On my wedding day in 2005
It’s been nearly a year ago since I last posted to the Becoming Vegan series. I’m ready to start up the series again, but before I do that, I want you to know why I chose to call myself a vegan – and why I have decided to not call myself a vegan any longer on this blog.
I am the type of person that finds comfort in labels. Labels help to define boundaries and keep life structured. I know what I am and I know what you are, therefore we can both know our limits and expectations. But I know, and I think I have always known, that putting someone, even myself, into a pre-defined category is not fair and will never be so.
For the past five years I have called myself a vegan. For the rest of my life prior, I called myself a vegetarian. But I have never been a vegan or vegetarian for the same reasons as the majority of people who chose to go down those dietary roads. I was born into vegetarianism, so for me eschewing meat was never a choice – it was habit. I most certainly loved my cheese, dairy and eggs, though, and I consumed them as much as any vegetarian, and I think that the excess of those ingredients may have paved the way for some health problems I encountered a few short years ago.
Becoming Vegan
About six years ago or so I began experiencing agonizing breast sensitivity and pain while I would PMS. It was painful for me to sleep on my stomach, and if I bumped into something, even lightly, it would hurt. On top of this, I also found numerous hard lumps throughout my breasts which frightened me; the hypochondriac in me was worried that I might have breast cancer. After going to multiple doctors, I found out that I had fibrocystic breasts, and one doctor recommended that I take painkillers and supplements like evening primrose to help ease the pain. It worked for a time, but eventually it seemed to not work at all. Unfortunately, the breast pain increased to not only while I was PSMing, but to all the time. It was non-stop and I had to figure something out, because this was a major quality of life issue for me.
I finally went to see a breast specialist, and she told me that essentially there was nothing I could do. I asked her if she knew if a vegetarian diet, one high on dairy, eggs, soy and wheat, would have an impact. She said that there was no definitive evidence to suggest that anything in my diet would have an impact, but she recommended that I try reducing my soy intake, as well as my dairy intake. I was willing to try just about anything to stop the pain and discomfort.
In May 2005 my husband and I had our wedding in Central Park. We had a really nice, laid-back event with a handful of friends and family. We decided that after our wedding and honeymoon (we went on a cruise to the Caribbean) we would try the raw food diet for a month. I had done some research on the raw food lifestyle, and the stories about people healing themselves of their ailments was tempting and made me hopeful. I really felt that I could become a full-time raw foodist. Yet it was much more difficult for me than I had thought – more than anything I missed bread, as well as being able to cook and bake. It was at that point that I figured that if I couldn’t last on a raw food diet, I would adopt a vegan diet.
As I was navigating this new way of eating, trying to figure out how to relearn being in the kitchen without eggs to bind things or cheese to top on pizza, my health was improving overall. My breast pain disappeared almost completely, and I found that I got sick far less frequently. It seemed to be perfect.
Despite my best efforts, the pain eventually started creeping back after a couple of years, although not as intense or frustrating. Even though there is no evidence (as far as I am aware) that soy or wheat can impact breast sensitivity, I imagine that either one or both to be the culprit because I still consumed both on a regular basis.
These days I have come to accept and live with the pain, and I no longer eat a mostly vegan diet because of my health. It’s become a diet of habit – which isn’t a bad thing in my mind; it is just what it is.
Fast-Forward to 2010
In November of last year, my husband and I moved out west to Washington. We both felt this pull in our souls to come to this state, and so far we don’t regret the decision. But ever since we have lived here I have not been a faithful vegan.
At first this was a big problem for me. For one thing, I had been a really good vegan in New York, and I was still trying to be a good vegan. But we would go out to a restaurant or visit with friends or family and the meal wouldn’t be vegan-friendly. It frustrated me that I was trying to eat a certain way for my health and my self-imposed “vegan” label, yet I wasn’t getting the support I needed from outside sources. I was in denial, though, because I was more concerned about diplomacy – and I missed eggs and dairy sometimes – and so when they’d say, “I hope you don’t mind, it’s not vegan,” I’d respond with, “Oh, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” I was enabling both them and myself. (By the way, I still believe diplomacy is important and has its place.)
For another, I felt like a hypocrite writing this blog. Here I was, calling myself a vegan, and I was stuffing my face with an omelet or with cheese. Granted, most of the time I was not bringing these things into my home, so I was still a vegan most of the time in my day-to-day life. But I still felt like I was letting you, my faithful readers, down.
