almost vegan??

[vegma]

Groan! I've been calling myself vegan for 2 years now, diligently reading labels for any sign of meat or dairy product, but .... I just read the post about "bad honey", and even though I know honey is not vegan, I haven't eliminated it from my diet. I came to my <almost> vegan state for health reasons and did it backwards even then. A little over 3 years ago I eliminated all dairy from my diet, then 2 years ago, I eliminated all meat/egg products. A year ago, we started getting serious about organic and not buying foods that contain junk like corn syrup, dyes, etc. And we don't eat out because we don't trust that we'll be served a truly vegan meal. We've (dh too & ds has always been vegan - sans honey) come a long way, but ... So my question is, and maybe its out of line, will anyone be offended if I participate in the boards? Sorry to be so long-winded (that could disqualify me right there:))!! Thanks.

[Erin Pavlina]

No one will be offended. Veganism is a journey, just keep taking steps toward your goals. Don't let people judge you because you eat honey. I know I'd rather pick on a meat eater than someone who is mostly vegan but eats honey. Not that I pick on people, mind you.. ;)

But you're doing fine. You could call yourself "mostly vegan" if you want, but you don't have to. We did a survey a couple of years ago asking people if they eat honey and if they consider themselves vegan. 50% ate honey and still called themselves vegan.

[molly]

I second that! A lot of us are occasionally long-winded & most of us are imperfect too (with the exception, perhaps, of EricP, who I think may have invented veganism as he seems to have always known & practiced all things vegan... but he is really quite friendly about it! Most impressive.) :) Welcome. :)

[duckie1978]

You shoudn't feel guilty about not giving up a by-product. Take the time to learn how to replace it if you chose to. If you became a "vegan" for animal issues alone, i.e. bees being hurt or "using" the bees, then you should work on replacing it in your diet. If you became a "vegan" for health reasons, then don't be concerned about it. I have eaten honey from people who actually care for their bees (I actually don't care for it at all though). No beekeeper that I have ever talk to has ever heard of killing the hives instead of feeding the bees over winter, or killing new queens to prevent the hive from splitting up and starting a second hive or any other "facts" I have found from Peta and other animal rights groups.
"Vegan" is an arbitary label that people devised to seperate "vegans" from total vegetarians. There are no set rules to be a vegan, unless you feel that you have to conform to the standards set up by instituitions like the Amer. Vegan Assoc. and PETA. It is a lifestyle choice, like choosing to be a Christian or being a cross dresser, that espouses a cruelty free lifestyle, no harm to any living creature, but there are fine lines that are drawn by many "vegans." But we all know (or should know) that there is a realistic limit to our cruelty free living.
I know "vegans" who are completely against abortion and others who support it. I know "vegans" who do not use prescription drugs, and others who feel that it is more important to keep themselves healthy first and concentrate on bigger issues (like using aspirin, birth control pills, or pain killers). I know a "vegan" who is against marijuana soley because it has been used in animal based experiments, while others feel it is a natural herb. It is a matter of perspective.
I am almost certain that I am no longer going to use the title "vegan" anymore because I have started to disagree with certain "rules" about "using" animals. I would rather be a "total vegetarian" and not have to justify myself to other "vegans." (No one on this board though) I personally feel that as long as the animal (or insect) is properly cared for and not abused, I don't mind. I don't object to people horseback riding as long as the horses are cared for properly, while I do have a problem with horse (all animal) races. Other "vegans" feel that horseback riding is wrong because you are "using" the animal.
(sorry this got so long winded-the honey subject is touchy for me)

[vegma]

Thanks for all your helpful replies. I agree that veganism is a journey, and we've traveled soooooooooo far in such a short time that I need some time to re-group and figure out what to eliminate next. And even though we initiated the journey for health reasons, there is so much more to the big picture. It helps to have your examples to follow:) Thanks!

[iceflower]

I am vegan. I try to avoid all animal products, but I don't have a strong objection to honey, so if the only food going is a health bar with honey in it, i'll eat it. i guess you have to decide where you draw the line for yourself. for example...i dont buy foods for myself with animal products in them, but if im staying at someone else place and they make me a soy milkshake for example, i wouldnt refuse it because the chocolate powder might have whey in it. It might be a bit of a comprimise, but can help show veganism is a positive thing and doesnt have to be about depriving yourself.

[Christa]

I would consider you vegan, too. Some people seem to be stricter than others. I personally only feel like one needs to avoid meat, dairy & egg products to be vegan. I have gone through stages of strictness myself.

For the first 4 or 5 yrs that I was vegan, I didn't eat honey, refined sugars, casein, or use anything with leather. I currently will eat honey and refined sugars sometimes. I did go through I period where I ate soy cheeses with casein - I was trying to make life easier on my non-vegi hubby. But, I had a really bad allergic reaction to casein, and once again am not eating it. I must admit that I feel better morally about avoiding it anyway! I still do not wear leather, but there are some leather items in my house, like a big leather couch that my husband brought to the union. I figured that he already had it & the cow was already dead, so there was no point in making him throw it out. Besides, we can't afford to replace it at the moment.

Not all of use are super-duper strict, either :). I still consider myself vegan, maybe slightly flawed, but better than nothing!