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
Just adding a note of encouragement to you! I’ve enjoyed your blog and recipes, and hope you can hold on to the positives and let go of the negatives—you’re making a wonderful positive difference!!
I have decided to be a “mostly” vegan for some time now, just because I really balk at labels of any sort. Not only are we all different, we need to be free to change, grow, and evolve as we feel is right.
Keep up your spirits–we love you!
Angela, your innovation with making creative foods that are nourishing has really changes my life. I check you blog weekly and often share of it’s life changing power with others. I am sorry for the criticism you have received from others I can imagine this would feel weighty over time. Thank you for following through with your dream despite the criticism as you have greatly influenced my life and I am very grateful for your courage!
Angela, you are such an inspiration!! People can be hurtful and mean and as a new mom myself, I’ve learned the hard way that once you are a parent you will constantly be criticized by others for the choices you make on behalf of your children. Your recipes and your views on life are so inspiring and amazing! I am not a vegan, although I choose to eat vegan for the majority of my meals, and my husband and his family (who are big meat-eaters) request your recipes for meals! Keep doing what you’re doing…there are SO MANY of us who love you and love your food!!
As a 20+ year vegetarian but not strict vegan, I can sincerely say I love your recipes and your take on food. It’s healthy and delicious. Your values are your own, and I respect them as I would hope others respect mine. It’s not for me to tell you how to feed your family. Stay on your path, and know that you are appreciated.
Well said! Great attitude! I continue to look forward to your recipes.
Those negative comments and judgment from other vegans (not vegan enough?) is exactly what drives so many of us (myself included) away from committing to a plant-based diet. Those types of responses remind me an awful lot of fundamentalist religious people who claim to “hate the sin, but love the sinner” while dishing out harsh criticisms and hate.
Your blog and recipes have helped a lot of folks, like me, to make healthier choices for our bodies and the planet, allowing us to be comfortable wherever we are on the journey to include more plants in our diets and help animals and the planet. Thank you!
I was thinking the same thing about being reminded of fundamentalist religious people, it creates such a negative stereotype of vegans! I don’t even bring up the fact that I’m vegan in most social situations because most people automatically think I’m an extreme activist.
I agree with both of you. So very true.
Thanks for your honesty. I will never understand why people need to label their food preferences. Vegan, paleo, omnivore – whatever the style – I think people need to just enjoy food and strive for a healthy balance that works in their life. I love your recipes and am so thankful for your sharing. Keep up the good work and don’t let the grumpy, unsatisfied people of the world get you down.
Well said, Angela. I have been following your blog for a couple years now and it is honestly my go-to. I have gotten co-workers, family, and friends to happily eat your recipes who could care less about the vegan label, because the food speaks for itself. Heck, I’m not even vegan, but your food is delicious and that’s all that matters to me. I know you will continue to blow everyone’s tastebuds out of the water.
Thank you so much for the candid and personal post. You were one of the first blogs I found when I made decision to go plant-based and I was at a loss about what to make/cook – I couldn’t live off of frozen and junk food alone! I randomly comment every once in awhile, but the recipes in your blog and cookbook are some my favorite stand-by’s. Your blog has been an inspiration to be a better, healthier version of myself.
It’s very unfortunate that a small group of extremist harass other because they don’t fit their brand/definition of ‘vegan’. It’s one of the things that has always bothered me about veganism. I’ve heard of people being bullied as another commenter put it – the vegan police. We should be united and support each other, not target and harass each other. And the same sentiment goes for other groups of people who are too miserable that they go around spreading hate and target others.
Hi Angela, just wanted to let you know that I’m a big fan and have great respect for your openness and how you deal with it.
I can totally see your point. I stopped reading comments on German vegan blogs since they are mostly aggresive or just complaining about how the stuff is not vegan enough, why the bloggers use normal suggar or flour.. you name it.
I always enjoyed your comment section because I thought it was nearly free of this only someone asking about a possible change for their needs, not since it is bad in generall, and your kind and thoughtful responses.
When I read the comments to your last post, that changed and I felt totally sorry and just can say that it is just a small amount of people. For most of the people your blog is wonderful and I’m sure for the people who know you, you are that wonderful in person.
