kind cures: aby tells her parents she's a vegan
Kind Lifer Aby recently shared how she told her family about her decision to go veg. Check it out:
"Five months ago I decided to eliminate red meat from my diet as a way to improve my digestion. A member of The Kind Life for about two years, it took me a while to actually order your book, so when I finally got it and started to read it, I told myself "I can't read a book to become a vegan while I still eat fish and chicken!"
The very next day I woke up and told my parents about my new decision. I had a special talk with my dad who had already tried to convince me to go back to red meat. He didn't say a word for about five minutes and then said something like, "You're an adult and you know what you're doing."
I went to my room, and 10 minutes later, he knocked at my door and asked me to write a list of the things I can eat so he could add them to the grocery list. I literally wanted to cry! I was so touched!
It took my mom a little bit more time to process the info, but now she supports me. We just came back from a weekend in San Antonio, and while visiting a book store, my mom was very excited to choose a book with vegan recipes with me!
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I've been a yo-yo dieter my entire life, and I'm only 26! Diagnosed with glucose intolerance five years ago, I've always suffered from being overweight. Tired of struggling with my weight and losing money with so-called doctors and diets that do not work at all, I felt so connected with you while reading about your battle against weight as well! So here I am, and I've decided to go vegan for the rest of my life.
It's been two weeks so far, and I have to say, I feel great! I've lost six pounds and I love the way my body is starting to look and how my clothes fit! I still have a lot of weight to lose, but I have faith, not only in The Kind Diet, but also inmyself. I have my parents' and friends' support, so I guess that's all it takes.
I would also like to share that I've felt calmer and more peaceful about being able to improve my relationship with my dad, an issue that I had already tried to fix with therapy. It's getting better by just going vegan!
Thank you so much Alicia, this is certainly the best way to feel great, lose weight and save the planet!"
Your story makes me sooo happy, Aby!! As I was reading this, I was so moved. I'm just so proud of how you handled this. How amazing that your mom and dad came around! It sounds like you're not preaching to them at all, just telling them what you need. With all the success you've had, maybe they'll get on board too. I'm so happy, and I think your picture is adorable. You're so cute! I want to give you a big hug and a kiss!
If any of you kind lifers have a success story to share, private message me or upload your story to your profile and "like" it. I may feature you on the homepage of The Kind Life!
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23 comments
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Wonderful.
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Hi Melyssa,
It can take some courage to stand up to family and social pressures to eat like everyone else. I admire your strength. I'd like to know what you do to stay on track.
A book called the "Pleasure Trap" describes how to avoid addictions to food and one small section deals with handling social pressures. I've found that it's more effective to admit that you are unsure about the diet and indicate that you are trying it out. What's your strategy for dealing with aggressive as well as subtle pressures?
Dan
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Wow, great job Aby! I've am vegan and feeling great as well. Just be careful cuz I became a junk food vegan easily (too many vegan treats and lots of white bread! I'm back on track now and eating lots of whole foods (greens, veggies, fruit and some nuts) and things couldnt be better? if ya need a veg friendly friend, contact me: Melyssa528@yahoo.com It was a little difficult for me because I'm the only Veggie I know and my family still thinks I'm a weirdo for not eating meat, , milk, etc. LOL I wish you great luck in your journey ; )
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This is so inspiring! I'm dreading going home to Sweden in the summer and telling my parents I'm a vegan now. I also have to tell them I a) quit my job and b) got a tattoo. They'll probably kick me out of the house! Great story Aby, and great to know your parents were supportive in the end.
www.coffee-and-heels.com
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That's so awesome! I know you will love how the vegan lifestyle makes you feel.
Gretchen
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Good for you Abby! I wish I had as much confidance when I was young as you do. I never really liked meat and I hated the thought of eating animals, but I had no supports. My parents struggled when I went veg at 24! Luckily I was in my early 40's when I went vegan and I had The Kind Life for support! I recieved the book for my 42 birthday and have never looked back! Way to go Abby! You should be very proud of yourself.
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A double heartfelt congratulations for a double great story! I'm sincerely inspired Aby, thanks for taking the time to share your story. When I told my mom I was going Vegan, she said "Is it cold there....make sure you bring a jacket" Ya gotta love Jewish moms!
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Aby, Congratulations! I'm so happy for you, and proud of you! Way to go! I love love love your dad's response and follow-up to getting your kind items on the family shopping list. When I went vegan, over two years ago (also inspired by The Kind Diet), I was so happy that my mom also became vegan after I bought her a copy of the book so that she'd understand my choices. I was just hoping she'd get my feelings, and I was so totally pleasantly surprised when she told me she was now vegan as well. So, right on sister! Keep inspiring people.
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LOL - my family have certainly tried to be supportive, but I did giggle the other day when my grandma asked me "so how much longer will you be doing this vegan thing for?!" as if it was a crash diet! I've not talked to her much about it as I didn't want to come across as "preachy", but I feel maybe know is the time to offer her a better explanation of how I came to my choice of "diet" !!
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I loved how you said you have found strength inside yourself! Thats awesome! I recently got my version of The Kind Diet too . . . I was soooo excited because like you I had been on the website prior to seeing the book. So I was beaming, clutching my book and floating to the register. When I got up to pay the woman said "You know a vegan diet isnt for pregnant women." I was crushed. Yes I am pregnant but I have also been vegan for most of it . . . and my midwife is totally happy to see the healthy changes in my diet. I just looked at the woman, stunned. I said "I am not doing a vegan diet . . .I have a vegan lifestyle and this book has some great recipes I look forward to trying." . . .she must have realized how rude she came off because she totally apologized and then actually said she admires people who can change their lifestyles in this way!
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This is so great to hear. I am so glad that everyone is so supportive of you. Congradulations!
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As an adult, with her own family, I was very saddened by my parent's dissapproval of my family's vegan/vegetarian "diet". Two and a half years later, my dad only jokes with us about it-he has seen that the whole family remains healthy which was his only concern, my in-laws are supportive and curious- they really like all of the things that I cook and share; yet my mom remains quite upset about it. I don't really feel that she will ever accept our choice but for now, to keep the peace, I just don't mention the whole deal. It hurts that there is a bit of a divide between us in that respect but I know that for the most part, her concern is driven by love and care.
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Great story! My niece went Vegan years back and just did it totally wrong (junkatarian) - and got really sick from lack of the right foods. Boy did that send the wrong signal to everyone in the family. So I can understand some fear. Since there are so many great alternatives and detailed information (like the kind life book) available it definietly has improved perceptions in the last 10 or so years.
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Wow, I wish my parents had been a bit more accepting. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience! I wish you nothing but the best!
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Mine went something like this.
Me "Mum, Dad... i'm vegan"
Parents "ok"
completely not a big deal, they could really care less. -
Great story! So glad you are getting the support from your family. You will see, you will start feeling better soon :) Maybe your parents will start enjoying some of the delicious vegan food and not eat as much meat and dairy. Thanks for sharing!
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I like this story, I'm glad your parents are really supportive.
It took a little while for my parents to understand my lifestyle transistion too. My mom has been much more open to understanding what foods I do or do not eat. The last time I went home (a few weeks ago after my college graduation) my mom was eager to go to some health food and grocery stores to pick foods that I could make over the weekend. My dad has been asking less questions, but at least both of my parents have been really supportive about the change. The best part about my trip home was when they gave me a copy of "Veganism for Carnivores" written by Roberto Martin (Ellen DeGeneres's and Portia de Rossi's cook) as a graduation present. Best present ever! So far, it's been an insigntful book that has great recipes.
Let's hope that the openess contines...
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