Switching to a Vegetarian Diet

[Created4]

Even regular coconut oil is a bit hard to find and seems to be really expensive, which is annoying considering how healthy it is.

Coconut oil is easier than ever to find, and depending on which kind you get, it does not have to be expensive, especially if you watch the sales: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm

 

[specsaregood]

Coconut oil is awesome, ESPECIALLY for desserts, but it's kind of impractical at times because it is so hard (much harder than butter.. it's hard to get out of the container, even with a knife, and I always feel like i'm going to injur myself). Maybe somebody can help me out as to how to make the stuff more practical...obviously I'm refrigerating it, should I not do that? How long will it last?

The stuff we get doesn't have to be refrigerated.
This is what we use:
http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/category/centrifuge-extracted-extra-virgin-coconut-oil.php

And from their FAQ:
From :http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/category/coconut-products-coconut-oil.php

How should I store my Virgin Coconut Oil? Does it need to be refrigerated?

Because Wilderness Family Naturals' coconut oil has such low moisture content, no break down products or contaminants, it is very stable. Therefore, it is not necessary to refrigerate this oil.

If you do refrigerate coconut oil it will become "hard as a rock" and you will need to warm the oil in order to scoop any out of the jar. The most important thing to consider when deciding how you will store your coconut oil is to keep it out of direct sunlight or high heat. I would not recommend a damp place such as moist basements. Over time, with repeated exposure to mold spores, you may get some growth in the oil. The best place to store coconut oil is a cupboard or closet that does not become overly hot in the summer.

A pantry, closet or shelf in your kitchen will work fine. At room temperature, your virgin coconut oil will easily last 2 years in your pantry. The manufacturers say it has a 3 year shelf life.

Of course we keep a big gallon on hand of it because it also works well on baby butts to prevent diaper rash. and lasts forever.

 

[sratiug]

Straining the solids out of butter is just throwing away good food. Saturated fat is good for you. Butter is good for you. Margarine on the other hand is very bad for you.

Carbs don't increase your metabolism, they decrease it. Starvation produces hormones that make you feel good... for awhile. Just some food for thought.

 

[dannno]

I was not commenting on vegetarianism, but the volumes of research regarding soy, and the fact that it has never been a major part of traditional diets. The American soybean industry changed that. It has nothing to do with Buddhists or Hindus.

Ya, I've heard people say that but I don't believe that based on what I've seen and read and experienced. At all. I think it is completely unfounded and made up. I would suggest you look for more evidence, or if you have some give me some actual evidence rather than just statements.

Chinese legend ascribes its invention to prince Liu An (Chinese: 劉安, 179 BC – 122 BC). Tofu and its production technique were introduced into Korea and then Japan[7][8][9] during the Nara period. It also spread into other parts of East Asia as well.[10] This spread likely coincided with the spread of Buddhism because it is an important source of protein in the vegetarian diet of East Asian Buddhism.[7]

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

Buddha's delight, often transliterated as Luóhàn zhāi, lo han jai, or lo hon jai, is a vegetarian dish well known in Chinese and Buddhist cuisine. It is sometimes also called Luóhàn cài (simplified Chinese: 罗汉菜; traditional Chinese: 羅漢菜).

The dish is traditionally enjoyed by Buddhist monks who are vegetarians, but it has also grown in popularity throughout the world as a common dish available as a vegetarian option in Chinese restaurants.

In China, Hong Kong and Toronto, when served exclusively using only the most flavor-packed vegetarian ingredients, such as pickled tofu or sweet bean curds, it is known as tián suān zhāi (simplified Chinese: 甜酸斋; traditional Chinese: 甜酸齋; pinyin: tian2 suan1 zhai1; literally "sweet and sour vegetarian dish").
[edit] Tradition

As suggested by its name, it is a dish traditionally enjoyed by Buddhists who are vegetarians, but it has also grown in popularity throughout the world as a common dish available in Chinese restaurants (though often not including all of the ingredients) as a vegetarian option. It is traditionally served in Chinese households on the first day of the Chinese New Year, stemming from the old Buddhist practice that one should maintain a vegetarian diet in the first five days of the new year, as a form of self-purification.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha's_delight

Tempeh (/ˈtɛm.peɪ/), or tempe (Indonesian), is a traditional soy product originally from Indonesia. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form, similar to a very firm vegetarian burger patty. Tempeh is unique among major traditional soy foods in that it is the only one that did not originate in the Sinosphere.

