For the past year I've been dropping off groceries at a local food pantry whenever I have some extra money.

My usual donation was dried lentils, rice, chickpeas, beans, that sort of thing. Cheap, nutritious, shelf-stable, completely vegan. Seemed like the most sensible way to help.

A couple of weeks ago I asked one of the volunteers what they were running low on.

She mentioned several things, including ready-to-eat meals and canned food with pull tabs. I asked whether they needed more dried beans because I could buy a pretty large bag for not much money.

She said they absolutely have clients who use dried beans, but they also serve people living in temporary accommodation, people who only have a microwave, and people who don't have consistent access to a kitchen.

Which seems incredibly obvious now that somebody has said it to me.

I'd been choosing food based on what I would want if my grocery budget disappeared. But in that imaginary situation, I still had my kitchen, my stove, my spice rack, my cooking oil, and enough free time to soak beans.

Somebody else might be trying to make dinner in a motel room with a kettle.

It also occurred to me that a bag of dried lentils and a jar of peanut butter aren't interchangeable just because both contain protein. One requires equipment and preparation. The other can be eaten immediately.

I've started asking what the pantry actually needs rather than just buying my own staples in bulk. Sometimes that's canned beans, sometimes peanut butter, sometimes something entirely different.

I'm not saying dried legumes are bad donations. They're great for people who can use them. I just hadn't considered how many assumptions I was making about the person on the receiving end.

One thing I appreciate about vegan food is how many affordable, accessible options already exist without needing expensive specialty products.

I want to get better at making sure the food I donate is accessible in practice, not just affordable on paper.

For anyone who's volunteered at a food pantry or needed one yourself, are there other things well-meaning donors tend to overlook?

I decided to be vegetarian when i was 15, and after afew years I have decided to the dismay of my family to go fully vegan at 17! Im super proud of myself, considering there was a time i had pepperoni pizza and ham sandwiches everyday, and thought that "i could never go vegan". I have even managed to convert my family to only using oat milk now, after a long fight with my dad. (I have also managed to get them onto my vegan curry, but I personally take that as a win for my cooking skills!) I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for switches from butter, especially on sandwiches. Im a little bit picky and don't have too much money currently but It is a big part of my old diet so if anyone has any sandwich suggestions, or just for spreads that i could put on a savoury sandwich I would really appreciate it! Thank you!

Mine wasn't dramatic. I was vegetarian and I'd had veganism on my mind for a long while. My excuse at the time: it was difficult to find vegan options when I went out with family, so I would usually cave and order whatever was most convenient.

One morning I was out to breakfast with my grandmother and she asked if we would split a stack of buttermilk pancakes as usual.

I said... No, thanks. I think I'll order avocado toast.

Of course, that wasn't the first vegan meal I'd ever eaten. But in that moment something just... clicked. How the narrative that veganism takes an immense amount of effort, or willpower, or social ostracization is quite overdramatized. How the majority of what we eat is built on routine and habit rather than actual necessity, and it only takes a brief moment to break away from it. How easy it is to just say no.

Somehow, while eating that piece of toast, I just knew I would never eat another animal product again. And I was right.

I'm having almost an identity crisis. Once you really face the cruelty of the meat and dairy industry, once you stop turning away and really LOOK, and it hits you. It really, really hits you.

I feel so awful for ever eating meat. I feel so awful period. I can't believe all the animals that are born, suffer, and die horrendously because people like me just didn't care enough to stop supporting it.

I'm heartbroken. I know all of you are too. I'm not even looking for sympathy here I'm just consumed by guilt and sadness.

It's like once you open this door, there is no shutting it, and the pain of the animals now lives in your heart forever.

I will carry that, no problem, no burden. They deserve that at the very least. It's not a wonder people ignore it though. What a monstrous world we live in, what a monstrous species we are.

A brand called Healthier Comforts are producing a vegan egg white product that are “real eggs”. It looks like it follows the same science as lab grown meat. It says the real eggs are fermented without animal inputs. Selfishly I’m extremely excited to start making deserts with this products. I’m not sure why, but I feel trepidations. I think I’ve been vegan so long the idea of eating eggs is off putting, but this product IS vegan.
Does anyone have a moral and ethical reason this product shouldn’t be adopted by vegans? Any other opinions? Thanks for contributing.

