Guest guest Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. Can anyone please give me some advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Can you show them literature on the health benefits of being a vegetarian? What are their reasons for being so against it? Tonia , " atticusanderson " <atticusanderson wrote: > > I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for > the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners > that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat > anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something > late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how > to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. > Can anyone please give me some advice? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 My family was also against vegetarianism, and still make comments to this day. If you are committed to being a vegetarian the best advice I can give you is to make sure that you let them know it is nothing against them. Make sure to do everything with love. This makes it easier for them to identify with you. They may be worried. You may have to deal with this issure for many years. Try to have patience. Maybe just getting some materials from the library would help them to understand the benefits and your reasons for being veggie, plus help you to learn more about it. Men especially identify with meat it seems to me. Sometimes they actually feel better if they see you eating things that look more like meat, even if veggie. It helps them to see the protein options available. So seitan can be a good substitute or even some veggie jerky. Not sure if you have any money to buy some of your own food or not, but once I got my first job I was able to be more responsible for my own food. Try not to make this a battle against them. But stay firm to your beliefs. Good luck! Laura Ballinger Morales atticusanderson <atticusanderson Monday, August 11, 2008 4:55:49 PM My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. Can anyone please give me some advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Hi, You are very strong to be doing something different than your family while you live at home. I grew up in a farming family where animals were butchered at my grandmother's house, so many of us grew aversions to eating meat. I didn't become a vegetarian until I was in college, and then it was just the oddest thing to everyone in my family - " but the beans have only a little ham, and I scooped out the hock " (what?) or " one small piece won't really even count " (in whose counting?) It was just all very odd. My immediate family is very supportive now, and so there is hope once they're educated and informed about why you made this decision, and the benefits of your decision. :-) In answer to your question, the best way to show your seriousness is likely to just get very clear on your reasons why you're a vegetarian (animals, health, world economy, etc.), gather info that backs up your beliefs (like Tonia recommended), and be ready to calmly and rationally explain your stance. And it will probably also help to not waver from your beliefs - as hard as that is right now - then hopefully they'll understand how serious you are. I think most parents will not want you to go to bed hungry, so might loosen up after a while. In the meantime, can you just eat the side dishes at dinner - veggies, potatoes, rice, beans, salad, fruit - and have some nuts or seeds you can eat for a snack later in the evening to get some protein? (only a couple tablespoons of nuts is a protein serving - so that's an easy way to get a lot of nutrition.) Oh, and depending on how your parents might respond -- you could also offer to help cook - and cook meals you want to eat. We have friends who are vegetarian, and when one daughter wanted to be vegan, she just started cooking for the family until others learned her recipes. Now she went away to college, and they still eat vegan sometimes. And also, in the meantime, you might want to look for vegetarian youth groups in your school or community - for support from peers, in addition to this wonderful list! :-) Best of luck and hope this gets better soon. Just know that we all have struggles as kids in parents' homes - it's part of growing up, becoming an individual/separate from your parents, and becoming an adult. Hopefully, one day you'll look back on this as you share a nutloaf. :-) Take care! Lorraine On Behalf Of atticusanderson Monday, August 11, 2008 1:56 PM My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. Can anyone please give me some advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 I feel your pain. Over 20 years ago, I became the first vegetarian in my family. Although my parents were fairly hippy-ish, what with the organic, natural foods, and all, the whole veggie thing really threw them for a loop. I just kept it up, and every day they kept offering me 'icky chicken', or whatever for dinner, and , oh, about 5 years later, I'd say, they finally stopped offering me turkey at Thanksgiving. I'm sorry you're being starved at dinner time in the meantime, but often, sticking up for your principles is a little painful. And if you're able to sneak food later, that's good. In the end, I don't think you'll be able to convince them of anything- at least don't expect to- but hopefully you can all come to place where they can accept it and at least allow you to eat with the family a meal that you've prepared on your own. Perhaps you can attack it from that angle: that you'd like to share meals and stay connected with the family that way, but you feel unable to do so at the moment. Us parent- types eat that kind of thing up. I hope I've helped a little; I'm sure many of us here have dealt with exactly the thing you're going through. Luckily, my parents have come around and I've even heard them announce to others that I'm a vegetarian with what? -a little pride in their voices. Miracles do happen. If you ever need some moral support, feel free to email me. And oh, buy a copy of 'Diet for a New America' by John Robbins and leave it lying around. I don't see how anyone can eat meat after reading that book.It has lots of good charts and graphs, too, with easy to understand statistics. I haven't ever read the 'China Experiment', or whatever it was that everyone else has been recommending, but I plan to. Welcome to the veggie community- we're thrilled to have you! , " atticusanderson " <atticusanderson wrote: > > I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for > the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners > that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat > anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something > late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how > to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. > Can anyone please give me some advice? