AWESOME.

yes, i'm looking forward to reading this

I've done vegan for a period of time in my life. It was a lot of work for me. I will probably check this out from my local library.

i would never eat just vegan...i would become a vegetarian very easily, but veganism is pointless..most people who do it just do it to lose tons of weight since you basically cant eat anything

Really? I think there's a lot of reasons for being vegan. I can't stop eating meat but lately I've been cutting back on dairy because it's not very good for you.

Although I have to say, I really don't understand the honey thing. Why not?

Alenka, it's because honey is made from bees and thus is an animal byproduct.

vic, veganism is not pointless. It's a decision to have no contribution to animal cruelty. I would argue, however, that vegetarianism outside of veganism is much more pointless because the dairy industry walks hand in hand with the beef and veal industry. IMO going just vege and not vegan is a good way to gain weight. think ice cream, butter, etc.

And I'm vegan because I love animals, not worried about my weight.

i've been vegetarian for 10 years and vegan for about 2. i don't really miss anything, not even meat. and there are alot of things that you can eat, if you know where to look. it's easy to be a bad vegan.

I don't know I hear vegans die before even meat eaters and it is just not as healthy as people think

what can I say? only the good die young

So they don't eat honey purely for the principle? Or do bees get harmed?

but seriously, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find information to back that up. Clint Eastwood is vegan and he's ancient.

I tried a month without dairy....and it was baaaad, for my looks, for my health, I just felt tired all the time and my nails got paper thin(and yes I did take vitamins), no way I'll do it again. By the way, I LOVE eggs!!! I couldn't give up on them.

http://naturalhygienesociety.org/diet2.html

our bodys are not adapted to our current lifestyles. They are adapted to what our ancestors did. Our ancestors were plant and meat eaters. We are omnivores...it is fact no matter what new "diets" are around today.

Since when is a bee an animal rather than an insect? And what harm does it do to the bees?

I like Alicia Silverstone, but honestly, I'll never be vegan. I would maybe consider going vegetarian, but I can't go without dairy, or sugar, or ever being able to eat out with my friends. Too annoying.

I admire her for her book and lifestyle. I'm vegetarian and have tried going vegan, but it was very difficult. Still, I may try again. Maybe her book will inspire me.

tlsgirl--insects are animals.

vic--I have to agree with krae85 that veganism is not pointless if you are concerned about animal welfare. And vegans can be healthy, they just have to make sure they are getting enough protein and good fats.

But, krae85, although I agree that veganism is preferable to vegetarianism for those concerned about animal welfare, vegetarianism isn't pointless. As a vegetarian, I am still making a difference for the fish, cattle, and chicken, etc that I do not eat.

I think vegans are going too far. Vegetarianism I understand (although it would be very hard for me to give up meat altogether), but it's possible today to get "animal byproducts" from ethical places, so why give them up. It all seems a bit ridiculous to me.

i've been vegetarian for about nine years now, for both healthful and humane reasons, and i honestly don't miss meat at all. even the thought of putting it in my mouth weirds me out, i don't see why anyone would say they could live without it! i mean, i understand some peoples' preference for it, it really is a personal choice. i also don't drink milk (i opt for almond, or soy if i absolutely have to, like at starbucks) but i have some cheese still. cheese was the one thing i missed when i was vegan, i tried it for six months, but my hectic life got in the way.

Myystque - okay, I feel a bit silly now. I guess I was thinking mammal rather than animals as a whole, which makes absolutely no sense now that I think about it. Oops. Anyways, I still don't really understand the point in avoiding honey since it's naturally produced by the bees and thus isn't like dairy farming or similar practices.

I didn't say it was completely pointless, but it's much less effective than veganism, because dairy contributes to the veal and beef industries, which I think are the worst ones.

vic, I'm not a chimpanzee, are you? so I'm not sure why you linked that page.

and I guess I have it easy because I never liked dairy very much anyway.

God gave us animals to clothe ourselves and to eat. It's in the Bible. Now excuse me while I enjoy my juicy cheeseburger! LOL

And there's no harm in eating honey... it's not like bees are gonna get mad!

Cebca - honey is made BY bees, not from.

I would check out the book for ideas and recipes, but I am never giving up meat. I am all for regulations and humane practices though.

