Modified veg*n, if such a thing exists...

[CallMeBricks]

Okay, I don't beleive a true veg*n exists in this world. I'll keep the reasoning to myself as it is my opinion and everyone's reasons for being a veg*n are inherently good so I commend them for that. However, just because I am not a veg*n, doesn't mean I am a complete monster who doesn't care about animal welfare. Recently, and it was actually after watching the movie Fast Food Nation (I think?) I have begun to really think about a lot of things. Firstly, I stopped eating fast food. Period. I now *try* to only buy organic, free range meat, it's a work in progress. I hate dark meat and cannot cook it to save my life, but I'm trying!!! Secondly, I have switched a lot of products (shampoo, body wash, etc...) I now use organic, vegan, chemical free products that do not animal test. Another thing I have changed is limiting my use of chemicals. I use a lot of vinegar!!!

I am not trying to be a veg*n. I am, however, trying to be conscious

[blackarrow]

I don't understand what you mean by a "veg*n" - are you abbreviating for vegetarian, vegan, or both, or what? Since you are not trying to be a vegetarian it makes no sense to me to have you referring to yourself as one, "modified" or otherwise, if that's what you are suggesting.

If people who are vegetarian or vegan think that people who aren't must be complete monsters who don't care about animal welfare, it's absolutely news to me.

If you actually want to keep your "reasoning" to yourself on your more inflammatory statements, I would suggest you not make the inflammatory statements. Just a thought.

[Paula]

Um, what is your point here?

Who said you are a "complete monster" because you are not a vegetarian? (Or veg*n, whatever that might mean?)

Okay, not eating fast food, buying organic and free range, and switching to organic and/or chemical free products, while awesome, does not make you a vegetarian, modified or otherwise. I honestly don't understand what you're hoping to accomplish with this post.

Not eating animals is a choice. Choosing to eat them doesn't make anyone a monster, in my opinion.


And in case you're confused, because God knows I am after reading this post, here are some definitions for you:

Vegetarian: A person who does not eat animal flesh.

Vegan: A strict vegetarian; someone who eats no animal or dairy products at all.

Pescetarian: A person who consumes no animal flesh with the exception of fish.


You'll notice that none of those definitions indicates anything about a person's choice of shampoo or cleaning products, or extensive use of vinegar.

[CallMeBricks]

I think I came off wrong in my point here. Perhaps a better name would have been vegan products??? I am not saying people who eat meat are monsters, however I have been called that by a vegan and that is why I chose to use it here. I beleive it is okay to eat meat to sustain life, as that is nature. I also beleive I need to be conscious of where that meat came from and how those animals lived, which is why I try to buy organic, free range.

My shampoo, however, I see as a vanity and thats why I have really begun looking at labels and into companies when I buy things. Like I said, all my products are vegan and do not test on animals. I am trying to change a lot of things to be more environment friendly and I thought maybe by posting some people could give me tips or point out things I would never think to look at, that is all. I just wanted it to be known that I am not going to be a complete veg*n, and yes I mean that as the vegetarian/vegan as I don't fit into either category.

Sorry for any misunderstanding.

[Paula]

All right. One person calling you a monster doesn't stand for everybody else. And it surely doesn't typify how vegans or vegetarians, as a whole, feel about those who opt to eat meat.

I think the term you're searching for, rather than "vegan products," would be "cruelty-free products." And good for you that you are trying to make that difference.

If you choose to eat meat because you believe it is necessary to sustain life, that is your choice to make, and your belief to have. Many people will disagree, and it is as much their right to believe otherwise as it is yours to believe that eating meat is acceptable for whatever reason. All you have to do is respect what others feel/think and expect the same in return. There are always going to be the extremists who will tell you you're wrong for eating meat. Just as there are always going to be the extremists who believe the opposite and look down on those who choose NOT to eat meat. It's a two way street, and as long as there's a middle ground of respect for the other's choices, it's all good.

As for products that don't test on animals - I know this site was posted up somewhere here on GPC before - but this would probably be a good starting point for you: Caring Consumer // A Guide to Kind Living.

[guineapigluver1]

You know what really bothers me? When someone who eats meat says a vegetarian or vegan called them a name or had an attitude with them about it, why do they always apply it to every vegetarian and vegan? I've had someone say vegetarians and vegans have "Holier Then Thou" attitudes once. I never have, and never will. If you choose to eat meat, I don't care. It's your choice, not mine. It is very rude and disrespectful when people call other people names because of how they choose to eat.
Because some meat eaters think I am stupid or weird because I am a vegetarian does not mean I go apply it to everybody who eats meat, does it?
When someone hears something from one vegetarian or vegan, that does not mean you apply it to all of them. Same with if a vegetarian or vegan hears something from one meat eater. You just can't go apply it to everybody.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Callmebricks, I think the changes you are making in your lifestyle are great. Congrats!

[iluvmypigclover]

Just putting it out there, veg*n is a way of abbreviating vegetarian and vegan into one word. It's easier to say veg*n than vegetarian and vegan. Other than that, I agree with paulammoore on the whole.

