Since I announced my pregnancy last year, I’ve been asked quite often whether we would raise our baby vegan. If I saw the question on my blog or social media, I would respond by saying that we decided not to label her diet or lifestyle and I explained why if I had the time. Since I was asked this question so frequently I recently decided to write a blog post on the topic to be transparent about our decision (see: Will you raise your daughter a vegan?). I’ve always been an open book on the blog and figured I could share our thoughts and also ask you to share your own experiences. I enjoy hearing other perspectives because I’ve never been someone who thinks that there is one correct way to do anything. What works for one family might not work for others.
As I expected, there was a wide range of opinions on the topic. Many of you left thought-provoking and respectful comments (whether you agreed or not), and I greatly enjoyed reading them. They led to some wonderful discussions with friends and family this week. However, there were some hateful and threatening comments attacking me, my family, and our decision. According to some, I’m no longer welcome to call myself vegan. This wasn’t entirely surprising; over the past 6 years I’ve often been accused of not being “vegan enough”, being “too mainstream”, or not “doing enough for the vegan movement”, yet here I was receiving hundreds of comments and emails each month from readers telling me my recipes changed their lives, that they were happy to be helping animals, reducing their carbon footprint, and getting healthy even if they weren’t “perfect”. Apparently, my welcoming and non-judgmental approach was indeed the catalyst for major change.
I realize that the scrutiny I’ve faced over the years is from a small percentage of vegans. Tearing each other down is never conducive to furthering the movement though. The majority of vegans I know are incredibly kind and compassionate both to animals and humans alike. However, the personal attacks have made me reflect greatly about whether this label continues to be right for me. Do I want to live my life striving for an elusive perfection that I know I’m too flawed to ever achieve? Or can I do it my way? While some of you will say “don’t let it bother you” and “don’t let them win” I’ll be honest in telling you that experiencing hate on a public forum from your own community wears you down over time. It’s a distraction from my overall purpose and you know what, it sure as hell takes the fun out of the journey.
In the end, I will keep on doing my thing, but without a personal label on my diet or lifestyle. Going forward you can expect to see the same types of crowd-pleasing plant-based recipes on this blog and in my next cookbook; this is how I love to eat and what makes me happy. My goal has always been to encourage others to reduce their animal consumption and embrace more plants in their diet. This is my passion in life not only because of how it has greatly improved my own and those close to me, but for countless other reasons. I still believe that the greatest change happens when we elevate one another, celebrate progress, and of course, share delicious food that challenges the norms of the standard diet. So that’s exactly what I intend to keep doing. There are many ways in which compassionate individuals can spread their message and this is what speaks to my heart. I have no doubt there is something out there for everyone.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, and also, for reminding me why it’s important to remain authentic even in spite of criticism.
Angela
Please note comments are now closed – May 20/15
I think you are wonderful and brave! Thank you for your honesty and your always inspiring words.
Thank you for putting words to how my husband and I feel and try to live. The label isn’t necessary. I respect you so much for sharing your life and heart here, and of course for continuing to help us make our mostly plant based diet delicious, diverse and fun.
I think you are AWESOME and have helped me so much on my plant-based journey since I started reading your blog from the very beginning. I also realize I’m never going to be a “perfect” anything: mother, friend, sister, wife . . .or vegan! I’m 54 and the idea of “perfection” isn’t one I really try to put on myself anymore. I eat honey and my chocolate chips probably aren’t totally “vegan” but I’m doing my part to help the planet and animals by not eating them and I feel really good about that. Just keep doing your thing because it is BEAUTIFUL . . . and so are you!
Sorry to hear you have had nasty emails etc. about your daughter’s diet. Many vegans and vegetarians choose to wait until their child is old enough to choose their own dietary philosophy, and feed them a more “traditional” diet until then. Sometimes the needs of a growing body are different than we might guess. There’s nothing wrong with your decision, and given your positivity and enthusiasm for a vegan diet it is pretty likely that your daughter will one day choose the same path. This is just one of the pitfalls of fame I guess…people feel they have the right to freak out on you for even thinking about feeding your child the odd scrambled egg. You have my full support and empathy!
