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advice on dating a non-veg
Started
by Louise
on November 25, 2009
I have only been eating vegan since reading The Kind Diet...so about 5 weeks. I am reading and really getting dedicated to making this a lifestyle for me. My problem is my boyfriend (of seven years) is not interested in being vegan. At first I thought no big deal...he can eat meat and dairy. Now I am feeling guilty though because I am the one going to buy his meat and dairy at the grocery store and I even cook it for him (as I always have! Hes never cookedl). I dont know what to do??
Tell him what I tell my kids, eat it of their is frozen food in the freezer. Youngest gives in and does it. Thirteen year old rarely does.
My fiance is a meat eater and asks for tofu more often than I feel like making it - I think it's all in the recipe/preparation. You're on the right track, realizing that this is a new experience for you, and definitely one for him.... it'll take time but once he sees how happy/healthy you are he'll wanna join some of the time if not all. And if not, to each his own. Just like you were free to chose this lifestyle he's free to chose his
I told everyone in my house that I will make the veggies and they can add meat to it if they want it. But, I know the temptation is much harder that if I just lived on my own. I cheat more than I would like. But, I am definitely working on it :) Good Luck!
Oh and my boyfriend doesn't like veggies (this should be interesting)
thanks for the advice guys!! I will try to get him interested in more veggie meals and maybe he will try tofu. Afton, my bf only likes a few veggies and he isnt very adventurous either!!
I have been cooking up a storm since I got this book. I loved to cook before, and just got lazy or something, i dont know. But the biggest benefit to becoming vege/vegan is that I have to plan meals ahead, and actually think about what I am eating. It forces me to cook more--i looove it. So I whip up some of these recipes/make up some of my own--usually enough for myself, and some leftovers for the week. If my BF doesnt want it, he is more than welcome to make something of his own. 98% of the time he will have what I am having, and he LOVES everything. Now he will even have his buddies that come over try all our yummy snacks. I cannot keep the peanut butter cups around very long. I had a vegetarian option at a catered dinner last weekend, and BF had roasted pork, --he tried mine and was super jealous. I also have told him that I am not buying milk or meat anymore. We have some chicken in the freezer that he can have, but Im not going to stop on my way home to pick up milk. And he is not the type to do that himself, so he has become vegetarian almost by default...
My husband is the same (a meat guy, and a few veggies). So far, Ryan (my husband) has tried several vegan recipes (he enjoys the veggies over the meat substitutes). He enjoyed the rustic pasta, and I can't keep the chocolate peanut butter cups in the house for more than a day or two (he tells everyone about them, and how he can't believe they are vegan..... he has that misinformed idea that vegan food does not taste good....but I have been proving him wrong). Ry has been eating meat-free about 3-4 times a week (which is very good for him), by day 3 he wants his meat, so we (or I should say he) buys from a certified humane local farm (before it used to be too expensive for us, but now since its only a few times a week and only one of us eating, it lasts longer and we don't buy nearly as much). My tip, start playing with recipes- from the book, research online if you are craving something specific, find some other books (try conscious cook by Tal Ronnen- great pictures and recipes). The more you cook and experiment the more you'll find recipes that will suit both your tastes. Good Luck.
Again great advice Allie and Gretchen!! I am glad to know others experience the same thing!!! Gretchen, my bf is named Ryan as well and I will try to find more recipes to suit us both! Hopefully he will adapt to more veggies....I have gotten him to eat a vegan pasta dish and chili....so one step at a time!!!! Thanks everyone!!!
I'm new to the site and working around the area and stopped here before introducing myself. My boy (Justin) of 4 years is a meat and potatoe kind of guy. I have been a 'lacto-ovo vegetarian' for a year and just got my copy of the book about 3 hours ago :) I have been considering a vegan diet for some time and I have been a tad worried about how that would work. The me vegetarian thing has been going well and we also stick with your all's advice with I make what I want if you dont like it cook a frozen dinner or something lol. So glad to see others in the world going through this too...I have a feeling I'm going to love this site!!
Happy to read all the tips on here as I myself buy meat and dairy for my hubby and daughter. And I'm not going to be stopping that anytime soon. Hubby is very supportive of me being veg but is going to eat his meat. He has always cooked it himself since I have always been horrible at cooking meat. He will try the stuff that I make but wants it next to a piece of chicken or steak.
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