[Amsley246]

It's great you made a change in life. I think the term your looking for is eco-friendly, not vegetarian or vegan. The things your doing is more about environment. I do the exact same things myself and a lot of studying on it. I'm sorry you got called a monster by a vegetarian, but that doesn't mean you are, nor do all vegetarians or vegans call people who are not that. Everyone has their beliefes and not everyone believes in those beliefes.

[TheCraftyFaerie]

Callmebricks, I get what you're saying. There have been many a time when folks will tell me I can't possibly care about the planet and not harming animals because I eat animal flesh. It's an ignorant train of thought that should be ignored when at all possible. '

Check out your local Wal-Mart. They tend to group everything that's cruelty-free in one section. Like all the eco-friendly cleaning products together in the cleaning section and all the eco-friendly personal hygenie products in one section.

[ferndalezoo]

WalMart is probably one of the LEAST eco-friendly, animal-friendly companies out there.

[Amsley246]

Originally Posted by ferndalezoo

WalMart is probably one of the LEAST eco-friendly, animal-friendly companies out there.

I agree with that! At our store here in my town, all the sections that are eco-friendly are teeny tiny! All the other stores in town are trying to go green and change here too, but so far, Wal-mart has changed nothing!

[Paula]

Originally Posted by Amsley246

I agree with that! At our store here in my town, all the sections that are eco-friendly are teeny tiny! All the other stores in town are trying to go green and change here too, but so far, Wal-mart has changed nothing!

Ultimately I think that anything that does get changed as far as product lines at WalMart is going to have a lot more to do with whether or not they can negotiate a contract that will allow them to offer lower prices than their competition than any concern they have as a company about preserving the planet.

In any case, that they're offering ANY eco-friendly products is an improvement, and a step in the right direction.

[TheCraftyFaerie]

Originally Posted by ferndalezoo

WalMart is probably one of the LEAST eco-friendly, animal-friendly companies out there.

Did I say it was an eco-friendly company? No. I did say that they offer some eco-friendly products. If you're strapped for cash and have no idea what's offered in terms of products Wally World is a good place to get your feet wet.

[Paula]

Why are you so eager to start a fight here?

[Amsley246]

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

Ultimately I think that anything that does get changed as far as product lines at WalMart is going to have a lot more to do with whether or not they can negotiate a contract that will allow them to offer lower prices than their competition than any concern they have as a company about preserving the planet.

In any case, that they're offering ANY eco-friendly products is an improvement, and a step in the right direction.

Sorry Paula, I mean the actual store itself should be changing it's ways. Lots of stores here now are doing things like going from plastic bags to cloth and things like that. My bad for not mentioning that!

[Amsley246]

Craftyfaerie, I think Ferndale was talking about the same point, the store itself. For some people like myself, it counts too besides the products it sells. It's called morals and values. You need to cool it down some because your starting to offend some people with the way you say some things. I may not be a mod, but I am offended by the way your talking to some people.

[TheCraftyFaerie]

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

Why are you so eager to start a fight here?

I'm not. Why is it standard operating procedure to jump on the first thing you (general site members) see? This is the fourth or fifth time someone has been offensive and assumed something vs. just asking me what if what they thought was what I meant. It's offsetting and distasteful. I will ALWAYS speak up for myself.

Originally Posted by Amsley246

Craftyfaerie, I think Ferndale was talking about the same point, the store itself. For some people like myself, it counts too besides the products it sells. It's called morals and values. You need to cool it down some because your starting to offend some people with the way you say some things. I may not be a mod, but I am offended by the way your talking to some people.

I'll tell you the same thing I was told. You have no right to reprimand me you are not a mod. I give what I get.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by TheCraftyFaerie

I'm not. Why is it standard operating procedure to jump on the first thing you (general site members) see? This is the fourth or fifth time someone has been offensive and assumed something vs. just asking me what if what they thought was what I meant. It's offsetting and distasteful. I will ALWAYS speak up for myself.

It certainly seems that you are. Ferndalezoo didn't "jump on" anything and no matter how you may try, you can't possibly twist her statement in any way that makes it even remotely seem to have been directed at you and only you. And this is the fourth or fifth time someone has been offensive. That someone is you. There's no cause for "speaking up" for yourself when nothing was directed at you. Unless, of course, you're looking for a fight.

Originally Posted by TheCraftyFaerie

You have no right to reprimand me you are not a mod. I give what I get.

And wow. Just wow. You weren't reprimanded. At all. Even kind of. Holy moly. Get a grip and maybe try to be a little less offensive, offsetting and distasteful yourself.

[jenniwat001]

Callmebricks: I think what you are doing is great, even if how you phrased it has caused some offence!

I too am doing a similar thing, I eat meat but I am trying to only eat freedom foods meat products and I am attempting to be more eco friendly in my choice of cleaning products (both home and personal). I have started an experiment to see how long I can go without washing my hair (I have researched and found out that hair self cleans in 24 days, I'm currently on day 9!) I'm assured I don't smell and I am still washing the rest of me!