Hi Steemit Community,
I had a thought while browsing through some posts the other day and wanted to share my experience as a vegetarian in the process of going vegan. One factor that seemed to really stand out for me was the support or the abuse and lack of support that happens to people when coming out to family and friends that they are deciding to give up eating animals.
So I grew up on a farm, largely eating vegetables anwyay, but also once in a while the animals we kept. Fast forward to adult me I still had a fairly plant based, but which included the occassional animal. The level of animal in my diet went up and down according the how much of a fuck I gave about things. While living in Russia I finally decided to go vegetarian with the support of my partner, Alexandra.
Now to the main point of my story. The reactions to such a choice were mixed across the friend and colleague group.
Many people did support my choice others kind of stopped including me in things or stopped trying to find ways to connect when they realised we couldn't eat the same things together like we used to. Kind of reminded me of drinking "buddies" who disappear when you are not drinking, I guess that made us "Meating buddies?"
Funnily, i suppose that is what to call it anyway, my partner's parents would still try and sneak things into our food when we would come for dinner. Convinced that we were on the brink of imminent death at all times as a result of not eating any animals.
My family was generally quite accepting. Mom and Dad were always quite alternative anyway, but I still find mom trying to talk me into eating some fish or something once in a while. Maybe she just needs to convince herself. I don't talk to my brothers so often, but I suppose that our tradition of devouring piles of chicken wings will have to be replaced with... oh... I don't know conversation!!!!!!!! I suppose holidays will always be a little tricky for catering, ok one big old turkey and what about for the vegan guy......
Although I am quite up for the challenge of introducing friends and family to things that challenge their eating habits like awesome vegan baked goods, sausages, and cheese!
Going vegan has been fairly easy on the surface, when we started making our own nut cheeses there was really no turning back. But I am still far away from eleminating everything like leather shoes, and dairy when away from home. not to mention that all kinds of other challenges come into play like the use of fish in beer, WTF!! The use of animals in glue, WTF!! The use of animals in spray on fruit in some supermarkets, WTF!!
Now compared to my partner and her traditional family, I think I had it fairly easy adapting to vegetarianism.
The reason I wrote this post today was to get some feedback and hear some other peoples stories about the acceptance and support or lack thereof that they received when "coming out"
The following people are tagged because I am keen for their insight! But please everyone get involved!
@lunarjess @teamsteem @veganic @clairevoyant @leopotato @vegetarianbaker @ko-kahuna @natashahall @ardas @yogi.artist @rebeccaryan @rhedrick32 @tmendieta
I'm in the process of going vegetarian and I do feel very uncomfortable telling most people what I'm doing. Usually I order pizza or something and hope no one notices.
Yeah it is tricky, the social pressure is real. Be strong! Keep it up. There is so much inspiration online and even vegetarian fast food places are taking off.
I find that if you talk about it with confidence, you'll find acceptance. Most people that don't support you, are lacking in knowledge, so spew out some knowledge and be confident about it!
Yes, very true. Knowledge is key, you have to have your facts right, and not be afraid to stand up for yourself. Good lesson for life really ! Following back
Followed and upvoted! Please follow back =)
I was vegetarian for 8 years before I went vegan. Then transition was also fairly easy for me, but most of my friends / family still don't support or understand why i did it.
I live in a very small, close-minded city in alabama. Full of meat eaters and hunters. Luckily i make most of my foods and enjoy to be in the kitchen.
Nice! Yeah that is how I feel when I go to visit my Dad. "So what you guys been doing recently?"......"Hunting deer!"...."yeahhhhhh"
Yeah being in the kitchen rocks. We have been going vegan recipe crazy recently! It is amazing!
I suppose we are social innovators.
I suppose so. HAHA. I'm not here to convert anyone to a plant based lifestyle, but more to share with the world that I can eat and be happy with out meat or dairy.
That is the right attitude, no one like preaching, just live your life and be happy and make tasty food "If you bake it, they will come! "
Yeah. If its good, no one will care if it's healthy or vegan. :)
Everyone are vegan in denial.
Haha, great quote!
I would like to eventually become vegan but it will not be an easy transition. I think the people around you play a great role and influence. And yea, having a partner that is vegan is a huge help.
So true, having a partner who doesn't eat like you can be very difficult in the long term.
Very cool post! going vegan is brilliant, you wont need to worry about cholesterol and thing of that sort, i respect people who can go vegan, i mean resisting the temptation of eating meat.
Thanks for the support!
I tried being a vegetarian for one month but couldn't carry on 🙈 😁
But I must confess that it is a very healthy eating lifestyle.
Thanks for sharing this interesting piece.
Haha it happens. The most common reason I think is lack of choice at shops and family/social pressure which is of course why I thought this was a good post.
👍
I've luckily had it fairly easy (it's pretty easy when you live in Berkeley, California), but I have definitely heard stories like yours, even some friends that had to stop being vegan because the social/cultural implications were too much to overcome. For me, I've focused mostly on those things that I KNOW I can control, but try not to be too hard on myself. That said, even starting as a vegetarian has been a bit-by-bit process, slowly getting rid of one animal product at a time. I'll never be a "perfect" vegan, but that's because nobody can be. Thanks for sharing!
Haha, yeah so many of the vegan bloggers or shops all seem to be in California! Helps having like minded people around. :)
a funny distinction that I once heared, says; normal people care about how they feel while they are eating, vegans care about how they feel after they ate. Simply put, I guess it becomes a priority how the food makes you feel in terms of clarity and energy, rather than only on your tast buds.
I like this a lot! Well said