The KInd Life Community Forum

I am having a hard time trying to tell my family. Even my husbands family comes from a line of big cookers and big meat eaters. I always feel bad when I have to tell them I no longer want to eat what they cooked for me. Or I am having trouble telling them what I am eatting now. It's like I know how they are going to act when I tell them. They aren't going to be very supportive. Or they are going to think this is just anything diet I am going to try and never stick with. I really wish I had my people behind my back. But if anyone has any ideas on how I can open the bag with my new life style, please let me know. It will help out a lot.

I did tell my husband but I don't think he understands. He doesn't want me to give up meat for some reason. Almost like I am going to die becuase my body isn't getting a nice bloody cow for dinner. I know he wants to support me but I don't think he knows how.

I was thinking of cooking them something to see what they thought. I am going to see if my husband wants to read the book. I know some parts made me cry a little. But this does help out a lot thanks.

A book caught my interest at Border's the other day that you may also find helpful: Vegan Freak by Bob and Jenna Torres. Amazon states, "In this informative and practical guide, two seasoned vegans offer tips and advice for thriving without animal by-products. Sometimes funny and irreverent yet always aware of its serious message, this resource for being vegan in a world that doesn't always understand or have sympathy for the lifestyle illustrates how to go vegan in three weeks or less by employing a "cold tofu method;" convince family, friends, and others that there is no such thing as a vegan cult; and survive restaurants, grocery stores, and meals with omnivores. Also offering answers to questions such as "Do you, like, live on apples and twigs?" this reference dispels myths and explains the arguments for ethical, abolitionist veganism, encouraging everyone to embrace their inner vegan."

My mom told me she won't read the "caca" and my husband won't even try a bite of the food I make for myself. I understand and empathize with you completely!

Rachel

Jessica, I especially loved your comment, "I've gotten to the point that I've read so much about the topic that I had to change my lifestyle in some ways." I might start using that line myself when questioned by people. It shows that you/ I / we HAVE read a lot on the topic, so we KNOW what we're doing and what we're talking about. Yet it doesn't give too much info to make someone defensive or offended. Plus, maybe such a vague response would incite people to ask, "So what have you been reading?" It might just open a dialogue on the subject. Thanks for sharing!

I just went to my cousin's birthday party yesterday. I ate a sandwich in the car on the way, thankfully.... b/c the only thing there I'd eat were carrot and celery sticks. Mmmmm. (sarcasm) ;-) Not that I expect anyone to cater to me, but it's just the reality of being vegan in a non-vegan family. And I didn't mind not eating at the party at all. The only thing that was a little rough was my cousin (the host) seemed to feel bad that I didn't eat or drink anything while I was there. Like she was being a bad host. I never meant to make her feel bad, and quickly assured her that I was fine, but I could tell she still felt bad. It was also kind of funny, I don't know if people were doing this on purpose or not, b/c I was sitting right there, but several people would say (rather loudly and vehemently), "Ohh, this chicken is SOOO good!!!" Comments like that. It kinda felt over the top, which made me think they were jabbing at me a little, but maybe not. And I don't really care anyway, it's just kind of humorous. Ahhh.... fun times at family events..... ;-)