The KInd Life Community Forum

the people in our lives are not always supportive of the decisions we make in life. but remember: it's your life-your decision! sometimes they don't agree on who we should love or who want to be with... or what our profession should be... or sometimes like in your case what we should eat. but if u don't speak your mind for what u believe in how will u live with your self? because the animal can't speak think of your self as it's voice. every time someone tells u a negative thing about your decision not to eat meat just remind yourself why u made that decision in the first place. by refusing to eat meat u are saving some poor animal life.and isn't that more than enough to encourage u to stick to your decision. and u don't even have to worry about other opinions if don't talk about the subject with people about it. just eat what u are planing to eat(delicious food that does not include meat,and there's plenty of it). if they don't understand avoid talking about what u eat (it's your business,nobody elses) and feel good about your self because you ARE doing the right thing. sleep healthy and with a kind heart and clean conscience at night. hope this helps. it's written with a great hope that u are strong enough to help the animals who can not help them self. and when ever u want to talk about anything (i get u are in a tough situation because of the city u live in) there are always vegetarians on this page if not in your city:))) please write what u will decide no matter what the decision is... night night

I have found that the same people that make it hard on us, are the people that need compassion the most but are unable to get to that place, you should hold true to your self and that will help them in the journey to a more compassionate lifestyle, my husband makes fun of me all the time yet I know he admires my will power, heck it is not easy to take a stand like this...you should be PROUD of your self!!! As far as eating in your town, I sometimes will bring my own food and just order a salad and veggies, eat the bread or whatever starch they are serving and add my goodies from home to the plate...they never notice nor care if you are spending cash there!!!

A cult?! Haha, isn't it hilarious how we react to things we don't understand? Questions are good bc each question brings them a little bit closer to joining the movement in whatever capacity - even if it's just talking about their "daughter's crazy fad," ya know? ;)

also - maybe it will help to remember that other people have even less options to be vegan than we do....think of the people who have to consume every available calorie simply in the hopes of surviving...maybe just say a small thx when ur reminded of ur limited options...

think of the plethora of ops u have to share - always ASK for vegan options...! also - don't be a perfectionist, just seek excellence.

it really helps me to think about all the facts and some of the more gruesome things like pesticides and hormones in my food. also - if i could just give u a SAMPLE of how i feel....i will tell you, i was nervous too when i began, but i can honestly and easily say that i will never go back. i just don't see it ever being appealing again. honestly - everything physical is almost radiant, i feel so healthy, and even my senses feel more honed and alert...i'm telling u - it's pretty crazy...i'm so much more sensitive to artificial scents - i can sniff them out automatically...same with preservatives in foods and drinks...it's crazy...i feel like i may actually be BECOMING a superhero...

in fact, if u want to try "treating" urself once a month, u'll quickly see what i'm talking about....i only did it twice (and the second was even vegan fast food), and i no longer have any desire to eat even vegan processed food, let alone animal products.

so much of life is just habit, and all that lay between us and whoever we want to be is a matter of changing habit.

let me know if i can do anything to help...!

I agree. It's always hard when you believe in something that others don't understand (and don't seem to care either). I sometimes feel demoralized too. Even though I KNOW I'm making good choices and AM proud of them, it still gets hard to take the flack at times. I also tend to just go the "quiet route." I don't say anything to anyone, just pick out what I want to eat and skip the rest. I'm newly vegan (about a month) and so far when I am going to someone's house for dinner (just went to my parents' house Sun. for a Mother's Day dinner), I ate before I went. Then when I got there, I could pick out the few options I felt ok eating, and not suffer with being hungry. If someone asks me why I'm not eating _____, I'll tell them. Or if I don't feel like going into a big thing about it I'll just say "I already ate," or something like that, which is also true. I'm hoping my actions will speak louder than any words could. When I'm passionate about something, and feel strongly, I tend to get upset when people challenge me. So personally, I find it better to just avoid confrontation in such situations.

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Albert Einstein