Yes good post Rebecca. I agree it is about respecting each others choices and not pushing our beliefs onto other people. I have been lucky this time around. I have been vegetarian for 22 years and in that time been vegan twice - once at 15 until I was 18 and then again for the last year and this time I have researched and planned it for life. A friend of mine criticised me for being vegetarian - he is a full blown carnivore but said to me he thought I was hypocritical fighting for animal welfare if I was not a vegan. I actually disagree with that and think any compassion helps more none but it triggered me into more research and I have to say that it was the best comment he ever made because I remembered why I turned vegan at 15 and realised I would personally be happier as a vegan. This time friends and family had a few concerns but on the whole have been really supportive and accepting. And even people I didn't expect would be supportive have been intrigued, asked serious questions and said good luck as they wish they were able to do it themselves in some ways. In restauraunts I don't mind being fussy I don't mind saying it's because I'm vegan. One restauraunt even put toghether a fine roasted veg platter because the chef wanted to make sure my meal looked good and filling. But unless anyone asks anymore I don't say any more about my beliefs. Some people have wanted to know more and have been educated to some degree but others just prefer to not know which is their choice.
The only thing that really drives me mad now (and I'm pleased to say it doesn't happen much anymore) is when people know you are vegetarian or vegan and stick meat under your nose saying "here do you want some of this" - just to annoy me - I think that is just the worst. Other than that I don't have too many problems - I accept people who eat meat around me (although I do get silently squemish if someone has a raw or medium raw steak - would never say anything to the person who is eating it though) and they accept that I will never handle or cook it for them. Maybe it is more acceptable here in UK than in parts of USA I don't know how well people accept it there as I've never been - would love to venture over there someday though. We even have quite a large vegan grocery store not to far from where I work which is very handy as they sell lots of goodies. I've just had a houmous, rocket, beetroot and sunflower seed sandwich and then an orange and carrot muffin. Our local Tesco and Sainsbury supermarkets also stock a good range of supplies and we have quite a few vegetarian cafes around the region that cater for vegan too so it makes life easier. And my Buddy loves licking the soya magarine from my fingers bless her, although she and Minstrel cry more for their own food. I am diagnosed as having SAD so I have a dawn simulating body clock to wake me up in the morning. The light gradually comes on about 6.30 to wake me up at 7am. Buddy was up at 6.30am this morning, as soon as she saw a little bit of light she was jumping on me licking my face and head butting me because she thinks it is breakfast time. Although it's slightly earlier than planned there is no better way to wake up than with the fur kids butting you. If my partner woke me up I'd be grumpy but when the fur kids wake me up all I can do is smile and relish in the moment. Michelle, Minstrel, Buddy, & Angel Bramble
