Michelle

We may actually have a few of those kicking around. My son likes the newer stuff and I like the even older stuff (like telnet-based games and old atari stuff... I'm such a geek) so I can probably send a few. I'll PM you when I figure out what we've got.

Had I been drinking anything when I read "colon cannonball" it would've most definitely come out my nose. Forcefully.

Welcome, Steve!

Just because they're vegan doesn't mean they're safe and healthy to use. I'm personally wary of putting anything on my skin that I couldn't eat, since the skin absorbs so much into the bloodstream. (Otherwise, those drug-delivery "patches" would never work!) I don't think tanning beds are particularly healthy, but they might ultimately be safer than the sprays and creams. My first job after massage school was in a tanning salon, so I learned a little bit about tanning beds/booths in passing and a lot about the skin of tanners during the massage sessions. There were quite a few chronic tanners whose backs felt like they were covered in leather. At first, I thought it was due to longterm exposure... until I had someone who had been tanning constantly for 20 years whose skin was in much better shape than someone who was barely 20 years old, one right after the other so it was easy to compare. So, I think that probably proper diet/hydration and liberal use of moisturizer (I recommend coconut oil) will keep your skin healthy. There may also be some supplement that helps combat the aging effects of tanning, but I don't know what it might be. Definitely start out slow even if you've already got a bit of color, or you'll end up burned in places that don't generally see the sun. (Yes, I learned this the hard way once and burned my butt. Literally.) Be aware, also, that not all tanning beds are created equal. Some have more bulbs, stronger bulbs, special reflective stuff behind the bulbs, face tanners, etc... plus the bulbs are MUCH stronger if they've been changed recently. I tanned a bit while I worked at that tanning salon, and I found that about 6 minutes for the first session was my limit, and I generally tan fairly easily. Regular exfoliation will also help you get a nice even tan. You probably already know this, though, as exfoliation is especially important with the paint-on stuff too. They'll probably try to sell you some overpriced fruity smelling pre-tan exfoliating shower scrub with questionable ingredients, but you can make your own out of stuff that's in the kitchen, or just use a loofah. That being said, I really don't like that unnaturally dark look that seems to be mandatory in the industry these days. A tan is OK, but I think some moderation would be so much more attractive.

I would be glad to help you eat the cookies.

This story is only partially relevant, but wanted to share anyway... My cat has recently started imitating the way my kids say "Mommy" when he wants to get me to open my bedroom door. Nobody has trained him to do this, it's just a method that he's learned will get him what he wants. (Yes, it was a bit confusing the first time I opened the door expecting a child and instead a cat bolted into the room.) Tough question, isn't it? I set my cat free, but he kept coming back. There are plenty of small creatures to hunt in my neighborhood and he's got a full set of supremely sharp claws, so I really don't think he came back for the food.... I think he considers himself part of the family. Don't think I want pets in the future, but I made a lifetime commitment when I took this one in from the shelter 7 years ago, and I'm committed to caring for him as long as he wants to stay. I think it's probably frustrating for an animal who lives with humans, to essentially be part of the pack/family but not able to communicate with speech like everyone else in the house. I think it's natural that they'd want to learn to interact with us in different ways, maybe even by trying to imitate human speech. There's no way to really be sure what they think or feel, but that's my theory. As far as training animals to imitate human speech... I think that whether it is cruel or not depends on the method of training and how often their humans expect them to make those noises. If it's fun for both the dog and human, it could be a positive bonding sort of thing, just like a game of frisbee at the park. Looking at those videos, though, it sounds like what they're doing could maybe hurt their vocal cords if they do it too much. Done to excess or if it's something the dog doesn't enjoy doing at all, I would see that as cruel.

Welcome, Derek

Welcome

I didn't know, but then I'm mostly clueless about psychoactive substances in general. Doesn't sound like fun: http://leda.lycaeum.org/?ID=5811

I'm finally doing photos tonight. (FINALLY!)

Hi Mark, I can definitely identify with this part of your intro. Until recently (like, until about the time I joined here) I knew no vegans and had only a couple of vegetarian acquaintances. I was interested in living without meat and animal products for years before I actually tried it, but with lack of proper information and lack of support, I was overwhelmed too... no kind of about it. You've come to the right place, for sure. Welcome.

Pervert!!!!! I was thinking the exact same thing, though.