After years of acting fine at massive family Thanksgiving dinners full of carcass and also the disrespect of no one even touching the dishes I bring, I don’t even want to attend anymore. I’ll spend hours making pumpkin cookies, glazed carrots, other holiday favorites… and people just won’t touch them if they find out I made them and they’re vegan. Years ago, when people would eat my dishes (without knowing who made them) they would be hits and I would leave the event with empty dishes. But as years go by and my veganism becomes more common knowledge, more and more family members just won’t even touch my dishes anymore. It happens at other holidays too now, Easter, Fourth of July, birthdays.. It’s just really hurtful and difficult to not feel down when I think about it.

I need to make it for my kitchen job. I have a really excellent recipe but it uses cashews and msg and I’m not allowed to use those. I have never been convinced whatsoever that potatoes+carrots make a good sauce. I just can’t wrap my head around it, but I will try it if you swear on your mother’s life that it’s good.

Hi,

I’ve been vegan for over 30 years, for the animals, for health, to raise awareness and so on. I currently have no animal-derived products in my house outside technology parts we all need nowadays. I shop sustainably, grow my own food and am always cautious when buying anything from food over clothing to beauty products and household goods. It’s my lifestyle and I would never purchase anything animal intentionally.

Here’s my dilemma: I inherited a cello, a viola and violin that are quite old and valuable. I love the sound and look of them but know there are a lot of animal components used to build them such as u, horsehair for the bows, glue and more. I would love to play them but it feels wrong and unethical and I feel guilty for even touching them.

Here’s my options:
1. sell them all together (which feels wrong given the connection with the gifter)
2. replace the animal derived parts with synthetics/carbon fiber (not great for environment)
3. buy a mostly vegan cello and donate the other instruments
4. or scratch the whole idea of playing the cello and gift the existing instruments to schools

I am torn, I love them but am conflicted using them. Thoughts? Open to more suggestions

Personally I am fucking upppp some overnight oats, burgers/fries/shakes from this local NY chain, Ethiopian food (can’t pronounce any of the names right but it’s lowkey my favorite food of all time), chipotle sofritas burritos, falafel. the OWYN and Koia shakes are so fantastic, most of the dairy protein shakes I used to drink I struggled to get down.

Unfortunately certain kinds of vegetables, meat substitutes and fake cheeses make me want to throw up. It’s a texture thing :/ BKs impossible whopper tasted great but made me feel very not good afterwards. Like I think I’m happy with my diet 80% of the way it is, I don’t really have a desperate need for fake meats or cheese. But… it’s time for me to eat more vegetables like fuck I’m an adult 😭

I have recently became interested in veganism, and while I am approaching the lifestyle change gradually, I am exploring new recipes and, of course, ingredients. I was already familiar with tofu and tempeh, and I recently came across Mycelium based products. Which ones have you tried? Do you like them? Do you actively include them in your weekly meal planning or it’s more of an “every now and then” solution?

I recently switched to complete veganism I have tried being vegetarian but I have never completely gone vegan. My concern is that restricting food groups especially in a household which is not vegan feels like going on a path of eating disorder (I hv also cut out sugar from my diet). And that made me cut down to only two meals a day. Also rn majority of my food is tofu based coz I do need protein as I workout and there's only so much i can cook with tofu. I generally also feel more weak now and I have started taking vitamin b12 tablets as a supplement. Except for the judgement from everyone around me for my own choice what else are the real downsides of completely going vegan?

( I live in a country where veganism isn't very common but vegetarianism is much more common and there are a lot of overlaps in dishes)

What's up, guys. I've got a question for my vegan engineers. I'm going to school for engineering (still haven't decided between civil or electrical), and although my question is pretty broad, I was wondering if there were any fields in engineering that take into consideration the lives of other species? I feel like so much of engineering just works to improve the lives of humans, but I don't want to help build/design things that may make our lives easier at the cost of destroying the lives of others. The work doesn't have to directly involve working with animals or their ecosystems, but any type of small indirect impact would be great.

