My Veg Pledge Update.
I thought I would take a few minutes to update you on the progress of my 30-Day Veg Pledge I took a few weeks ago.
So I failed, in the beginning, but I am back on the Vegan wagon. Well, sort of. No one told me that I could not consume dairy products. UGH!
Luckily, I rarely eat eggs, maybe a few times a year, so that is not a big deal. And I hate cheese and butter, so that is easy. But, I have been drinking a glass a milk with breakfast, and mostly every dinner meal, ever since I can remember. How can I break this habit? I tried Soy Milk, and it was awful! I won’t be trying that again.
Is there a great tasting, milk substitute out there? If I can find one, I will give it up, and just take a calcium supplement. If not, well, I don’t know what I should do.
Any suggestions?
Tags: going_vegetarian, Vegan, vegetarian_diet, veg_pledge
19 opinions for My Veg Pledge Update.
Xina
Apr 12, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Hi
You can try rice milk, it’s lovely! Good luck and well done for going for the 30 days!
Xina
Middlesex, UK
Glitterati
Apr 12, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Hi! I can’t believe I’m giving suggestions for a vegan diet, as I eat quite a bit of meat, but I do happen to really like soy milk. Did you get the regular kind, or the sweetened, vanilla kind? I find the sweeter kind MUCH more palatable, although it’s thicker (and sweeter, obviously) than regular milk.
Almond Breeze is also very yum, but it can be hard to find. I presume it’s made from almonds, though I’ve never checked. It also comes in Original and Vanilla flavours. There is such a thing as rice milk, but I’ve never tried it.
My favourite has to be the soy milk from Asian (Chinese) grocery stores. (Sunrise is the only brand that comes to mind right now, but there are others) It’s a lot closer to the consistency of regular milk, but again, I only like the sweetened version.
Hope you find something you like!
Glitterati
Apr 12, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Err… I just read your Sugar is Bad post. Not sure how that’ll work out for the sweetened soy/almond milk! :) Maybe you could try sweetening the regular version with a tiny bit of splenda? Honey, maybe?
Teri
Apr 13, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Xina - thanks for the encouragement! I am not sure of Rice Milk - I did not see it in the grocery store this afternoon.
Teri
Apr 13, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Glitterati - I am really at a loss about what to do about the Milk. I am having a hard time doing with out it, and I can’t even stomach some of the alternatives.
I know it is mind over matter, and the change should be good for me. Ugh!
I am looking for maybe an oat based one. I need to get over to Whole Foods and do a search.
Wish me luck!
Amy
Apr 13, 2007 at 5:24 pm
I would try the fresh soymilk, Silk makes a good one, found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store (or co-op, or Whole Foods). I do not like the cartoned soy found on the shelves - it’s barely okay over cereal - but the fresh I can drink straight.
I gave up milk with meals years ago and made the switch to water. It takes a while to build a new habit, and it was definately strange at first.
You could always try sparkeling water, or some other non-dairy treat with meals and take a calcium supplement. Good luck!
Xina
Apr 13, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Here you go Teri, you might want to look into these: http://www.tastethedream.com/ I love Rice Dream. I also agree that the fresh soya milk is superior to long life.
Teri
Apr 13, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Amy - I would definitely have to have it fresh. I quickly glanced the aisle at my local grocer this afternoon, and there were so many in boxes - yuck. I couldn’t do that. I don’t even let my kids drink that unrefrigerated chocolate-milk (like) drinks.
Teri
Apr 13, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Okay, Xina - you have convinced me! I will definitely try the Rice Dream Enriched Refrigerated. I think I will pick up the original and Vanilla.
Xina
Apr 14, 2007 at 4:39 am
Great! Be sure to let us know how you get along.
Teri
Apr 14, 2007 at 4:31 pm
I certainly will, Xina. And I so very much appreciate your help.
Christina
Apr 19, 2007 at 7:14 am
I have been drinking Hood’s Calorie Countdown - it is a low carb milk substitute found in the dairy section of some grocery stores (I get it at Krogers here). Milk is my downfall too - it is the hardest thing for me to give up by a long shot. I have not drank the Calorie Countdown by itself, but it is great on cereal, and I mix it with protein powder for a meal replacement - and it is pretty darn yummy. It might be allright by itself, not sure (scared to try..lol). :) I have seen that Almond milk, it looks delish (I just can’t do soy milk either, it just is not a substitute for me) - but its so full of sugar still that it doesn’t work on my low carb thing. Pity.
Teri
Apr 19, 2007 at 10:14 am
I will have to look for that, Christina!
Unfortunately, I am not doing well with the milk thing. I feel I need to keep it in my diet.
Isn’t milking cows a good thing for them? I used to milk goats when I was a kid (my neighbor had a goat farm) and it was such a relief for them to be milked - they loved it.
Christina
Apr 19, 2007 at 10:58 am
Ha ha ha - that might be the funniest excuse I have ever seen for not quitting drinking milk. I just am addicted - it is soooooooo good. Honestly though, I really don’t think it is very good for us - what animals do you know that keep drinking milk after they are grown up? None. But dang it tastes good - especially with a little Quik mixed in….oy.
Teri
Apr 19, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Very true about the animals, Christina.
I am trying to cut down, anyway! Ha, Ha! I’ll let you know if I go through withdrawls.
Amy
Apr 20, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Actually, cows only lactate, like humans, after they have given birth. So technically, yes - it is good for them to be milked, but only because they have just had a calf (which is taken away from them to make veal) and when their milk starts to slow down, they are impregnated again. This cycle goes on for years until the cow is slated for slaughter. (Sorry to be such a bummer, but that’s the truth.)
I am working my way to vegan, but am making the slow transition. If not having milk will make you fall off the wagon, so to speak, I say drink it! It’s all about progress, right? :)
Teri
Apr 20, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Thank you for being so full of information - even if it is too much.
I may keep my milk intake to just one glass at breakfast, but try to keep avoiding meat.
I agree, it is a start!
Amy
Apr 22, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Teri - you’re right, that was too much! Sorry! I’ve just been reading a slew of vegan books lately and my head is newly full of all kinds of information that I haven’t fully processed yet. My intent was and is to support you in your decisions, not post gross messages about cow care. I’ll be more mindful from now on. Take care! :)
Teri
Apr 22, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Oh - Amy, I wasn’t trying to insult you in any way saying that it was too much information. It the information that I know is true but choose to ignore, and I think I hate to deal with the reality of it all.
I have a lot to learn, and am having fun learning it.
It is definitely a total lifestyle difference!
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