@caroline009 not too terribly long ago, people were much more radical here than anything you have experienced as a response to this post and may consider “rude”. As @Sagojyou mentioned, you would have had people swearing at you, telling you to just -GO- vegan because it is NOT difficult.
The people who have responded to your post have responded truthfully and respectfully. I will openly admit to probably having the least respectful response, and that is fine.

When you enter into an activist lifestyle, the fact is that you WILL encounter -many- radicals.
There are many tiers of this lifestyle, and though each one helps more than just an omnivorous diet, there is almost ALWAYS more you could do – and the people who -are- doing more will always mention that (and the people are doing more than -them- will mention it to them).

You asked if you should worry about that 30%.
Essentially, that is up to you. Nobody can tell you what you have to do.
But veganism is not a percentage. You either are, or you aren’t. And that would be a commitment you would have to decide on your own if you want to make.
If you are in it for the animals, the obvious response is that you should worry about the 100% at all times. Sure, every little bit helps, but there is no reason -not- to go 100% with your diet. Most people are truly incapable of living entirely vegan lifestyles, because it nearly requires to completely live off the grid.
Our car tires, our bike tires, our fuel, the back on the carpet in our houses, or the sealant around our windows… Most of us will never be able to live in a home or drive a car that did not contribute to the cruelty of animals.

But we are all capable of fully omitting animal products from our diets. There is nothing stopping anyone.

And I saw it mentioned earlier that a few people wouldn’t say anything if a waiter served you cheese or butter on your bread – Why on earth wouldn’t you?
If that person is working in food service, and they don’t understand dietary restrictions, then give them a lesson. It is not difficult to explain that you do not eat animal products, and there is nothing rude about voicing your preferences, certainly not when you are paying to have a meal out.

I was never big on sweets so it’s not hard for me to say no. But you can bake your own sweets. Peta has a baking substitution sheet on their website, most of it is stuff you can get at any grocery store like baking powder, milk alternatives, and earth balance(vegan butter) is even sold at walmart. Also the smart balance (organic) is vegan

I was like you too. Then this super-vegan on the peta2 said I should stop being a wimp and just GO vegan (and there were more swearing involved than what I wrote here lol). So I did. Because you could make your own, right? You don’t have to eat it when people make them. If “the desire to want to eat those” > “your reasons for being vegan”, then I guess oh well. But if it’s <, then you might just want to not eat those. Like really.
And you can't be "xx% vegan"; you're a vegetarian.

I have not eaten meat for 4 years. I have eaten clam chowder maybe 4 times since becoming a vegetarian. I did not realize clam was categorized as ‘fish’ until recently. So that’s my fault for not educating myself on the subject. BUT you guys need to remember there are more then 1 types of vegetarianism.

It’s not about giving up baked goods and cookies. I can and have given them up. It was just for me not reading the labels and sometimes that was the only thing available.

Thanks everyone who comment that was actually trying to help, some of you others where just being rude and trying to make it seem like I was not trying to give things up because they taste good.

*It’s not necessarily about giving up baked goods, but substituting them.

I don’t know how to say this without coming off as rude, but you already know the answer to this.
I’m sorry, but Clam Chowder has fish in it, so you should’ve stopped eating that the moment you decided to become vegetarian. A few slip ups are okay, but from what I understand, you’re not even trying to avoid meaty foods.
If it’s hard for you to give up cookies and brownies, vegan mixes are not only available, but really common. For example, Ghiradelli’s Chocolate Chip Cookie mix is vegan, and so are Famous Amos cookies. It’s necessarily about giving up baked goods, but substituting them.
Good Luck!

@silencescreams Whoops, I did mean nonjudgemental in my comment. Silly autocorrect! And I’m glad that we got to have a good conversation. Different views are what make this world diverse and strong!
@mysterymalice You had some very valid points, too. What you said about veganism being your choice and no else’s is exactly true! And vegan alternatives ARE sometimes hard to find. Living in Pittsburgh, though, I’m lucky to have places like the Quiet Storm Cafe and the Big Idea Bookstore, which cater both entirely vegetarian as well as vegan friendly. Jack pot!