It originated in today's Indonesia, and is especially popular on the island of Java, where it is a staple source of protein. Like tofu, tempeh is made from soybeans, but tempeh is a whole soybean product with different nutritional characteristics and textural qualities.[1] Tempeh's fermentation process and its retention of the whole bean give it a higher content of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins. It has a firm texture and an earthy flavor which becomes more pronounced as the tempeh ages.[2][3] Because of its nutritional value, tempeh is used worldwide in vegetarian cuisine; some consider it to be a meat analogue.

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

 

[Acala]

but in our early history I doubt you'd see a early human(before use of tools) chasing down and hunting other creatures. More likely, a early human would use scavenged meat as a small addition to his diet. Of course I have nothing to back this up via books or studies or anything, this is just my belief.

Check it out, dude:

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

This is why a man can run down almost any animal on earth. This is why you have an Achiles tendon, giant glutes (no offense), and real-time biocomputer stabilized, load adjusting, spring loaded, shock absorbing feet.

A quick question on oils. I love cooking with olive oil as often as possible, it's expensive though. That's why I end up using vegetable oils more often than not. Is there a similarly priced alternative, and with palm and flax/hemp oils do they cook similarly to olive oil?

Coconut oil and palm oil. Palm oil should be cheaper. Try the Asian or African market.

 

[dannno]

http://dietchoices.com/diet-plans/buddhist-diet/

Background

The Buddhist Diet can best summed up in one word which is vegetarian. However, with that said, it is important to state that there are no hard rules. Vegetarianism has become closely associated with the Buddhist Diet, but it is not an absolute. Buddhists believe in non-violence and to this end, many Buddhists refrain from consuming meat. As a general rule, a large percentage of Buddhists are vegetarians. A diet based largely on fruits and vegetables is one that is often sited as being a healthy one that likely increases life span.
What to Eat

Those on the Buddhist Diet will often focus on vegetables and fruits. Wheat and soy are also common staples of the diet. Considering the nutritional benefits of a largely fruit and vegetable diet, the Buddhist Diet has a great deal to offer.

 

[jmdrake]

Danno, the soy used in Asian diets is not the variety popular here. It's almost all fermented soy, and is high-protein, low-estrogen.

You mean like tempeh?

For the record I substituted tempeh for tofu in a vege fajita recipe the other day. I liked it better and it was faster to prepare because I didn't need to drain and bake it first like I have to for tofu.

 

[dannno]

Ya, see, I love tempeh as well, and one of the things that bother me about the anti-soy people is they don't come out and say, "don't eat soy beans, but if you're going to eat soy eat tempeh and maybe some tofu.."

No, they try and say that ALL of the soy here in the U.S. is bad for you and nobody in Asia really ate soy anyway. Well the fact is that it's not impossible to get good soy here and some Asians have been eating a lot of soy for some time. That's what I don't like about the anti-soy propaganda, it doesn't try and fix the problem or reduce people's intake, it tries to steer people completely away from soy.. and it's a vegetarian complete source of protein, which is very hard to find.

I'm not one to throw the baby out with the bath water (as Britney from 'Glee' would say, "OMG! I've totally done that before..)

 

[PaulConventionWV]

Vessol, I am very glad that you are choosing 'The Non-Aggression Principle Diet'. I'm glad to hear you chose the Non-Aggression Principle Diet too, Bryan! +rep to both! Applying the non-aggression principle (a principle which I firmly believe originates from ancient religion, and is known as ahimsa in Sanskrit) is quite a liberating experience -- especially karmicly, and spiritually. I don't consider eggs to be vegetarian (though dairy is), but it's a step closer towards it.

