Guest guest Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 I agree that people will see what they want no matter what we do. I have never considered my family to be junk vegetarians, but maybe we are by some standards. We do eat whole grain pastas, brown rice and whole grain breads...but we eat a lot of them. I didn't realize that was considered 'bad'. When I first went veg as a teenager people did perceive my diet as unhealthy though I don't believe it was all that bad. I did not live on fries, but maybe veg burgers and fries on occasion. Even still on the days I work (tuesdays and thursdays) my family will occasionally have veg burgers and fries as a meal. However, the perception has changed. Almost inevitably people believe that my family and I are health nuts - despite the fact that I bring cookies to work and other non-health nut foods to family gatherings. I don't mind people seeing us this way; I think it's funny. Even at my protests that we are not granola eaters, the babysitter believes that we are very healthy. I guess much of it has to do with us 'looking' healthy. I am in this for animal welfare. I want my children to be healthy, but I guess I don't do the best. I will always try harder, but habits are hard to break. For me the worst thing is hearing people talk about other vegetarians they met who are stuck up and act like they are better than others. That is the image I would like to break. Jill , ERB <bakwin wrote: > > Here's what came to mind when I read the discussion about being a role model for vegetarianism: > > My father tells me on a regular basis that vegetarians don't get enough protein, and that this lack of protein will kill us. He holds to this assumption for two reasons: the fact that his parents (pediatricians) took him to Africa in the 1930s and showed him children dying of kwashiakor (I know that's spelled wrong!), and the fact that everyone in his family eats approximately 80% of their daily calories in animal protein. > > How long has he known me? Do I or my children have bloated bellies? Aren't we the only ones in his family who don't have cancer, heart issues, colon issues, or high blood pressure? (And I first became a vegetarian in 1979, so it's not a new phenomenon to him or me.) > > It is a lesson in futility to set yourself up as a role model to people. They see what they want to see, and believe what they want to believe. As frustrating as that can be at times, it's also freeing. You don't have to be perfect. They probably won't see it anyway. People are judging you because of where they are in life, not where you are. > > Liz > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 People are judging you because of where they are in life, not where you are. > >SO TRUE! Jill > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 I saw your sad story and had to laugh to myself! My 85 year old mother is a stubborn as a hm, very stubborn. I am considered the family freak because I don't love $$. She reminds me of this guy, but, when she thinks we're not listening, she repeats things from our philosophy to her friends as if it were her idea. LOL Those people ARE listening. There are other issues involved as well. Natch we don't want to see these people hurt or ill and that makes it difficult. ERB <bakwin wrote: Here's what came to mind when I read the discussion about being a role model for vegetarianism: My father tells me on a regular basis that vegetarians don't get enough protein, and that this lack of protein will kill us. He holds to this assumption for two reasons: the fact that his parents (pediatricians) took him to Africa in the 1930s and showed him children dying of kwashiakor (I know that's spelled wrong!), and the fact that everyone in his family eats approximately 80% of their daily calories in animal protein. How long has he known me? Do I or my children have bloated bellies? Aren't we the only ones in his family who don't have cancer, heart issues, colon issues, or high blood pressure? (And I first became a vegetarian in 1979, so it's not a new phenomenon to him or me.) It is a lesson in futility to set yourself up as a role model to people. They see what they want to see, and believe what they want to believe. As frustrating as that can be at times, it's also freeing. You don't have to be perfect. They probably won't see it anyway. People are judging you because of where they are in life, not where you are. