Being Vegan Is SO Easy!

So many people go up to me and say "Wow, you're a vegan, it must be so hard!" And I just crack up. Sure, sometimes you have a hard MOMENT or two, but in general its quite easy.

Now, I bet all vegans know what I'm talking about, and all non-vegans are kinda staring at the screen, head cocked 45 degrees, and saying to themselves "WTF????"

So, here are some common questions about the "difficulties" of being vegan. This is not a guide to veganism, if I have time I will make one of those later

Q: Don't you ever miss meat/dairy/eggs/etc?
A: A more accurate question would be, "Do I miss the taste of a dead animal in my mouth?" But, most omnivores don't think that. Sure, I miss the taste or flavor of meat once in a while, but there are loads of vegan alternatives to them. I already have 3 faux recipes posted here. Here is just a very small list of vegan alternative foods:

Veggie burgers, veggie dogs, faux tacos, veggie shrimp, faux links, faux sausage patties, veggie lasanga, grilled soy cheese, fake stuffed peppers

Q: What do you eat?
A: Uh, food, hello? Ok, seriously, we eat a variety of food. Soups, faux meats, vegetables, ethnic foods, soy products, rice milk, potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, beans, and thats just being general. Pretty much everything under the sun that doesnt have animal products in them, including ethnic dishes and stuff like that. Check out PETA's "Accidentally Vegan"food list by clicking here.

Q: Can you eat dessert?
A: Of course we can! There are plenty of alternatives, like soy ice cream and rice ice cream. Tofu chocolate pie is amazing, you would never guess its tofu (I mean it). There are tons of prepackaged vegan cookies and cakes. All of the Krispy Kreme fruit pies (with the exception of Coconut) are vegan. You also can use egg substitute in recipes, and 1/2 mashed banana works well. So does cola in cake. PETA2.com has the exact amounts.
Here are some vegan candies: Airheads taffy, Blow Pops, Brach's Cinnamon Hard Candy, Charms lollipops, Chick-o-Sticks, Cry Babies, Dem Bones, Dots, Dum Dums, Fireballs, Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, Hot Tamales, Hubba Bubba Bubblegum, Jolly Ranchers (lollipops and hard candy), Jujubees, Jujyfruits, Laffy Taffy, Lemonheads, Mambas, Mary Janes (regular and peanut butter kisses), Mike and Ike, Now and Later, PezRing pop lollipops, Smarties (U.S. version only), Sour Patch Kids, Starburst (jelly beans and hard candy), Super Bubble
Swedish Fish, Sweet Tarts, Tropical Source mini chocolate bags, Twizzlers, Zotz.

Credit to PETA2.com for the list.

Q: What do you do when dining out?
A: This is probably the hardest thing about veganism. For example, you can go into a restaurant and order a side of broccoli, but they will most likely put butter on it. So, when dining out you need to make requests and be specific, and ask questions. Most waitstaff will be accomodating as long as you are polite.

Most restaurants can make customized recipes, like a side of specific veggies, no butter, and such. You can try to find something on the menu and adapt it. Like say, fettucine with broccoli and garlic, with olive oil instead of Fettucine Alfredo. Here are some good questions to ask and requests to make when dining out:

Soups:
Is there pasta in it? (Most SOUP pastas have eggs in them to keep them soft and not mushy)
Is there beef or chicken stock in it?
Is there any meat in it?

Vegetables:
No butter, please

Salads:
What type of dressing is on that (most "creamy" dressings have milk or eggs in them, stay on the safe side with a vinnagrette or vinagar/oil combo. Also, ceasars always have anchovies, greek has feta cheese, anchovies/chicken stock, and Italian sometimes has cheese, so ask)

There's no cheese on that, is there?

All other dishes:
Hmm, what do you use for ingredients in [name of dish]
Is there any eggs, meat, honey, or dairy in that? (Unfortunately, not all people know what vegan means, so be specific)
(If the food is Indian) Is there any ghee or yoghurt in that? (Many seemingly safe indian dishes have ghee, a clarified butter, in them or yoghurt. Also beware, Naan bread contains milk)

If the waiter gets a bit impatient, make sure you are being clear cut. You have to understand that taking a lot of questions can be annoying. If they do get a touch peppy, just politely say "Sorry, I'm a vegan" in a gentle laugh-y voice. They usually will understand once you tell them that. Or, before you star asking, just say "I'm vegan, so about the [name of dish], [rattle off first question]"

Those are probably the most common questions, if you have any more leave a comment or contact me (first post has contact info)

TTYL