I've been vegan for a while now, especially for ethical reasons. Yesterday, I saw a video on Instagram of an influencer killing a fish to feed a disabled crab in the wild. The crab had lost its legs and was found on the grass. Everyone in the comments cheered the influencer for being so empathetic and saving the crab's life. Unfortunately, I didn't see it that way. I know crabs eat fish in the wild, given that they can really hunt, but a human interfering in between two wild and freee beings didn't make sense to me. I also know that even tigers and other wild animals are fed meat in zoos and conservation parks. My question is: are we, as humans, deciding who gets to live? Why is the life of a fish more important than that of a crab? How do other vegans see this act?

I was watching a video talking about a streamer being abusive towards a cat; I agree, it's a horrible horrible thing, but the amount of comments (who are likely not vegan)that are rightfully upset is infuriating since it's so hypocritical. Here are some:

"Anyone who abuses animals should be on a watch list."

"I absolutely dispise people who hurt animals. ACTUALLY bottom of the barrel human beings. Disgusting. They cannot speak or fight back."

"Anyone who mistreats animals or pets is the lowest of the lows"

Like... those are vegan sounding words but I doubt all 5.8K comments are vegans so which is it? Is it disgusting and psychopathic behaviour? Or the moment you consume their flesh to is fine. I'm so tired of it.

Posting here because I’ve tried [r/veganr4r](r/veganr4r), [r/VeganDating](r/VeganDating), along with the Vegan Dating Lounge discord server, Veggly and Bumble with the vegan filter with no luck for over a year. This sub has way more users than the dedicated vegan dating subs so I’m giving it a try.

I am 25. I’m looking for a potential vegan female partner. Vegan 10 years. I live in Virginia near D.C. I love art and painting, language learning, trips to museums, hikes and good vegan food. Also into gardening, kayaking, and hiking and making my own sourdough.

I am disabled- I’m autistic and have ADHD and also deal with anxiety, depression and C-PTSD (currently in therapy and working on it) so I have no current career prospects and am on disability benefits. Someone who’s also neurodivergent or at least accepting of it would be great.

I’m ultimately looking for something long-term, but a date to start to get to know each other would be great. I’m monogamous and am only looking for a serious relationship and not something casual. Looking for someone who will make time for me and is emotionally available, as I would be for you as well. I am childfree and wish to remain that way. I don't smoke or use drugs and would prefer someone who doesn't as well. If you use cannabis or something like that for mental health, or occasionally recreationally that’s fine (as long as it’s not smoked because I absolutely hate the smell.) I love philosophy and deep conversations and am just generally curious about the world and always love learning new things.

Open to long distance if you can come visit me and we can eventually create a plan for closing the distance.

I cannot eat anything with chickpea flour or lentils, nor anything made with whole grains

Can eat very small amounts of pinto and black beans without issue. Also moderate amounts of potatoes.

Been eating so much gluten free bread, tempeh, tofu: tacos, rice dishes, and sandwiches. Been cycling through the same 4ish meals and I need some new ideas.

What are your go to meals that do not have gluten or high fodmap food groups?

Read the Entire Study here: The Effects Of Digital Advocacy: What A Single Exposure To Digital Animal Advocacy Can (And Can’t) Do: https://faunalytics.org/the-effects-of-digital-advocacy/

No new vegans please. Only vegans who were vegan for 5+ years.

Humans seem to be hypocritical by nature. If it’s not the consumption of animals it’s their hypocrisy in music choice ie. allowing misogyny as entertainment but disallowing it in any other situation, or their support of abortion, or their hatred for others with different views, etc.

This is not an argument on the ethics of being vegan. I’m just wondering how do you guys find people to love when almost everyone seems to be hypocritical by nature, even fellow vegans? Or especially fellow vegans if we are being honest.

Please do not argue my points. Just want to know your criteria/ standards.

