VEGGY'TANS - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I was just reading another post where the topic of eating meat was mentioned. I, too, prefer not to eat meat. I am also vegan. I also eat 95% raw.

For me, nuts and seeds are the best source of trail protein. Based on my research, Pumpkin seeds are among the best seeds for physically active individuals; Almonds are also a great source!

In addition, Dates are the BOMB food for hiking!!! Dates are, but do not have to be, kept cold; so they can be carried on the trail. Dates contain all THREE types of sugar - glucose, sucrose, and fructose. If you payed attention in your biology or anatamy class, glucose is the sugar the body uses for energy, so that means to body uses very, very little energy to process and utilize its nutrients! Dates are full of calcium, protien and 5 small dates contain more potassium than one banana – that translates into relieving muscle soreness and stiffness caused from lactic acid build-up in the muscles!

Besides meat and peanut butter, what sources or protein will you eat/carry/use?

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food” ~Hippocates (Father of Modern Medicine)

It’s proven over and over again – food is your best medicine!

DWGTRKR

DAWGTREKKER

#2

Dawg, I use a textured vegitable protien powder added to dehydrated meals when I come up with a menu for a trip. Available at health food stores you can add it to what ever you like. It can be a little gritty but it fills your gap in the raw area. It takes a little practice but you can come up with some tasty meals.

Bushwhack

#3

Is that already dehydrated? How expensive is it?

Dawgtrekker

#4

Ive been doing some planning for hiking nutrition and this is my conclusion.Meat might be your pleasure option in town but its pointless on the trail for a couple of reasons.1.WEIGHT,pure proteins average about 4 cals pre gram while carbs are closer to 7(fats and sugers even more)2.Efficiency,carbs are the best fuel for an active body to burn,proteins are harder to digest.3.Storage/safety,meats take more effort to prepare and carry safely unless you go with jerky.even cooked meats are prone to excessive bacteria growth.If those reasons arent sufficent consider the average cost of meat and time it takes to cook.TVP,dehydrated refried beans,powerbars and peanut butter can supply more than enough protein for your trail needs.DAWG check out MACADAMIA NUTS for your diet,some are 200 calories per ounce.My trail mix is macs,banana chips,dry pineapple,wasabi hot peas and dry ginger(peanutbutter M&Ms for chocoholics)I challenge anybody to top this for taste OR calorie load.:slight_smile:

newb

#5

Near us a one pound can of powder is about $7. Small scoup and add. We’re also starting to carry plenty of soy based “meatless products” like soyrizo sausage, browns up and dries into spicy crumbles for packing and adding to soups etc. Tofujerky, roasted soy nuts are dabomb, great in the gorp mix. The wasabi peas are great in cold weather for clearing congestion. We make our own banana leather by cuttingthem long ways and then a bath of maple syrup, dry until chewy, watch the fillings. Bulk food stores like Gordons Food Service have big supply of dried refried beans, giant cans of pinapple, powdered soup mixes. We got almost everything for our trip there. Also see The Bakers Catalog at King Arthur’s Flour for individual gredamints.
http://ww2.kingarthurflour.com/cgibin/htmlos.cgi/10196.2.2339038671613088531

Bushwhack

#6

Thanks for the responses.

Newb, that trail mix sounds great - I love the ginger aspect as I LOVE fresh ginger! I have several different trail mixes made with differ combinations. Having these varieties will ensure I don’t get too bored with trail mix. All nuts and seed for my trail mix have been soaked in water for different periods of time, specified by books. In doing this, the protective enzymes of the nut or seed are debilitated, making them more easily digestible and more “useable” to our bodies. I have then dehydrated them with curry, paprika, cayenne, honey, b-grade maple syrup, cinnamon, etc. This is the best trail mix - ummm!!!

Bushwhack, I’m not too fond of eating such processed crap (no offense, but I do appreciate the suggestion)! But, I LOVE the bananas you mentioned. I have dehydrated close to 60 lbs. of the suckers and added them to my soaked nut/seed mix (see above). I, too, like the wasabi peas, but they are FRIED and my system can’t handle the beans (unless you want me to clear the shelter - hehe)! Oh, and thanks for the Las recipe I asked for earlier.

Any other comments or suggestions?

How about any websites that are good and economical food suppliers for hikers (not the stuff you but at REI etc.)?

Dawgtrekker

#7

I used TVP on the J.M.T last year. You can add it to most meals (as per Bushwhack). It really does fill you up to. I’ll be using it on my hike.