Please: Keep making me laugh and cry with you in your storys and keep inspiring us with your recipies. If I am vegan/vegetarian or not. Thanks alot for doing this in the past and thanks for deciding to do it in the future!
I discovered your blog when I first started going “animal and process less eating”. You have been a constant inspiration for me, and my family. Don’t worry about the “Title Police” vegan or otherwise. If that is all they have to worry about in life then they are truly blessed. You are raising your family with love and with a healthy diet. That is all you need. Thank-yo for taking the time and energy to design your recipes and then make them available to us.
Dear Angela–Like so many here, I have never written to you before, but want to tell you how much I enjoy your blog and your recipes. I am an omnivore that was seeking to add more plant-based foods to my family’s diet. You have helped me prove to my teenage son that vegan dishes ARE delicious and filling; several of your recipes are part of our regular meals cycle because they are so good. Thank you so much!
Way to go, Angela! What you do DOES make a difference – it has in my life for sure – and everyone’s eating habits, like their lives, are an individual journey that changes over time. That said, I never could quite understand how some vegans’ “love for animals” didn’t also translate into a love for humans… :)
Wow, I am just shocked that people would treat you that way!! That’s crazy!! Well, I’ve loved your blog and recipes for years and fail to see why it’s anyone’s business to define you and your life! Especially in a hateful way! (The old “you don’t own me…” song comes to mind.) I have struggled a little with this and with validation issues because I am a vegetarian primarily due to the fact that we raise chickens as pets and eat their eggs. Many vegans are under the mistaken guise that it is “chicken abortion” to eat eggs and that magically without a rooster there is a baby chick in there… Hello – male + female chicken = baby chick… Chickens will produce eggs to excess whether you eat them or not, whether there is a rooster around or not, and I have failed to educate vegans who just won’t believe me. Oh, well.
Angela: I am so sorry that you had to deal with such criticism for being honest. I am one of those people whose whole way of eating changed when I found Oh She Glows several years ago. I was newly vegan and didn’t know what to eat beyond a few simple dishes. Reading your blog was always like talking to a good friend who happened to have a good recipe to share. Without your recipes, I would still be eating fake, processed foods.
Only you know what’s best for you and for your sweet, beautiful baby. It’s not up to the rest of the Internet world to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. You have dealt with a lot in your life already, so you know how to be true to yourself.
I really wanted to let you know (as so many others have) that your approach has made a difference in my life. I have appreciated your honesty about not being a completely vegan household, as mine is very similar. People become very polarized on topics such as this, but working together is how you make a difference in this world! You have to accept others for who and what they are. Thank you for the inspiration, awesome recipes, and joy you spread!
So sorry to hear that you received mean comments, but unfortunately it doesn’t surprise me. Hang in there and keep doing what you do. We love you and your delicious plant-based recipes no matter what you call yourself!
There are miserable people out there who feel the need to push their views on everyone. Sadly, most of the those people never educate themselves on these topics and just jump to being negative. As you stated, what works for some, may not work for others.
All I can say on personal experience, is that you have changed my family’s life. We feel better than we have in years and now eat legumes and vegetables I never even knew about. After seeing some documentaries on the food industry and health, we knew we needed a change. Your recipes have made it easy to eat healthier. I pass on your site to everyone wanting a healthier alternative.
I am so grateful to have stumbled upon your site! Leave the miserable people to destroy themselves with their hateful judgement and celebrate the fact you’ve made thousands of peoples’ lives longer!!!
Thank you for keepin’ it real! Be true to yourself and things will work out well :)
Angela–your posts are always positive, encouraging, warm, inviting and full of top-notch recipes. I thought there was no way you could’ve been experiencing the unfortunate criticism that can sometimes befall bloggers because it never showed—your posts were unwaveringly positive and hopeful and unjaded! How naive I was. I am sincerely sorry that you experienced these negative criticisms—what an emotional drain!
I’ve been following your blog for about four years and have enjoyed every minute of it. Yours are the recipes my husband and I keep going back to and the ones we make for friends and family. You also inspired my husband and I to take a trip to NYC and visit some awesome vegan and vegetarian restaurants!
Thank you for sharing your passion with the world.
p.s. I gave birth to my third child last August and I loved following along as you experienced your pregnancy and life with your daughter. It’s kinda wonderful, isn’t it? :)