Everything I've read says they're healthy. In moderation, anyway. Today, I had my first taste of "young coconut" and it's amazingly different in flavor and texture from the meat of the brown coconuts we usually see in stores. I can't remember where I found the info (I'll post a link if I locate it) but they are also drastically different nutrition-wise, as well. It was rather a pain to bust into - maybe there's an easier way to open than how I did it? In any case, it was well worth the effort. Delicious. The young coconut meat was oh-so-good in a smoothie with some fresh cut pineapple, banana, lemon, and a bit of vanilla. Here's a site I found with links to a bunch of articles and research about coconut: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

Welcome, Shinya!

Welcome to the forums, dude.

Champion, for sure.

Here's my veganized version of one of my daughter's favorites from Cracker Barrel restaurant, which we don't go to anymore because I can't find anything to eat there. Looks and tastes nearly identical to the original. Seitan & Dumplings, Cracker Barrel Style http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/purplekoala/vbb/seitandumplings.jpg Seitan & Broth: 1 lb package of seitan, cut into pieces (about 2 cups) 5 cups vegetable broth (I use the seitan broth, plus whatever other broth I have on hand) 1 small onion, chopped (or equivalent onion powder, if you're like us and don't like the onion pieces) 1 clove garlic, chopped 2 tbsp olive oil parsley (a small handful if fresh, about a tablespoon if dry... I never measure it) 1 tsp black pepper 1 tbsp lemon juice salt, to taste (whatever salt is in the broth is enough for me, you may prefer more) Dumplings: 2 cups unbleached white flour 1 cup rice milk (or soy or whatever) 1 tbsp baking powder 1 tsp salt Directions: In a large pot, sautee onions (if using) and garlic over medium heat just until soft. Add the broth, parsley, lemon juice, onion powder (if using), pepper, and salt. Heat to simmering. For the dumplings, stir flour, rice milk, baking powder and salt until smooth, then let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Roll the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness on a generously floured surface. Lots of flour is OK, as this is what will thicken the gravy later. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into one-inch squares. Drop the dumplings into the simmering broth. They'll get all puffy and crowded and not really look right at first, but don't worry... they shrink again to the size they are supposed to be. This is a good time to chop the seitan, if you haven't already. Simmer the dumplings for 20 to 30 minutes until gravy thickens, stirring frequently. Finally, add the seitan. Continue to simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes. Enjoy.

Welcome back, Matt, and congratulations on your new baby girl!

Should read GNU/Linux vs. Linux. (At least, that's the lecture I got from one of my geek friends.)

age 13 or 14.http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/purplekoala/vbb/michelle-age14.jpg age 3.http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/purplekoala/vbb/michelle-age3.jpg

I live with my two kids, who are both omnivores who eat vegan/vegetarian with me at home. They are teenagers and old enough to make their own decisions about what to eat or what not to eat. Had I made the lifestyle change ten years earlier, I would've raised them vegan, but it didn't happen that way. They enthusiastically support my choice to be vegan, and I respect the fact that they haven't chosen that path. (Yet? Maybe someday...) So, clashes are few and infrequent. And sort of funny - one day my son came home from school hungry and was griping for a while about how "there's nothing to eat in this house but beans and fruit, and fruit and beans!!!! " before finally settling on a burrito or something. But, that's about the extent of it. We have had a "no meat prepared in the house" rule for a year now (because I'm the mom and can do that) but it was actually about six months before the issue came up for anyone to realize it. Even when I was omni, I rarely served meat at home (because I hated cooking it!) so it wasn't that big of an adjustment. They both seem happy enough with my vegan cooking, especially since I've either found vegan versions of or veganized many of our old favorites.

Do you live alone? With other vegans? With vegetarians? With omnis? How do those who live with non-vegans manage to co-exist peacefully in your kitchens? Or is it maybe not so peaceful?

We're probably called "moderator" only because the title "member who takes care of SPAMMERS so robert doesn't have to mess with that crap" doesn't fit neatly on the page. Seriously, though... the role, as I understand it, is meant to be that of facilitator rather than police. In my opinion, censorship of anything except patently offensive content (flames, racist comments, etc... stuff we rarely see here anyway) crosses the line between facilitating and policing. Maybe that helps to clarify? Out of all the forums I've participated in on the internet, I've never seen a group where all the members treat one another with so much respect, nor have I seen a friendlier and more welcoming bunch. We've also had remarkably few trolls. Like Zack mentioned, there's little need for moderators here. As the forum continues to grow, that may change... but maybe not. As for the spam issue - I've zapped several of those in the past few days. (If you replied to the spam, I deleted your reply along with it. Sorry.)

It told me I was 98% computer geek. I also found an error in question #5. (Do I get a bonus for that? How about a speed bonus?)

Is this the thread? http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3559