Thanks for the support, Kenley. It is my wish to support and be supported by other OI members (or anyone at all!) that are working towards veganism. There are challenges, such as living with an omni husband and encouraging (but not imposing) veganism with my 9 yr old son. Having what I eat every day be in congruence with my beliefs is a wonderful source of joy for me.
I am open to emails and chat with anyone on this!
Brian
· 1 year ago
Eating a vegan diet one needs to be particular careful as to getting enough nutrition. Our centers have been sorely lacking of the types of food, especially food combinations, that would provide adequate intake of proteins, vitamin B's, and essential minerals.
As a whole, the standard American (or Vietnamese) diet does not provide for a Vegan LIFESTYLE, therefore practicing Veganism seems to demand a not-so-standard way of looking at food, pursuing different alternatives like amaranth, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, and plenty of greens, and even vegan supplements.
It would be helpful before getting into Veganism to study a bit, and to work with a nutritionist or someone who knows a heck of a lot about what foods to eat when, and in what combinations, to get what the body needs.
This is an important part of the practice, that I don't feel the community has really considered too much. The chemistry of the brain is highly influenced by the foods we eat. Not getting the right nutrition can be directly related to our lack of concentration, our irritability, anger and other states.
Many of us have poor nutrition as it is, and bringing that into the Vege/Vegan world can jeporadize the harmony of the community. Injuries, broken bones, anxiety, being un-mindful, losing track of time, poor memory, depression...these all have something to do with poor nutrition, and unbalanced brain-chemistry. It is wonderful to consider a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle, but it is just that, a lifestyle, and needs to be considered such.
We are engaging on a most revered, and wonderful path. And we need the right tools to support us on that path. A proper diet is a vital part of our transformation and healing.
Louche
· 6 months ago
Brian, you are wrong. A vegan diet does not jeapordize anything. Like you said, the standard American diet is already awfully unhealthy. How would veganism make this worse? You need to have a healthy diet, and that doesn't change whether you are vegan or not. I have not found it difficult to live vegan, and healthy. I am healthier since going vegan. I don't eat much of fried foods at all, and I eat more (fresh) fruits and vegetables. Unwarranted warnings about vegan nutrition is dangerous and makes the vegan diet sound scary when it's not, at all. What's scary as heck is the standard American diet, milk pumped full of hormones, greasy and fattening and fried meats, egg yolks. Fast Food Nation. That's bloody well scary.
That said, I do think that Thay's monasteries need to offer more beverage options. I was at Blue Cliff and had no idea if I was getting proper amounts of B12. I had to go to the fridge to find soy milk most of the time, instead of the meal line the cook set up. EVERYONE should visit a nutritionist, a vegan one, at some point. I went to a talk by a vegan bodybuilder on nutrition and health, and I suddenly felt very knowledgeable about nutrition. Either that or avidly self-educate yourself. It shouldn't take too much time, just a little bit of effort and knowing how to find top quality sources of info. It would be very easy for Thay to educate himself on vegan nutrition. Maybe he already has. It's been six months since I was in the monastery.
Honey Bear of the Heart Mind
· 1 year ago
Dear Coach, Dear Team,
I identify as a neo-vegan, it is the next step for me from being a vegetarian. What this means to me is when I am traveling for work or at Sangha potlucks with non-vegan friends I practice mindful egg and cheese. I also have a strategy for celebration and ease/comfort by enjoying ice cream meditation from time to time. I also recently had a run in with a desperate craving for Parmigiana Reggiano!!! Mama mia che' doloroso! However, I do spend energy focusing my kitchen towards being vegan and when I am in my hometown I capitalize on green, vegan resources.
There can be a tension for me between my deep aspiration to live in a life connected-affirming way, and the part of me that needs ease, comfort, and familiarity. In my sitting practice I often times will sit with both part of myself and empathize/listen/full presence(non-judging) with parts of me that aspire and the parts that make choices I have experienced an easing of this dialectic/tension when both parts are honored and I feel deep gratitude for the needs they as mind-personality strategies represent. The energy of love and gratitude that I usually experience as opposed to the "if you were/are a real "blank" you should/would blank" and more into "how can I meet my need to serve and honor all life in this moment"...this energy is so sweet and delicious it truly meets my need for comfort and east that transcends any ice cream or a good Reggiano (notice I said usually as I am more at the insight stage than full understanding!).
Brian, you are so right about the need for awareness when undertaking a vegan diet. There is much education needed, particularly in our practice centers, but it is not unattainable.
Finding the right nutritional balance is more than just eating greens, and most Americans eat poorly. I remember the reason for becoming vegan back in 1994 - I was eating poorly as a vegetarian - too much cheese and dairy - pizza, ice cream, grilled cheese, etc.
