payment, insurance, gas, and a phone bill and you can see my dilemma. In essence, i would love to be vegan. I would even love to grow my own crops. Im just not seeing the nutritional value of eating vegetables out of a can with some rice, or fruit for that matter. As a chef, i love to be creative with food. I just guess the issue is with me. I dont’ have the time or the energy or the money to live this lifestyle at the moment. But i do recommend it! highly! the health benefits are phenominal!

Comment on Making vegan pizza more amazing by matias

matias — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:30:08 +0000

Vegan cheese for pizza!
Here’s the receipe. You will need:

- 4 spoons of beer yeast
- 2 spoons of wheat
- A little bit of soy-milk
- Salt

Mix the beer yeast, the wheat and salt. Add some soy-milk while removing until it gets slurry. Just top your pizza whith the final paste and everything else you wanna add, and put into the oven until the vegan cheese gets goldenly toasted. Enjoy!