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
Angela, you changed my life. I’ve been vegan since 2010 but it was so difficult for me before I discovered your blog. Ever since, it’s been an amazing adventure of discovery. Your recipes are wonderful, your story is wonderful, you’re an inspiring woman who’s been through so much yet you’re always so positive and every one of your articles brings a little bit of sun into my days. Every time someone’s curious about what I eat as a vegan I direct them to your website. I bought your cookbook and there’s not one recipe I haven’t tried in it. My carnivorous boyfriend loves them and he’s never complained once. My coworkers adored your muffins and cookies and always demanded more. Even my very septic parents were impressed with what I made for Christmas this year. And it all came from you. I want children in the next three years, and I was so, so relieved to read your post about raising a child vegan or not, because I felt exactly the same way. You’re a model and an inspiration to a LOT of people. Your blog is NOT a place for labeling, hateful comments and the likes. I read some of them and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It made me think a lot, and I discussed it with my boyfriend. I then realized that no matter what changed I did, it’s never gonna be enough for these people – and it’s the same for you. I, too, will be dropping the label. It’s became associated with narrow-minded extremists I on’t want to be associated with. Thanks for your honesty, and keep going. I don’t know what I’d do without you. (Fangirl much?)
Wow. How sad that people can be so critical, and other vegans at that. What’s the point of showing compassion to animals and the Earth if you can’t also show the same kindness to other human beings who are doing great things in this world. This is why having labels can be so destructive to the movement, it gives veganism a bad name. There is no such thing as perfection, we can all try our best to make our mark in this world in the best way we know how and it is pointless to criticise someone who is doing better than most to spread the word about this amazing way of living across the globe. Keep doing what you are doing Angela, you have a huge community who loves all that you share.
Thank you so much for your open, and honest response today. I am not vegan, but enjoy your recipes which add great interest and change to my diet. I am continually challenged re diet decisions as I too love animals. However, thank you for making these choices without judgement of others. We as humans must learn to challenge the people around us with our actions of kindness, and love. You show this with your openness and willingness to share stories, fabulous recipes and a passion for the way you eat. Thank you,
Hi Angela! I have been re-reading your baby posts (I’m due with my first in September, so we had a lot of timing parallels!) and your recent post resonated with me. My husband and I have never called ourselves vegan, just “mostly plant-based” but have talked about how we will have to put limits on what other people feed to our kid based on our diet. But I scrolled through the comments knowing what I’d find and I was so sad. You’ve built up such a positive community and it sucks that people feel the need to criticize and tell you “yes you’re a vegan but you’re not vegan enough!” Because what the hell does that even mean? I’m sorry that you’ve had to deal with it and I’m sorry that it’s affected you personally. I completely understand – that kind of criticism would hurt my heart too. But from my perspective, I appreciate your honesty and I think you are a wonderful woman, mother and an admirable vegan! Thanks for all that you do!
All the negative comments on that post and on your Facebook page are perfect examples of why I don’t like openly telling people I am vegan. I don’t like getting a lot of attention, and the minute someone finds out I am a vegan, I am usually bombarded with judgments because of the negative stereotype vegan extremists have created. My lifestyle is a personal choice about how I live, but vegans on the more extreme side can be so damaging to the cause. In my opinion, getting anyone to start looking into where their meat comes from, and reduce their consumption is an enormous step in the right direction. Getting every person to go 100% animal free is never going to happen, but increasing awareness is 100% doable. You are doing so much more for animals than the number of extreme vegans who attacked you on your blog!
Your approach has been so refreshing, and I have met so many people who are not vegan who love your blog and cookbook. Please don’t stop using the term vegan throughout your future posts! As someone mentioned earlier, search engine optimization is key to people finding your recipes, and ‘vegan’ is still a popular search term!
You rock Ang, keep your head up :)
Handled with grace again. Keep doing your thing girl! xo
Thanks for doing what you do, Angela! I always look forward to your posts and have thoroughly enjoyed exploring your cookbook. As a dietitian, I’m passionate about equipping people with the necessary knowledge and skills to change their eating habits and improve their health, and I think you’re doing just that. You’ve helped people get in the kitchen, cooking and eating REAL foods, and show people that “healthy” doesn’t mean “bland” or “boring”. Also, the more I learn about the benefits of eating plant-based, the more grateful I am to have your recipes to draw upon – both for myself and my family and as a resource for my patients. Thank you, Angela!