Angela, I love your blog and your cookbook … have given away several to good friends … and have used your recipes to enrich my non-vegan meals. Try to keep a healthy perspective on these attacks by remembering that it is never the believers who cause wars, only the radical ones … the ones who take everything to extremes … the ones who cannot accept any but their own narrow viewpoints. This is as true of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other religious people as it is of people who have food choice beliefs.
You are an inspiration Angela. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You rock, Angela! As long as you keep pumpin’ out your delicious recipes, I don’t care what they’re labeled as. :) I made your lentil-cauliflower soup from the cookbook tonight and it was just as great as I hoped it would be! You just keep doin’ you.
I cringe at the judgmentalism and hatred expressed by a number of people in response to blogs and news posts and I am sorry that you were subjected to it. I appreciate that there are people out there sharing wonderful health and dietary information. On the subject of labels, I think you are wise to drop the label. Labels box us in and some people have very rigid definitions for each label. Do what is best for you and your baby. I have also learned that what is best for one body is not always best for another.
Oh, Angela… I’m so sorry you had to go through all this. When I read your last post about not raising your daughter vegan, I thought to myself, “Oh geez, she is going to get so many negative and just plain hateful comments about this!” I am not a public figure such as yourself so I can’t imagine what it’s like to receive hateful message on social media. My heart goes out to you. However, I am a mom so I know what it’s like to have people disagree with you and tell how to raise your child. I am raising my 3 kids vegan and I get some flack about it (they won’t be healthy or well developed, I am “forcing” them to be vegan, etc)
I am among other things a vegan, a feminist and a breastfeeding mom. People from each of these communities could argu that I am “not enough” of any of these things. (I eat honey and wear wool, I am a stay-at-home mom with no income of my own, and I occasionally decline breastfeeding my daughter to take a shower, go to yoga or have a girls’ night.) I try to not let it get to me, but that is a lot easier for me. I just stay away from people who are unpleasant! Not really an option for you :)
Anyhoo, I’m rambling a little… I just wanted to let you know that me and my kids adore your recipes, you are a great mom and you are very definitely enough :)
Angela…please keep,doing what you’re doing! My family and I LOVE your recipes! I have incorporated so many of your recipes into our diets, and they have all been met with happy reviews from my husband and daughter. We do not eat a strictly vegan diet– but we have embraced the recipes and ideas that are in your blog and cookbook. Just wanted you to know that this family is very grateful for your posts and recipes!
I had been vegan for three and a half years. I was very strict about it. But, I developed some serious health problems and have had to modify what I do. Having said that, i try very hard to stay close to the vegan philosophy by purchasing eggs from people I know are as humane as possible with their chickens and i still dont do any dairy otherwise. I dont buy leather, etc. but basically, going thru menopause vegan was not working hormonally for me. I was a total mess and became really quite sick. I feel much better now with some fish and eggs. Some people have been alarmingly nasty to me over it. I think we need to understand that no culture has ever thrived on a purely vegan diet that i know of. We may need more nutrients from animals than we think. I also know that what i am willing to do to myself is very different from what i am willing to risk for my children. So, i “get it” and wish you luck! Still love your recipes and your mission!
Angela, you have been a huge inspiration to me. You started me on my healthy journey and you always have my respect and appreciation. Keep doing what you do and being who you are! Much love to you and your family.
Angela, I have tremendous respect for you. When I read the incredibly hurtful, thoughtless, comments that people post on blogs, I admire anyone has the courage to write one. So much unnecessary negativity. You still are my favourite blogger and your recipes are wonderful.
Dear Angela.
You took the blog post right out of my mouth.
Being the owner of Kelly’s Bake Shoppe and Lettuce Love Cafe, we have been harassed on numerous occasions to the point of tears and wanting to close our doors.
