Comments on: I recently went vegan and now I am going to have to face my relatives and tell them, what do I say? http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/ Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:59:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: veg.gal http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1621 veg.gal Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:01:40 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1621 I totally sympathise. The truth is, nobody will understand at first. You'll face questions that you know the answers to but find that you can't articulate them on the spot, and end up feeling stupid and over-sensitive. It's best just to say 'I don't agree with the industry in general' at first then let them form the questions one at a time after that. You can usually tell when someone is genuinely concerned and wants to know your reasons, and when someone is just irritated and exasperated and has no intention of listening to you no matter what. I still haven't told my grandmother I'm vegan because I just can't take the earache . She continued to offer me fish for a year after I went vegetarian and couldn't understand why I wouldn't eat it. Read 'vegan freak' by Bob and Jenna Torres. It's perfect for the new vegan or someone thinking of becoming vegan, and gives you tips on exactly this kind of dilemma. I really sympathise. The truth is, nobody will know at first. You’ll face questions that you know the answers to but find that you can’t articulate them on the spot, and end up feeling obtuse and over-sensitive. It’s best just to say ‘I don’t agree with the industry in general’ at first then let them form the questions one at a time after that.

You can usually tell when someone is genuinely concerned and wants to know your reasons, and when someone is just irritated and exasperated and has no aim of listening to you no matter what.

I still haven’t told my grandmother I’m vegan because I just can’t take the earache . She continued to offer me fish for a year after I went vegetarian and couldn’t know why I wouldn’t eat it.

Read ‘vegan freak’ by Bob and Jenna Torres. It’s perfect for the new vegan or someone thinking of apt vegan, and gives you tips on exactly this kind of dilemma.

]]> By: vegan_nerd http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1620 vegan_nerd Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:59:50 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1620 I think the way you described it in your question is intelligent and mature. Just tell them the truth -- I worried about this too, and yes, I get teased by my brothers all the time for being such a "hippie," but they've gotten used to it. Several people have told me that they really respect my decision and wish they had the self-discipline for it. Your diet's your business, anyway. You don't owe anyone an explanation. I reckon the way you described it in your question is intelligent and mature. Just tell them the truth — I worried in this area this too, and yes, I get teased by my brothers all the time for life such a “hippie,” but they’ve gotten used to it. Several people have told me that they really respect my choice and wish they had the self-discipline for it.

Your diet’s your business, anyway. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.

]]> By: PATRICIA G F http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1619 PATRICIA G F Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:40:13 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1619 Why is it necessary to make an announcement about your personal diet, ill-advised and uninformed as it may be? Unless you are becoming vegan as some sort of attention getting tactic, a group face off is hardly needed. As for your reasons, unless you specifically buy fertized eggs, most chicken eggs are not fertile and can never have a "baby chicken" in them. Look for Kosher ones to be absolutely sure. And there are many cheese made with non animal source rennets, so you can eat cheese if you read labels. Some insulin and heparin is made from animal sources-are you so "pure" that you'd choose death over those drugs which can be life-saving? I'm not so sure about this not being a bit of whim because have some information that simply isn't correct. If you are old enough to control your own diet, though, what type it is need not be announced to anyone unless they are feeding you and then you can quietly tell them what you do or don't eat. Why is it necessary to make an announcement in this area your personal diet, ill-advised and uninformed as it may be? Except you are apt vegan as some sort of concentration getting tactic, a group face off is hardly needed.

As for your reasons, except you specifically buy fertized eggs, most chicken eggs are not fertile and can never have a “baby chicken” in them. Look for Kosher ones to be unquestionably sure. And there are many cheese made with non animal source rennets, so you can eat cheese if you read marks.

Some insulin and heparin is made from animal sources-are you so “pure” that you’d choose death over those drugs which can be life-saving? I’m not so sure in this area this not life a bit of whim because have some in rank that simply isn’t right.

If you are ancient sufficient to control your own diet, though, what type it is need not be announced to anyone except they are feeding you and then you can quietly tell them what you do or don’t eat.

]]> By: gal_D http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1618 gal_D Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:14:28 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1618 You explained it pretty well here, to us. So just the same thing to your relatives. Stand up for yourself, so what if they dont understand? What is important is that they accept it as a serious decision and dont try to make you eat animal products. Good luck. You clarified it pretty well here, to us. So just the same thing to your relatives. Stand up for yourself, so what if they dont know? What is vital is that they accept it as a serious choice and dont try to make you eat animal products. Excellent luck.

]]> By: v_gan http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1617 v_gan Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:14:11 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1617 I hope you know veganism doesn't just eliminate eating dairy and meat... it includes any animal ingredients as well.. http://veganpeace.com/ingredients/ingredients.htm anyway, tell them what you just told us. chances are they're going to be ignorant about it.. stick to what you believe and don't let their words get to you. besides you shouldn't have to explain yourself. it's your body, your believes, and your choice. I hope you know veganism doesn’t just eliminate eating dairy and meat… it includes any animal ingredients as well..
http://veganpeace.com/ingredients/ingredients.htm

anyway, tell them what you just told us. chances are they’re going to be ignorant in this area it.. stick to what you believe and don’t let their words get to you.

besides you shouldn’t have to clarify yourself. it’s your body, your believes, and your choice.

