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Home: Information and Discussion: Introduce Yourself: New girl in AZ

aztallgirl Novice Aug 12, 2012, 6:24 PM Post #1 of 13 (3323 views) Shortcut New girl in AZ Can't Post - Sign Up! Hi All! I have been vegetarian for about 9 months, and after watching the "Vegucated" documentary this weekend, I just really feel compelled to cut out all animal products. I started this adventure to try to avoid some of the diseases that run in my family, like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, but after finding out more about factory farming, I just don't want to have any milk, cheese, or eggs either. Sooooo...the adventure begins! I really like what I've seen so far on this website, and look forward to learning from those of you who have much more experience than I do. I'm feeling a little nervous about it (like what do I say when I'm going to someone's house for dinner?) but I realize it's a journey, not an instantaneous transformation

zephyr Member Aug 12, 2012, 8:32 PM Post #2 of 13 (3320 views) Shortcut Re: [aztallgirl] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! Welcome! I haven't heard of that documentary. Way to go! Feel free to ask questions, vent, whatever you need. I hope to see you around.

Carolinahoosier Member / Moderator Aug 13, 2012, 5:50 AM Post #3 of 13 (3299 views) Shortcut Re: [aztallgirl] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! Welcome to VP!

aztallgirl Novice Aug 13, 2012, 9:48 PM Post #4 of 13 (3264 views) Shortcut Re: [Carolinahoosier] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! Thank you for helping me to feel welcome!

tempest Cat Dancer Aug 16, 2012, 6:09 PM Post #5 of 13 (3187 views) Shortcut Re: [aztallgirl] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! Welcome! Great to hear some of the stories of Vegucated's influence. I haven't seen it, but I saw the trailers a while back and was really excited about the concept. I've heard really positive things about the film since they started doing showings! Tackling social situations is very often the most harrowing part of making a change like this, but it can be more nerve-wracking to think about than in reality. Depends on the people themselves, of course, but you might luck out and get mainly positive reactions. Especially with the rapidly growing awareness of veganism. I think these days most people actually know what veganism is, which helps! You'll find your own way when it comes to the various social situations, and if you ask around to find out what others do, you'll see that there is a really big range of strategies. But a pretty basic one is to talk to the host/hostess ahead of time. Explain that you're vegan, and what it means, and probably the best thing to do at the same time is to assure them that you'll be bringing a dish for yourself so that they don't have to worry about how to feed you. This can be a lot of fun - make sure to bring enough for others to try - because a lot of people are curious. Make sure to fill your plate first! ;) And of course a lot of side dishes are already vegan, or easily veganized (oil instead of butter, for instance), so once the host/hostess realize that, they might relax because it's not that much more work. You might find this book helpful too! http://www.caroljadams.com/book_livingamong.html

aztallgirl Novice Aug 18, 2012, 10:33 AM Post #6 of 13 (3135 views) Shortcut Re: [tempest] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! Thank you Tempest for your wam welcome and words of advice! I followed your link for the book, and it looks pretty good...it's on my "books to get" list now :-) Besides this website, I am dipping my toes into the vegan community in other ways: I have joined a meetup group in our area for vegans/vegetarians and am looking forward to hanging out with other veggies soon. Yesterday my sister and I checked out a vegan restaurant near where she lives, and it was amazing! For the first time, I could go into a restaurant and order anything on the menu...so fun! I look forward to chatting with you again on VegPeople! (This post was edited by aztallgirl on Aug 18, 2012, 10:35 AM)

tempest Cat Dancer Aug 18, 2012, 5:19 PM Post #7 of 13 (3110 views) Shortcut Re: [aztallgirl] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! That's great! Even if you don't end up having much in common with the meet up people other than veganism, it is so nice to hang out with people who get the vegan thing! And yes, vegan restaurants are stunning to us, who have gotten out of the habit of seeing menus as having much in the way of choices for us! lol. What part of AZ do you live in? I know of two good vegan (one might be vegetarian but vegan-friendly) restaurants in AZ - one in Tucson (Loving Spoonful), the other in Tempe (Green). Neither are in our "vp travel guide", which isn't as extensive as sites like happy cow anyway. (http://www.happycow.net/ if you haven't explored it yet.) But don't hesitate to add your own updates to the travel guide! (It's one of the links at the top of the screen.)

