Post Punk Kitchen Forum

I was a teen vegetarian, but totally looked down on vegans. I just couldnt understand why anyone would live like this on purpose!. Actually I hated on vegans until Alec Baldwin changed my life with meet your meat. anyway, yeah, vegan teens are hardcore awesome.

My younger cousin was vegetarian by default because she would only eat mayo and potato chip sandwiches. She seriously still eats that and couscous and pretty much nothing else. When she found out I was vegan she said "Ohhhh that's an unhealthy diet".

I love people like this, if only because they make good anecdotes.

I went vegetarian at 14. It was this forum that sort of inspired me to stop with all animal products. Technically, it sort of just happened because one day I was like, "When was the last time I had milk or eggs?" and I realized it had been months. I lurked in the forums for quite a while.

I went vegetarian at 14, vegan at 18!

This is the truth. The first thing Isa said when we met was that she reared me on the internet.

I have met several teen vegetarians but as of yet haven't met any vegans. The few veggie teens approached me because of the Herbivore sticker I have up in my classroom. I try to have a few "indicators" up in the room so those who students who want to chat about it can.

People have gone to jail for that!

Well, I converted right after I started high school (six years ago). Back then, I didn't know aaaany vegans. It was kind of a bummer being the weird kid, but it didn't make me want to go back to cheese and hot dogs, either. When I head down to my residence hall's basement kitchen to whip up some noms, I spot vegan garbage in the recycling bin and trash can (Amy's roasted vegetable pizza, pre-cooked Indian curries). I ran into a freshman kid there who was making vegan spaghetti with Tofurky sausage while I made banana pecan pancakes. I thought it was really cute, even though I'm not much older than he is (but it nevertheless made me feel a little old). I wish I knew his name so I could bring baked goods and such to him. That's not just me wanting to be generous--I don't want to keep all the calories and fat to myself.

It's sort of amusing how impressed/intimidated I am when I hear of people being vegan for 10, 15, or even 30 years. Then I realize that I've been vegan for about 30% of my life. I think... I haven't taken a math class in years. Anyway, eight years from now, I'll have been vegan for half my life! I'd like to be able to help and share food with other budding vegans who are dipping their toes in the water, but I don't know how to seek 'em out. Our veggie group on campus is seemingly defunct at the moment.