Freesia

I think I will bake some next time we have cake or for the holidays. Care to share moms recipe?

Always produce. We are lucky there is some organic growers here. You can always get dried beans. Mail order, maybe?

I agree. I think becoming aware of the living animal and seeing the conditions, realizing the suffering is effective. I think people put it out of their mind and eat what they always have, and their families fed to them without thinking too much of it.

Freesia, if you're coming off a standard Western diet, you may be suffering the effects of it -- or your joints are. You are correct that it is most-likely diet related. One of the biggest culprits is dairy, yes! It is the animal protein (that seems to be the problem most times, isn't it?) For this reason, meat is also considered a contributor as well -- it is the acidic nature of these "foods" which also cause so, so many issues! Kathryn listed the nightshades which are also common triggers, as well as grains such as corn, wheat, etc., or derivatives of same -- cornstarch, gluten; so checking labels is important if you have an allergy. (Even tiny amounts can cause pain). You may want to try an elimination method to find out which is the little devil causing you problems. (note the acidic theme...Grains are also acidic and not optimal, especially a grain/starch-based diet) However, you may have a notion of what it is...do you? If you consume dairy, I'd eliminate that first. You don't need it anyway, and it causes a host of other issues and you'll be healthier for getting rid of it . It's another example of vital information the powerful Dairy and Cattle industries lobby hard to keep from Us. However you can read HERE about it and the elimination procedure and HERE for more about food and arthritis. Dr. Fuhrman's "Eat to Live" dietary guidelines have cured people of many conditions, including arthritis. MORE here with a great comment following it. Are you consuming enough/any E.F.A.'s? That can help with joint issues. 1 TB of ground flax seeds every day or a DHA Supplement will help tremendously with a LOT of things, including arthritic issues. As well, up your leafy greens intake for a great food source, as well as consuming nuts daily and (about 1 ounce total). Forgo oils for optimal nutrition and consume your fat in its natural form, such as the seeds and nuts. I highly recommend Dr. Fuhrman's dietary guidelines and his products which are excellent, including his DHA. good info in those sources. TYVM

I think it was the dairy causing my stiffness and pain. I was consuming more dairy after I cut out meat. I am allergic to grains and breakout in hives. I tend to go into denial and eat them anyway Sometimes. To eat a balanced vegan diet I am still thinking I need to combine grains and beans and the like. I don't really like beans as they are. I like salads, raw veggies, seeds and nuts. I can eat rice. I guess I need to learn more recipes. I am physically active at my job and being one hundred pounds overweight, I am sure that is causing some pain and soreness. Lugging all that weight up and down the halls and bending over to care for patients. Stress from that. I will definetly make the almond milk and use that until I find out if I am allergic to soy. I had a reaction from a Genesoy bar. My heart raced and I broke out in some hives. I get that reaction from wheat and other grains especially if I eat more than one serving. Mainly right now i have been eating salads (lots of olives mmmmm) fruit and some grain products. Trying to eat more beans ..... Thanks all for your advice!!!!

Hi there Chickpea. I am fairly new here also. I noticed you are from So. Fl. I must be a little bit north of you. I am vegetarian and making the transition to vegan now. I haven't had my cholesterol checked in awhile and I know if it is high it will drop down. I think maybe I should get it checked now just to know how much of an improvement I am making. I would add more fruits and green veggies. The raw foods will help tremendously. I try to stay away from any processed foods. Actually I have read that some oils such as olive oil, flax seed etc... are good at lowering y our LDL levels. Glad you are here.

I am learning so much each time I come here. Thanks Katheryn for the milk recipe. You always post good nutritional info. Do you think dairy causes arthritis type aches and pains. When I was drinking milk I wasn't sure but was wondering if that was the cause of my pain. What do you all know about that? Just to be free from the pain I get when I get up from sitting for awhile will make me so happy. Sometimes I have it more than others that is why I think it is dietary related. I know it is probably because I need to lose a lot of weight(working on that). Something flares it up.

I am in the process of cutting out dairy. I think I am allergic to soy but not sure yet. I noticed that some of the almond milks on the market contain some soy. I would like to make my own if it is easy . Is it cheaper? How long does it keep for? What taste best on cereals?

Yeah I agree breast feeding is very important. I would as long as possible. Vital to consume enough fat for brain development. Extremely important. Glad to hear the kids like avacado. When I taught preschool children they were not allowed to be given any lowfat milk, only full fat. the vegan kids used formulas until they were over two years of age.

I think she is definetly in the normal range. I am 5'8" tall and my normal weight is just about the same. She could put on or lose a few pounds and be fine. She looks great and I am sure she feels it. Well I know you need fat in your diet. I am not sure how much. I eat enough oil on my salad.

It looks amazing.

That is a good question. I would like to know also. I am starting out just like you two and hope in a few months will look and feel as great.

Raspberries, wild strawberries, mineola tangelos, nectarines, red grapes, and I eat cantelope even though I sometimes don't like the taste unless it is mixed with other fruits just because it makes me feel SO GOOD. Starfruit when it is ripe is really good.

Well I agree but they are pretty reliable. I am allergic to condoms, every kind i have tried. I am searching for an alternative.

Me too

I didn't know about that. That is good to know.

That might be because you stopped the pill. I was prescribed the pill for my cramps. I still am on them but need to get off. Just don't know of a good alternative right now.

Supposedly, if one is an omnivore/meat-eater, they can pee around a garden to help keep wild animals out (the animals smell the urine of a predator). Doesn't work for us vegans. My neighbor would get zoo poo from the circus to keep the animals out. circus >

The bunnies usually let me get 8-10 feet away on my hike before they run away. When I walk with some friends and their dog, we never see bunnies. Now that I think about it, last fall I didn't see many bunnies on my hikes. I ate meat for every meal last fall. Poor bunnies were afraid you were going to eat them

I am making the transition now. Since you are doing well with no supplements can you give me and example of what your diet consists of. Maybe a daily sample menu to give me an idea how you get what you need. Thanks

I am still eating some dairy and seafood but making the change slowly

I don't know if I would call fish healthy. Maybe the least unhealthy would be more accurate. Except that nearly all fish, at least in the US, are very contaminated with chemicals. I would be afraid to eat the fish caught in the river near my house. Years ago we did eat snook caught here but knowing what runs off into the river, no way would I touch it. I am starting an organic garden and I think I need to get soil samples before I grow. I

Now that is more like a realistic number. I think those so called fitness experts have something wrong .

Thanks Katherine. I am glad to hear what I had been telling those ladies from someone else. I just didn't want some young people or those not familiar with nutritional guidlines to think that they need to load up on protein. There were a few ladies worried about how they would get up to 175 grams or more. All they kept saying is that no one is dropping dead, or that there is no studies to show that it is harmful. I know that isn't true. Thanks

Yeah I kind of k new that. I mentioned that to the lady suggesting it and others jumped on me for saying it. Thanks again