Ross :cheers

Ross

#8

I love sunflower seeds mmmmm… not a fan on punken seeds… not a pumpkin fan at all really :wink:

throw some soaked oats into it mmm homemade museli bars… add some dried apple chunks + dried peach bits… ohyeah

Bloody Cactus

#9

What kind of process? I’m a label reader now on everything. If it has something withing with a name you can’t pronounce, it ain’t food. Most of the bulk I get is from the organic isle with no preservatives. We have a super 11- grain oatmeal. Got you on the fried part, is see. I had a bag left over from '01 and although dried by the manufacturer is was rather not tasty. Peaches sliced in half, soaked in lemon juice and then sugared and dried are like candy. A bag goes in a day, you can’t have just one. Don’t froget to drink a lot with the dried fruit so you bloat up. Four dried peaches and a quart is a meal a half hour later.

Bushwhack

#10

I knew a vegan once, she refused to eat skittles because of the gelatin in them. What’s up with that?

IDN333

#11

…everyone has their scruples, I suppose!! I know I do…

DAWGTREKKER

#12

Speaking of eating and your type of food flavs; what do we think about a pot luck and/or hiker meal styles…thing at Trail Days? I have a long table to bring, the last Saturday, and will gladly make my Nitro Veggy Chile which recieved the prestigious Aswah 2000 Award for hottest chili on the trail that year. That could be a fun thing to do. Show off our food skills to others and share ideas. What think? Lief Zip? What do you think?

Bushwhack

#13

I think gelatin comes from horse hooves, or something similar. My brother won’t eat marshmellows for he same reason.

quill

#14

Like horse hide glue?! Ik. I thought it was just from beef bones.
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/beakman/jello.html

http://users.rcn.com/enf/jello.html

And there you have it.

Bushwhack

#15

I myself do not eat meat, but seem to always crave it, I was just wondering if i was lacking something that my body was letting me know about, i try to get my protein in other ways but never seem to quench that craving

on a different note, i work at a horse farm, and we often threaten the horses with sending them to the glue or jell-o factory, we can sell them for $200, we never do though, we’ve too nice, but i guess they’re hooves are valuable,

clong:boy

Clong

#16

Clong,

There are too many variables that may or could contribute to your cravings. My best suggestion, READ! READ! READ! LEARN! LEARN! LEARN! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

My wise Grandfather told me long ago that the only non-replenishable resource on Earth was LAND. I have since learned that in fact one other exists, and it is our gift of HEALTH - once it is gone, no medical doctor or pill will ever bring it back.

Americans can be so dumb when it comes to food. We have so much disease that is caused from our food! And we are setting the pace for other cultures, too. Europe and others continue to climb the obesity charts as our fast food and junk factories flood their markets. TskTskTsk To me, it is sad and truely disheartening. I know some hikers who take better care of their gear than they do of themselves…

Me? I want to hike into old age and gracefully die while walking closer and closer to my grandest adventure yet!

PLUR - Peace Love Unity Respect - Dawg

Dawgtrekker

#17

I wonder how many of you mid 20’s vegan freaky people will still hold the same strong opinions when you’re 45.

a non mouse

#18

Not to start a flame war, but I wonder how many of you mid 20’s Christian people will still hold the same strong opinions when you’re 45.

Why is being vegan freaky? It means you don’t believe that animals should be used for food. What’s different between that and any other belief?

Haiku.

Haiku

#19

Not eating a candy becuase it contains gelatain? That’s freaky.
Holding strong opinions about topics on which people are uneducated…

whatever.

you vegan people are the same motherfudders that walk around spewing gay ass poetry and get upset when somebody kills a black fly.

a non mouse

#20

Well, A Non Mouse, that’s just it, if you fail to continue your beliefs thoughout life, then I’d question the depths of your belief and if that belief was truly permanent, life-changing, soul-cutting conviction. If not, then is it really a belief?

Take a look around. Learn from your elders. Compare their current habits with yours, identify which habits you have in common, and then ask yourself, “Is where that person is today where I’d like to be at their age?”

I asked myself this same question. My self discovery was life-changing, soul-cutting conviction I now call belief and my daily actions reinforce my speech.

So, to answer your question, yes, I believe that I will continue this lifestyle into my forties…and well beyond.

What quality of life do you see past your forties and what are you doing today to achieve that vision? Do you see yourself sick, arthritic, diabetic, obese (in the guts, meaning protruding bowels that hang over you pants), cancerous (sp), lazy, immobile, and the list goes on? Ask people currently suffering with these similar illnesses if they ever thought it would happen to them. Their experiences and responses may change your jingle some.

Dawg

Looking back, the worst time in my life is when my attitude was “F*ck it!” - since I have learned this, I strive each day to fight that defeated attitude.

Living life is not that hard…

Dawgtrekker