re: When grocery shopping, do you use a reusable bag?

quote:

---

I would think it'd be strange if you needed a special "radar" to be able to tell who the women are IRL.

---

good point

quote:

---

Seems everyone has been noticing I'm a chick lately..

---

Other than my acute woman radar this was my first hint:

"As a beginner crocheter, I can appreciate things being homemade"

quote:

---

Just clarifying before I answer.

---

I guess both. When you mentioned silk, that was a new one to me. Maybe ultra was the wrong word for it.

this is very prevalent in Northern California. I think they actually charge you for bags, so it's cheaper to bring one. Plus what to do with all those bags? At least they recycle everything. I am trying to do it here in La too. makes no sense to waste all that plastic, or at least it is nice to keep it out of a landfill.

if you ever go to central america, you can see why plastic bags suck. they are floating everywhere on the street, side of the road, etc.

quote:

---

Maybe ultra was the wrong word for it.

---

Most people who know me IRL (I guess maybe on here too) would vouch for me in saying that I am not an "ultra" (over-the-top) vegan.

My decision started as health and now is also influenced by animals but that's just how I feel. I have always had a soft heart and a big conscience. Once I educate myself on something, I have a hard time ignoring it moving forward.

I decided back in 2012 that I wanted to get healthier. I happened to pick up the book Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer and was also taking a class where we discussed animals rights. All of this had a part in my decision. Beginning of this year I wanted to try being vegan because I like challenging myself and there was something that didn't feel right about being vegetarian. Anyway, I LOVE it. This lifestyle works for me. As a young cook, I am intrigued by the challenge of creating a dish that is delicious without meat.

I feel GREAT. I eat so much food all day and I don't feel bad, don't gain weight and don't get sick, ever. I can indulge in as much as I want because all the food I crave is good for me. I feel more alive - like my body is more awake now.

The science is there, look into it. Vegan diet reverses heart disease, cancer and diabetes. I want to do everything I can to prevent myself from getting sick. I feel healthier than ever.

I understand that people will still eat meat and I am still curious to see how others cook it and what they can create with what THEY choose to cook with. I'll be the first to comment 'looks great!' to someone whose main dish might be a chicken or cow. I try hard to not be an over-the-top vegan that most people assume 'we' all are.

I am happy to educate anyone who asks me anything, but will never shove it down anyone's throat and I do all I can to accommodate for myself so others don't have to and will be comfortable.

ETA: (not replying directly to you - just wanted to make this statement) if you ever wonder why a vegetarian or vegan or anyone on a specific diet you disagree with is snippy, remember times like these. I don't mind it, but we constantly have to EXPLAIN ourselves to people we don't even know who want to criticize or give an opinion on what we do. As I said, I don't mind. I would prefer to answer these questions so y'all can see it more from my POV and can understand where I'm coming from.



ETA (2.0)
I guess I didn't comment on the 'silk' part. As stated earlier in the thread, I did not throw away all my non-vegan products when I made the switch. However, whenever I buy something new, I try to find vegan or eco-friendly products. There are somethings I can't control though... today I bought drain-o. Probably not eco-friendly and not sure if vegan, but I needed it and I didn't have another option. I don't really buy shoes that often, but not sure if I would buy vegan shoes because they are expensive. I make these decisions as I come to them by what, to me, feels like the right thing to do. There are SO MANY times everyday that these decisions come up...almost makes me you say "why do animals affect my life SO much".

Well said embo. While that diet/lifestyle isn't for me .. if it works for you and makes you feel better then keep at it. Criticism will always be there, just have to filter out those that do it to be hateful or because of their own insecurities, from those that have a genuine point to make or discuss.

No worries. Although I tend to be more in Zach's camp that environmentalism is a good theory, but ultimately manifests itself as a liberal power-grab masquerading as a well-intentioned agenda.

Now if you start quoting from the EPA or the Sierra Club then we may have a problem !

quote:

---

Please find me a lifestyle that allows my cravings. Here is my list:

---

I used to have those cravings as well. Once you start eating healthy you will crave healthy... you gotta trust me on that one.

But here's an idea:
Slice two ripe (brown spots) bananas and put in a bag (probably plastic...oh the irony).
Put them in the freezer for at least an hour.
Take em out and pop them in the blender. Add almond butter and cacao (cocoa) powder or cacao nibs. Or you can add two Justin's dark chocolate peanut butter cups. That should get your sweet tooth in check.

If you're interested in more recipes, shoot me an email. I'll be happy to share.

I always forget the reusable bags. And I use the plastic bags for shitty diapers and kitchen garbage. Go through a few a day. Never use garbage bags as a result.

quote:

---

Anyone who doesn't use their own bags is missing out, and the biggest reasons to do it have nothing to do with saving the planet. Instead of being limited to a few paper bags and no free hands, or 10 plastic bags cutting the circulation off in my fingers, 2 - 3 reusable bags accomplish the same job with much more comfort and manageability. I also use those insulated totes for the cold stuff. Keeps you from having to run straight home.

---

I use a shopping cart so my fingers have never had the circulation cut off. I roll the cart to the car and load the bags into the car. If I have cold or frozen items, I put those bags into the insulated totes I keep in the back of the car at all times. I throw away bags that hold meats and other such things. I would have to wash the reusable bags all the time if I put those things in them. I would use a lot of water that way I would imagine. I reuse the plastic bags for cleaning the cat litter and other such things. I reuse the paper bags for a lot of things also, but I never reuse bags which hold perishable possibly drippy items.