Diary. It’s everywhere…..on, or in almost everything we eat. We just can’t escape it. Even whey and casein is added to foods we surely think are Ghost-Free. I was vegetarian for a few years before I exposed myself to learning about dairy. I was unaware of the truth about the dairy industry, partly because I didn’t want to know on some level, which was also fueled by a great effort by the industry to hide it from our view. On a superficial conscious level, my understanding was that dairy products had anything to do with exploitation of cows. We’re inundated with “Got Milk?” ads that fuel our believe that happy cows are frolicking in a pasture with Farmer Jane gently asking Bessie for her milk. This, as well as many more important and complex issues can make the transition from vegetarian to vegan a challenge.
Kelly, how do you feel about making this transition in general, and does giving up dairy pose any challenges for you?
Coach Donna and Coach Rosemary
The opinions we express as GFJ Coaches are ours personally. We are not professional health practitioners. Neither are we treating a specific health care issue. That means we are not offering advice on health-care problems. If you are experiencing a health-care problem, it is important to seek the advice of a health professional. However we are experienced, practicing vegans and we look forward to coaching you on your journey..
I LOVE ice cream and cheese. I think that this will pose one of the biggest challenges for me. I also think it is incredibly weird that we use the breast milk for another species. One of the books I read and got me into thinking about Veganism, was the “Kind Diet” by Alicia Silverstone. She put it into perspective about how strange and wrong for our bodies milk is. “We don’t drink our own mother’s milk when we are 8, or 15, or 30, so why would our bodies accept another creatures milk?”
Secondly, when I think of breeding a cow just to get milk, then ripping it’s child away… for veal or the purpose of milking, it breaks my heart. I really don’t think we have a right to do this!
I think my body will REALLY appreciate the lack of dairy in my new diet, I am a bit lactose intolerant so I know it will benefit me.
As for my loves? I found an incredible coconut ice cream… had it with some berries and it was heavenly. I also picked up some Daiya cheese, I will try it out tonight!
Kelly, you’ve obviously put alot of thought and care into this topic. Your points about using another species’ breast milk and also how we don’t use our own species’ milk beyond the age of 2yr (typically), is also and interesting point. I’m curious, have you been conscious of these issues you bring up for long?
The ice cream sounds really yummy! There are definitely substitutions out there for sure. I have some recipes for ice cream/sorbet that I make right in my food processor or vitamix that I can share if you’d like.
The use of avocado and or olives usually helps with cheese cravings for me. The texture and salt will satisfy.
Hopefully, we’ll get some other feedback from the Ghost community as well.
I think the dairy issue was one of the most impactful ones for me. I have been thinking about it for a long time and I also knew that it would be one of the toughest to tackle. Dairy is one of those things that are in EVERYTHING.
I would love some recipes! If I find some make at home substitutions, I am sure that it will help squash my dairy addicition. I am going to try to make some vegan pizza tonight (another weakness).Any ideas or recipes would be appreciated!
It is my first day back at work this week, lunch on the go will be interesting. We have a whole foods down the road, I will hit up their salad bar.
Loving the avocado idea, adding them to my list!
Any suggestions for chocolate substitutions?
It sounds like the this is an important issue for you, Kelly as it is for many. Letting go of dairy seems like it’s the #1 obstacle for vegetarians to transition to vegan. Thankfully, there are many resources for help with this with various substitutions, to moral support.
Whole Foods salad bar should have some great options, and I believe they label most items on their salad bar. As far as chocolate goes, if it’s 70% or more dark chocolate, it should be Ghost-Free. Check on some of the labels, and I’ll find some brands for you as well. I do know Hershey’s chocolate syrup is vegan, and I use it for sure!
For a quick Milkshake fix:
1 cup nut milk (I like almond best, but any will do).
1 frozen banana
2 TBS cacao powder
2 TBS Hershey’s syrup
a few ice cubes (depending on how thick you want it).
Blenderize!
Here is the trailer to “Got the Facts on Milk Documentary”.
https://www.milkdocumentary.com/trailer/ a
and article about breaking the dairy addiction
https://soulsearchingvegan.com/
I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
I have got some reading to do!
<3
Hi Kelly, I understand the love of cheese, it was the last thing I gave up. I really wanted to find a decent substitute but unfortunately what was available at the time really tasted awful! I love Daiya and nut cheeses, like Dr Cow. Daiya costs less and the white version is great on pizza. The yellow is great for grilled cheeses and nachos. I would recommend melting it though, I found it was not as good if I ate it straight from the package.
