Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 Thanks everyone for your advice and words of kindness. I really appreciate it. I've cut and pasted it into word for future reference along with the whole of the articles mentioned. It was so nice to get answers from so mny people. I've begun it as a gradual step by step approach as Keith suggested, i now drink mainly soya milk, have soya yoghurt on my cereals and eat less cheese and no eggs (unless they're in a bought product). I've read a few books and individual people's accounts to get an idea of basic things to look out for. I've also bought, but am still waiting for, the animal free shopper, a book published in the uk which lists animal free stuff eg vegan food, clothes, beauty products etc. I guess i feel a bit overwhelmed but a gradual approach is best, and it is probably alot easier to do in the UK than some other countries. One of the main supermarkets, Sainsburys, does a " free from " range which contains quite a few vegan products. Its a bit pricey, but worth it to avoid some hassle. Have to go now and cook tea, but cheers guys! Laura _______________ It's fast, it's easy and it's free. Get MSN Messenger today! http://messenger.msn.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 I get the digest so have just read Dave0 and Gene's recent posts. Thanks again for the info guys, it really helps. I think what i'm most worried about in telling people is the indignation and the people who won't even try to understand. Mainly my family, but i know its just because they care and aren't as well informed as i feel i am. I haven't mentioned it to them yet, so they may suprise me, but the 2 reactions i've had from friends so far have been shock and indirect aggression! One friend was shocked but supportive. With the other, a very good friend, she was shocked but ok with me being a vegan until she asked why. When i mentioned briefly it was for health reasons because there was evidence it was healthier and for ethical reasons because i feel dairy farming etc is against my beliefs, she attacked this stating it wasn't true and you could find articles and evidence to prove anything etc. (using the same logic i used to pull apart that anti-veggie article). I didn't respond with an attack as i've got no wish to lose my friends, and i'm a very calm person generally, so i just said that, for me, these were my reasons. She said she was ok with it but i could tell she felt a bit uncomfortable for the rest of the conversation. Basically i don't know how to react in these situations because i'm just not used to being attacked like that. What do you do? I have a feeling its because she kinda knows there's a possibility that what i'm saying is true, and she doesn't like it (she's far too happy with her bacon sarnie!) Ah, the trials and tribulations of being in a minority group! Laura _______________ Express yourself with cool emoticons http://messenger.msn.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 On Wed, 19 Feb 2003, Laura Moore wrote: > Basically i don't know how to react in these situations because i'm just not > used to being attacked like that. What do you do? hmmm, I've been vegan for years so I can't really remember how I told my family & friends at the time although most were supportive. I suggest you sit down & explain to them why you feel what you are doing is the best for you. I've found that alot of people's parents worry about them not eating enough healthy foods, I suggest maybe you sit down & explain that you've done research into getting enough iron, protien, calcium so they don't worry. A spiffy little book that has lots of health info is " Healthy Vegetarian Eating " by Rosemary Stanton it comapires the best sources for various nutrients and is quite easy to read it is vegetarian & vegan friendly but at the same time points out that if you can't just skip meat & not eat anything in it's place. Friends are different. Firstly if you have explained everything to them about how you feel then if they are a real friend who cares about you & what you want out of life then it shouldn't be a problem. If they don't know any other veg*ans then be prepared for alot of questions, though most of them stem out of curiosity. I remember going to a vegetarian cooking workshop where I was a novelty for over half the people there who had never met a vegan before and I got to answer some of the most silliest questions but it was still quite fun becuase they were not threatening, just curious. If someone is attacking you for a personal choice that only affects you (after all you aren't making them go veg now are you?) then I think you should question why they do that & do you want to be around people like that. I know that sounds harsh but I have friends who grew up on beef & egg farms, friends who eat meat and friends who are veg*an and we respect each other but can still get along becuase we both can understand each others point of view but value our friendship too much to be grumpy at each other. > I have a feeling its because she kinda knows there's a possibility that what > i'm saying is true, and she doesn't like it (she's far too happy with her > bacon sarnie!) You've hit the nail on the head with this one, I've had alot of people say " oh I know I should be vegetarian/vegan/not eat as much meat but it's so difficult " and then you go & show them by living that it isn't difficult and they get grumpy about it! Best of luck! Regards to the fish, LisA ICQ#: 15562604 *** www.gu.uwa.edu.au/clubs/vegies *** " I think---therefore I'm single... " -Lizz Winstead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 Laura Moore [child_of_the_80s] >>...I think what i'm most worried about in telling people is the indignation and the people who won't even try to understand. Mainly my family...<< My family was the toughest part for me--not the telling but the response. It was literally family warfare with me over what to serve!! Remember, I've been veggie for 22 years. When all else failed, I prepared expansive gourmet veggie foods for them, even had one dinner catered with the very best meat substitutes and a healthy financial bribe to get them to my house. Nothing about my veggie diet improved the relationship with my parents, four sisters, and a brother. My dad died recently. I found out after the fact that in his last year he ate only veggie foods, and he still refused to give up the image of a meat eater even at the very end. Since then, I've found out secretly that my brother and one sister are now veggie, but they still deny it to me and when they're in public. Is all this too weird? >>...i don't know how to react in these situations because i'm just not used to being attacked like that. What do you do?<< In some lives, especially those that challenge the norms around them, conflict cannot be avoided. I'll bet that you can rise to the occasion. As Sherri said in another email, and I quote her refernces to her own veggie choices, " ...its how things work out in MY head, which is the only one I have to live in. " I suggest that once you're straight in your own head, Laura, the rest gets a bit easier. DaveO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 I am sorry for the loss of your dad, Dave. But egads! That sure is weird about your family's refusal to admit being vegetarian. *lol* Perhaps they are so stubborn and would hate for you to be right or to finally admit it, even to themselves? ~ PT ~ There's no sauce in the world like hunger. ~ Miguel de Cervantes, novelist (1547-1616) ~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> , " daveo " <daveo@m...> wrote: > > My dad died recently. I found out after the fact that in his last year he > ate only veggie foods, and he still refused to give up the image of a meat > eater even at the very end. Since then, I've found out secretly that my > brother and one sister are now veggie, but they still deny it to me and when > they're in public. Is all this too weird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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