Links to some vegan/vegetarian websites?

Question

First time posting in this section so I apologize if this is asked a zillion times. I didn't see much in resolved questions that was too similar though =)

It didn't take much research for me to realize that eating meat was not doing my body any favors. I'm looking to become a vegetarian and ease into becoming a vegan. I know myself well enough to know that cutting too much too fast will result in a failure. I'm looking for some suggestions as to what can get me on the right path towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. Can you suggest any of the following to help me out?

Cookbooks?

Websites?

Other reading?(currently reading skinny b*tch, and its great!)

Any other pearls of wisdom from your own experience?

This new, clueless vegan in training thanks you for your help!

Answer 1

www.vegweb.com has recipes

www.happycow.net and www.vegdining.com both list restaurants and natural foods stores the world over.  Happy Cow also has a forum and various "e-groups".

Sarah Kramer and Isa Chandra Moskowitz both have written excellent cookbooks.  Check them out.

For really easy recipes that use very common ingredients, check out "Conveniently Vegan," which is sold by the folks at the Vegetarian Resource Group (www.vrg.org).

I'm currently reading Karen Dawn's "Thanking the Monkey," and it talks about all the animal issues, not just food.  In fact, I'm a good way into it, and it has yet to mention food.

Howard Lyman is a former rancher gone vegan, and his two books ("Mad Cowboy" and "No More Bull") are excellent primers on the health and environmental aspects of going vegan.

Believe it or not, "Being Vegetarian for Dummies" was an excellent primer for me when I first decided to go veg.

Compassion Over Killing (www.cok.net) is a wonderful organization, and you can get a starter guide from them (if you live in North America).  They also have tips on going vegan, but are focused mainly on the cruelty aspect of it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

goveg.com

Answer 3

Hi,

It's important to know where to get your nutrients and these websites have some great information that really helped me personally:

The Vegetarian Society:

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/goingveg.html

This is a really handy sheet with lots of information about key nutrients in a vegan diet. I refer to this page a lot:

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/vegan-nutriti...

The Vegan Society:

http://www.vegansociety.com/html/home.ph...

(Has especially good information about calcium and vitamin B12)

The Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation:

http://www.vvf.org.uk/

The Vegetarian Resource Group:

http://www.vrg.org/

(Great for vegan nutritional information)

For vegan recipes, I like Chooseveg.com:

http://www.chooseveg.com/

(I recommend trying the tofu scramble!)

Finally, don't listen to those who say veganism is unhealthy. A balanced vegan diet will supply all the nutrients you need.Vitamin B12's importance in the human diet must not be underestimated because it is essential for the normal functioning of the neurological system. Deficiency, although rare, can damage the nervous system- so try to top up your levels every day. I suggest that you take a B12 supplement, drink fortified dairy free 'milks', or eat fortified foods.

Good luck & enjoy being vegan :)

Answer 4

The biggest help would be to find a good selection of enough vegetarian foods and recipes to keep you satisfied and provide enough of every nutrient.

Being veg is an excellent choice but it shouldn't be about "eating natural" it is recommended that ALL vegan people take a B12 supplement which is nothing to be ashamed of. Millions of people eat fortified cereals and multivitamins so taking B12 is no basis for criticism.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b12

EVERY other nutrient can be found in simple foods such as bread, pasta, cereal, rice, beans, peas, lentil, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo

If you have been raised to believe that you need meat and milk to be healthy, please take a look at the following links to remove all doubt that power and performance need not be compromised.

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

Look up Carl Lewis - won numerous Olympic Gold Medals on a vegan diet, and Mac Danzig - vegan UFC champion.

After you have learned to craft your healthy and palatable vegan diet, you can watch Earthlings to help you stay emotionally dedicated to your commitment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhxKnys7R...

This article will help you stay focused on what veganism is really about.

http://www.veganoutreach.org/howvegan

Answer 5

Hello! And congrats on wanting to become vegan!

Some good cookbooks: Veganomicon, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook, Vegan Planet,  Eat, Drink, & Be Vegan, The Joy of Vegan Baking, The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen, The New Farm Vegetarian Cookbook , & Vegan with a Vengeance.

More:

http://veganpeace.blogspot.com/2007/09/v...

For online recipe sites:

http://veganpeace.blogspot.com/2007/08/v...

Some good websites:

http://veganpeace.blogspot.com

http://veganpeace.blogspot.com/2007/08/v...

http://vegetarian.about.com/

http://www.vegblog.org/archive/category/...

http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/vege...

http://www.vivausa.org/activistresources...

Nutrition:

http://veganpeace.blogspot.com/2008/02/v...

Just remember to check the ingredients, try to buy organic and from farmers markets, and as local as you can.  Try to cook your own food at home it is cheaper and better for you than buying a whole bunch of processed foods. Also eat a variety of foods and make sure you get your nutrients, the link above should help with that! And being a vegan is great, good luck and peace!