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 I have shown them SO many things before, and they just don't...I don tknow, care? It sounds so rude saying they don't care, and i know they do, but i really dont think there is any reasoning at all. They're just very conservative and dont want me to be any more different than i already am. --- On Mon, 8/11/08, vegton <vegton wrote: vegton <vegton Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians Monday, August 11, 2008, 10:11 PM Can you show them literature on the health benefits of being a vegetarian? What are their reasons for being so against it? Tonia , " atticusanderson " <atticusanderson wrote: > > I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for > the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners > that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat > anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something > late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how > to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. > Can anyone please give me some advice? > --- For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 You poor thing! My daughter has a friend in a similar situation, so I do understand what you are going through. Is there another adult (maybe an aunt or uncle) who might be willing to speak on your behalf? Would your parents allow you to prepare dinner for the family, so you can show them that vegetarian meals can be tasty and healthy? Your parents need to be educated. Check you local library for a book called The China Study; it explains the nutritional reasons for being a vegetarian. Best of luck, Robin “I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.” –W. C. Fields --- On Mon, 8/11/08, atticusanderson <atticusanderson wrote: atticusanderson <atticusanderson My parents are insensitive to vegetarians Monday, August 11, 2008, 3:55 PM I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. Can anyone please give me some advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 How old are you? Are you old enough to work at night and grab some food on your lunch break? It would help you to be able to afford to eat your own foods. And avoid eating around them and their meat-centered dishes. Renee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 hi, i became veggie 28 years ago, at 10 years old. at that point my mom thought it was a phase so she told me - well, eat the side dishes then! she did not want to cook seperate meals just for me. i got by - not relying on my mom to cook for me. i learned how to cook some yummy things. some very easy. now i am a very creative cook with whatever is around. now she loves eating my food. it was just that she had no idea what to cook for me. i think that if you make the decision to go veg, you should take some responsibility and cook for yourself (and them!) and then maybe she will get some recipe ideas and begin cooking those. you can also try letting her know what she can easily try to cook for you. she just may have not idea what to do. best, heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 I think that for your parents, this needs to be a process, not an event. Tell them that you love them and know that they love you and you will all be healthier (and so will the planet) if you eat less meat. Robin --- On Tue, 8/12/08, Atticus Anderson <atticusanderson wrote: Atticus Anderson <atticusanderson Re: Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 6:06 AM I have shown them SO many things before, and they just don't...I don tknow, care? It sounds so rude saying they don't care, and i know they do, but i really dont think there is any reasoning at all. They're just very conservative and dont want me to be any more different than i already am. --- On Mon, 8/11/08, vegton <vegton > wrote: vegton <vegton > Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians @gro ups.com Monday, August 11, 2008, 10:11 PM Can you show them literature on the health benefits of being a vegetarian? What are their reasons for being so against it? Tonia @gro ups.com, " atticusanderson " <atticusanderson@ ...> wrote: > > I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for > the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners > that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat > anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something > late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how > to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. > Can anyone please give me some advice? > ------------ --------- --------- ------ For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg. org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg. org/family. This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 I haven't touched meat since probably december, and it's just becoming a daily argument between me and my parents. I don't expect anyone to accomadate my expectations for foods, but it would be a nicer if they wouldn't stare me down when i eat a vegeburger instead of a hamburger. I know it's going to take them a while longer, and i guess there is nothing i can do except wait it out? --- On Tue, 8/12/08, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 6:30 AM Sorry to hear you are having problems getting them to understand. They will know you are serious the longer you stick with it and don't eat meat. Just remain polite and keep saying " I'm a vegetarian, I don't eat meat. " And don't eat it, even if that's all that is