Why I Will No Longer Call Myself Vegan
I’ve tried to be transparent about my diet on Novel Eats, and I have said on more than one occasion that I will sometimes eat dairy or eggs and that I am a vegan 98% of the time. There are some vegans who have a problem with this, because even a little bit, even one bite, is wrong. Either it’s wrong because I am not living a textbook vegan lifestyle by not loving animals enough to not eat the products that come from them, or it’s wrong because 98% isn’t 100% and anything less than that is just not “vegan”.
One of my last blog posts in this series touched a nerve for quite a few people. I asked, How Vegan Are You?, and the resulting conversation was heated and impassioned. I don’t regret writing that blog post, because it helped me to understand the world of veganism a little better and it made me step back and evaluate my own place in this dietary world. At first I thought to myself, this is my opportunity to show people that veganism doesn’t have to be an activist’s religion; it can be about the food and recipes, and only about those things.
But over the last few months, even though I have taken a more honest look at myself, I have still been trying to figure out what label I should use for my diet because “vegan” does not define me accurately any longer. Neither does “vegetarian”. It was recently that I realized my problem and had an “aha!” moment.
The problem isn’t whether or not I am a strict vegan or vegetarian. The problem is that I have been unable to forgive myself for not adhering to a label that others have created. This is a personal problem and my problem alone.
So I have decided to forgive myself and stop trying to hold myself to unrealistic expectations. My dietary choices are my own, and if they benefit me or not, I am the person who has to deal with those things.
That said, I will still continue to say that I consume a mostly vegan diet. Why? Because it’s the truth. I do consume a mostly vegan diet. And I still prefer eating a mostly vegan diet. Really!
Why I Write Novel Eats – a Vegan Recipes Blog
I have written, and will continue to write Novel Eats because it makes me a better cook and baker, and I am exited to share newly discovered vegan recipes with you. I have no plans to bring eggs or dairy into recipes on this blog. Just because I have chosen to change expectations for myself doesn’t mean that I am going to start posting recipes for egg soufflé or homemade butter. I also believe that the vegan diet deserves to have more great recipes out there – there are too many people who still have this false impression that eating a diet without animal products is bland. I am and always have been out to prove those skeptics wrong. I mean, just look at these amazing dishes!
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
My vegan diet started off in a place of pain and desperation, but it ends in a place of self-discovery and healing. I think that a too many of us feel guilty for not doing the “right” things, and I know that I’ll feel guilty again about my diet. Before I ever chose to become vegan, I felt guilty for eating too much or eating one cookie after exercising. But this is the first step in trying to end that guilt and just trying to enjoy my diet for what it is now.
Stay tuned for more posts in this Becoming Vegan series – I’m not changing the name because I still believe that many want to “become vegan”, and that’s okay. And I still think I have some good advice and tips to share on how to incorporate more vegan foods into your diets.
Happy eating! xoxo
In 2010, feeling a sense of self-acceptance
Loading ...
I am very glad you will continue to post your vegan recipes! I respect your honesty which speaks very much to the issue of choice! Some of us don’t have the same choices. I am able to enjoy vegan meals and vegan desserts because of sites like yours. I am allergic to dairy, eggs, soy and peanuts so I have to be very careful of what I eat and always have to cook my own food because it is very difficult to avoid all of the foods I am allergic to when eating out. It did not start out as my choice to adopt a vegan diet rather a vegan diet chose me!
I’m not vegan (or even vegetarian for that matter), but I am someone who truly appreciates the lifestyle itself. I live in a small town with one grocer with little to no variety at all. It has absolutely no whole foods section at all, which makes me sad, and I think the only thing it has in terms of vegan foods is soy milk.
However, I have always wanted to incorporate more vegetarian/vegan style cooking into my home. I had a couple of close friends that were vegetarians/vegans, and after spending some time with them in their respective homes, I began to realize that it isn’t nearly as limited as I once thought. I don’t think I’ll ever go completely vegetarian or vegan, but I sort of want to take the approach you have to veganism on vegetarianism. As you said meat was never an option in your home growing up, meat never wasn’t an option in mine. It wasn’t a meal if there wasn’t a meat on the table in some form. That’s a hard habit and mindset to break.
My husband is the genius in the kitchen, but after a year of marriage (on Sunday as a matter of a fact), I’m just starting to stretch my wings are start thinking about getting creative. The kitchen has always somewhat terrified my for some reason, so the idea of cooking these beautiful dishes makes me incredibly nervous.
