Hello, my name is Vegan Freak

[CarlaRant]

As many of you know, I started working at a new school this academic year. We had our Open House on Monday, so many of us teachers didn't go home right after school. Instead, we stayed to prep our rooms. When my tummy was rumbling, I sought out my colleagues to see what they had planned for dinner.

Of course, when we ordered at Chiptole, they noticed that my Burrito Bowl didn't include cheese or sour cream. Then the questions came: Why are you vegan? Do you eat fish/chicken/eggs/milk? What do you do for protein/calcium/vitamins? What do you eat exactly? Is your husband vegan? How are you going to raise your kids? Is it an ethical thing? Is it a religious thing? Are you part of PETA? Is your family veg*n? Et cetera, et cetera.

Or the stories: "I used to be/knew someone who was veg*n once...I/they got really sick" or "I could never do that, I like ___________ too much"

I try to answer questions as tactfully as posisble, but it makes me uncomfortable at times to be put on the spot. It also gets to a point where some people go on the offensive about their decision, which then puts me on the defensive. I tend to not tell people that I'm vegan right off the bat. I'm not a pushy individual and don't ever want to come off as abrasive.

So anyway, do any of you encounter this as much as I do? Do you ever just want to print up a card to hand to these people?

[xGriffox]

Originally Posted by CarlaRant

So anyway, do any of you encounter this as much as I do? Do you ever just want to print up a card to hand to these people?

I am fortunate to be part of a community that understands veganism and to live with someone who is also vegan straight edge, but I do become tired of such explanations at family junctions or other social events where there aren't many punks/radicals/whatever.

[SgtD]

Originally Posted by CarlaRant

As many of you know, I started working at a new school this academic year. We had our Open House on Monday, so many of us teachers didn't go home right after school. Instead, we stayed to prep our rooms. When my tummy was rumbling, I sought out my colleagues to see what they had planned for dinner.

Of course, when we ordered at Chiptole, they noticed that my Burrito Bowl didn't include cheese or sour cream. Then the questions came: Why are you vegan? Do you eat fish/chicken/eggs/milk? What do you do for protein/calcium/vitamins? What do you eat exactly? Is your husband vegan? How are you going to raise your kids? Is it an ethical thing? Is it a religious thing? Are you part of PETA? Is your family veg*n? Et cetera, et cetera.

Or the stories: "I used to be/knew someone who was veg*n once...I/they got really sick" or "I could never do that, I like ___________ too much"

I try to answer questions as tactfully as posisble, but it makes me uncomfortable at times to be put on the spot. It also gets to a point where some people go on the offensive about their decision, which then puts me on the defensive. I tend to not tell people that I'm vegan right off the bat. I'm not a pushy individual and don't ever want to come off as abrasive.

So anyway, do any of you encounter this as much as I do? Do you ever just want to print up a card to hand to these people?

fuck, i would hate to be in that situation so much. why care what other people eat, or what choices/personal decisions they make? even if they meant well with all these questions, it must have been really annoying.

[linsee]

One of my best friends and her husband are vegan, and that has definitely helped me understand veganism a lot better and not be one of those people that sounds like an idiot when speaking to someone that is vegan. I still catch myself worrying sometimes about if there's something they can or cannot eat when we go out, but it's always fine. They have taught me to love lots of delicious vegan things as well. I've thought about trying out veganism, but I just don't think it's something I could do at this point.

[CarlaRant]

Originally Posted by xGriffox

I am fortunate to be part of a community that understands veganism and to live with someone who is also vegan straight edge, but I do become tired of such explanations at family junctions or other social events where there aren't many punks/radicals/whatever.

Lucky you. My husband is vegetarian, but not vegan nor straightedge. Our general circle of friends are neither. I guess I miss not having to explain myself. At least these people can pronounce the word "vegan" correctly.

Originally Posted by SgtD

fuck, i would hate to be in that situation so much. why care what other people eat, or what choices/personal decisions they make? even if they meant well with all these questions, it must have been really annoying.

My sentiments exactly. :)

Originally Posted by linsee

One of my best friends and her husband are vegan, and that has definitely helped me understand veganism a lot better and not be one of those people that sounds like an idiot when speaking to someone that is vegan. I still catch myself worrying sometimes about if there's something they can or cannot eat when we go out, but it's always fine. They have taught me to love lots of delicious vegan things as well. I've thought about trying out veganism, but I just don't think it's something I could do at this point.