I do not understand why The Non-Aggression Principle Diet so often attracts unwarranted attacks from those who do not follow or understand it, but don't let it bother you! I tend to dislike discussing the subject because people often baselessly attack the idea that humans can be just as healthy without flesh, but if it can be discussed civilly without attacks, that would be enjoyable. There is a nice informative book called "You Don't Need Meat", and another titled "The China Study" which show how meat is purely optional, and never a nutritional requirement for any human of any blood type. DISCLAIMER: I am not saying it is wrong or less healthy to eat meat, feel free to eat meat if you desire, but just realize that is not eaten for health reasons -- it is eaten purely for the taste preference and that's fine, but it is important to understand that there is nothing in meat that the human body requires that is not easily found in plants or milk. Anyway, arguing against the vegetarian diet in a thread about becoming vegetarian is a distraction from the topic, and is off topic. It would be nice to stay on topic.

Anyway, back on topic -- the non-aggression principle, or ahimsa, applies to all living entities. It is easier to realize this from a religious or spiritual understanding, which I believe involves a more full and detailed understanding of the ethics or karma behind applying the non-aggression principle to one's every action and diet. The spirit/soul is what animates the body with life; without spirit/soul, a body would be a dead, lifeless lump of flesh. The same kind of spirit/soul that animates humans, animates all other living entities in the same way, thus compassion for all living entities and not just for other humans makes sense in a religious or spiritual context. This is explained nicely in the following verse:



It goes deeper still, into spiritual philosophy, which is explained nicely by the Vedas. All religions can appreciate the non-aggression principle, and the diet which results from following it. Though it is more clearly expounded upon in some religions more than others, the essence of the instruction is there in all.

Except from a biblical perspective, there is a basis for treating humans from all other living organisms. God shows us in the Bible that He values us above all animals. This makes sense, since we are clearly the only animal that is truly aware of itself and capable of abstract thought. Without God, in fact, there is no basis for the non-agression principle. Simply appealing to "religion" doesn't provide a basis because nobody knows who is making this rule. From a Biblical perspective, however, there is a basis for the non-agression principle and a treatment of humans above all other living organisms.

Just my view on it and why I thinkthe non-agression principle or "religious perspective" is not quite enough.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

What is your blood type?


Also curious about the OP's, I thought I had asked.

I don't know what my blood type is. I don't follow the blood type diet, though. I come from the perspective that we are all naturally frugivores (nuts, seeds, fruits, and veggies).

 

[dannno]

I don't know what my blood type is. I don't follow the blood type diet, though. I come from the perspective that we are all naturally frugivores (nuts, seeds, fruits, and veggies).

If you're A+ and a vegetarian diet works best for you, then you are following the blood type diet without knowing it.. However again I have to emphasize that I don't think blood type is a rule, it is a rule of thumb to help guide people or understand why certain diets work for them. I'm just asking to get more results. The biggest result I've gotten so far is that it turns out a lot of people don't know their own blood type.

I don't doubt we have an achilles tendon so we can run really really far and chase down partially hunted animals, but I also don't doubt that many people went off long, long ago and started farming grains, eating dairy, etc.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

As far as smoking cigs, I was also smoking 1-3 cigs (not packs) a day for a few years, but have gone to 6-10 cigs a year for the last 7 or 8 years. I don't find that one every once in a while is bad, especially if they are American Spirits. The problem comes when I have 2 or 3 in a single day or night, or if I'm having one a night for 2 or 3 nights, then I notice a difference in my lung function for sure. I have asthma though. I know of a few (very, very few) super athletes who some how are able to overcome cig smoking and still be the best in their highly strenuous sport.

Yes, Chris Chattaway is a great example (4:02 mile after Roger Bannister was the first to break 4 minutes and a 5000meter world record holder, I believe). Those are outliers, though. It really all depends on how you are genetically able to deal with toxins in your system.

 

[Guitarzan]

Except from a biblical perspective, there is a basis for treating humans from all other living organisms. God shows us in the Bible that He values us above all animals. This makes sense, since we are clearly the only animal that is truly aware of itself and capable of abstract thought.

That's easy for you to say, after all, you're a human being.

