I've been looking in my co-op for "Parma" forever and haven't found it yet - is it only sold online? I'll have to look around.

I was vegetarian for a couple of years and just went vegan last month. It hasn't been a hard change really. Not like I thought it was going to be.

My biggest problem has been reading the ingredient list on foods. I forget, or don't read thoroughly enough and miss an item here or there.

I think it gets easier as time goes on and I remember what items are acceptable for me to eat. Until then, I just have to remind myself to read the labels!

last week i gave up meat, cheese, soft drinks, and ice cream. best decision i ever made. i am even trying to eat as much organic food as possible. i didn't really read through the thread, and my post is probably pretty random. but, i am pretty proud of myself. and i have to admit i feel much healthier.

I was a vegan for a while, but I was SO soy dependent it was scary. Especially after reading that too much soy is not so good for you.

I do eat some milk based products now, but eggs are out and I generally eat one to two vegan meals a day.

I wish I had my own farm so I could make my own milk products and keep happy, unslaughtered cows.

I've been vegetarian for ten years now and have never "had" to take supplements.
After I had a bout of mononucleosis and hepatitis about two and a half years ago, I've taken some supplements for my immune system (which has been a bit screwed up ever since) and have been drinking lots of juices. It seems to be helping. However, this was all my choice, no one told me I "had" to take these supplements.

Now I am fantasizing about having my own juicer and tons of fruits and veggies. Why do juicers have to cost so much?

P.S. If anyone decides to take supplements....make sure they are high quality and organic! If you can afford it, try whole food supplements. (which has nothing to do with the grocery chain) Or simply try and get it from as much real food as possible. (easier said than done of course)

P.P.S. Meat eaters have just as many of the same problems (if not a lot more) with a balanced diet as vegetarians. They face the same obstacles....and it boggles my mind as to how little people know about good nutrition. (I know, I work around food....I am telling people who make thousands more than me a year what they should eat. What is wrong with this world?) Many people who comment on the quality of a vegetarian diet, don't know what the hell they are talking about....or are in denial.

Ahh Mwah! I've been full vegan for almost three months now. It is easy!! Way easier than I thought it would be, and I'm learning to cook more. I've had tons of veggies w/ hummus as an easy go-to snack/meal. And green smoothies - I'm obsessed!!!!

By nature we are carnivores. I would stick to eating meat but limiting to what kind or where it came from. Eggs that are not cage free are real cruel, meat is better organic then from a meat plant in the midwest etc. I tried it, my partner was one for many, many years. Just balance your foods right and it works. Vegatarian stuff has come a long way since the seventies! Our neighbors ate some type of weird turkey in the seventies cause the were veggys.

This thread is making me sooo hungry.

IMA EAT SOME MEAT!

I bought this, but was a little disapointed when I found out all it was is
nurtritional yeast, walnuts, and salt...but on the other hand I'm glad I have a new easy recipe for faux parma.

Also, humans aren't carnivores, not even close.

I'm down with generally anything that has mushroom in it. Mushrooms have become my vice since kicking meat and dairy.

Blah blah mushroom face.

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I haven't bothered to read the other responses...I probably will after i post this. You can do it. It is weird at first, but after about 2 weeks you'll be a pro.

If you haven't yet, You need to read 'Skinny Bitch'. I read this BEFORE Posh Spice made it popular, but it honestly is VERY informative and FUNNY!!!! These chicks spare no humility...they say it how it is. To be honest, after I read it the first time, I was afraid to eat ANYTHING, hahha.

It will just give you that extra PUSH to join our side

Dairy is the worst of them all!!! Exceot for the occasional shared platter of Brie, I have not ingested Dairy in over 10 years. I'd probably eat a side of bacon before I'd drink a glass of milk.

People feel grossed out by the concept o SOY MILK, but com on! Who wants to drink the secretions of the mammary glands of a bovine mammal? Ewww ew, yuck. Bring on the yummy vanilla Silk Soy milk!!!!

Taking Iron supplements helps. Also, double up on the calcium, it helps your body process the iron. I was anemic before I even became a veg-head. I see a nutritionist and that helps a lot. I don't have NEARLY as many bruises, etc since I started doing this. Iron supplement and calcium fortified OJ every morning

As I said above, eat OR DRINK SOMETHING RICH IN CALCIUM WHEN YOU TAKE your Iron. I take my pill and follow it with calcium fortified OJ every morning. It has helped a great deal with MY anemia. I no longer have bruises all over my body! If you can find a GNC or similar store, try to find liquid iron/Vitamin supp...it absorbs more efficiently....

i decided to be a pescetarian in may because i have a pretty shitty digestive system & meat became a bit too difficult for me to digest. i mean. i never really liked meat anyway, which may have been the problem?
anyway. i feel a lot better, physically. the biggest thing being that i don't sleep as much. plus i think i have a better appetite as i am not constantly worried about what i'm eating & the calories involved, etc. in fact, i've lost 9 lbs since i started and i eat way more than i did when i ate meat.

also. i've been putting this in my orange juice and besides it being, supposedly, healthy, i just like the seeds:

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cheeseburger lips!

First of all, remember that IRON helps your body retain your calcium supplements. Also, it is not unusual for your body to reject meat protein. Some people are born this way...MANY vegetarians experience the process of their body starting to quit producing the amino acids to break down animal protein....especially red meat and pork. One time I accidentally ate soup that I thought was VEG and after a few bites, I realized there was beef in it. I spent the entire night leaning over the toilet. I have been red meat, pork and poultry free for 12 years. Your body will eventually quit producing the amino acid to digest meat...because it is NOT necessary!

Is it doing you any good? And can I get it at Whole Foods?