aztallgirl Novice Aug 19, 2012, 9:58 PM Post #8 of 13 (3088 views) Shortcut Re: [tempest] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! I live in the Phoenix area. I haven't been to either restaurant you mentioned, but did add the one I went to last week to the VP guide. Thanks for pointing that out! I have seen the reviews on Green, and it sounds really good...will check it out soon. Our daughter lives in Tucson, and I think Lovin' Spoonful is the place she's tried to take us to a time or two, but they weren't open when we went by...we'll get there eventually, too :-) Still soaking up vegan/vegetarian information like a sponge...I found Joel Fuhrman's "Eat to Live" book at Whole Foods Market yesterday and am reading it in my spare time this weekend...it's really reaffirming my choice to eat this way.

tempest Cat Dancer Aug 20, 2012, 5:51 PM Post #9 of 13 (3017 views) Shortcut Re: [aztallgirl] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! My parents currently live outside of Tucson, yet somehow I haven't been back in about five years...maybe longer even. BUT, the last time I visited them in Tucson (we often meet somewhere else), I went to Green (because I go every time I go to AZ!) and it was still my favorite veg restaurant of all the places I've gone...including ones in Denver, LA, NYC, DC, and FL. Unless it has changed a lot, it's a great place! I'll have to check out your listing! I don't know when I'll be back to AZ, but it is always nice to have recommendations for when I am there!

aztallgirl Novice Aug 20, 2012, 6:12 PM Post #10 of 13 (3016 views) Shortcut Re: [tempest] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! That's a pretty high recommendation for Green; I'll let you know when I check it out...gotta talk the hubby into going with me, since he's still a carnivore :-) He's actually pretty open to trying new things, though, and has been really supportive of me so far on my healthy eating journey. Have a wonderful week, and again, thanks for your encouragement!

tempest Cat Dancer Aug 21, 2012, 6:20 PM Post #11 of 13 (2919 views) Shortcut Re: [aztallgirl] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! My parents (omnis) love Green too. In fact, my mom said "this is the best chicken I have ever had," even knowing (or perhaps because she knew) that it not an actual chicken. Green does quite a bit of the vegan meats. Of course this is all based on 5 (or whatever) years ago. Hopefully it is still that good! If it is as good as it used to be, I think your hubby will like it too! Tell him it is omni approved! (And once when they were passing through phoenix, my mom made my dad stop there (I wasn't with them!) because she liked it so much! My dad, less interested overall in new foods, was well-satisfied by his meal also.) Have a great week!

aztallgirl Novice Sep 3, 2012, 7:24 AM Post #12 of 13 (2723 views) Shortcut Re: [tempest] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! Good morning Tempest and other Veg People! I thought I'd let you know we went to Green on Friday night; it was pretty good, and judging by the steady flow of customers, there are a lot of fans in the Phoenix area! I ordered the Mozzarrella Burger, and DH ordered the Kung Pao Tofu, which was pretty brave of him, since he doesn't always like how tofu is prepared. They were both tasty, and the atmosphere was fun and funky, but I have to say I like Pomegranate Cafe even more, based on my one visit there. I hope you can check it out next time you're in the area :-) I'm getting close to finishing reading Eat to Live, and am really enjoying focusing on eating more what's good for me than avoiding what isn't. I am trying to eat as many greens, veggies, and fruits as I can, and trying to incorporate more beans into my diet. Of course I'm not doing meat or dairy, but also trying to make sure I don't over do even the healthy whole grains and breads. I feel good! I feel lighter, more energetic, and I actually have woken up before the alarm the past few days, a minor miracle! My next book to read is Vegan For Life, by Jack Norris and Virginia Messina, which was highly recommended by someone else on Veg People. It looks like it has a lot of practical hints for how to do this vegan thing, which I really need. I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, I'm so thankful for your advice and encouragement as I embrace the plant-based lifestyle.

tempest Cat Dancer Sep 3, 2012, 6:46 PM Post #13 of 13 (2721 views) Shortcut Re: [aztallgirl] New girl in AZ [In reply to] Can't Post - Sign Up! Glad you liked Green! I will definitely have to try Pomegranate Cafe next time I'm in the area. I have a friend (a vegan triathlete) who swears by Eat To Live, but I have never given it a try. I have read Vegan For Life, and I think it is a great book. They both have blogs also (I admit, I only read Ginny's!), which are worth reading too. Lots of great down-to-earth advice, and an honest look at things.

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