Anyway, I’m rambling, but I love your recipes, and although I’m not strictly anything, really, I definitely want to explore and experiment with your recipes, and incorporate a healthier diet into my family and home. Thanks for making a point to state that labels aren’t as important as the choices we make for ourselves. That’s rare and refreshing.
“The problem isn’t whether or not I am a strict vegan or vegetarian. The problem is that I have been unable to forgive myself for not adhering to a label that others have created. This is a personal problem and my problem alone”
I disagree that it is your problem alone – I think many people share the same problem – our intentions are good, we aim at perfection, but sometimes miss. And then feel guilty for it, especially if we dare to mention it on a forum or an a blog.
I have had several discussions with vegans on forums where I have been accused on not being ‘vegan enough’ : for example, I drink wine without checking whether it’s vegan, and if I go into a restaurant I don’t demand to see the list of ingredients and then ask them questions on it (is the Vit D from an animal or vegetable source?, etc).
I am a vegan/near vegan/whatever label you want to put on me, for a reason – to stop animal suffering. I fail to see that me being pure and a martyr to impress others or to make myself feel good is going to help much – instead it puts people off, as they think it is too hard to do without dead animals, or dairy, or eggs. Being realistic makes people think that they can do it – not for every single meal, maybe, but for a few meals or most meals which saves much animal suffering. Meanwhile those ‘perfect’ vegans rant on, saying I am not allowed to use their label because I am not as perfect as them. So be it. But I bet in my lifetime I will influence more people to eat vegan food than they ever will. I think you will have the same influence.
(Oh, and I have a vegan food blog as well – tut tut, how dare I ?!)
I loved hearing your heart and honesty, thank you for being real. This makes me desire to follow your blog more closely!
gina
(oh and my title… “a healthy eater”)
Thank you for sharing your story! It’s so reassuing to hear when people choose a mostly vegan lifestyle and are transparent about it. I personally think “hardcore” vegans / vegetarians turn peoe away from the cause, often some take it too far, almost (and eerily similar) to religious extremists. I admire their passion although what I can accept much more is an open and honest discussion that everyone (veg and non-veg alike) can be involved with to understand the benefits of choosing this lifestyle.
With that said, I became “98% vegan” in June of 2010 and have since developed fibercystic breasts! The migraines I used to previously get when eating dairy are thankfully long gone but now I’m dealing with the whole boob hurting issue which I find unusual since it’s often linked to dairy consumption! Maybe I’ll back off the soy for a bit and see how I feel.
Again, thank you!
Thanks to you and the commenters for letting me know I’m not alone. I have been made to feel like an absolute piece of crap by other vegans for my occasional use of products that have egg whites, occasional honey, and my yearly birthday donut.
oh and here is a clip of President Clinton talking about his new Plant based diet :) (with the occasional fish)
http://www.ecorazzi.com/2010/09/17/president-bill-clinton-confirms-hes-experimenting-with-vegan-diet/
I am with you on the label/no label thing
I have a lot of vegan friends and while I plan on being vegan by the end of the year I’m doing it for health reasons and not a lifestyle choice. My friends seem to be vegan as more of a religion and I’m doing it because there is a lot of heart disease in my family and I don’t want to have a heart attack or stroke before 60 like 3 of my 4 grandparents, the other in her 70′s.
I don’t plan on giving up my leather shoes or my wool yarn, I might choose not to buy leather but I haven’t got a big problem with wool, especially if it’s local (yay buy local). I’m lucky though, I live in Portland (OR) and it’s very easy to go out to eat and have a huge variety to choose from. My roommate has issues with gluten and she has very little choices which makes me sad.
The point I wanted to make is I’m afraid that using the term “Vegan” will give people the wrong impression, I’m going to try saying “Plant based diet” if I can, but probably vegan to family and people who don’t know the social aspects.
i’ve been vegan, mainly for the animal angle. and i’ve gone the opposite with enjoying the atkins diet to lose weight.
i’m now flirting with vegan again, for animals, my health (physical and mental), the environment, protest against industry/factory farms and for politics. i also simply love a lot of the vegan food out there.
i’m doing it differently this time, choosing the cleanest, healthiest and most nourishing options with a clearer head and heart than in the past. it’s still a process that i ‘flirt’ with. i cut out 99% of the dairy and try to only eat meat/eggs/fish once a day if at all. it’s a totally different experience this time around.
it’s not a vegan label that i try to claim, but my family and friends know me and the things i’ve tried, so i don’t really have to explain. the health angle is so apparent, and i’m not trying to force this on them that it’s easier for others to not need a label from me!
