your dreaded vegan

I have been vegan for about 9 months now… but many vegans would say I have only been vegan 6 weeks give or take. Up until recently, I regularly consumed local, organic sources of bee pollen and raw, unfiltered honey. To be honest, I’m not sure I won’t begin consuming these items soon again. For me, I believe the benefits of these products outweigh the animal rights concerns- I am certain that the source I am buying from is humane. My biggest reasoning for going vegan was for health purposes, and although it plays a very large part as well, animal rights was secondary. Many vegans will argue that I am not treating insects like animals, and it’s not that I necessarily believe insects are below most other animals; I know how big of a part they play in our world and I especially have a love and respect for the honeybee, being touched by documentaries like Vanishing of the Bees. But, as a vegan, I recognize that we are much more at risk for nutrient deficiencies.

Bee Pollen-

Composition: Pure Bee Pollen

Bee pollen has been considered to have the following nutrients:

Vitamins: Provitamin A, B-1 Thiamin, B-2 Riboflavin, B-3 Nancin, B-5, B-6 Pyridoxine, B-12 (cyanocobalamine), Pantothenic acid, Vitamin C, F, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin H, Vitamin K, Vitamin PP, Folic Acid, Choline, Inositol, Rutin.

Minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron, Copper, Iodine, Zinc, Sulfur, Sodium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, Boron, Silica, and Titanium.

Other: Amino Acid, Carbohydrates, Fatty Acids, Enzymes & Co-Enzymes, Fats.

Bee Pollen contains at least 22 amino acids, 18 vitamins, 25 minerals, 59 trace elements, 11 enzymes or co-enzymes, 14 fatty acids, 11 carbohydrates and approximately 25 % protein. Bee pollen is extremely rich in carotenes, which are metabolic precursors of vitamin A. It is also high In B complex and vitamins C, D, E and Lecithin. Bee pollen contains over 50 % more protein than beef, yet its fat content is very low. It is also an excellent vegetarian source of protein typically possessing more of the essential amino acids, pound for pound, than animal proteins like meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Daily use of pollen also ensures an intake of the more obscure, yet essential trace minerals that may be lacking from commercially grown produce and are often not included in vitamin mineral supplements. Most of us are unaware that the nutrients supplied by cooked fruits, vegetables and meats are not considered fresh because their enzymes have been exposed to high heat. Even taking a multivitamin can’t offer the superior nutrient array of raw and fresh food.

http://www.envirobee.com/beepollen2.htm

Raw Honey-

Health Benefits

In addition to its reputation as Nature’s nutritive sweetener, research also indicates that honey’s unique composition makes it useful as an antimicrobial agent and antioxidant.

Raw Honey - An Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Viral, Anti-Fungal Substance

The health benefits of honey—like all foods&mdashdepend on the quality of the honey. But in this case, the situation is even more extreme, because the pollen that collects on the bees’ legs as they move from plant to plant is only as healthful and as diverse as those plants. In addition, the processing of honey often removes many of the phytonutrients found in raw honey as it exists in the hive. Raw honey, for example, contains small amounts of the same resins found in propolis. Propolis, sometimes called “bee glue,” is actually a complex mixture of resins and other substances that honeybees use to seal the hive and make it safe from bacteria and other micro-organisms. Honeybees make propolis by combining plant resins with their own secretions. However, substances like road tar have also been found in propolis. Bee keepers sometimes use special screens around the inside of the hive boxes to trap propolis, since bees will spread this substance around the honeycomb and seal cracks with the anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal resins. The resins found in propolis only represent a small part of the phytonutrients found in propolis and honey, however. Other phytonutrients found both in honey and propolis have been shown to posssess cancer-preventing and anti-tumor properties. These substances include caffeic acid methyl caffeate, phenylethyl caffeate, and phenylethyl dimethylcaffeate. Researchers have discovered that these substances prevent colon cancer in animals by shutting down activity of two enzymes, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and lipoxygenase. When raw honey is extensively processed and heated, the benefits of these phytonutrients are largely eliminated.

See other benefits of raw honey here.

& then there’s this argument:

veg·an/ˈvēgən/

Noun:A person who does not eat or use animal products.

And I can’t really argue with that. Bee products ARE animal products. But, my question is, what does that make me? If all other aspects of my life are vegan, but I consume honey and bee pollen, what am I? What are your opinions on veganism and bee products?

Namaste. :)
My name is Kaylee, I am 21, very happily married, and reside in Colorado.  My husband and I live a lifestyle that is constantly changing and improving. We seek to further enlighten ourselves and continuously learn more about nutrition, yoga, politics, spirituality, world religions, conspiracy theories or facts, music, nature, living green, and so much more. We are vegan.. well for the most part. I was recently made more than aware by an offended vegan that honey and bee pollen are not at all vegan - no matter how humane the source nor the incredible health benefits that are especially important for vegans (expect to see a blog on this next). We take great pride in our health, nutrition, and diet. We are nearly 100% organic and raw with the exception of a select few ingredients. Our goal in life is to be self sustaining. Our dream is to own a campground in the mountains that we live on-site in an Earthship (Earthship Biotecture). We want to grow much of our own food and sell any extra for additional income, along with any sale of peyote stitch sleeves (for hair/dreadlocks) or hemp jewelery I make; I will eventually have a shop on Etsy to share for these items. If anyone is interested in something, just let me know on here! :) I look forward to this blogging experience. :)