The KInd Life Community Forum
Use this space to share stories, exchange ideas, ask questions, and contribute to our growing community!
I just finished reading "The Kind Life" and was so inspired by what the book had to say! I could literally feel myself getting excited about this potential shift in my life where how I felt about food, exercise, and overall health was coming together. So much so when my fiance called from his business conference from across the country I had to tell him that I was considering going vegan! I've been flirting for almost a year now and had some set backs around Thanksgiving and because of the fact that my man think's it's sexy when I eat meat, but after reading the kind life I decided that eventually this will be how I'd like to structure my "diet". I'm going to ease into it so I don't get too overwhelmed, but anyhoo back to the story.
The reaction I got to "I'm thinking of going vegan" was not good! He kept voicing concerns about how it is unhealthy and extreme, and to be honest I used to think the same. We fought for a good while and then decided to hit the sac. I retired to bed frustrated and disappointed and him (on the opposite side of the country) probably fell asleep feeling sad that we just fought and were so far away from each other. Fortunately I got some supportive messages after he had time to think it over (more proof that I'm marrying an amazing man!) but I can tell he's still worried. So my plan.......prove it's healthy and delicious!!
So tomorrow night when he comes home I'm going to treat him to a clean apartment and an all vegan mouth-watering meal including:
Mac n' CheeseSicilian Collard Greens with Pine Nuts and RaisinBlack-Eyed Pea Croquettes with Dijon GlazeLemon-Poppy Seed Poundcake (muffins)
Do you think it will work?! Updates to follow!
Good luck! Just give him time to get used to it :) After all, you didn't finish the book in one day (or maybe you did...).
He sounds receptive. Mine was too, after time to mull it over. Mostly he was mad because it wasn't his idea! LOL! He's not fully converted, but he sure doesn't mind the extra veggies.
Do check the thread called "dinner disaster" for hints on the croquettes. I think it's in the best meals topic. Mine didn't stay croquettes at all, tho' they were tasty!
Thanks for the tip Quinne!
Sounds like you have a great plan! I think people just need to get used to the idea and realize that it's 100% doable in a healthy way.
I have the same issue. My fiancee grew up in a family that thinks mashed potatoes come out of a box and applesauce grows on trees in jar form. I was on/off vegetarian for 10 years before I decided to go Vegan a few weeks ago. I explained to him the reasons why I am finally committing to this lifestyle, and that this is not a fad for me. He couldn't understand how meat or dairy could be unhealthy...we fought for a while and finally just let it rest....
I started reading random facts to him about the treatment of factory farmed animals and health statistics surrounding meat and dairy consumption. Since then I've bargained him down to eating only chicken and cage free eggs (which i know means nothing...but this is a HUGE step for him)
Anyway, I realized that verbally pushing my point onto him is not going to influence him, it will only make him resentful and increase tension. Instead, I am putting a TON of effort into making delicious vegan meals so he won't be missing anything. Tonight I made a banging lasagna with tofu "cheese sause" and seitan "hamburger". He told me it tasted exactly like regular lasagna.
Just give it time, continue to educate him, and respect his decision and willingness to try new things. I realized that I took ME ten years to committ to this lifestyle. I can't expect him to do so in three weeks...and nagging never helps anything!
I'm going through the same issue with my husband and daughters. It's so hard to serve them meat and dairy when you know how bad it is for them. Not only that, but after you read the book, you have so much information you want to share with them, like how good they will feel if they eat more vegies and whole grains. Take Alicia's advice, don't make a big annoucement like "hey, we're all going to be vegans now!" That is what I did ( I hadn't read that part of the book yet), I thought that they would be open to it, but I didn't get the positive response I was hoping for. So, I kind of went along like nothing happened, but now I'm just serving some of the recipes, and I think that gradually they will see how much better they are feeling and want to give it a go.
7 Comments