Good for you! Do you feel better?

Thanks. I do feel better. And though I haven't lost a lot of weight or anything (I'm reasonably thin to begin with, so I really shouldn't lose too much, but about 10 lbs less would be the "ideal weight" for me, at least according to WiiFit), I feel like I look better/healthier, too.

However, it's also become clear to me that I need to tackle some other bad habits to really get the kind of energy levels I would like to have--namely, staying up late "screen-sucking" on the computer, not exercising regularly, and eating too much sugar.

I'm glad that your dietary changes are making you feel better and healthier. ^_^ That's a good goal.

Yes, those other bad habits can be energy-sucking; I know, because I have every one of them, and I'm terribly overweight as well.

I have the same bad habits! I was not doing too bad a few months ago with exercising, but something made me lose my course.

but...it's ok to eat fish 'cause they don't have any feelings.

Seriously, glad it's working out well for you.

If you're going to be 'ok' with a limited number of animal products, you should try some fresh honey *off the comb*! I've been eating it at breakfast a lot here (with dates) and it's very energizing...I think it's ok because we have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with honey bees (and they could use some help these days what with colony collapse disorder and whatnot). --but I think careful vegans usually try to get 'happy' bee honey...not sure all the specifics but probably bees with access to pesticide free nectar, no weird chemicals on the bees or plants, etc.

When I get back from KSA let's research it and find someplace to get awesome, organic, happy-bee honey from the comb?

pros/cons of honey -> http://www.naturalnews.com/022385_honey_food_sugar.html

I think it underscores the 'grey-ness' of whether vegan-ism is really all that beneficial (for people or animals either one). And isn't a healthy symbiosis more ideal than rigid abstention?

In other news I had an ostrich steak (medium-rare) a couple nights ago and it was quite possibly the BEST steak I have ever eaten in my life; if I had not ordered it myself I probably could not have guessed it poultry rather than red meat. nom-nom-nom-nom.

Interesting article.

And isn't a healthy symbiosis more ideal than rigid abstention?

I'd say so, yes. Personally, I think if I were in a position to keep pet chickens or bees or goats, for example, and keep them well-cared for, I wouldn't feel any qualms about taking a little of their eggs/honey/milk. For commercially sold items, though, it's difficult to know whether the animals and their human caretakers have a symbiotic relationship or an abusive one.

Happy-bee honey sounds good to me. :)

Although, I've been sampling a popular vegan alternative to honey, agave nectar, and I must say that it's quite good. It has a mild tanginess to it that I like.