From 5 years ago, there was sustainable honey being put in our bread we brought in to sell at Kindfood (the vegan police wanted to shoot us and close us down and trashed us on every review site imaginable) to NOT ALLOWING a fur trapping demonstration in front of the bakery when we first opened in January 2013 (it was complete with visuals and “ketchup covered” snow in a mock trap set-up. Horrific for little kids to see when all they want is a cupcake – again the horrible reviews came all over the internet on Tripadvisor etc to hurt our business). They have separated themselves now from some big plant-based voices out there and really the only one to suffer is the animal’s voices as you said, we are trying to move people away kindly from eating animal-based products to plant-based products and do it with passion and love. I personally have had one to many days of hate being drilled towards me and have considered if any of it is worth it. The good news is Angela, we both have our tomorrows and there are thousands out there that love what we do. Surround ourselves in a blanket of positivity and love and lovers. xoxo It’s the only way (and hire a team to protect you directly from the public and let them deal with it like Ellen Degeneres) :) xo
you know what they say….”opinions are like a******s, everyone has one and all of them stink.” You do you, girl. I laugh at spineless internet trolls…they crack me up. You’re awesome! Your recipes are AWESOME! Your pics are AWESOME, and so are your stories.
I think that more people will like you and your lifestyle because it is something we might actually achieve…when you have to do something ‘completely’ it is harder to do. Even though I am not a vegan, I like reading your ideas because I know it is healthier to eat a more plant based diet.
I also think that the ‘haters’ are most of the time BIG cowards, who would never tell you anything nasty to your face, but rather hide behind their online anonymity. And if you are not doing it according to their “rules'( who made them the vegan police??) why are they following your blog?
Keep on doing the great job you are doing!
Great post, Angela! In fact, all your posts are great and obviously strike a way more positive chord with your readers, than not. You have this open, honest and totally approachable way of sharing your thoughts and recipes that makes the veggie/vegan way of life seem like an actual attainable goal (even for those of us living with meat-a-tarians ;-)
I’m married to a “meat-a-tarian” and before trying your recipes, my hubby wouldn’t go ONE MEAL without meat! But no more – thanks to you!
And as for how you’re raising your daughter – stick to your guns, despite the nay-sayers! Other people in the same boat have already found comfort & inspiration from your journey – so keep up the good work!
The world needs more people like you in it…
Angela- I have adored your blog since the happy day I discovered it 4 plus years ago. I love your humor, your recipes, the beautiful pictures, and your willingness to share your life with us. Honestly, I feel like you, Eric and Adriana are extended family and it is a delight watching you all grow. I am so sad that folks feel the need to say such unkind words to a woman who is so gracious and kind hearted. Please try to remember that when people are cruel or rude, it is because there is some aspect of their own life that is upsetting them. These people seem to only feel better about themselves when they tear others down. Sad stuff. I hope you won’t let those folks bring you down for long. Your true community loves you and is so grateful for all you have done. Love your cookbook, your blog, YOU!! Thank you, Angela.
Here is to “GLOW FOOD” … CHEERS!!
Angela,
You continue to inspire me, although I was Vegan for almost a year, once I got pregnant I did encorporate organic eggs and wild caught fish (sustainable practices) into my diet. I cant believe how compassionate some claim to be, yet are so awful to human beings..so quick to hurt them because you do not fit into their “label”. I stopped labeling myself for that reason.. I eat a predominately plant based diet, fish 2x per week or so and likewise with eggs..its just what works for me. I dont understand how some radical vegans can look at themselves in the mirror claiming to be the voice of protection for animals yet spread hatred towards truly wonderful human beings..its our personal choice what we consume, and I have never been one to push my “lifestyle” on anyone..what works for one, will not always work for another. I will educate others about whats in our food, encourage a clean lifestyle becasue I truly believe its what has caused so much illness in our country. Genetically modified foods, pesticides etc etc, are truly harmful and that if anything is what has caused many of the healthcare issues we see today. I know its hurtful on a public forum, I have seen many Vegans being attacked publically b/c they share a post/blog/insta account of a non vegan friend lets say, and immediately attacked for sharing it..I appreciate your courage and transparency.. its not easy..but you continue to do it with such grace and Its truly inspirational. Forever a Fan,
Lina :)