Comments on: Vegan And Other Food Labels http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/ Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:09:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Lane http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1271 Lane Mon, 26 May 2008 01:01:37 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1271 Hi Seitan, Agreed, the comments on this post have been food for thought. I just spent the last few moments looking at the link you provided. (Pamela Anderson is photographed eating a hot-dog. The assumption the author makes is that it is a real hot dog, as opposed to a vegan dog since "they don't sell vegan dogs at kids ball games." Of course, in a number of "vegan-friendly" cities I would suspect that is not the case, especially in Los Angeles and Portland. PETA claims the dog is vegan.) Yes, it's interesting how we all make assumptions, it's one of the reasons I'm considering my use of some of the faux products. I don't want to help perpetuate the demand for those products. I believe in voting with my wallet. But if my vote "appears" to be for a different product to the outside world... As for the sandwich. I'm backing away slowly... You can keep it... No one is trying to take it away from you. ;-) Hi Seitan,
Agreed, the comments on this post have been food for thought.

I just spent the last few moments looking at the link you provided. (Pamela Anderson is photographed eating a hot-dog. The assumption the author makes is that it is a real hot dog, as opposed to a vegan dog since “they don’t sell vegan dogs at kids ball games.” Of course, in a number of “vegan-friendly” cities I would suspect that is not the case, especially in Los Angeles and Portland. PETA claims the dog is vegan.)
Yes, it’s interesting how we all make assumptions, it’s one of the reasons I’m considering my use of some of the faux products. I don’t want to help perpetuate the demand for those products. I believe in voting with my wallet. But if my vote “appears” to be for a different product to the outside world…

As for the sandwich. I’m backing away slowly… You can keep it… No one is trying to take it away from you. ;-)

]]> By: SeitanSaidDance http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1247 SeitanSaidDance Fri, 23 May 2008 16:20:39 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1247 Hi again, I haven't thought about a lot of what we've been discussing before now, which is part of why I like it. This conversation has brought ideas to my attention I may not have come up with otherwise. I always thought the difference between real and faux meat was obvious too, then someone showed me this article: http://tinyurl.com/3wa4ep I think it's just ingrained in all of us (even the vegans at PETA) to assume that people are eating real meat. Keeping that in mind, I'm never giving up my BBQ seitan sandwich. Never! Hi again,
I haven’t thought about a lot of what we’ve been discussing before now, which is part of why I like it. This conversation has brought ideas to my attention I may not have come up with otherwise.

I always thought the difference between real and faux meat was obvious too, then someone showed me this article: http://tinyurl.com/3wa4ep

I think it’s just ingrained in all of us (even the vegans at PETA) to assume that people are eating real meat. Keeping that in mind, I’m never giving up my BBQ seitan sandwich. Never!

]]> By: Lane http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1236 Lane Fri, 23 May 2008 05:38:47 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1236 Hi Seitan / Chelsea, Neither Jane nor I have sat down and given this a good "thinking-through. " The pleather products have actually improved to the degree that we often feel we HAVE to look at the label to see what the product is made of. So using them could continue to increase the demand for real leather in the marketplace. I think the meat analogues are a little more obvious, and therefore don't necessarily increase demand for the original products. But in either event, we're potentially perpetuating a practice we don't believe in. So yes, one's ultimate motivation for eating vegan will certainly play into the decision to consume "faux" products. I know Jane and I will continue to use what we currently own. I'm not sure how our future purchases might be impacted by this thought. Hi Seitan / Chelsea,
Neither Jane nor I have sat down and given this a good “thinking-through. ” The pleather products have actually improved to the degree that we often feel we HAVE to look at the label to see what the product is made of. So using them could continue to increase the demand for real leather in the marketplace. I think the meat analogues are a little more obvious, and therefore don’t necessarily increase demand for the original products. But in either event, we’re potentially perpetuating a practice we don’t believe in. So yes, one’s ultimate motivation for eating vegan will certainly play into the decision to consume “faux” products.
I know Jane and I will continue to use what we currently own. I’m not sure how our future purchases might be impacted by this thought.