That's cool. Most of my friends are accepting and are probably in a similiar boat as you. They tend to worry on occassion, particularly when we go out to eat. Eventually they get over the whole "can she eat this? It touched the meat pan...uh..." moment and realize that I am quite capable of figuring it out on my own.

[linsee]

Originally Posted by CarlaRant

That's cool. Most of my friends are accepting and are probably in a similiar boat as you. They tend to worry on occassion, particularly when we go out to eat. Eventually they get over the whole "can she eat this? It touched the meat pan...uh..." moment and realize that I am quite capable of figuring it out on my own.

Isn't it funny how everyone thinks you can't figure out what you can or cannot eat? Every non-vegan becomes the vegan expert.

[funwithpinetrees]

As a teacher I think it is like a teaching experience, and people are interested in different points of view and lifestyles. You might be the first vegan they met, and even though for you, you are the line of life and you intersect with all these people who are always curious, these people intersect vegans occasionally. They don't know what the deal is. and like being vegan is almost like taking a stand against like animal oppression so like maybe it is cool to talk about it and explain your views and let them know as much as they want.

You know one cool thing is like being the person who tells anyone. And if you don't want to talk about it change the subject.

[CarlaRant]

I guess my general annoyance is when the people won't let the subject drop when I attempt to change it. Even moreso, is when they get defensive.

I don't understand this sentence: "You know one cool thing is like being the person who tells anyone." I am always open to converse with anyone who asks, but like I said, it's when people get defensive about their decisions.

[CarlaRant]

I picked up "Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World" yesterday from the library and just finished it this morning. It's different than the other books I've read because it doesn't fully revolve around the definition of veganism and health. Instead, it focuses on talking to non-vegans without completely alienating them. There was even a section on conversing with vegetarians and ex-veg*ns, which can be the most infuriating.

I would highly recommend this book to any of my veggie friends. :)

[straightXed]

Originally Posted by CarlaRant

I picked up "Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World" yesterday from the library and just finished it this morning. It's different than the other books I've read because it doesn't fully revolve around the definition of veganism and health. Instead, it focuses on talking to non-vegans without completely alienating them. There was even a section on conversing with vegetarians and ex-veg*ns, which can be the most infuriating.

I would highly reocmmnend this book to any of my veggie friends. :)

yay, i'm an ex-vegan!

[annex_punk]

yeah, i used to be vegan too, but am no longer. actually, to be more accurate, i was a vegetarian for 2 years. then i decided to go vegan. i lasted 2 weeks and broke the "fast" with 3 hamburgers. i craved them so much, but when i actually ate them, they didnt even taste all that good. i think theres something in the meat itself that addicts us, maybe a feeling we get when we ingest blood, a sort of rush, or "effect" we get from it. anyways, ups to you if you can keep a strict vegan diet, im down to cheese, and chicken or fish twice a week.

[lo0m]

both milk products and meat are actually mild drugs per se..

[annex_punk]

Originally Posted by lo0m

both milk products and meat are actually mild drugs per se..

i kinda had a feeling. naturally they wouldnt clinically be considered so, i dont think the medical community would say that drinking milk is mind altering. but if you would consider it to be mind or body altering enough, woudnt any food fall into the same category? if you dont eat for a week, then eat vegetable soup, it will have a very pleasing effect on the body and mind!? just some thoughts for debate.

[SgtD]

Originally Posted by lo0m

both milk products and meat are actually mild drugs per se..

i almost believe you. almost. how is milk a drug? how is meat a drug? why do you always have the need to put your foot in your mouth?

[lo0m]

Originally Posted by SgtD

i almost believe you. almost. how is milk a drug? how is meat a drug? why do you always have the need to put your foot in your mouth?

I fail to find a proof for meat being a drug (will try to find that article, I promise - it was basically about some chemicals in meat, which alter brain function and are responsible for dementia - meateaters are twice likely to develop it), however i do have one in case of milk. Milk contains proteine called caseine. Caseine is converted by digestive organs into peptide casomorphine. Which is an opioid. It's there for the babies to return to their mothers and to drink as much milk as possible (in order to grow up and gain strength). Casomorphine acts on adults i.a. as histamine releaser, which is cause to allergic reactions. It (histamine) contracts smooth muscles, influences gastric acid secretion, and in high doses it can cause anaphylactic shock... Also cheese has even much higher doses of caseine as it makes the cheese melt. Caseine causes addiction and can (in case of long term use) lead to cancer tumours.

btw i didn't mean to say that meat or milk will get you high as heroin, pervitin, etc.. more comparable to chocolate or tea..