on the table. If you do then it looks as though you aren't very serious about it. Don't expect them to accommodate you. Eat what's vegetarian on the table and then add to it what you are able to make for yourself. The longer you do this they will see you are serious. However, they may forever remain " insensitive " to your vegetarianism. You just have to brush that off and no worry about it.. Jacqueline --- For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 If parents only knew the horrors their kids could get involved with, they would count their lucky stars that their kids only want to eat healthier! If that's " rebellion " , I'll take that over drug abuse ANY day! It's such a shame when teens aren't supported, especially when the choices they are making are GOOD ones! I'm glad your mom is trying to help, in her own way. Your dad might feel he is losing control, or you are going against his authority when you make choices different from his own. That may be threatening to him. That's scary for a parent. Try to keep quietly doing what you need to do, without confronting (as much as possible). You're not doing anything " wrong " --just not " mainstream " . No one ever accused me of being " mainstream " ! LOL! My own parents had their issues with my choices too--although diet didn't happen to be one of those issues at the time I was growing up. Do what you can while you're at home. You won't always live with mom and dad, and then your choices will become easier. In the meantime, we're here. Marilyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 Hi Atticus, I thought of another idea - you could try being extra nice to your parents in other areas (offering to help with things around the house, doing nice things for them, etc.), even if it's tough right now. It might show them that you're not just rebelling against them in all things - and that might help them understand that you are a cool kid who has a bit of a different approach to some things. This might help with getting you to a place where being on different pages is okay and they're not just worried about you going against what they believe, even though that is likely not even your motivation. (Some parents think that when a kid is different, they are rebelling, and that to avoid a disaster of some kind [however they might define that], they must immediately apply more force/control to keep things under control.) But maybe this kind of kindness will help remind them how kind you are and not worry about you saving the lives of animals. :-) Good luck! Take care, Lorraine On Behalf Of Atticus Anderson Tuesday, August 12, 2008 1:16 PM RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I haven't touched meat since probably december, and it's just becoming a daily argument between me and my parents. I don't expect anyone to accomadate my expectations for foods, but it would be a nicer if they wouldn't stare me down when i eat a vegeburger instead of a hamburger. I know it's going to take them a while longer, and i guess there is nothing i can do except wait it out? --- On Tue, 8/12/08, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodnar <jb%40jacquelinebodnar.com> .com> wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodnar <jb%40jacquelinebodnar.com> .com> RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians @gro <%40> ups.com Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 6:30 AM Sorry to hear you are having problems getting them to understand. They will know you are serious the longer you stick with it and don't eat meat. Just remain polite and keep saying " I'm a vegetarian, I don't eat meat. " And don't eat it, even if that's all that is on the table. If you do then it looks as though you aren't very serious about it. Don't expect them to accommodate you. Eat what's vegetarian on the table and then add to it what you are able to make for yourself. The longer you do this they will see you are serious. However, they may forever remain " insensitive " to your vegetarianism. You just have to brush that off and no worry about it.. Jacqueline --- For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg. <http://www.vrg.org> org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg. <http://www.vrg.org/family.This> org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I became a vegetarian recently because my son at 5 years old decided he wasn't eat anymore. As a parent I was scared and nervous and a bit annoyed at his new burden on me. It took me some time to realize that he wasn't making a decision that was negative but something positive. He converted me to a vegetarian and his father is much less of a meat eater thanks to our new diet. I didn't know how to have a vegetarian son without being one. I think when you've eaten meat your whole life your just not sure how to approach it. It is kinda of scary. Every time I go out I get crap from friends and family now, I am getting blood work done soon to prove to all of them that my diet is still giving me everything I need. My friends husband is calling himself a meatarian from the commercial. He walks around saying if he cant eat meat he doesn't want to live. Etc etc. Here is hoping your parents come around. Atticus Anderson <atticusanderson Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:16:23 PM RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I haven't touched meat since probably december, and it's just becoming a daily argument between me and my parents. I don't expect anyone to accomadate my expectations for foods, but it would be a nicer if they wouldn't stare me down when i eat a vegeburger instead of a hamburger. I know it's going to take them a while longer, and i guess there is nothing i can do except wait it out? --- On Tue, 8/12/08, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodnar .com> wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodnar .com> RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians @gro ups.com Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 6:30 AM Sorry to hear you are having problems getting them to understand. They will know you are serious the longer you stick with it and don't eat meat. Just remain polite and keep