]]> By: chelsea http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1231 chelsea Fri, 23 May 2008 02:42:37 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1231 seitansaid, that's a really interesting and good point about pleather and meat-like substitutes. From the casual observer, it most likely does look like we're wearing leather and eating hamburgers......it'd be ideal if we were all wearing hemp and eating brocolli--but we know that's not going to be the case. Then again, you need to decide if you're doing this as a PERSONAL decision or a social statement and example. Food for thought (um, no pun intended) seitansaid,
that’s a really interesting and good point about pleather and meat-like substitutes. From the casual observer, it most likely does look like we’re wearing leather and eating hamburgers……it’d be ideal if we were all wearing hemp and eating brocolli–but we know that’s not going to be the case. Then again, you need to decide if you’re doing this as a PERSONAL decision or a social statement and example. Food for thought (um, no pun intended)

]]> By: SeitanSaidDance http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1230 SeitanSaidDance Fri, 23 May 2008 02:34:38 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1230 Hi Lane, I don't plan to buy any animal products, second hand or otherwise (please remind me I said this when I use up my stash of pre-vegan wool for knitting!), but I still don't see much of a problem with wearing it. If other people coveting our possessions is an issue, and we should lead by example, how do things like pleather shoes and meat analogues fit in? To an outside observer, it looks like we're supporting the animal products industry, but we know better. Hi Lane,
I don’t plan to buy any animal products, second hand or otherwise (please remind me I said this when I use up my stash of pre-vegan wool for knitting!), but I still don’t see much of a problem with wearing it. If other people coveting our possessions is an issue, and we should lead by example, how do things like pleather shoes and meat analogues fit in? To an outside observer, it looks like we’re supporting the animal products industry, but we know better.

]]> By: Bea Elliott http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1225 Bea Elliott Thu, 22 May 2008 12:45:27 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1225 "My initial thoughts are that by continuing to wear/use things that are controversial (leather, fur, diamonds) we are continuing to perpetuate a desire for these things". Agreed - I have a fair share of pre-vegan leather articles - shoes & bags.... But I think I'm relating to them in a similar way as "pus to milk". Maybe I've seen too many "hide stripping slaughterhouse videos", but even handling the items - sort of makes me cringe..... knowing the pain and suffering it took to make them. They just feel and look "icky". Hey! Are you vegan terrorists trying to brainwash me or something? :) “My initial thoughts are that by continuing to wear/use things that are controversial (leather, fur, diamonds) we are continuing to perpetuate a desire for these things”. Agreed –

I have a fair share of pre-vegan leather articles – shoes & bags…. But I think I’m relating to them in a similar way as “pus to milk”. Maybe I’ve seen too many “hide stripping slaughterhouse videos”, but even handling the items – sort of makes me cringe….. knowing the pain and suffering it took to make them. They just feel and look “icky”. Hey! Are you vegan terrorists trying to brainwash me or something? :)

]]> By: Lane http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1214 Lane Thu, 22 May 2008 06:18:57 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1214 Hi Chelsea, I own leather accessories from my pre-vegan life. I continue to wear them, and will do so until they fall apart. The animals were already sacrificed, and (in my opinion) it would be more wasteful to throw away perfectly useful goods. Having said that, I don't intend to ever buy leather again. From what I've read a number of people consider it to be a by-product of the meat industry. But it is a primary by-product, meaning it is a valuable, sought-after commodity in and of itself. Also, there are animals that are slaughtered primarily for their hides. The meat is then the by-product. In either case, it supports an industry I choose to boycott. Bea (re #18) I had to laugh -- you criticized Mark Bittman for saying "never" and here you are saying not in a million years... ;-) Seriously though, previously-owned goods are different. I'm not beating myself up over the leather shoes I still wear. They were purchased pre-vegan. I don't intend to buy leather again. But I don't believe in waste. Ignorance may be no excuse for the law, but you can't beat yourself up over things you weren't aware of. Hi Seitan, Re your comment to Bea about second hand purchases. My initial thoughts are that by continuing to wear/use things that are controversial (leather, fur, diamonds) we are continuing to perpetuate a desire for these things. I aware that I'm being hypocritical here, because I'm still wearing the leather belt I got for my birthday last year, and will until it dies. I don't believe in waste, and whether I wear it, or I donate it to the Goodwill and someone else wears it, it still becomes a good other people will see and potentially covet. Bea (re #20) The pus is one of the things Jane and I force ourselves to think of when we're really craving dairy! Hi Chelsea,
I own leather accessories from my pre-vegan life. I continue to wear them, and will do so until they fall apart. The animals were already sacrificed, and (in my opinion) it would be more wasteful to throw away perfectly useful goods. Having said that, I don’t intend to ever buy leather again. From what I’ve read a number of people consider it to be a by-product of the meat industry. But it is a primary by-product, meaning it is a valuable, sought-after commodity in and of itself. Also, there are animals that are slaughtered primarily for their hides. The meat is then the by-product. In either case, it supports an industry I choose to boycott.