]]> By: versantly http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1616 versantly Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:14:51 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1616 why does it need to be an issue? you don't eat animal products. it's your business -keep it to yourself. if you don't want them to judge you, be respectful of their choice to eat what they choose. why does it need to be an issue? you don’t eat animal products. it’s your business -keep it to yourself. if you don’t want them to judge you, be respectful of their choice to eat what they choose.

]]> By: Skydog70 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1615 Skydog70 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:55:24 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1615 How about just eat with them and not bring it up at all. What if one day you go back to meat eating? You will look very silly acting vegan now. You'll have to face them all your life. Just don't ask for meat servings, but if you get some, have it with them, so as not to offend them, You've eaten with them all your life, so that ought not to be so hard. Some meat or dairy surely won't kill you. How in this area just eat with them and not result in it up at all. What if one day you go back to meat eating? You will look very silly acting vegan now. You’ll have to face them all your life.
Just don’t question for meat servings, but if you get some, have it with them, so as not to offend them, You’ve eaten with them all your life, so that ought not to be so hard. Some meat or dairy surely won’t kill you.

]]> By: essaywtbk http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1614 essaywtbk Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:40:08 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1614 Just tell them you dont like meat and to piss off. Just tell them you dont like meat and to piss off.

]]> By: thing55000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1613 thing55000 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:09:35 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1613 It really doesn't have to be a huge announcement! Just phone ahead to let the person preparing the food know that you no longer eat meat, poultry or dairy. Offer to bring your own meal if it will make things easier. Prepare your answers, based on something a little more authoritative than 'It's yucky', lol ... explain that you have been looking into the way meat products are produced and you want to try a diet without meat. You can mention that many unsafe practices are involved in meat production, leading to problems such as the spread of 'Mad Cow' disease. Stress also that you are doing this for yourself and are not on a crusade to change what they eat and enjoy, nor do you require special treatment in other ways. If you can keep your cool and stick to your position, without getting overly emotional, people will tend to accept that it is your own business and leave you to it. There are always some nitwits who think it's up to them to give people a hard time. Unless they become really obnoxious, just ignore them or say 'each to his own' . Best of luck :-) It really doesn’t have to be a huge announcement! Just buzz ahead to let the person preparing the food know that you no longer eat meat, poultry or dairy. Offer to result in your own meal if it will make things simpler.

Arrange your answers, based on something a small more authoritative than ‘It’s yucky’, lol … clarify that you have been looking into the way meat products are produced and you want to try a diet without meat. You can mention that many unsafe practices are involved in meat production, leading to problems such as the spread of ‘Mad Cow’ disease.

Stress also that you are doing this for yourself and are not on a crusade to change what they eat and take pleasure in, nor do you require special treatment in other ways.

If you can keep your cool and stick to your position, without getting overly emotional, people will tend to accept that it is your own business and leave you to it.

There are always some nitwits who reckon it’s up to them to give people a hard time. Except they become really obnoxious, just snub them or say ‘each to his own’ .

Best of luck :-)

]]> By: These People Scare Me http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/comment-page-1/#comment-1612 These People Scare Me Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:57:49 +0000 http://www.thesaladbowlinc.com/i-recently-went-vegan-and-now-i-am-going-to-have-to-face-my-relatives-and-tell-them-what-do-i-say/#comment-1612 This is such a hard question for a family that we don't know. While it's all nice and rosy to say that you shouldn't have to explain yourself, families are known for making their members feel uncomfortable. "Shouldn'ts" go out the window in families. Think about how you are considering explaining it and then think about how they will react. Sometimes, complete honesty works. Sometimes "beating around the bush" is the only way to go to avoid a huge blowout and being uninvited to family events for the rest of your life. Assuming you are an adult, just let them know before you come over and offer to bring vegan friendly food, wine, drinkes, etc. And then follow up, because unless they have a vegan or vegetarian in the household, you'll end up with honey glazed shrimp, organic pizza, and fettucini alfredo. Let anyone know that if they want to discuss why you became vegan over a cup of coffee or a glass of organic unfiltered port, you'll be happy to oblige. But save the heavy conversation for after dinner and remember that there is nothing wrong with not getting the last word and walking away. Good luck to you. Oh, and cheese isn't always made with animal rennet. Many brands use vegetarian rennet. : ) This is such a hard question for a family that we don’t know.

While it’s all nice and rosy to say that you shouldn’t have to clarify yourself, families are known for making their members feel uncomfortable. “Shouldn’ts” go out the window in families.

Reckon in this area how you are considering explaining it and then reckon in this area how they will react. Sometimes, perfect honesty works. Sometimes “beating around the bush” is the only way to go to dodge a huge blowout and life uninvited to family actions for the rest of your life.

Assuming you are an adult, just let them know before you come over and offer to result in vegan friendly food, wine, drinkes, etc. And then follow up, because except they have a vegan or vegetarian in the household, you’ll end up with honey glazed shrimp, organic pizza, and fettucini alfredo.

Let anyone know that if they want to discuss why you became vegan over a cup of coffee or a glass of organic unfiltered port, you’ll be pleased to oblige. But save the gray conversation for after dinner and remember that there is nothing incorrect with not getting the last word and walking away.

Excellent luck to you.

Oh, and cheese isn’t always made with animal rennet. Many brands use vegetarian rennet. : )

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