For chocolate, I love Endangered Species chocolate bars. But you really do need to read labels when buying chocolate. I have found many dark chocolates contain dairy. If you would like an incredibly indulgent chocolate, check out Lagusta’s Luscious.
I love the coconut milk ice creams too. There are so many non-dairy choices on the market right now, it can be difficult to choose! I also love sorbet, but have come across certain brands that contain dairy believe it or not.
I never thought I would give up cheese, but it has been a few years for me. I am at a point now where just the smell is enough to make me gag. It’s funny how much I have changed. I know I could never eat another animal product again.
Thank you for clarifying the need to really check labels, Diane. It was only a few weeks ago, that it was brought to my attention that Stonyfield O’Soy Yogurt contains milk product.
Here is a list of common vegan chocolate brands: (but I hear Lagusta’s are to die for!).
https://suite101.com/article/vegan-chocolate-a173141
Yes, dairy can be hidden so well in things. As I said yesterday, be careful to look for whey…which is in many things, it seems. Some mainstream potato chips have whey in them…crazy.(Although the barbq ruffles bag I have beside me half eaten as I write another crazy essay for a class, do not contain whey!) Who says vegans can’t enjoy junk food?
“I couldn’t give up cheese, so I gave up animal cruelty instead”
https://www.thisveganlife.org/i-couldnt-give-up-cheese-so-i-gave-up-animal-cruelty-instead/
Kelly, if you’re on the west coast, I think Daiya has even come out with more cheese flavours…. Out here on the east coast I have to wait patiently for that day. But they are a great brand and their website has good recipes as well for things like mac and cheese and lasagnes,etc….
As for sweets, for a while a satisfied that craving with oreos (which are vegan) and have now learned to bake my own cupcakes and what not, so when I wants some cookies or other treat, I just make it myself. That part of the process was actually a lot of fun, as I learned so much more about my food, and converting formerly unkind foods into kind ones.
Since someone brought up the label reading issue, I will mention here, that some juices are not vegan either. The Oasis brand of juices add extra vitamins in them, and in some case they will contain milk by products. Imagine my surprise when I saw a juice that had on the label “Now Dairy Free”!
Good point about the juices Judy. They other day I came across a Facebook post about orange juice, a juice that advertised ‘Now with Omega 3’, yup, contained fish oil!
Wow, I am really realizing that label reading takes time and practice. Even some of my Vegetarian favorites which I assumed would be Vegan were not. I went to pick up Spinach bite and sure enough… egg whites.I am definitely going to have to make some time to cook up some of my own!!
All of these tips are definitely helping though!
This sculpture by Liu Qiang quite a statement, isn’t it?
[img]https://www.theghostsinourmachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/380182_10151007199369384_962393800_n.jpg[/img]
Where is that sculpture from?
https://freefromharm.org/food-and-culture/a-modern-day-remus-and-romulus-sculpture-the-absurdity-of-our-dependence-on-milk/
Beijing
I think it’s interesting to think of all the ways that the dairy industry covers their tracks. As the original post indicates, the dairy industry seems to do this particularly well compared to others. We are always being told subtly and not-so-subtly that dairy cows are ‘happy cows’, that milk is somehow healthy or helps you lose weight, or that it’s an important part of meals for children. I think we need to be vigilant of all of the misinformation out there. The dairy industry has tricked people into thinking that it isn’t linked to the misery and death of our bovine friends, our ill health, and the destruction of the environment. While it is hard to separate killing from eating meat, people seem to be particularly good at separating dairy consumption from the above mentioned effects (‘cows will die if you don’t milk them’ and other ridiculous falsities). In my opinion, I think we have a huge challenge and opportunity to educate people about dairy cruelty.
Hi Kelly,
I am so sorry to have missed so much. I am learning to use my son’s iPad and so I can do some stuff while lying down :-).
There is no doubt that dairy poses the biggest challenge for many. John Robbins has a new book out “no happy cows”.. I have not read it yet, I assume it will be an eye-opener for many. You already seem to be quite aware of the ethical implications so you are very much ahead of the game. I think that some of the most powerful images that I have ever seen about this issue are on the we animals website by Jo-Anne mcarthur. I apologize for any atrocious spellings in this post. I hope to be much more active starting tomorrow.
You are doing a fantastic job, Kelly!
You have been missed here my dear co-coach! It so wonderful to read your post and know you might be feeling a bit better. <3
I am thrilled to see that so many others have joined in the conversation. It really does take a village. Xoxo
Donna, I hope you feel better soon!