Veganism isn't for everyone. And I would know because I am a vegan. It really works for me, though-- and I never intend to switch back. I have been lactose intolerant my whole life, and think the whole concept of dairy is pretty gross anyway. It's fine if you like it I suppose, but I much prefer soy. I have never had a taste for meat, and although I wasn't raised vegetarian, I would detest having to eat it. As a young teen I finally decided to eliminate meat completely. I don't find it's bad for my skin, hair or nails whatsoever. I get enough of all the nutrients I need.

Someone said they eliminated dairy and it was bad for their health--well, they probably weren't getting enough protein, especially if the majority came from dairy products.

Most of my family loves meat and can't understand why I choose not to eat it-- but they also don't care the same way I do about animal rights and health. And they don't understand that it is a personal preference and a lifestyle choice, not just a diet. But I definitely never feel like I'm missing out on anything, and that's an important thing to consider if you decide to become vegetarian/vegan.

I am vegan! whoop. i wanna read!

If people want to go vegan or vegetarian, more power to them.

I really like the idea of becoming a vegetarian myself, it's just my current living situation doesn't allow me as much flexibility in fixing food without meat as much as I would like. But I enjoy all kinds of non-meat foods pretty frequently...hummus, soy milk [I think I have a milk allergy], Greek yogurt, avocado sushi rolls, veggie burgers...

I personally just can't see myself go vegan, and I don't think I would want to. It doesn't seem as beneficial to me health-wise. I need to exercise more, but I get all my vitamins and eat a pretty balanced diet, more veggies and fruit than meat, not many sweets - that's really about all you can do, right? And the only real dairy I like and will eat IS cheese - so that's not going *anywhere*.

In sum, I probably won't buy this book. Though Alicia Silverstone is still awesome.

I tried to be a vegan and lasted 2 weeks. But that was a few years ago and I was extremely picky in the foods I ate so as a vegan I was very limited and got really bored. I would attempt again, but in a slow transition, first cutting red meat, then chicken, then all meat, and so on.

I would check out the book to gain knowledge of healthier options for foods. Not really to become a vegan or vegetarian, but just to get some ideas on meals I can eat to help me lead a healthier lifestyle.

I love the concept of being vegan (mainly due to the issues of animal cruelty) but sadly I can't really be 100% vegan. Even though I've eliminated meat and milk from my diet, I haven't been able to eliminate eggs. I also love honey. But for everything else, my diet consists greatly of eggplant, tofu, soymilk, and fruits. After eliminating the dairy from my diet my health really took a change for the better.

Well actually giving up honey might be a good idea since bees are in serious trouble right now. Ever heard of colony collapse disorder? Entire colonies are disappearing because of stress, environmental factors, unnatural breeding etc etc. It's a MAJOR issue, and if something isn't done about it there could be a major crisis on our hands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder

So perhaps is people eat less honey there would be less demand and the poor old bees can have a break!

Anyway, I would only try veganism for my health. I'm ok with eating eggs and animal by products (especially meat), though I have been trying to give up dairy - something I'm finding really difficult!

Rafaela, dairy isn't the only source of calcium. Kale, celeriac and a lot of other vegetables contain a LOT of calcium.
Whoever decides to elimitate one thing from their alimentation has to be careful about making sure they get the same amount of proteins/vitamins/calcium/iron etc. I go through dairy intolerance phases, but as much as I like cheese I don't even get cravings when I have to cut dairy products and am careful about what I eat.

I respect the choice of being a vegan, but I'm not interested in becoming one. I wholeheartedly agree with protecting animals, and that with our way of life on today's society we don't need to eat as meat as our pre-historian ancestors. However I think the issue is first about the whole meat production process. I don't eat a lot of meat, but when I do I try and make sure the animal was decently treated. For instance I think it's ridiculous to be a vegetarian but not care if the eggs you eat come from battery-farm chicken. I don't care if people eat meat, I do have an issue with them buying super cheap and gigantic crates of chicken legs for instance. But in the same way, I don't really get people who are vegetarian and eat ugly and heavily chemically fertilised vegetables.

Btw Sunday Green, thanks for the post about CCD, I didn't know about it! I don't feel bad though, I only eat the honey my dad gets from the bees in my parents' garden.

I've been vegan for nearly 10 years and it was such a natural transition for me. My health and looks have not suffered (in fact I'm an endurance runner and was captain of my collegiate swim team), I have no problem finding plant sources of calcium, iron and protein, and despite what people say I feel I have such an abundance of lovely, tasty, healthy and yes kind food. For me it's more of a protest against the way we as a modern society approach food as an industry - but I try not to talk about to other people for fear they'll think I'm militantly trying to recruit them or whatever. I mean, my bf is omni and I don't care at all! The one thing he won't eat is tofu

the description of her book sounds a lot like "skinny b*tch". i've gone vegan for like most of 2007, but at some point i switched back to being a vegetarian. but i'm trying to become a vegan again, cause it made me feel healthier.

