I've been vegan now for about a month.  Can I still say I'm "vegan" even when I fall (sometimes jump) off the wagon?  Yesterday I was volunteering at an event and they provided food.  No meat, but amazing little veggie sandwiches.  First I did eat the fresh veggies and fruit.  But those sandwiches looked good, and didn't have meat, so I let myself have one (then later, another one).  I'm not sure what all they had on them, but I think some sort of cheese was included (they were rolled up, so it was hard to tell).   I also had 2 small cubes of cheese from the cheese tray.  The first real cheese I've had in several weeks.  At least I stopped at 2, which I consider a success, since I was/am a big cheese-lover.  I also had a doughnut hole and another piece of doughnut (sugar, sugar, sugar).  I don't *normally* eat like this, so it was a splurge, and I thought maybe "confessing" it on here would help ease my conscience.  ;-)  

Maybe something was in the air!  Hah, hah.  I, too, fell way off the wagon, drug along behind it, and fianlly thought to let go of the dang rope!  Anyway, I figured out too late that I have been focusing so much of my reading time on healthful eating (I read The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics over the weekend), that the little kid in my mind was starting to feel deprived, and get a bit frightened.  As she ran screaming out of the room and into the cupboard and refrigerator, grown up me just sort of sat back and watched the train wreck. 

So, today I'm back and having a little mini-detox with oats, a banana, brown rice and carrot sticks lunch, an apple for a snack, and a bit of hummus and veggies for dinner.

Did you feel alright after eating the cheese?  I cannot eat cheese now or I get pretty ill, so I find I no longer even want it, and I used to LOVE cheese!  You may still be so newly off it that your body still likes it.  Either way it's okay, of course.  Just eat what your body wants.  I think the best way to think of the Kind Diet is first to add a lot of wonderful foods, then think about deleting those items you want to.  Good luck!

Diane- LOL!  Your post made me laugh.  Loved it!!  I feel that way too sometimes, for sure!  Glad I'm not the only one!!! 
Yeah, I actually felt ok.  Unless my cramps that showed up 2 days later were on account of that cheese and sugar.  I'm not sure if that would cause such a quick response, what do you guys think?  I ate the cheese and sugar Sat. afternoon, then when my period started on Sun. night, and into Monday, I was back to the same horrible cramps I used to get before going vegan.  (Note, last month, shortly into my vegan lifestyle - when I hadn't gotten off the wagon yet and was actually eating very well b/c it was all new and exciting, I had very light cramps.  So this could be it, I'll continue my monthly research).  ;-) 
After that, though, I also went on a mini detox and found that's what my body wanted - I ate plain brown rice with steamed collards last night for dinner.  I think you're right, Cheryl.  The longer I'm off certain foods, the less I'll want them. 

you can call yourself whatever you'd like to, but honestly, a vegan doesn't intentionally eat non-human animal products, even if it's only sometimes. i'm not being harsh, i'm just being honest. a vegan does their best to avoid these non-human animal products  - and sure, there may be some cheese or milk in something unbeknowst to you, but to be vegan is to not intentionally eat them. the definition of veganism: "a philosphy and lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. vegans endeavor not to use or consume animals of any kind."  

I understand you all wanting to be "vegans" for the sake of your health if you really think it makes a difference...however if a person works hard and gets plenty of exercise, as the old "farm folks" did who often live into their 90s (while eating meat, drinking milk, eating cheese and lots of pork products), you should be fine. Lack of exercise is the biggest problem affecting people's health. However, this mentality of judging others who choose to use God's gifts of animals for what God intended -- consumption and use -- and portraying us as "unkind", is just false and wrong. If that is true, then I guess Jesus was "unkind" for eating lamb and fish, and for allowing animal sacrifice and killing animals to clothe the first humans -- Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21)? They covered themselves with "fig leaves"...God covered them with animal skins.  To make a long story short, I believe in worshipping  Father God, not Mother Earth!!

USAMeatLover- I understand the arguments you present, have heard them many times.  Try to temper you commendable zeal with the understanding that God has at times allowed things though they were not His actual purpose or ultimate plan for mankind.  He did not give mankind permission to eat animals until after the flood of Noah's day, and even then it was to highten the sanctity of blood so we could better comprehend the gift of His Son's life and blood.  In fact all of the animal sacrifices were for the purpose of giving the Israelites a clear understanding of the need for redemption.  As the apostle Paul stated, the Law of Moses was a 'tutor leading to Christ.'
Adam and Eve were created vegetarian, and it is my devout belief that in the 'recreation' which the Bible speaks of, mankind as a whole will be returned to that condition.
You may enjoy also reading the China Study, the doctor who wrote it was raised on a dairy farm and very thoroughly explains the medical reasons why meat and dairy are so dangerous for your health.  And he is a religious man who believes in God and the Bible.

Do we think God intended for animals to be raised they way we currently are raising them?  All so people can save some money? 
I'm thinking probably not.

Good point Terra!  God never sanctioned the way animals are modernly raised and used.  There were laws against animal cruelty in the Bible, along with the other laws of morality.

frenchmomma, I do agree with you, that we will be returned to consuming only vegetation in the next life since all that is mentioned is "fruit" when the Bible speaks of heaven. And yes, it is because of the fall that we can eat meat. However, while we're on earth, there's nothing wrong with eating and  enjoying meat.

Acts 10: 9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

OK, well that was a vision, not literal.  It referred to God wanting them to preach no longer only to Jews but also to Gentiles.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:13:  Therefore, if food makes my brother stumbe, I will never eat flesh at all, that I may not make my brother stumble.

So, I am wondering what your motives are at coming and posting on a site full of vegetarians.  All very kind hearted people, many many many of whom profess to be Christians.  Are you doubting their faith because they choose not to hurt and eat animals? Eating the flesh of animals is nowhere required in the Bible.  It is a personal choice given to us by Jehovah God who created us with free will and gave us the loving example of Jesus to follow.

Jesus ate meat, but does not require us to.  Just as he did not choose to marry, but never condemned those who do.

What is your goal here?

Don't beat yourself up about it Sarah. I had dairy this past weekend (weekends are tough for me), but I accepted it and said to myself that I'd be back on track tomorrow and I was:) It's all good!

Sarah- I am so feeling your pain!!! This last weekend, I did not just sample.....but dove head first into the old life of eating cheese!! My body feels so gross right now, and I am starting a 5 day fast to clean the yuk out. I was vegan for just over a month and a half and dont even know why I did it. Started with Pizza....yumm!! and ended with some Italian dish loaded with cheese. All we can do is our best everyday. If we make wonky decisions, then we just have to get back on track. I remember reading something to that affect in TKD, and it helps me get through the Off-the-wagon times.

I have to admit, I cheat occasionally when at a restaurant. I'll have a shrimp dish or a bit of fish. But hey, only human and I'm not going to beat myself up about it.
Couldn't tell you if there's a God ,or if he/she would think we should eat meat.......just sounds a bit silly to me. ( Not quite sure why they'd be on this site if not to stir up a fight, but I digress.....)
Even Alicia ( our queen :) ) has admitted to indiscretions, there's certainly no shame in it and I believe wholeheartedly, we can still claim to be vegans...... ;)

I do believe someone met their match - THANKS French_Momma1