This was a beautifully written post that was very sincere and true for many many people. I can definitely relate to your post. There were plenty of times where I had inadvertently consumed something with honey or dairy products. I felt very guilty. I felt like a hypocrite. This might sounds very silly but after I became vegan I had a huge dilemma about what to do with the pork loins in my freezer. I didn’t want to just toss in the trash, I wanted to dispose of this corpse in a dignified way. While I deliberated for months it sat in my fridge. I felt guilty and conflicted. When I first became vegan my pledge to myself was to make this decision every day and not just force this dietary choice on myself for the rest of my life. I think this is a good idea because it allows me to be human make mistakes and it allows for life to happen.
I recently watched a video on youtube of Alicia Silverstone speaking about her book, The Kind Life. She touched on the all or nothing mentality. Said that it really allows you to do nothing.
I’ve had the same dilemma. So, you gotta give yourself a break. I refer back to Alicia Silverstone’s perspective on the all-or-nothing and it makes all my choices so much easier. My heart and mind aren’t troubled trying to make every decision veganworthy!
To add my own two cents, I think this is such a great blog that promotes love/acceptance of food and of vegan cuisine. What else should matter to readers? What if you’re not ’100% vegan?’ What does that even mean? Even if you said you’ve killed someone, I can’t pretend I know enough to judge you. Why bother to judge people. All I can really know is this blog, which I judge as inspiring, helpful, and awesome.
Hope this encouraged more than it confused.
Your post has hit home…on so many levels. Our beloved daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, was a loyal and TRUE Vegan in every sense of the word. For 3 1/2 years she battled cancerous brain tumors which would at the age of 25 take her life. Thru all her pain, surgeries, radiation, daily chemotherapy pills and twice monthly drips of Avastin, she remained true to her Vegan diet. She had tried to urge her parents to do so as well. I, too, have a love of cheese, ice cream and yogurt and as good as most vegan subsitutes are for these products, they cannot match the real thing. In her memory we have vowed to follow a vegan diet as much as possible. Thank you for your story.
Casey – I am so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, through my day job at a cancer organization, I am sorry to say that I have heard too many stories like yours where someone has been taken far too soon because of cancer. It’s amazing to hear that she aimed to stay true to her vegan diet despite what she was going through. I have heard that diet can be such a hard thing to deal with because of how some foods can interact negatively with the treatment (or perhaps it’s better said, how some treatments can interact negatively with certain foods?). Hopefully she didn’t experience too much discomfort with this herself!
I wish you well as you aim to incorporate more vegan foods into your diet. I am sure you know that you can train your taste buds to enjoy replacement foods more than the “real” thing (for instance, I like Vegenaise now much better than real mayonnaise, and overall I prefer non-dairy milk over dairy milk). The key, I think, is to find foods you truly enjoy eating and not make yourself feel like you are being deprived of the foods you love.
If you are looking for other vegan blogs/websites/resources, I wrote a blog post last year listing out my favorites: http://www.noveleats.com/becoming-vegan/recommended-vegan-websites/ I would also recommend VegNews Magazine, which has both a great online website and a print magazine – http://www.vegnews.com
Good luck to you!
Thank you for your honest post. I beleive that there are many of us out here that, like you, arn’t 100% “vegan” but it’s easier for me to tell the world in general that “I’m a vegan” when taking about diet than it is to explain the real issue, which those close to me know/understand/support. I’ve been a vegetarian on and off for most of my life. Many of my family are vegatarian/vegan, so I’ve never had a problem being vegetarian. When I found out I was highly lactose intollerant (as are a few other family members, so no suprise there) I decided to go vegan. But I still occationaly eat eggs( I know the farmer and I have no problem with the treatment the hens receive) and I eat honey (which I can get organic and local) as opposed to agave. But because of this I’ve been yelled at by strict vegans because I don’t fit their label. My husband is an omni, so I will make him meat for dinner I refuse to force my decisions on anyone eles and I grew up near responsible farmers for a large part of my life and I know how well cared for farm animals can be. I make sure to research who I purchase from, and since I live in KS I have the ability to do so. I have been yelled at by strict vegans for this as well. While I understand some of their points, their responce is only harming “the cause.” By acting as such it only instills people outside of veganism/vegetarianism that their sterotypes are correct and it makes it difficult for the rest of us.
