Hello I am a Flirt and have a few questions I know that dairy is out but many of the labels of the foods I have accessible to me say: that they may contain milk are they bad, do I have to avoid them? Also my great grandparent have a home farm and they have cows and chickens and I know that they milk the cows themselves and my mami she makes the best milk soup ever (milk and rice) it just makes me incredibly happy, do I have to give this up too. It sounds weird but I have never ever seen them treat there cows bad or kill one, they don't believe in killing cows they even actually make their own butter, I mean not even pasteurized, Is it okay for me to still have that soup even if its just when I visit, and it it okay for me to buy product that may have in their label not the ingredients milk?

I believe the only way you will achieve the true bliss of vegan nutrition is to exclude meat (and meat products), dairy (and dairy products).  If you read the post listed right now in "recent discussions" you will see why excluding all dairy is a must to get the physical and mental clarity we all are striving for.  Also, watch the clip of Alicia on Oprah-- its on youtube and I am sure her home page as well.  Oprah tries to convince Alicia if the cows are happy why can't I drink their milk.  Also, if the chickens are happy why can't I eat their eggs.  It can give you some further insight in to why the recommendations are what they are.  Best of Luck!

vivi - if you are just 'flirting' then do just that!  a good way to start doing this stuff for a lot of people is to ease in - so maybe you can just not eat dairy at home, or only eat it at your grandparents, or only eat it in the form of your grandma's soup (unless shes making it for you every day!).  Over time, you may really see the impact that dairy has on you - if you only eat it once a month at your grandparents, you may notice that the day after you always have a headache or are cranky or whatnot, and through that direct ability to link your health to this limited exposure will find it easier to give it up.  Or maybe the longer you do this the more you will read and come to a different decision.  Or you might decide to never give up your grandma's soup - and thats fine too.  There is no one holding a gun to your head saying you must do everything right NOW!  Small steps add up to big things -

Hi Vivi,
I really have to second Ann with this one.  Things happen when they are supposed to happen.  If you try and force yourself to do anything, you're going to resent the process.  Where Alicia's book  won me over to all of this was the "flirt" phase.  I was ready for a change, played around for a bit and now I'm ready to commit.  Listen to your heart.  And if that means you eat dairy from your grandma, I for one won't think less of you!