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Is fries and veggie burgers junk food? I didn't know! LOL leave the skins on the fries! Jill Wenzel <jillben2005 wrote: I agree that people will see what they want no matter what we do. I have never considered my family to be junk vegetarians, but maybe we are by some standards. We do eat whole grain pastas, brown rice and whole grain breads...but we eat a lot of them. I didn't realize that was considered 'bad'. When I first went veg as a teenager people did perceive my diet as unhealthy though I don't believe it was all that bad. I did not live on fries, but maybe veg burgers and fries on occasion. Even still on the days I work (tuesdays and thursdays) my family will occasionally have veg burgers and fries as a meal. However, the perception has changed. Almost inevitably people believe that my family and I are health nuts - despite the fact that I bring cookies to work and other non-health nut foods to family gatherings. I don't mind people seeing us this way; I think it's funny. Even at my protests that we are not granola eaters, the babysitter believes that we are very healthy. I guess much of it has to do with us 'looking' healthy. I am in this for animal welfare. I want my children to be healthy, but I guess I don't do the best. I will always try harder, but habits are hard to break. For me the worst thing is hearing people talk about other vegetarians they met who are stuck up and act like they are better than others. That is the image I would like to break. Jill , ERB <bakwin wrote: > > Here's what came to mind when I read the discussion about being a role model for vegetarianism: > > My father tells me on a regular basis that vegetarians don't get enough protein, and that this lack of protein will kill us. He holds to this assumption for two reasons: the fact that his parents (pediatricians) took him to Africa in the 1930s and showed him children dying of kwashiakor (I know that's spelled wrong!), and the fact that everyone in his family eats approximately 80% of their daily calories in animal protein. > > How long has he known me? Do I or my children have bloated bellies? Aren't we the only ones in his family who don't have cancer, heart issues, colon issues, or high blood pressure? (And I first became a vegetarian in 1979, so it's not a new phenomenon to him or me.) > > It is a lesson in futility to set yourself up as a role model to people. They see what they want to see, and believe what they want to believe. As frustrating as that can be at times, it's also freeing. You don't have to be perfect. They probably won't see it anyway. People are judging you because of where they are in life, not where you are. > > Liz > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 I have satellite but not this station. Any clue as to how to get copies, permission, whatever. I would like to present them on local cable. We have some programs on local T.V. all ready weekly. Next show is on Vegan Body Building. Guess what, though, I don't have cable so i can't see it unless I go to the station! Wa sahmomof8 wrote: Allison--It's not for everyone, since it is from a Seventh Day Adventist perspective, but 3ABN (a satellite station) has at least two vegetarian cooking programs on its schedule, plus numerous talk shows about nutrition and health from a vegetarian standpoint. Maybe more cable stations would carry it if they saw there was a demand for it. As to the notion that we aren't " role models " --I beg to differ with whoever said that. Like it or not, once our food preferences are known, we ARE representative of how vegetarianism is perceived. I have seen some VERY sickly looking raw vegans,in particular. What does that say about the idea that ours is supposedly a more healthy lifestyle? How can we justify our choice when we are unhealthy? Even if we are not doing it for health reasons, vegetarianism is seen (even by those who resist it for themselves) as a healthier choice. I think we DO need, to a certain degree, to hold ourselves to a higher standard,so others can visibly SEE the results of our food choices. We ARE teachers and role models, whether or not we want to be, with every bite we publicly put into our mouths. The best education is example. Marilyn **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 5 48) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 I do veggie burgers on 100% whole wheat buns with baked sweet potato fries (and usually a salad)-- a fantastic meal, and I don't think it could qualify as junk food at all. Yum! It's all in the details. Heather Rosemary Squires wrote: > > Is fries and veggie burgers junk food? I didn't know! LOL leave the > skins on the fries! > > Jill Wenzel <jillben2005 > <jillben2005%40sbcglobal.net>> wrote: I agree that people will > see what they want no matter what we do. I > have never considered my family to be junk vegetarians, but maybe we > are by some standards. We do eat whole grain pastas, brown rice and > whole grain breads...but we eat a lot of them. I didn't realize that > was considered 'bad'. > When I first went veg as a teenager people did perceive my diet as > unhealthy though I don't believe it was all that bad. I did not live > on fries, but maybe veg burgers and fries on occasion. Even still on > the days I work (tuesdays and