Comments on: Veg Blog Speaking Event: Why Isn’t Everybody Vegan?

By: Kelleigh

Kelleigh — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:43:49 +0000

Another reason people don’t always go for the vegan life-

I was an enthusiastic vegan for six years. But over time became very unwell. Many of my long-term vegan friends also became unwell and have abandoned this way of eating too.

Not everyone’s metabolism is suited to a vegan diet.

Although being vegan initially gave me a boost of energy and wellbeing, as my body became depleted in important nutrients over time, I became more and more unwell. I have sustained damage to my nervous system from a long-term vitamin b12 deficiency which my doctor corrected with a course of b12 injections. I developed severe iron deficiency and tested positive for other
vitamin and mineral deficiencies often associated with long term veganism.

Although in Paradise Lost, our ancestors enjoyed a vegan diet, many people today have inherited a weaker metabolism which requires foods providing an easy and ready form of nutrition like milk and eggs, and dare I say meat.

By: ryan

ryan — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:10:41 +0000

Thanks for checking in — been trying to get a follow-up post written, but haven’t yet. Sunday!

By: Javier Hidalgo

Javier Hidalgo — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 04:13:24 +0000

I was just curious as to how this went? My guess is you will probably inform us in a post soon :-)

By: bazu

bazu — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:56:32 +0000

Awesome- good luck! I would love a similar opportunity to do outreach, either a straight-up talk or a cooking demo or something to that effect. And I’m going to be in VA, but unfortunately, 2 days after your talk. Otherwise, I would have totally come down and cheered!

By: Wheeler's

Wheeler's — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:13:13 +0000

Good for you! I’m sure you’ll do just fine.

By: vegoftheweek

vegoftheweek — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:29:05 +0000

Best of luck!

Good starter points about cheese, etc. Some people are also reluctant because they’re afraid of missing out on sweets, cupcakes, chocolate, etc. Point them in the direction of the book My Sweet Vegan and I’m sure you’ll win any argument!

By: Eric Prescott

Eric Prescott — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:12:22 +0000

Awesome, Ryan. Good call. Let us know how it goes. Post a picture of your stammerings. ;)

You’ll do a great job, man.

By: Chef Erik

Chef Erik — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:36:32 +0000

Great to see you be so proactive, Great to read your articles :)

By: Jesse

Jesse — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:16:16 +0000

Good for you. I wish I was there to hear it (although after being a vegan for awhile you certainly here the gamut of excuses and rationalization).

By: Dreena

Dreena — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:05:34 +0000

Awesome, Ryan… you’ll do a stellar job I know, and your enthusiasm will hopefully persuade at least a handful of listeners to ‘take the vegan leap’. Good luck, and you won’t be nervous after the first minute or two!! :) (oh, and pls post an update later of how your talk went.)

By: johanna

johanna — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:58:19 +0000

Yay! Good luck — that sounds like it will be awesome. I’m sure you’ll do a great job!

By: Marcy

Marcy — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:25:28 +0000

*hi-five* that is so cool. we’re all proud of you out here in blog land. make sure to update with how it goes! (I’m finishing “Vegan Freak” right now – needless to say, much fun to read prominently on a subway while cracking up for no apaprent reason – and this sounds straight outta the book.)