saying " I'm a vegetarian, I don't eat meat. " And don't eat it, even if that's all that is on the table. If you do then it looks as though you aren't very serious about it. Don't expect them to accommodate you. Eat what's vegetarian on the table and then add to it what you are able to make for yourself. The longer you do this they will see you are serious. However, they may forever remain " insensitive " to your vegetarianism. You just have to brush that off and no worry about it.. Jacqueline ------------ --------- --------- ------ For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg. org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg. org/family. This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Being different is amazing. Being a conformist is boring!! Atticus Anderson <atticusanderson Tuesday, August 12, 2008 7:06:40 AM Re: Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I have shown them SO many things before, and they just don't...I don tknow, care? It sounds so rude saying they don't care, and i know they do, but i really dont think there is any reasoning at all. They're just very conservative and dont want me to be any more different than i already am. --- On Mon, 8/11/08, vegton <vegton > wrote: vegton <vegton > Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians @gro ups.com Monday, August 11, 2008, 10:11 PM Can you show them literature on the health benefits of being a vegetarian? What are their reasons for being so against it? Tonia @gro ups.com, " atticusanderson " <atticusanderson@ ...> wrote: > > I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for > the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners > that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat > anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something > late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how > to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. > Can anyone please give me some advice? > ------------ --------- --------- ------ For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg. org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg. org/family. This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Maybe have them join this group and see that your not alone. This is not a small society but a growing one. Also, I just found a doctor who is vegetarian. Having someone of authority on your side may help. jennigarverick <jennigarverick Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:51:07 AM Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I feel your pain. Over 20 years ago, I became the first vegetarian in my family. Although my parents were fairly hippy-ish, what with the organic, natural foods, and all, the whole veggie thing really threw them for a loop. I just kept it up, and every day they kept offering me 'icky chicken', or whatever for dinner, and , oh, about 5 years later, I'd say, they finally stopped offering me turkey at Thanksgiving. I'm sorry you're being starved at dinner time in the meantime, but often, sticking up for your principles is a little painful. And if you're able to sneak food later, that's good. In the end, I don't think you'll be able to convince them of anything- at least don't expect to- but hopefully you can all come to place where they can accept it and at least allow you to eat with the family a meal that you've prepared on your own. Perhaps you can attack it from that angle: that you'd like to share meals and stay connected with the family that way, but you feel unable to do so at the moment. Us parent- types eat that kind of thing up. I hope I've helped a little; I'm sure many of us here have dealt with exactly the thing you're going through. Luckily, my parents have come around and I've even heard them announce to others that I'm a vegetarian with what? -a little pride in their voices. Miracles do happen. If you ever need some moral support, feel free to email me. And oh, buy a copy of 'Diet for a New America' by John Robbins and leave it lying around. I don't see how anyone can eat meat after reading that book.It has lots of good charts and graphs, too, with easy to understand statistics. I haven't ever read the 'China Experiment', or whatever it was that everyone else has been recommending, but I plan to. Welcome to the veggie community- we're thrilled to have you! @gro ups.com, " atticusanderson " <atticusanderson@ ...> wrote: > > I have made it very clear that i will no longer eat any more meat for > the last several months...but my mother continues to make only dinners > that have to do with meats. My father says i'm not allowed to eat > anything else, so usually i go hungry or just make myself something > late at night. I don't know how to show them that i'm serious, or how > to ask them to stop trying to change the fact that i am a vegetarian. > Can anyone please give me some advice? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 , Lebasi <lebasi.klotko wrote: > > My daughter never really liked meat her entire life. She would just deal with it. Now that she has chosen not to eat meat (or any form of animal by-product) I have abided by her wishes. Some of the things we make I try and do not like and will probably never like (tempeh being one of them) but I would never tell her no. As for insensitive people, they only judge what they do not understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Nutrition always seems to be the sticking point for people who don't know much about a veg or vegan diet. You shouldn't have to shed blood to prove it though! :-) My personal method when I was younger was just to leave copies of Diet for a New America lying around. I gave them to both sets of parents (divorced/remarried parents) because they were so concerned, I said I can't explain it as well as this guy can. They all became veg too within a few years. I left a copy in the box office at the movie theater I worked at as a youngster (back in the days of single screen theaters there wasn't much to do between showtimes). That one had some effect too. I never told anyone I disapproved of their choices, just spoke glowingly of how great this was going for me. Then I just thrived and was healthy. Eventually even