thursdays) my family will occasionally > have veg burgers and fries as a meal. However, the perception has > changed. Almost inevitably people believe that my family and I are > health nuts - despite the fact that I bring cookies to work and other > non-health nut foods to family gatherings. I don't mind people > seeing us this way; I think it's funny. Even at my protests that we > are not granola eaters, the babysitter believes that we are very > healthy. I guess much of it has to do with us 'looking' healthy. > > I am in this for animal welfare. I want my children to be healthy, > but I guess I don't do the best. I will always try harder, but > habits are hard to break. For me the worst thing is hearing people > talk about other vegetarians they met who are stuck up and act like > they are better than others. That is the image I would like to > break. > Jill > > > <%40>, ERB <bakwin wrote: > > > > Here's what came to mind when I read the discussion about being a > role model for vegetarianism: > > > > My father tells me on a regular basis that vegetarians don't get > enough protein, and that this lack of protein will kill us. He holds > to this assumption for two reasons: the fact that his parents > (pediatricians) took him to Africa in the 1930s and showed him > children dying of kwashiakor (I know that's spelled wrong!), and the > fact that everyone in his family eats approximately 80% of their > daily calories in animal protein. > > > > How long has he known me? Do I or my children have bloated > bellies? Aren't we the only ones in his family who don't have > cancer, heart issues, colon issues, or high blood pressure? (And I > first became a vegetarian in 1979, so it's not a new phenomenon to > him or me.) > > > > It is a lesson in futility to set yourself up as a role model to > people. They see what they want to see, and believe what they want > to believe. As frustrating as that can be at times, it's also > freeing. You don't have to be perfect. They probably won't see it > anyway. People are judging you because of where they are in life, > not where you are. > > > > Liz > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 That's true - I always feel better when I make my own fries. But, my husband has a love affair with tatertots (ick) so I give into that on occasion. I've never made sweet potato fries, but I think that would be great. Do you peel them first? , Heather <hlh4850 wrote: > > I do veggie burgers on 100% whole wheat buns with baked sweet potato > fries (and usually a salad)-- a fantastic meal, and I don't think it > could qualify as junk food at all. Yum! It's all in the details. > Heather > > Rosemary Squires wrote: > > > > Is fries and veggie burgers junk food? I didn't know! LOL leave the > > skins on the fries! > > > > Jill Wenzel <jillben2005 > > <jillben2005%40sbcglobal.net>> wrote: I agree that people will > > see what they want no matter what we do. I > > have never considered my family to be junk vegetarians, but maybe we > > are by some standards. We do eat whole grain pastas, brown rice and > > whole grain breads...but we eat a lot of them. I didn't realize that > > was considered 'bad'. > > When I first went veg as a teenager people did perceive my diet as > > unhealthy though I don't believe it was all that bad. I did not live > > on fries, but maybe veg burgers and fries on occasion. Even still on > > the days I work (tuesdays and thursdays) my family will occasionally > > have veg burgers and fries as a meal. However, the perception has > > changed. Almost inevitably people believe that my family and I are > > health nuts - despite the fact that I bring cookies to work and other > > non-health nut foods to family gatherings. I don't mind people > > seeing us this way; I think it's funny. Even at my protests that we > > are not granola eaters, the babysitter believes that we are very > > healthy. I guess much of it has to do with us 'looking' healthy. > > > > I am in this for animal welfare. I want my children to be healthy, > > but I guess I don't do the best. I will always try harder, but > > habits are hard to break. For me the worst thing is hearing people > > talk about other vegetarians they met who are stuck up and act like > > they are better than others. That is the image I would like to > > break. > > Jill > > > > > > <%40>, ERB <bakwin@> wrote: > > > > > > Here's what came to mind when I read the discussion about being a > > role model for vegetarianism: > > > > > > My father tells me on a regular basis that vegetarians don't get > > enough protein, and that this lack of protein will kill us. He holds > > to this assumption for two reasons: the fact that his parents > > (pediatricians) took him to Africa in the 1930s and showed him > > children dying of kwashiakor (I know that's spelled wrong!), and the > > fact that everyone in his family eats approximately 