With the vegan diet I have an opportunity to be more diligent. For me, I take a multi-vitamin supplement, 2-tablespoons of flax oil daily, and make sure protein exists in most meals or snacks (nuts, protein powder, beans, etc.). I still indulge in gross processed food from time to time, but it isn't every day.
I think the best thing we can do is bring the conversation forward and support each other in our efforts. I know writing this blog entry will generate both. I also have been talking with the Deer Park monastics to explore the vegan alternatives. Maybe they should stop selling Starbucks Frapacinno's in the bookstore?
Pat
· 1 year ago
Kenley, Good for you. I am still just trying to keep my vegetarianism going--and working on getting rid of occasional fish consumption. I just got a book Vegonomicon which is the best vegan cookbook I know of. It's helping me to cook more interesting and flavorful meals and moving me into the vegan world. There are so very many reasons to be a vegetarian and/or a vegan. I grieve over the our abuse of animals. Blessings.
CaptainKiddo
· 8 months ago
Veganomicon is an excellent cookbook. There are so many vegan cookbooks out there these days and the recipes are better than ever. Learning to cook delicious vegan meals is by far the best way to make the transition easy and enjoyable.
True Mountain of Peace
· 1 year ago
I would like to share a story of the cautions of being vegan. I have many friends who have been successful with a vegan diet, but this type of diet is not healthy for everyone.
I became a vegetarian at the age of 20 and then practices veganism for several years.
In my 30's I dealt with low energy and chronic depression. Several folks suggested that I try some medications to help the depression, which I reluctantly did. It helped some but not completely, and also had certain side effects.
I asked my prescribing psychiatrist if there were any other options for me and he suggested that I consult with a bio chemist and doctor to see if there were other things i might try in lieu of medications.
i learned through some of the testing that the bio-chemist did that I was very depleted, did not absorb the vegetable protein well and had blood sugar problem dues to my high carb diet. He suggested that I try to add animal protein back into my diet ( like eggs and dairy) and even consider eating meat again. He gave me supplements and suggested that I eat certain foods to help with my vitamin and mineral intake.
My energy levels and depression were lifted by this approach. It was hard for me to add the animal proteins back into my diet. I still stuggle with this and I make every effort to harvest animal products that have been raised wholesome way.
Debbie
· 1 year ago
I'm newly trying veganism after being vegetarian for 14 yrs. My husband is vegan and I also have a toddler. My best advice would be to check out VeganWorld.com. This website really helped me on my journey. Great resource site and the other members gave me lots of great advice and support. The site has recipes, restaurants, health food stores, blogs, chat, articles, book suggestions....all for vegans and vegetarians.
Lots of great topics in the forum too. I hope this info is helpful.
kalll
· 1 year ago
Being a vegan doesn't necessarily mean being healthier, your organism can lack animal proteins and this can affect your good health in a somewhat manner. I get your points very well but I personally can't support in this as I sustain my beliefs: a healthy eating regime includes meat as well. http://vitanetonline.com/description/22309/vita...
Best Diets
· 11 months ago
Great information here. I have found that being a vegan is one of the best diets you can be on, and you just feel so much better (once you get used to it.) It's not easy, but well worth it.
Born4Holdem
· 9 months ago
Yes. One reason is that animal fats are one of the causes of heart diseases and other diseases. And nowadays with the way they breed them, you can get additional cancer risk. If you are born with a normal condition, a vegan diet will extend your life expectancy by 5 years versus a non vegan diet.
Balan K
· 6 months ago
I had the experience of good and bad things of being nonvegan. I want to become a vegan and still unable to follow it.
Florencevegan
· 3 months ago
I am coming from the other direction. I am a strict vegan and am looking into becoming a Buddhist, and am trying to find out if Buddhists are vegan, as I regard my vegani way of life as integral to my spirituality. I am so happy to find that Buddhists are indeed vegan and that I can find a spiritual home here at least in terms of my compassion and reverence for animals. Thank you. Oh I know it is a struggle to be completely vegan in a non-vegan world and sometimes I have found mistakes eg in medicines or toiletries or household products, but we can only do our best. Florence (in Glasgow).
veganbeing
· 2 months ago
Good for you...I'm really proud you are going back to the compassionate life
veganbeing
· 2 months ago
One more thing...i'd recomment checking out this site to help converting to a vegan being.
All Comments
I am open to emails and chat with anyone on this!
As a whole, the standard American (or Vietnamese) diet does not provide for a Vegan LIFESTYLE, therefore practicing Veganism seems to demand a not-so-standard way of looking at food, pursuing different alternatives like amaranth, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, and plenty of greens, and even vegan supplements.
It would be helpful before getting into Veganism to study a bit, and to work with a nutritionist or someone who knows a heck of a lot about what foods to eat when, and in what combinations, to get what the body needs.