So be who you’re happy being, make the decisions you can live with. And try to ignore the negative people out there. Ussually thise that focus on what other do wrong are ussually hiding their own unhappiness with themselves.
I can relate to so much of what you say here. I also turned to veganism for health reasons, even though I was basically eating vegan anyway. But the more I learn, the more I feel connected to the ideas behind that way of eating. I can’t imagine every becoming as strident as some of the followers out there, but for me, this feels comfortable, and I also don’t think there exists a label for what I am (hmm, even outside of my eating habits, this is true–but another story!). I still wouldn’t call myself a “vegan,” though, for many of the reasons you cite here.
And I’m sorry to hear that you had to give up a way of eating that was helping you feel better because people were, more or less, inconsiderate!
Thanks for this honest, intimate post. I read through the outpouring of supportive comments and wanted to add mine. Trying to fit into other people’s labels is a waste of your time and energy, and I’m glad you realized that. You need and have every right to do what’s best for you, and I applaud you for it. It doesn’t matter what others think. Good for you for being so brave.
Hi everybody,
I just want to say thank you for your wonderful comments. I have been at this International Food Blogger Conference all weekend, and it has been challenging to step away and thoughtfully respond to you. I’d like to take more time to respond to each of you individually, but first I just really want to say how grateful I am to have such a wonderful virtual support system in place. You guys rock in the best of ways!
xoxo
thank you, I appreciate this conversation as well. I’ve gone back and forth with vegetarianism over the years in my desire to eat healthy. Recently i read the Vegetarian Myth, http://www.lierrekeith.com/vegmyth.htm and while i don’t agree with everything she says, her story is compelling. i encourage everyone, especially aspiring vegans, to check it out.. saludos,
Liz
Thanks so much for writing this!
The label thing is an issue for me too. I identify myself (for those who care about such things) as a strict vegetarian. I’ve been vegetarian for 20 years, and mostly vegan for 8. But I’ve always worn leather and eaten honey, and I’ve always eaten baked goods that and dishes in restaurants that probably aren’t vegan. I’m tired of apologising to people, both vegans and meat eaters alike, because I don’t live up to their standard of veganism. All I want is to be healthy.
I have the same problem…fibrocystic breasts. But one of the cysts got so big and painful that the doctors felt it had to be operated on and removed. Have you asked doctors about surgery to remove them?
I think it’s fascinating how heated people get over different ways of eating. I was also raised as a vegetarian and when I was a kid there weren’t many of us so I have been on the receiving end of a lot of diet criticism. I don’t understand people getting so hot and bothered. I generally find labels useful but it seems that when it comes to dietary labels it seems to make things more difficult. I like reading your blog because even though I’m a vegetarian, not a vegan, I think being able to cook good food without dairy or animal products is an important skill and I am always trying to broaden my cooking repertoire.
Very nice. I’ve been teetering with the vegan label myself as I don’t feel fall into it either. I do eat a mostly vegan diet, but I don’t follow it 100%, nor do I feel I should. What you eat is your own business. I think all that can be asked is for people to be conscious about their eating decisions and not go blindly grabbing whatever fork is nearest to them. I feel strong, healthy and good about what I eat, regardless if it’s not always animal free. There shouldn’t be any guilt for people like you or me or anyone who takes a moral and environmental step towards eating better and healthier, whatever the reason may be.
Oh, my sister has celiac so I often experiment with gluten-free vegan baking. This blog has a lot of recipes: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/, and I’ve had some damn good success with gluten-free cupcakes if you’d like the recipe. I’m just telling you this in case you want to try to ditch some wheat for awhile to see if that helps (without forgoing bread).
P.S. The west coast is glad you came (even if I’m 3 hours south). =)
Cheers!
I couldn’t have said it better. After reading all the crap that Adam went on about, then perusing his blog, I couldn’t help but feel he must be one of the biggest kill joys on the face of the planet. I care deeply for animals which is why I do not eat them. My friends and boyfriend do eat meat, which I could really care less about. It is my own personal choice and I don’t feel like what I believe should be forced upon anyone else. I feel than being an omnivore vs vegetarian vs vegan is like religion. Nobody wants your opinion shoved down their throat. Bullying others isn’t what makes change.
You have bared your soul in a beautiful way and I salute you. You don’t have to be any one thing to be accepted as far as I’m concerned. You just have to be you. I can understand eating vegan can be a habit just like eating raw can become a habit if you do it long enough. Don’t worry what other people think. They aren’t living inside your skin.