80% of their > > daily calories in animal protein. > > > > > > How long has he known me? Do I or my children have bloated > > bellies? Aren't we the only ones in his family who don't have > > cancer, heart issues, colon issues, or high blood pressure? (And I > > first became a vegetarian in 1979, so it's not a new phenomenon to > > him or me.) > > > > > > It is a lesson in futility to set yourself up as a role model to > > people. They see what they want to see, and believe what they want > > to believe. As frustrating as that can be at times, it's also > > freeing. You don't have to be perfect. They probably won't see it > > anyway. People are judging you because of where they are in life, > > not where you are. > > > > > > Liz > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 No, I never peel potatoes, even for mashed. For the fries I just slice them up, toss them with a little bit of olive oil and some seasoning, spread them out on parchment paper on a cookie pan, and bake. The amount of baking time depends on how thick you cut them, just check them. Heather Jill Wenzel wrote: > > That's true - I always feel better when I make my own fries. But, my > husband has a love affair with tatertots (ick) so I give into that on > occasion. I've never made sweet potato fries, but I think that would > be great. Do you peel them first? > > > <%40>, Heather <hlh4850 wrote: > > > > I do veggie burgers on 100% whole wheat buns with baked sweet > potato > > fries (and usually a salad)-- a fantastic meal, and I don't think > it > > could qualify as junk food at all. Yum! It's all in the details. > > Heather > > > > Rosemary Squires wrote: > > > > > > Is fries and veggie burgers junk food? I didn't know! LOL leave > the > > > skins on the fries! > > > > > > Jill Wenzel <jillben2005 > > > <jillben2005%40sbcglobal.net>> wrote: I agree that people > will > > > see what they want no matter what we do. I > > > have never considered my family to be junk vegetarians, but maybe > we > > > are by some standards. We do eat whole grain pastas, brown rice > and > > > whole grain breads...but we eat a lot of them. I didn't realize > that > > > was considered 'bad'. > > > When I first went veg as a teenager people did perceive my diet as > > > unhealthy though I don't believe it was all that bad. I did not > live > > > on fries, but maybe veg burgers and fries on occasion. Even still > on > > > the days I work (tuesdays and thursdays) my family will > occasionally > > > have veg burgers and fries as a meal. However, the perception has > > > changed. Almost inevitably people believe that my family and I are > > > health nuts - despite the fact that I bring cookies to work and > other > > > non-health nut foods to family gatherings. I don't mind people > > > seeing us this way; I think it's funny. Even at my protests that > we > > > are not granola eaters, the babysitter believes that we are very > > > healthy. I guess much of it has to do with us 'looking' healthy. > > > > > > I am in this for animal welfare. I want my children to be healthy, > > > but I guess I don't do the best. I will always try harder, but > > > habits are hard to break. For me the worst thing is hearing people > > > talk about other vegetarians they met who are stuck up and act > like > > > they are better than others. That is the image I would like to > > > break. > > > Jill > > > > > > > <%40> > > > <%40>, ERB <bakwin@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Here's what came to mind when I read the discussion about being > a > > > role model for vegetarianism: > > > > > > > > My father tells me on a regular basis that vegetarians don't get > > > enough protein, and that this lack of protein will kill us. He > holds > > > to this assumption for two reasons: the fact that his parents > > > (pediatricians) took him to Africa in the 1930s and showed him > > > children dying of kwashiakor (I know that's spelled wrong!), and > the > > > fact that everyone in his family eats approximately 80% of their > > > daily calories in animal protein. > > > > > > > > How long has he known me? Do I or my children have bloated > > > bellies? Aren't we the only ones in his family who don't have > > > cancer, heart issues, colon issues, or high blood pressure? (And I > > > first became a vegetarian in 1979, so it's not a new phenomenon to > > > him or me.) > > > > > > > > It is a lesson in futility to set yourself up as a role model to > > > people. They see what they want to see, and believe what they want > > > to believe. As frustrating as that can be at times, it's also > > > freeing. You don't have to be perfect. They probably won't see it > > > anyway. People are judging you because of where they are in life, > > > not where you are. > > > > > > > > Liz > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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