You'd never hear a chicken speak those words. In fact, you'll never see a chicken beating his spouse or dealing drugs to kids. That's because they're good people too.

 

[specsaregood]

I don't doubt we have an achilles tendon so we can run really really far and chase down partially hunted animals, but I also don't doubt that many people went off long, long ago and started farming grains, eating dairy, etc.

And the different blood types just happened to appear as humans moved and evolved. O is the oldest blood type. The A blood type appeared first in areas where farming grains became the standard fare. The B type first appeared in nomadic herding cultures (mongolians) which relied heavily on dairy products. At least that is theory behind it,it could be hogwash but it is an interesting idea.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

If you're A+ and a vegetarian diet works best for you, then you are following the blood type diet without knowing it.. However again I have to emphasize that I don't think blood type is a rule, it is a rule of thumb to help guide people or understand why certain diets work for them. I'm just asking to get more results. The biggest result I've gotten so far is that it turns out a lot of people don't know their own blood type.

I don't doubt we have an achilles tendon so we can run really really far and chase down partially hunted animals, but I also don't doubt that many people went off long, long ago and started farming grains, eating dairy, etc.

The problem with this whole idea of "chasing down animals" is that most people take it from an evolutionary perspective. It's pretty easy to look at what is already there and justify it from n evolutionary perspective, but your Achilles tendon could easily have been created for the same reason, so assuming an evolutionary perspective doesn't really give you much information. A creation perspective satisfies the same questions as to why we have what, but takes a completely different view on what is RIGHT for the body to consume. It's not based on a historical idea that we should eat what we've evolved to eat, but rather what suits our system and our livelihood to the fullest possible extent and gives us the most energy and vitality.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

That's easy for you to say, after all, you're a human being.

You'd never hear a chicken speak those words. In fact, you'll never see a chicken beating his spouse or dealing drugs to kids. That's because they're good people too.

That made absolutely no sense.

1) Chickens don't speak for a reason. They don't beat their kids because they are not aware of the difference between good and evil, which is very evident in the human psyche.
2) Chickens are not people.

 

[Acala]

I don't doubt we have an achilles tendon so we can run really really far and chase down partially hunted animals, but I also don't doubt that many people went off long, long ago and started farming grains, eating dairy, etc.

Yup. And from that evolved the coercive state. Agriculture was the mother of tyranny. Not to mention shorter, unhealthier people with bad teeth. But I said I wasn't going down that road.

 

[dannno]

And the different blood types just happened to appear as humans moved and evolved. O is the oldest blood type. The A blood type appeared first in areas where farming grains became the standard fare. The B type first appeared in nomadic herding cultures (mongolians) which relied heavily on dairy products. At least that is theory behind it,it could be hogwash but it is an interesting idea.

Yes, that's the jist of it. So the question is, if your father is A and your mother is O or B, and you turn out A, is it possible to end up with a digestive system that can handle meat or dairy very well? I think the answer could be yes. On the other hand, if one of your parents is A, then your other parent has a chance of being A or some other blood type, and you end up A, then you are more likely to be able to handle grains and such than any other particular type (assuming 50% chance of grains, 50% chance split between each other type), but perhaps it is possible to end up being able to handle meat and dairy.

The question is whether the blood has anything to do with it, or if it is merely incidental that the blood type changed along with the diet.

 

[Acala]

In fact, you'll never see a chicken beating his spouse. That's because they're good people too.

Spoken like a man who has never been around chickens. Roosters beat up on each other and on the hens mercilessly. And the hens beat up on the other hens. Chickens make pretty good livestock and I love fresh eggs. But if a human being behaved like a chicken, you would label him a dangerous psychotic.

 

[Guitarzan]

Spoken like a man who has never been around chickens. Roosters beat up on each other and on the hens mercilessly. And the hens beat up on the other hens. Chickens make pretty good livestock and I love fresh eggs. But if a human being behaved like a chicken, you would label him a dangerous psychotic.

LOL...probably. but you still never see them dealing in the drugs.

Anywhoo...yeah, PaulConventionWV, that was an attempt at a joke. I should've noted as much; I forgot that these internets are serious business.