In response to Lobo's words:
>>I was wondering how many here have made their vegan life part of their actual spiritual practice... i.e. incorporated it into ritual, seasons, etc?:

I am in a group of awesome pagans, and since some of us are vegan, our gatherings, rituals and parties are always vegan-only food. The non-vegans are so nice to make vegan dishes for our gatherings, even though they aren't vegan themselves. It makes it a lot easier on us vegans, we can relax and not feel burdened or uncomfortable by having meat around during rituals and parties. Plus, the vegan food is always sooo good anyway, and so the non-vegans love to eat it with us! : )

As far as incorporating veganism into spiritual practices...
I like to do a meditation before I eat something, and think about what plants were alive and growing to make this food, what farmers and other people had to work to bring this food to my table. It's kind of like praying, but it's more like appreciating and being thankful. Sometimes I'm too busy and hungry and forget to do this appreciation meditation, but I like when I remember to do it.

Also, cooking sometimes helps me to de-stress. But, one day I realized that I don't want to be "mentally venting" and thinking of stressful things while I handle food that I or others am going to eat. I feel like that brings my negative energy out of me and into the food, passing along negative vibes to whoever eats it or handles it next.

So, now I like to do something else to vent out my frustrations and then when I feel a little more relaxed, then I can touch food, cook, eat, whatever. I feel like when I'm cooking, especially for others, I like to think of positive things, and have positive energy flowing through me to cook the meal with love.

One more thing I do is when I'm at a public ritual and someone is singing or praising a god or goddess of Hunting or something non-vegan like that, in my mind, I personally change that so that I'm appreciating a god that protects the animals of the forest rather than a hunter god...etc. Makes me feel more at ease.

Great topic, Lobo, I'm really interested in what all of the rest of you have to say about this topic.