I will always and forever be a fan of this page, even as a committed omnivore. I’ve never shared so many recipes from one site and it’s because of your voice, talent, and kindness that I will always come back. Don’t change, Angela!
We love you! You have been a life changer for so so many people! I know for me – you inspired me to start blogging, inspired many recipes and just in general been a positive person in my online blogging life!! Looking forward to seeing what’s coming from you!!
More power to you Angela ! You are beautiful :)
I am so sorry to hear about the troll comments you have gotten; how disheartening! You are a bright spot in the world of plant-based, vegan cooking and there is never a recipe of yours that we make for ourselves or others that doesn’t get rave reviews. Your recipes are not only delicious but are so accessible. Thank you and please don’t let the comments of others hurt you for one more second. You are supremely gifted and I am so grateful that you share your recipes and blog with the world!
You are honestly such an inspiration to me. I create weekly menus and your blog and/or cookbook are always my first stop for awesome recipe ideas!
Angela, I’m truly sorry that there are misguided people out there who are spreading hate in such a way. So many of us appreciate you for who you are and what you do, and completely agree that labels are unnecessary. Food is not a religion, or at least it shouldn’t be. I hope that the decision to remove yourself from a category will ease the tension and you will be able to find the joy in the journey again. Very best wishes for you and your family, and I look forward to continuing to enjoy your creations that you share with us.
Thank you for addressing the separation/discrimination that exists among “vegans.” I too have experienced a fair-share of rebuke for my all-over-the-place eating habits. I’ve adopted the term, “non-credo,” now, suggesting that I follow no formal particular path, but one where I am attuned to what my body is seeking. It seems to spark a deeper conversation, over pronouncing “vegan” or “gluten-yeast-meat-eggs-dairy-sugar-free,” and falling into assumptions about how I eat.
Angela, this post made me tear up a bit, because I can’t believe there are people out there who would try to break down such a genuine and compassionate person. Yours is the only blog I’ve read consistently since I first started reading blogs almost five years ago. Even as a vegetarian for thirteen years, your recipes, kindness, and outlook on veganism has honestly changed, and continues to change, the way I view food. There are some truly miserable and pathetic people out there – people who will find negativity even in the most wonderful and positive things. I’m a loyal lurker here on OSG, but just had to chime in when I read this. Thanks for all you do for the vegetarian and vegan community, and I hope you’ll use mean people’s negativity as a nice big stepping stone on your path to happiness for you and your little family. :-)
Angela, I have lived on the recipes from your blog and your amazing cookbook for quite a while. Whenever I’m compelled to cook or fix anything I consult your recipes first because I know that they’ll be delicious and healthful. I don’t think I’ve ever commented on your site before but I just want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for essentially feeding me for so long.
We are so damn polarized by labels right now. It’s so disheartening. I’m eat a vegan diet 95% of the time, but don’t claim it because I don’t want to deal with the labels. I’m so sorry that you’ve been heckled and judged harshly from a community you’ve lifted up for so many years. Please read all of our comments and know that you’ve had such a profound impact on our lives and on our health. Sending love to you from Kentucky.
Killing hope and the desire to change is no better than killing an animal. When someone decides to make any step forward, whether for their health or animal rights, being ridiculed for picking the wrong label does nothing to promote change. It does nothing. If you want to make it about labels and logic, then you are doing it to gratify your own needs. Not animals. Most people don’t develop beliefs or values overnight. Small changes lead to bigger ones. If someone decides to stop animal products for their health, is it still not saving an animal? Do you think an animal appreciates your reasoning for avoiding a steak any more than someone who does it to lower their cholesterol? Labels are for people’s comfort. It makes people feel as though they have earned admission into a special club and those who haven’t met the requirements can’t get in. To all the people out there making ANY steps forward to improve your own health or the health of the planet, GO YOU!
So well put, Courtney!
Hey Angela,
I am not a vegan but I love your website and your cookbook. I avoid animal products a few days a week and I am trying to transition to vegan living. I am sorry you have had hate mail. I just wanted you to know that you’ve changed my life and the way I cook.
Angela, you are a beautiful inspiration and it is so very sad that people are so unnecessarily vicious and hateful. I found out about your site 2 years ago and I LOVE everything about it. I share it, and my favorite recipes from it, all of the time. You introduced me to new ways to incorporate not only veggies, but an array of foods I had never tried before, into my diet. I am thankful for you and the beauty you bring to the world through your recipes and who you are in general. Keep fighting the good fight, those that love you will always do so.
I just wanted to say Thank You!!! For continuing despite the ignoramuses <3