Re:I'd Love Your Insights/Debbie

[Guest guest]

Debbie, Blessings be yours for your turning vegetarian. It will not always be

easy but your personal reasons for the choice will help you remain one.  I

believe that those who are closest to us are the first ones alarmed by the

change in our food habits. After all, we shared food with our friends and family

before we made the " foodshift " . Of course it matters to your Dad (etc.) what you

do/don't eat. You will always be his daughter and whatever you do will come to

his attention (and will be commented on). Oftentimes, those who don't understand

why we changed our " foodpath " just need time to understand our reasons. Or, they

are just hurting because we don't eat with them anymore or have the fun times

during mealtimes (a social sharing). I am the only vegetarian in my familyand

they have accepted it because I stood my ground for 40 years.I don't attend

their parties for food but for the joy of being together. Ofel

 

--- On Thu, 3/19/09, Debbie <stinkybeans wrote:

 

Debbie <stinkybeans

Re: Re:I'd Love Your Insights

 

Thursday, March 19, 2009, 9:48 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like how you expressed your thoughts. I'm a newbie to

vegetarianism I

 

think it's been a little over a month now. My husband, mom, and sister are

 

all very supportive. However, my dad on the other hand isn't. Why does it

 

matter to him what I do and don't eat?

 

 

 

Debbie

 

 

 

-- --

 

 

 

ofelia santos

 

03/19/09 23:35:40

 

 

 

[vegetarian_ group] Re:I'd Love Your Insights

 

 

 

Hello everyone. The insights shared are all great. Here's another ...Being

 

vegetarian is a choice and taken for many reasons. For me, even if I don't

 

expect everyone to be vegetarian like me, there are definitely challenges I

 

am constantly exposed to ... Here are my ways in handling some:

 

 

 

1) When it is my event and I declared it vegetarian, I want it vegetarian. I

 

explain to those that I invite why. (Because I am vegetarian, or, because I

 

am promoting vegetarianism for that occasion, or, because my main guests are

 

vegetarian and in deference I have chosen the occasion to be vegetarian, or

 

because it is Holy Week and usually meat abstinence is observed, etc.

 

Whatever the reason I give, I must be truthful, and not say so, just to get

 

my way.

 

 

 

2) Should some people persist that they would like to bring their

 

non-vegetarian dishes to my vegetarian occasion, I tell them, " Oh, but it is

 

vegetarian. Can I get back to you so I can find out if there are others who

 

want to attend a mixed party so we can plan it for another day ? (If there

 

are many who suggested mixed dishes.)

 

 

 

In my planned and organized vegetarian occasions, I don't allow

 

non-vegetarian dishes because I do not want further confusion as to

 

what vegetarianism means. Some people think that vegetarianism means only

 

meatless, etc. Often I make my occasions a time for letting people

 

understand vegetarians like me, and what we can and cannot eat. Even in

 

vegetarian restaurants that strictly serve vegetarian, they forbid meat

 

dishes to be brought in and eaten in their establishments.

 

 

 

HOWEVER, Since some parties are done for social reasons, we cannot help but

 

eat with others who have other food and path choices. After all, we are part

 

of humanity and we cannot always stay apart unless we choose to be hermits

 

and recluses (even in a vegetarian community). WHATEVER YOUR DECISIONS ARE,

 

remain happy as you respect your choices as well as others. That's what

 

vegetarianism has taught me --- Respect for all creatures, even in the midst

 

of differences. Ciao!

 

 

 

OFEL