if they didn't come around, they stopped any earnest efforts to change my mind. The teasing continues to this day from certain parties but that is expected from those certain parties and in the meantime, I have found their weak spots too. :-) As for your friends husband (ok here i'm going to reveal my age ha ha) I used to get " where's the beef? " a lot. oy vey. There's one in every crowd! Dee - Lebasi Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:21 AM Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I became a vegetarian recently because my son at 5 years old decided he wasn't eat anymore. As a parent I was scared and nervous and a bit annoyed at his new burden on me. It took me some time to realize that he wasn't making a decision that was negative but something positive. He converted me to a vegetarian and his father is much less of a meat eater thanks to our new diet. I didn't know how to have a vegetarian son without being one. I think when you've eaten meat your whole life your just not sure how to approach it. It is kinda of scary. Every time I go out I get crap from friends and family now, I am getting blood work done soon to prove to all of them that my diet is still giving me everything I need. My friends husband is calling himself a meatarian from the commercial. He walks around saying if he cant eat meat he doesn't want to live. Etc etc. Here is hoping your parents come around. Atticus Anderson <atticusanderson Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:16:23 PM RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I haven't touched meat since probably december, and it's just becoming a daily argument between me and my parents. I don't expect anyone to accomadate my expectations for foods, but it would be a nicer if they wouldn't stare me down when i eat a vegeburger instead of a hamburger. I know it's going to take them a while longer, and i guess there is nothing i can do except wait it out? --- On Tue, 8/12/08, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodnar .com> wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodnar .com> RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians @gro ups.com Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 6:30 AM Sorry to hear you are having problems getting them to understand. They will know you are serious the longer you stick with it and don't eat meat. Just remain polite and keep saying " I'm a vegetarian, I don't eat meat. " And don't eat it, even if that's all that is on the table. If you do then it looks as though you aren't very serious about it. Don't expect them to accommodate you. Eat what's vegetarian on the table and then add to it what you are able to make for yourself. The longer you do this they will see you are serious. However, they may forever remain " insensitive " to your vegetarianism. You just have to brush that off and no worry about it.. Jacqueline ------------ --------- --------- ------ For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg. org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg. org/family. This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 What an amazing son you must have! When you get your blood work done, make sure you have your cholesterol done, too. That will be the final blow to the complaints of the meat-eating crowd- your fabulous cholesterol numbers. People (those who don't know us well) ask me how I can 'deprive' my children of meat. I agree with them in a knowing way, " Yes, it's terrible. I'm depriving them of all that heart diease, cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, cholesterol issues... " They don't mention it again. Tell your 5 year old son I said he rocks! Lebasi <lebasi.klotko Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:21:47 PM Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I became a vegetarian recently because my son at 5 years old decided he wasn't eat anymore. As a parent I was scared and nervous and a bit annoyed at his new burden on me. It took me some time to realize that he wasn't making a decision that was negative but something positive. He converted me to a vegetarian and his father is much less of a meat eater thanks to our new diet. I didn't know how to have a vegetarian son without being one. I think when you've eaten meat your whole life your just not sure how to approach it. It is kinda of scary. Every time I go out I get crap from friends and family now, I am getting blood work done soon to prove to all of them that my diet is still giving me everything I need. My friends husband is calling himself a meatarian from the commercial. He walks around saying if he cant eat meat he doesn't want to live. Etc etc. Here is hoping your parents come around. Atticus Anderson <atticusanderson@ > @gro ups.com Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:16:23 PM RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians I haven't touched meat since probably december, and it's just becoming a daily argument between me and my parents. I don't expect anyone to accomadate my expectations for foods, but it would be a nicer if they wouldn't stare me down when i eat a vegeburger instead of a hamburger. I know it's going to take them a while longer, and i guess there is nothing i can do except wait it out? --- On Tue, 8/12/08, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodna r .com> wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodna r .com> RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians @gro ups.com Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 6:30 AM Sorry to hear you are having problems getting them to understand. They will know you are serious the longer you stick with it and don't eat meat. Just remain polite and keep saying " I'm a vegetarian, I don't eat meat. " And don't eat it, even if that's all that is on the table. If you do then it looks as though you aren't very serious about it. Don't expect them to accommodate you. Eat what's vegetarian on the table and then add to it what you are able to make for yourself. The longer you do this they will see you are serious. However, they may forever remain " insensitive " to your vegetarianism. You just have to brush that off and