About Honey - Just to clarify, because I was friends with a beekeeper. The bees make honey for their young, just like cows make milk for calves. They make extra though, and that's the honey he would harvest. He'd have to slide the honeycombs out from the box and he said, "I'm not going to lie to you - some bees get squished." So that's why vegans don't eat honey. They don't believe in using animals to get food and they def don't agree with them getting squished.

I'll most likely be buying this book - but I'm already vegan

I was vegetarian for years before my Dr told me I had to eat some meat. now I eat it but never more then a couple oz every few days. I couldn't do vegan. Even though I'm lactose intolerant cheese is worth it! Rice and soy cheese just aren't the same and don't taste or melt right.

My roommate is a vegan and I think there are many benefits to that diet. However, I love eating meat. I just do. I try to eat less meat and less dairy because it is not necessary for the body to eat that much of those items, but I won't ever cut animal foods from my diet.

krae..maybe keep reading and realize that we are 98% or more related to chimpanzees...we can learn a lot from our animal counterparts who are not influenced by the media.

sorry, vic. I just don't buy it. the great difference between people and monkeys is that we can acknowledge cruelty to lesser creatures and take a stand against it.

and my choice has zero to do with the media.

I can't wait to by this book, seems interesting!

i've been thinking about becoming a vegan for AGES now. i've been a vegetarian for more than 15 years - and i think that it's about time for me to give up the cheese and eggs etc. the challenge though is that i LOVE cheese and i find that i get most of my nutrients from eggs/cheese - so i'll really have to be creative to find alternatives.

I'm a vegetarian and have been for a year now, and I couldn't go vegan if I tried, it's not really the way we evolved. I think though, that humans aren't really designed to eat meat -- our short intestine doesn't digest it well and although we have canines which some people might say are for ripping meat or whatever, take a look at the canines on gorillas -- way bigger than ours, and they are herbivores.
But really, it just comes down to personal preference, dairy is good for you but if you feel healthier without it, then go for it!
And you can be humane and not vegetarian or vegan, just buy free-range organic animal products and use a bit less, I would encourage people to do that before going vegan/vegetarian personally.

I'm not a vegan and never will be, but I'd like to know - do vegans sit on leather couches, carry leather handbags, wear leather belts, etc. cause I'm pretty sure it's very polluting to our air to make vinyl shoes and the like. I'm all in favor of doing all things civilly (if that's a word). Honey issue is a little extreme since honey is a byproduct of bees (bee poop sorta) and CCD is due to our polluted environment not the harvesting of honey.

Royal jelly is a fabulous product used for anti-aging for centuries.

And no I won't be buying the book.

I'd have a hard time going vegan or even vegetarian...I'm allergic to soy. It's hard to understand, really, because I can tolerate PROCESSED soy, but the raw or more natural sort makes me quite ill. I'm also allergic to all tree nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc), so that cuts off another major source of protein for me.

I do my bit by buying local meat, eggs, and dairy, from cage-free, free range, organic sources. I know however that this is possible because I live in the midwest, and if I lived pretty much anywhere else, it'd be extremely tough to keep up.

AmberHoney - I guess it depends on what people's motivations for becoming a vegan/vegetarians are. I just know that my sister-in-law, who's always been a vegetarian, tries and pays attention to what she wears too. She never wears leather clothes, and avoids leather shoes as much as possible.

I have many friends who are vegan. It is a hard work diet and requires you to pay a lot of attention to what you eat so that you a) avoid animal products and b) get all the nutrients you need. Vitamin B-12 is particularly hard to get from natural sources and vegans mostly have to eat fortified food or take B-12 as a tablet.
Also, to get enough protein you have to eat a lot of beans and tofu!

Also - it is totally possible to be vegan and overweight! Vegans end up eating a lot of pasta because it is filling and easy. Lots of pasta = lots of carbs! I had a super fit vegan friend (cyclist, runner, swimmer, generally healthy eater) who was only able to get down to healthy weight when he became vegetarian and started eating those healthy dairy products.

I don't eat any pasta because a lot of times it has whey (milk) or eggs in the ingredients. I eat rice instead.

Thanks so much Advah. I just see all these celebs who profess to be vegans carrying the very posh leather handbags and it drives me batty.