This is an important part of the practice, that I don't feel the community has really considered too much. The chemistry of the brain is highly influenced by the foods we eat. Not getting the right nutrition can be directly related to our lack of concentration, our irritability, anger and other states.
Many of us have poor nutrition as it is, and bringing that into the Vege/Vegan world can jeporadize the harmony of the community. Injuries, broken bones, anxiety, being un-mindful, losing track of time, poor memory, depression...these all have something to do with poor nutrition, and unbalanced brain-chemistry. It is wonderful to consider a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle, but it is just that, a lifestyle, and needs to be considered such.
We are engaging on a most revered, and wonderful path. And we need the right tools to support us on that path. A proper diet is a vital part of our transformation and healing.
That said, I do think that Thay's monasteries need to offer more beverage options. I was at Blue Cliff and had no idea if I was getting proper amounts of B12. I had to go to the fridge to find soy milk most of the time, instead of the meal line the cook set up. EVERYONE should visit a nutritionist, a vegan one, at some point. I went to a talk by a vegan bodybuilder on nutrition and health, and I suddenly felt very knowledgeable about nutrition. Either that or avidly self-educate yourself. It shouldn't take too much time, just a little bit of effort and knowing how to find top quality sources of info. It would be very easy for Thay to educate himself on vegan nutrition. Maybe he already has. It's been six months since I was in the monastery.
I identify as a neo-vegan, it is the next step for me from being a vegetarian. What this means to me is when I am traveling for work or at Sangha potlucks with non-vegan friends I practice mindful egg and cheese. I also have a strategy for celebration and ease/comfort by enjoying ice cream meditation from time to time. I also recently had a run in with a desperate craving for Parmigiana Reggiano!!! Mama mia che' doloroso! However, I do spend energy focusing my kitchen towards being vegan and when I am in my hometown I capitalize on green, vegan resources.
There can be a tension for me between my deep aspiration to live in a life connected-affirming way, and the part of me that needs ease, comfort, and familiarity. In my sitting practice I often times will sit with both part of myself and empathize/listen/full presence(non-judging) with parts of me that aspire and the parts that make choices I have experienced an easing of this dialectic/tension when both parts are honored and I feel deep gratitude for the needs they as mind-personality strategies represent. The energy of love and gratitude that I usually experience as opposed to the "if you were/are a real "blank" you should/would blank" and more into "how can I meet my need to serve and honor all life in this moment"...this energy is so sweet and delicious it truly meets my need for comfort and east that transcends any ice cream or a good Reggiano (notice I said usually as I am more at the insight stage than full understanding!).
A good resource for vegan ism and nutrition/medical advice http://www.drfuhrman.com/
Go Team Bodhi!
HB de HM
Finding the right nutritional balance is more than just eating greens, and most Americans eat poorly. I remember the reason for becoming vegan back in 1994 - I was eating poorly as a vegetarian - too much cheese and dairy - pizza, ice cream, grilled cheese, etc.
With the vegan diet I have an opportunity to be more diligent. For me, I take a multi-vitamin supplement, 2-tablespoons of flax oil daily, and make sure protein exists in most meals or snacks (nuts, protein powder, beans, etc.). I still indulge in gross processed food from time to time, but it isn't every day.
I think the best thing we can do is bring the conversation forward and support each other in our efforts. I know writing this blog entry will generate both. I also have been talking with the Deer Park monastics to explore the vegan alternatives. Maybe they should stop selling Starbucks Frapacinno's in the bookstore?
Good for you. I am still just trying to keep my vegetarianism going--and working on getting rid of occasional fish consumption. I just got a book Vegonomicon which is the best vegan cookbook I know of. It's helping me to cook more interesting and flavorful meals and moving me into the vegan world. There are so very many reasons to be a vegetarian and/or a vegan. I grieve over the our abuse of animals. Blessings.
I became a vegetarian at the age of 20 and then practices veganism for several years.
In my 30's I dealt with low energy and chronic depression. Several folks suggested that I try some medications to help the depression, which I reluctantly did. It helped some but not completely, and also had certain side effects.
I asked my prescribing psychiatrist if there were any other options for me and he suggested that I consult with a bio chemist and doctor to see if there were other things i might try in lieu of medications.
i learned through some of the testing that the bio-chemist did that I was very depleted, did not absorb the vegetable protein well and had blood sugar problem dues to my high carb diet. He suggested that I try to add animal protein back into my diet ( like eggs and dairy) and even consider eating meat again. He gave me supplements and suggested that I eat certain foods to help with my vitamin and mineral intake.
My energy levels and depression were lifted by this approach. It was hard for me to add the animal proteins back into my diet. I still stuggle with this and I make every effort to harvest animal products that have been raised wholesome way.
www.VeganWorld.com
Lots of great topics in the forum too. I hope this info is helpful.
http://vitanetonline.com/description/22309/vita...
vegan being.