no worry about it.. Jacqueline ------------ --------- --------- ------ For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg. org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg. org/family. This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2008 Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 Hi Atticus, The first thought i had when i read you e-mail is concern about your nutrition. As a vego its very important that you get a balanced diet. I'm not sure how old you are, but as a growing person we all need the best nutrition we can get. Its very important that you don't miss meals. If possible i would suggest buying a vegetarian cook book that is simple. You can usually pick them up in second hand stores for next to nothing. Do you have access to your own money? If so than i would suggest showing your commitment by buying meat alternatives and preparing them yourself. Perhaps offer to make dinner for the family some nights and have a good recipe on hand. I always find that vego spag bol wins over even the most dedicated meat eaters. You can pick up " not mince " in most supermarkets or heath food sores, and it has the same texture as mince. Just chuck that in a pan with garlic, onion, some italian herbs and maybe a pre made spagetti sauce for ease and add pasta and cheese if your not vegan. Im sure your family will appreciate the effort and also show them that a vego diet can be healthy and tasty. I was about 13 when my parents agreed to allow me to become vego. They were concerned about my growing and decided that 13 was the age that i had sufficiently grown enough to go without meat. Of course the meat propaganda which infiltrates our lives can make parents very cynical about the health benefits of a vego diet. I know my parents only did what they did by making me wait out of love, and after i did my own research and showed them the facts about a vego diet then they were less concerned. I now have a 19 month old baby and mum still sometimes says 'that boy needs meat' every cold he gets is usually followed by a comment about him being vego, but mostly she just says it to tease me. Stand strong for your beliefs, your awesome to be making such a stand and you are doing a wonderful thing for the animals, the environment and your health. Ange On Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 6:27 AM, jenni claire garverick < jennigarverick wrote: > What an amazing son you must have! When you get your blood work done, > make sure you have your cholesterol done, too. That will be the final blow > to the complaints of the meat-eating crowd- your fabulous cholesterol > numbers. > People (those who don't know us well) ask me how I can 'deprive' my > children of meat. I agree with them in a knowing way, " Yes, it's terrible. > I'm depriving them of all that heart diease, cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, > cholesterol issues... " They don't mention it again. Tell your 5 year old son > I said he rocks! > > > > Lebasi <lebasi.klotko <lebasi.klotko%40>> > <%40> > Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:21:47 PM > Re: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians > > I became a vegetarian recently because my son at 5 years old decided he > wasn't eat anymore. As a parent I was scared and nervous and a bit annoyed > at his new burden on me. It took me some time to realize that he wasn't > making a decision that was negative but something positive. He converted me > to a vegetarian and his father is much less of a meat eater thanks to our > new diet. I didn't know how to have a vegetarian son without being one. > > I think when you've eaten meat your whole life your just not sure how to > approach it. It is kinda of scary. Every time I go out I get crap from > friends and family now, I am getting blood work done soon to prove to all of > them that my diet is still giving me everything I need. > > My friends husband is calling himself a meatarian from the commercial. He > walks around saying if he cant eat meat he doesn't want to live. Etc etc. > > Here is hoping your parents come around. > > > > > > Atticus Anderson <atticusanderson@ > > @gro ups.com > Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:16:23 PM > RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians > > I haven't touched meat since probably december, and it's just becoming a > daily argument between me and my parents. I don't expect anyone to > accomadate my expectations for foods, but it would be a nicer if they > wouldn't stare me down when i eat a vegeburger instead of a hamburger. I > know it's going to take them a while longer, and i guess there is nothing i > can do except wait it out? > > --- On Tue, 8/12/08, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodna r .com> wrote: > > Jacqueline Bodnar <jb@jacquelinebodna r .com> > > RE: My parents are insensitive to vegetarians > @gro ups.com > Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 6:30 AM > > Sorry to hear you are having problems getting them to understand. They > will know you are serious the longer you stick with it and don't eat > meat. Just remain polite and keep saying " I'm a vegetarian, I > don't eat > meat. " And don't eat it, even if that's all that is on the table. > If you > do then it looks as though you aren't very serious about it. Don't > expect them to accommodate you. Eat what's vegetarian on the table and > then add to it what you are able to make for yourself. The longer you do > this they will see you are serious. However, they may forever remain > " insensitive " to your vegetarianism. You just have to brush that off > and > no worry about it.. > > Jacqueline > > ------------ --------- --------- ------ > > For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at > http://www.vrg. org and for materials especially useful for families go to > http://www.vrg. org/family. This is a discussion list and is not intended > to > provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a > qualified health professional. > > edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health > professional. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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