OK - how many of you have heard this from well-intentioned friends and family? Ever wonder how to respond without blowing your top? While every situation is different, here's something I found myself saying today (I'm paraphrasing of course).
Newsflash! Vegans are not superhuman. We are not always the picture of perfect health. We get sick, just like everyone else. And some of us have medical conditions or illnesses, just like everyone else. However, I do believe that a vegan diet based on whole foods (all other things held constant) helps us to get sick less often and navigate more serious illnesses and conditions better than if we ate a SAD diet.
That being said, what I really wanted to add was the following:
By the way, when you make a comment like that, I take offense to it. I do not believe that I have to kill and consume another animal to lead a healthy life. If my decision to be vegan was due to religious beliefs, you would never make that suggestion to me! So why is it so difficult to understand that I came to this ethical decision on my own without religious doctrine telling me it's wrong? And why is it so difficult for you to respect my decision? Would I get a free pass if I said it was for religious beliefs? In the future, please refrain from trying to push your animal-consuming beliefs onto me, no matter how well intentioned you think they are, as I find them quite offensive.
Although I have actually said that to people before, in this instance, I did not. Know your audience, right?
So, for anyone out there who may be reading this blog, how do you respond when someone says that to you?
Wishing you peas and good health,
VeggiePatti
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