@MysteryMalice It is easy to make homemade vegan alternatives using everyday items (I understand that it may be hard to find alternative like veganaise, for I use to live in a small town which did not carry such items). For example: a lot of baking that I do calls for oil (regular vegetable or canola oil) instead of butter. I agree though, that people making transitions could find it difficult esp. if they do not know what they are looking for. I agree that people should make choices for regarding their own lifestyle choices to follow a more ethical/moral path and not from chastise. I do not think I have ever come across a elitist vegan, using the definition of finding themselves superior. However, would I find the vegan lifestyle a superior choice? Of course! How could I not say it is the best choice when it is the alternative is promoting genocide.

@SassyVegan I did get what you are trying to express. I know that personally I have never made a big deal about anything in a restaurant and usually opp. for things I know are vegan (such as items at subway or fries). In general though, I do not eat out. I believe you meant…. nonjudgemental in your comment I just do not like the misformed outlook people could develop about veganism with false information or bad representation expressing that it is okay to sometimes consume a little bit of animal byproducts.

@caroline009 It is great to hear you are making an effort!

Vegans get such a bad rap BECAUSE of people/vegans with elitist attitudes*

I agree with @SassyVegan about the veganism being made to be a chore. Vegans get such a bad rap from people with elitist attitudes when the best way to get others to make more ethical diet and lifestyle choices is to not chastise.
People are NOT all the same, whilst for some people it going vegan is an easy and sometimes instant transition, for others it isnt. And even if the transition is made slowly over years it’s still an admirable change.
I also have to disagree with @silencescreams it is NOT always easy to find vegan alternatives, vegan alternatives are available in some places its true, but getting a hold of them, or finding a place to eat out which provides vegan food is entirely dependent on where you live (country, main city, etc).
So it is understandable that people making the transition to being vegan will be tempted and opt for easy to grab non vegan food.

In answer to the question however @caroline009 don’t worry, don’t stress, and take your time.
You can find lots of information online on ‘why’ you should go vegan, but at the end of the day it’s no one elses decision to make but your own. Don’t feel pressured by anyone elses opinions, make up your own mind. Your choice should come from you, not statistics, videos, or other people.

@silencescreams, I respect and understand your position. But let me clarify what I said before: What I meant was, it’s important for veganism to not come off as a CHORE to other people. Really, all this does is drive people away from it. For example, at a restaurant it IS important to speak up and ask questions. But if your poor waiter is completely clueless and STILL sprinkles cheese on your breadsticks, then there is no need to make a big deal. THAT’S what I meant. And your need to “clarify” and “classify” everything is exactly what I mean when I say that veganism should not come off as a chore to others. Yes, it IS important to read labels, ask questions, etc and I am happy to do all of that, because I am helping animals. But remember that veganism is NOT about personal purity. It IS about making a significant effort to reduce the suffering of animals. It IS about informing others in a kind and judgemental way. It IS about truly caring for all animals and striving for their liberation. THAT is what veganism is about.
And @caroline009, I’m glad that things are working out for you! Keep working hard girl, and I’ll be doing the same!

Oh and I’m not just going Vegan, I have been like this for about 2 years now. I do have some E.L.F make-up and some makeup from before I went vegan I use sometimes, I just don’t like wearing it breaks me out, I only wear it when i dress up for something fancy

As for the clam chowde I have pretty much ruled that out, but I have occasionally eaten it at a seafood place.

I guess my motivation to STOP the baked goods and snacks is that they are unhealthy anyway.

BTW if I make my own I DO use replaces are substitutes.

Sweets are my kyptonite too, haha. It’s hard, but you just have to push through it. If people truly like you, they’re pretty chill about refusing to eat their baked goods. After awhile, it’ll just become habit to not eat those things.

Like panda cookie said, clam chowder isn’t even vegetarian.
E.L.F. and Urban Decay make vegan makeup, elf is a 100% vegan company and everything is hell cheap(GOOD mascara for 1$, what’s better than that?)

And…I think everything has been covered

If you’re eating the clam chowder, you’re not really even a vegetarian. Anything classified in the Animalia Kingdom, should be off-limits..