Mississippi Vegans/Vegetarians

[sweetchips]

Hi everyone,

I live on the MS Gulf Coast. I've been a vegetarian for only 7 months and mostly vegan for about four. My daugher (age 20)joined me several months ago. We're having a really hard time finding vegan/vegetarian products on the coast. Is anyone else here from this area? I have a coop over two hours away that I can go to for staples, and only a handful of very small "health" food stores that carry mostly vitamins and a couple of products. Believe it or not, my local Walmart has more vegan products than any place else. If anyone is in this area, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks
Shari in McHenry, MS

[Ckflew]

I wish I could be of more help specifically for your area, but I thought I'd pop in to sympathize anyway. Lots of rural areas, no matter where you are, are slow to get vegan options around. You can mail order some things, and at other times you end up doing a lot of your own cooking. A lot of us end up doing that anyway, since choices can be pretty limited even in more populated areas.

I figure, though, that if I can get a Boca Burger (even if it is on a bun that is probably not vegan) at an Amish restaurant, progress is happening, even if it is slow! Eventually things will get easier.

Is there anything in particular you are looking for?

Colleen

[sweetchips]

Thanks for your encouragement. I have ferreted out a lot of products and of course there's the web. What frustrates me is that this is NOT a rural area. There are over 350,000 people on the coast but there is little offered. Mostly I would like to touch base with others who live on the coast. There is a super coop in Jackson, but it's over two hours from me. There's also a Whole Foods over in Nawlins, but again, that's an hour and half drive. It's a pain to have to go all over for a couple of items. I do make a lot myself mostly because it's cheaper and healthier to me, but even the staples are hard to find. Luckily I found all of you!! Thanks again.

[PikkuMyy]

Hi Sweetchips,

My dad grew up in Greenville, and I've been about 4 times (once as a vegetarian) so I can appreciate your dilemna. As a vegetarian I was able to get vegan tamales at Doe's Eat Place there and vegetarian food at Applebee's and was able to make my own food during my last visit to my grandparents' but I can only imagine what it would be like to be vegan living there.

I'd say ordering online is probably your best bet - I bet you can buy cases of things to save you on the shipping cost and you might want to look into freezing things like vegan cheese if you don't already.

Good luck and welcome to VegFamily!
Emily

[sweetchips]

I found another vegetarian the other day in an herb store. That was really exciting for me since she's been one since 1996. I am also traveling to the one coop in the state over spring break and stocking up. I have found tons of online products but I don't have a big freezer and since it is only me and my daughter, there is a limit to how much I can have on hand at any time. I'm learning a lot from all of you on these forums. I just purchased a soymilk maker which should arrive Monday according to UPS so that's really exciting. I can make my own yogurt, cream cheese etc. And the coop has a great price on organic soybeans. Little by little I'm finding what I want. We have a long growing season here so I'll be able to plant my garden soon which will also help. The quest continues!! :)

Thanks for the help.

Shari in McHenry, MS

[annie7]

Rinse those soybeans and get them soaking Sunday night. Then when you get your machine on Monday, you'll be good to go! (1/4 cup dry makes 1 qt)
I love love love my machine!

[sweetchips]

I'm so glad to hear that you love it. I'm really looking forward to having fresh milk (and the cost per serving is so much better). Do you use it to make nut milks at all? If so, what's your favorite.


Waiting anxiously for Monday....

Shari in McHenry, MS

[annie7]

I haven't ever tried nut milks. I'm too in love with soy. I'm gonna marry a soybean someday.LOL (that's what my daughter tells me, anyway)

[sweetchips]

I read on the SoyToy site that he uses it for nut milks. (I bought a different machine but it's the same thing.) If you're interested, check out his recipes on www.soytoy.com. I'll let you know once I give them a try. I love soy too. It's the most amazing food!!

Shari

[annie7]

I have one like this (www.soymilkmaker.com) .

[sweetchips]

I've been playing with my soymilk maker all day to get the consistency and flavor I like. Do you have a special recipe that you like? The okara byproduct is fabulous too and I've got lots of things that I'm going to try with that. Any hints and help you can offer is greatly appreciated. I'm glad I bought it!!

Shari in McHenry, MS