Bea (re #18) I had to laugh — you criticized Mark Bittman for saying “never” and here you are saying not in a million years… ;-)
Seriously though, previously-owned goods are different. I’m not beating myself up over the leather shoes I still wear. They were purchased pre-vegan. I don’t intend to buy leather again. But I don’t believe in waste. Ignorance may be no excuse for the law, but you can’t beat yourself up over things you weren’t aware of.

Hi Seitan,
Re your comment to Bea about second hand purchases. My initial thoughts are that by continuing to wear/use things that are controversial (leather, fur, diamonds) we are continuing to perpetuate a desire for these things. I aware that I’m being hypocritical here, because I’m still wearing the leather belt I got for my birthday last year, and will until it dies. I don’t believe in waste, and whether I wear it, or I donate it to the Goodwill and someone else wears it, it still becomes a good other people will see and potentially covet.

Bea (re #20) The pus is one of the things Jane and I force ourselves to think of when we’re really craving dairy!

]]> By: Nate V. http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1201 Nate V. Wed, 21 May 2008 16:41:36 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1201 Bea- thanks for the words of encouragement and the links. My wife and I have seen videos like that before, but yesterday she said she's actually thinking about going vegan for the first time! (she mostly does eat vegan b/c she eats what I eat in general) We do have some help from others in this area. We actually first got interested from a couple friends in our church small group as we began to talk about creation care - and they've been very helpful, and we just keep meeting others! Bea- thanks for the words of encouragement and the links. My wife and I have seen videos like that before, but yesterday she said she’s actually thinking about going vegan for the first time! (she mostly does eat vegan b/c she eats what I eat in general)
We do have some help from others in this area. We actually first got interested from a couple friends in our church small group as we began to talk about creation care – and they’ve been very helpful, and we just keep meeting others!

]]> By: Bea Elliott http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1200 Bea Elliott Wed, 21 May 2008 15:42:13 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1200 SeitanSaidDance - thanx much for the compassionate response :) What I've done in the past must remain lessons - and I'm okay with that.... Buying thing "after market" - like used or re-claimed from thrift stores, yard sales don't offend me as much. The manufacture has already made their money - and that can't be un-done. My husband who does not eat land flesh does still eat "cheese" but only when he finds it at a local foodbank: "Meals on Wheels" - it's definately passed the point of "supporting the industry" - so, that's how some things can be worked around. Me, I can't get past the "pus" part of dairy - so, I'm good without. :) SeitanSaidDance – thanx much for the compassionate response :) What I’ve done in the past must remain lessons – and I’m okay with that….

Buying thing “after market” – like used or re-claimed from thrift stores, yard sales don’t offend me as much. The manufacture has already made their money – and that can’t be un-done.

My husband who does not eat land flesh does still eat “cheese” but only when he finds it at a local foodbank: “Meals on Wheels” – it’s definately passed the point of “supporting the industry” – so, that’s how some things can be worked around. Me, I can’t get past the “pus” part of dairy – so, I’m good without. :)

]]> By: SeitanSaidDance http://veganbits.com/vegan-and-other-food-labels/comment-page-1/#comment-1199 SeitanSaidDance Wed, 21 May 2008 14:26:35 +0000 http://veganbits.com/?p=262#comment-1199 Bea, try not to feel too terribly about your leather sleeper. Many vegans are comfortable buying leather, wool, etc. second hand because it doesn't contribute to the manufacture of the product, the original producers don't benefit from the sale, and it beats allowing the original buyer to throw it out (I'm not sure how I feel about this, personally, but many are cool with it). Bea, try not to feel too terribly about your leather sleeper. Many vegans are comfortable buying leather, wool, etc. second hand because it doesn’t contribute to the manufacture of the product, the original producers don’t benefit from the sale, and it beats allowing the original buyer to throw it out (I’m not sure how I feel about this, personally, but many are cool with it).

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