I’d love to maybe go on a small solo travel trip this summer before college and I’d love to hear the most vegan friendly cities! I’ll be staying in Europe but nothing to say I won’t spread my wings. I’ve only been to Amsterdam and London since going vegan but both have been so so so amazing, I think of Saint Jean everyday. Ideally I’d love more affordable cities since yk broke student but again maybe someday I’ll somehow get insanely wealthy from zoology lol.

I like to eat avocados with various salt mixes. Janes crazy, old bay, creole, etc

I just tried out indian black salt (kala namak) and it tasted just like egg yolk!

That's when I realized... kala nama + avo = the green eggs that sam I am didn't want to try...

But more importantly, I bet you could do deviled tofu bites with avo as the filling.

Hello I cook with too much salt so Im trying to cut back. I can just use less when I cook but I'd like to just stop using it and replace it with more spices herbs etc. I eat a mostly whole foods vegan diet. Im wondering if I can get enough sodium naturally from vegetables or if I still need to cook with some salt? Iodine I get from a vegan multivitamin. Thank you for any responses !

Hi!

I'm a 26 year old vegan woman living in a mid-sized Eastern US city. I'd love to find a romantic partner at some point.

I'm only interested in dating monoamorous vegan women (who are looking to date women) and I don't have much of an interest in long-distance at all, so I feel like my dating pool is very small.

I've been single for a couple of years.

I tried dating a couple of carnists, but I accepted I just cannot. I had a fun few dates with a woman I met on Veggly, but she told me she didn't feel romantic chemistry with me.

How do I find sapphic vegan singles in my area?

Which apps have y'all had success with? I'm interested in hearing from more than just queer women!

Thanks!

Hi all,

I’ve been vegan now for a few months and figuring out how to navigate everything so hope this question is ok to ask.

In terms of cosmetics, how do people navigate this field? Do you buy vegan products from cruelty free brands or only brands that are vegan? I’m swayed to the latter but interested to hear others thoughts.

Thanks in advance - incredibly grateful for the wonderful community and the support given ❤️

You don't want to ruffle feathers.

The hen doesn't want to be pecked to death on a feces covered floor at a cage free farm.

You don't want to cause a scene at dinner.

The mother cow didn't want to be r**ed and have her child stolen from her and killed on the first day for veal.

You don't want to jeopardize a relationship.

The pig didn't want to go into a gas chamber filled with co2 that acidifies their mouth eyes and lungs.

You're worried that you'll end up alone.

The sheep is worried about having their throat cut open.

You're scared people will call you a pushy militant vegan.

The turkey is scared of being hung upside down and having it's head cut off.

You don't want to experience the socially awkward situations.

The cow wanted to avoid walking down a blood stained cattle chute feeling the raw fear from the horrible death that they know is coming. They smell the blood, they experience the fear, they feel alone and helpless while being prodded to continue marching to the nightmare at the end of it.

Every 24 hours 230-240 million cows/sheep/pigs/turkeys/chickens experience the cruelest most violent death that you could ever imagine..

But atleast you get to fit in with the people causing all of this. Atleast you get to bask in the every day comforts while ignoring the urgency of this dystopian hell that humans have created.

Does it feel nice to normalize and trivialize the violence that's happening?

Do you feel like just being vegan is good enough? If a burning building with people inside it needed you, would you feel good slowly walking and pouring a single cup of water onto it? Does it feel good to send the message that this is all perfectly fine and I won't try to stop the ones responsible for this?

Every hour that you spend being a passive non confrontational pick me vegan hundreds of millions of land animals and billions of sea creatures pay the price for your casual activism.

I know we all want to play the "I'll just be a good example and people will eventually follow my lead game", but during the abolishing of slavery simply not owning slaves wasn't enough to end it. Nor was simply not being a n*zi during ww2.

It's good that you're vegan, but how far does that seem to reach when meat consumption per capita has risen 300-500% in the past 50 years?

The animals are scared, injured, tormented, hopeless, and beaten down so much by what we've done to them, and for some reason everyone seems fine ignoring the urgency of their plight..

Please wake up, and help these poor souls find the justice that they deserve.

Please stop being a Pick Me Vegan.