Thank you. As a vegan, I found this amusing and truly open-minded. It's funny how it's considered an extreme diet or an elimination diet, when in reality, many people have food allergies or dietary restrictions. I've enjoyed being more creative in the kitchen and trying new foods and restaurants. Most of us have a tendency to rotate through the same five dishes, but veganism has forced my husband and I to make doubly sure we're getting all the right vitamins and to keep things flavorful and interesting. Thank you, Maura.
Here's the thing, vegans are the worst. I was a vegetarian for 27 years and vegan for a few months of them. It was terrible. Cheese is life. Without cheese or eggs you can't even make vegetarian carbonara. My friend dated a gluten free vegan a few years back and I told her to ditch that sucker. That is a whole new level. And vegan hostility? Come on. The reason nobody likes vegans is because they are hard to cook for, and hard to go out to dinner with. People who need to know if there's anything for them to eat on the menu are boring. I know this because I was that person for a very long time. Sometimes I still am that person. I commend them their values and for saving the many animals they have chosen not to eat.
I'm a Celiac with a mast cell disorder. Thankfully I live in an area that takes dietary restrictions seriously, but when we lived in Florida, I can't tell you how many waitstaff and just random people would comment about how "Gluten isn't going to kill you," or "I can't wait till this stupid gluten-free fad is over!" and, "You can't be allergic to gluten! There's no such thing!" And much, much worse. Life or death wasn't a factor to these people, however, I was annoying for bringing my own food to parties, and for declining dining invitations or suggesting a safe alternative if my company was desired that much because the chosen restaurant wasn't safe.
But, unfortunately, the mast cell disorder made me go from vegan to needing a meat protein often twice daily. Quinoa as a protein can only get me so far; and other, vegetable proteins cause dyspnea; severe skin, heart, and gut reactions; or straight-up anaphylaxis. But, again, yet another condition people don't take seriously or believe is even real.
Meanwhile, a close friend *can't* eat meat due to its inflammatory nature. But we can always dine out together, safely and happily. 💝 No judgment from either party.
For me, prior to going vegan at the request of our youngest kiddo, the only experiences I had outside of my aforementioned friend was with judgy vegans who'd literally look down their noses or express disgust over a meat on my plate, or launch into a lecture about how my choices lead to murder, planetary damage, etc. I'm not one to jump to judgments with others, but until we went vegan as a family, I was off-put by the idea of being clumped in with "one of *those* vegans."
I wonder how many people are critical of vegans due to *actually* being criticized by one or even a few. I don't know. But, what I do know is that life is so much more enjoyable when we just let people be and do whatever they want that doesn't harm other humans. (Word choice: Very intentional there. Especially for those of us who don't *have* a choice with our diet.)
I am guilty of the hard eye-roll re: vegans and also appropriately ashamed of myself. My best friend from high school is coming for two nights - two dinners! - next week and she is vegan. After a little whingeing, I've decided to embrace the project and maybe even learn something. Thanks for that crispy tofu recipe, it just might make the cut.
Thank you. As a vegan, I found this amusing and truly open-minded. It's funny how it's considered an extreme diet or an elimination diet, when in reality, many people have food allergies or dietary restrictions. I've enjoyed being more creative in the kitchen and trying new foods and restaurants. Most of us have a tendency to rotate through the same five dishes, but veganism has forced my husband and I to make doubly sure we're getting all the right vitamins and to keep things flavorful and interesting. Thank you, Maura.
Here's the thing, vegans are the worst. I was a vegetarian for 27 years and vegan for a few months of them. It was terrible. Cheese is life. Without cheese or eggs you can't even make vegetarian carbonara. My friend dated a gluten free vegan a few years back and I told her to ditch that sucker. That is a whole new level. And vegan hostility? Come on. The reason nobody likes vegans is because they are hard to cook for, and hard to go out to dinner with. People who need to know if there's anything for them to eat on the menu are boring. I know this because I was that person for a very long time. Sometimes I still am that person. I commend them their values and for saving the many animals they have chosen not to eat.
Great post, Maura (and smart addition, Sara)!
I'm a Celiac with a mast cell disorder. Thankfully I live in an area that takes dietary restrictions seriously, but when we lived in Florida, I can't tell you how many waitstaff and just random people would comment about how "Gluten isn't going to kill you," or "I can't wait till this stupid gluten-free fad is over!" and, "You can't be allergic to gluten! There's no such thing!" And much, much worse. Life or death wasn't a factor to these people, however, I was annoying for bringing my own food to parties, and for declining dining invitations or suggesting a safe alternative if my company was desired that much because the chosen restaurant wasn't safe.
But, unfortunately, the mast cell disorder made me go from vegan to needing a meat protein often twice daily. Quinoa as a protein can only get me so far; and other, vegetable proteins cause dyspnea; severe skin, heart, and gut reactions; or straight-up anaphylaxis. But, again, yet another condition people don't take seriously or believe is even real.
Meanwhile, a close friend *can't* eat meat due to its inflammatory nature. But we can always dine out together, safely and happily. 💝 No judgment from either party.
For me, prior to going vegan at the request of our youngest kiddo, the only experiences I had outside of my aforementioned friend was with judgy vegans who'd literally look down their noses or express disgust over a meat on my plate, or launch into a lecture about how my choices lead to murder, planetary damage, etc. I'm not one to jump to judgments with others, but until we went vegan as a family, I was off-put by the idea of being clumped in with "one of *those* vegans."
I wonder how many people are critical of vegans due to *actually* being criticized by one or even a few. I don't know. But, what I do know is that life is so much more enjoyable when we just let people be and do whatever they want that doesn't harm other humans. (Word choice: Very intentional there. Especially for those of us who don't *have* a choice with our diet.)
I am guilty of the hard eye-roll re: vegans and also appropriately ashamed of myself. My best friend from high school is coming for two nights - two dinners! - next week and she is vegan. After a little whingeing, I've decided to embrace the project and maybe even learn something. Thanks for that crispy tofu recipe, it just might make the cut.