I support you! Above all else, you should be true to who you are and be happy in your own skin. I think everyone comes to veganism for their own reasons, and they really do not have to be political. There are hard-line, radical elements in any group, but they don’t speak for everyone (sometimes just louder than everyone else). EVERY time someone chooses a meat and/or dairy free meal they are helping the environment and doing something about animal cruelty. Eating meat or dairy occasionally (or even every couple of days) is NOT the same thing as an alcoholic “falling off the wagon.” You have nothing to feel guilty about, no need to be apologetic. I AM glad that you will keep posting vegan recipes, as I need as much help and variety as I can get! I have almost no imagination in that department on my own! IMHO eating a vegan diet should be like any other food choice, it is what it is and there really should not be so much baggage attached to it. There are too many eating disorders and guilt around food as it is. Eating vegan is allowed to be a choice people make every day if they need to, and know that there are people out here following you and loving you no matter what you eat :)
Thank you Melisa! I appreciate your support. :)
And I will most definitely continue posting vegan recipes. I always love getting ideas for recipes that people would like to see, so if you are interested in something particular, do let me know! I may also do a post that shows you how easy it is to veganize a vegetarian or omnivore recipe. Once you figure out how to do that, a lot of recipes are available to you!
Thank you for writing this. My husband has been a vegan for 18 years, I’ve been one for about 8. BUT We still have leather shoes, and still eat honey sometimes-we even used to have 2 bee hives out back. So, are we really vegan?
Maybe not in some people’s eyes. Both of us are comfortable with our choices, though, and don’t feel the need to push them on others. I feel that those vegans who are judgmental of others’ choices are just as bad as the “Christians” who stand and yell on street corners, or show up, uninvited, on your door step.
Eat your ribs and wings and steaks in front of me, and I hope you enjoy them. I just happen to choose to eat a different way. It doesn’t mean you’re wrong, or that I am. Don’t like eating vegan? Fine, don’t do it.
I’m with you – I don’t want to push my vegan ideals on others, and neither do I want to have people push their dietary ideals on me. We all eat the way we do for various and sundry reasons, so it’s hard to have an authentic argument on how people can truly eat a more “righteous” diet.
I agree with you about personal choices defining who you are. Whether or not it “adheres” to any label is not important. Labels are there to aid in communication, otherwise it might take a few paragraphs to explain ourselves. For example, my husband proudly calls himself a vegan… who eats fish (but only in sushi). How complicated and potentially controversial is that? LOL Sometimes I wonder if some of the leather, down, etc.objects in my house, which have been there long before I became “vegan” would offend most vegans. It seems wasteful to throw them away, and stupid to donate them- because they would just be used by someone else. I do my best to represent what I believe is “right,” but I also recognize that everyone has their own ideas of that word… and if I don’t respect other people’s choices, than how can I advocate veganism as a viable “choice.” In addition, being devout anything makes me cringe, because it doesn’t allow for questions or exploration. Interesting topic- thank you for sharing!
I completely agree with you that labels do aid in better communication, and I still do say “I am vegetarian” or “I am vegan” when I am having a conversation with someone (especially at restaurants). For my blog, though, I think it’s easier for people to understand from where I am coming when I say that I follow a mostly vegan diet.
I also hear you on your non-vegan items in your home that you have had longer than you may have been vegan. I do think it’s wasteful to get rid of those things, but I can see how when you upgrade you might choose something that is more in line with your thinking today than your thinking of a few years ago. It’s certainly not a black and white issue.
Thank you! I must say, I identify so much with this article, and I’m quite grateful for you for writing it.
I’ve never been comfortable with the labels that come with a meatless diet. The foods I choose to eat are for my own health and moral reasons- not conforming to anyone else’s ideals. I was not born into vegetarianism, quite the opposite. When I first chose to not eat most meat, I still ate fish. I’d find myself judged on both sides- for not eating meat, and for not being a ‘true’ vegetarian. (And I’d have enough of a problem explaining what vegetarianism was to throw in ‘pescatarian’ to the general public.)
Nowadays, I also count myself as ‘mostly vegan’. I’ve removed dairy and eggs (and fish!) from my day-to-day meals, but I won’t lie and say I won’t go out for pizza with friends on occasion. I’m comfortable with this; again, my diet is for me, no one else.
And thank you Taylor for commenting! I admit I was a little hesitant to put this all out there, but I now see that I have no reason to be concerned. I am grateful to read your comments along with everyone else’s – it helps me feel like I am not alone on this issue!