The KInd Life Community Forum

Who knew just changing the way you ate would be so controversial and hard! I am going along being vegan, minding my own business, and I keep getting the little eye rolls and questions about where I'm going to get my vitamins, calcium, iron, etc.

It seems like people don't know me anymore, like I've been replaced with some sort of alien or something! It's actually quite funny to me that others should care so much about what I'm eating and consider me "uninformed" about what I'm putting, or should I say not putting, into my body. I'm not lecturing them about what the poor animals had to go through to get to their plate, or the environment, or their health. I'm not trying to convert them! I'm just trying to find my way in my new vegan life as peacefully and as happily as I can. Is that too much to ask? :0)

I have only just begun being vegan, and I'm sure it will get easier once my friends and family realize that this is not just a phase for me and that it's important to me. I don't mean to make those around me sound like a bunch of jerks, because they are not. It's just this choice I have made, and being from the meat and dairy loving midwest seems radical to them. But I have to say, I feel strongly about what I'm doing and I can feel the difference after I eat. Each meal makes me feel nourished, I no longer feel stuffed and bloated, and I am also proud of myself for making "kinder" choices.

The hardest thing for me has been eating out at restaurants and going to family and friend's homes. It is the holiday season and I have been leaving the safety of my kitchen quite often! I'm sure that will get easier too as time goes on!

Also, any suggestions for ordering in non-vegan friendly restaurants are greatly appreciated! There's only so much salad, chips and salsa a girl can eat!

Happy New Year!

I find that the hardest part is not coming off "rude". People who have known me as my previous meat eating, cheese-loving self now forget my choice and make me loads of appes with cheese and fish etc. for when we visit. So how do I nibble on a cracker and a grape without looking rude or that I dont appreciate. How many times do I have to tell them my decision - it brings it to the point where you want to start quating the stats about animals and the environment and/or how good I feel when I eat right. My favorite line is "but your out! relax!"

I know exactly what you're talking about. Some of my friends and family are really supportive and others just roll their eyes at me. I never try to put my belief's on anyone so I too don't understand why people seem to get so annoyed with me. My husband (who is a meat eater but has been very supportive) says people are just jealous b/c they don't have the willpower to do what we're doing. Maybe he's right?

I haven't eaten meat in about 2 or 3 years but I went vegan only a few months ago. It was a big change for me, and like you said, it's a bit of a change for others around us as well. when I was just vegetarian my in-laws and friends always had cheesy appetizers around for me. Once I turned vegan it was more of a challenge for them to find things that i eat. I always tell them i'll bring my own snacks but they really do want to get a few things for me on their own. so that's a little hard but people around me have adapted and I'm sure they will for you too. for new year's eve i brought a vegan spinach dip to my in-laws house and everyone loved it. :)

it gets easier as time goes on and those that support you will find it easier as well. :) For those that don't, try not to sweat it too much.

Nice to hear we are not alone. Thx

This should have the title: "I AM vegan, please don't roll your eyes at me!" I agree with Mary V.'s husband in that people like their comforts. It is not easy to step outside of the rut or box or same-old. It challenges not only your habits, but often your beliefs, your future, and your spirituality.

My husband asked if I was doing this because of the animals... I had to answer that there were a lot of compelling evidence for veganism. However, I was - truth be told - trading up for veganism to follow my instincts.

I have told my family that I am not changing their way of eating...only mine. I have also found a gentle way to explain this to possible naysayers... Hey...lots of good reasons, so I am going to try this as best I can for 4 weeks. That's it. If I do end up feeling better, blah blah blah, well...I might just keep it up.

Want2BKind: as to educating your daughter... Alicia does an amazing job at explaining and distilling tons of information about the "nasty foods" in The Kind Diet book. Some of the sentances are a bit graphic - but they are replete with cute fuzzy pictures - and it softens the information.

I think that would be a bit gentler than a video. It is a nice springboard to other sources of information. Another benefit...so many other reasons are put forth - i.e. environment, water footprint, health issues, etc... that veganism doesn't come off as some bleeding heart animal loving birkenstock wearing granola baking tree hugging fad...but a reasonable and intelligent and responsible way of nourishing yourself and those you love.

Vegan...it isn't just about not killing things anymore...

(insert similar sense of humor here)