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
Hi Angela,
I’ve thought about commenting for so long but I guess I just never got around to it, and you may not ever see this but I think now is a good time to say, you made me a better vegan!
I wanted to let you know what a difference you’ve made. I’ve been following your blog and using your recipes for the last 2 years, and you have pretty much taught me how to cook! When I first decided to switch to a completely vegan diet, I was basically living off stir fry veges, scared to even add sauce to anything because I was so desperate to eat “clean”.
You taught me to embrace real cooking and real, healthy meals. My partner is an omnivore but now loves the meals we make so much that we are able to have a completely vegan household. He still eats meat and dairy at family gatherings or when out sometimes, but only just last night he was gushing over how varied and delicious our meals are, and how good they make him feel. We love you and your cookbook, and I think you’ve done so much for the vegan cause by showing people how wholesome and interesting this diet can be. Please keep doing what you’re doing – I think it’s so important to have people like you demonstrating that being vegan doesn’t mean eating rice and veges every night or always craving something more.
From all the way in Sydney, Aus, Thank you for everything you do!!
Love, Bronte xxx
Angela, I am a HUGE fan! Its hard to ignore the haters but you definitely have more people who love you and appreciate your creative and ah-may-zing recipes!!! Being vegan means you should be compassionate to all living things including humans! We need to support each other and celebrate each and every “vegans” “plant-based” or “herbivores”. What’s wrong with people who criticize and hurt others? Must be jealous, insecure and plain unhappy with themselves.
please ignore those idiots!
Love from your fan,
Jane
You are lovely and inspiring. We are an all vegan household, but our humanity and compassion for others comes first. I’ve observed far too much judgement of people’s dietary choices and parenting styles. Being a parent is hard enough, right? You are raising your daughter with compassion, a healthy outlook on her body, and an appreciation for plant-based food. Those are wonderful values!
Angela,
I have been following your blog for many years. I even won a Happy Herbivore cookbook you gave away. I find it odd that so many people have criticized you for not being vegan enough when you have probably contributed more to end animal suffering than they have. You have influenced, inspired and motivated thousands of people. I eat a healthier diet because of you and I could not have given up eggs and dairy without your recipes.
Thank you for all you have done for the animals and us readers. You seem like such a gentle and kind soul. I’m sorry the haters got to you. Keep on glowing!
Angela, I wanted to add my voice to the 600+ comments here. I have been following your blog since 2010, and over the years I have transitioned to cooking almost exclusively from your blog and cookbook. I simply cannot say enough about how wonderful you are, and like so many others who have commented, you are always the person I recommend to people who are wanting to transition to a more plant-based diet. Your recipes are SO creative, accessible, and well-developed–I can sense how much time you put into developing each one. I am vegetarian and mostly vegan, but my husband is neither of these and absolutely loves milk, cheese, yogurt etc…however, because of your recipes he has zero desire to eat meat at home, and he even appreciates many of your vegan diary substitutes more than the real thing (your cashew sour cream, for example). Thank you for all the work you put into this blog and for being such an example of grace and compassion.
Angela,
I’ve been following your blog for a few years and I think you are sincere and talented. Keep doing your thing – you’re great at it!
An eloquent and perfect response! Be true to yourself and labels be damned.
My family is healthier because of you. Thank you!
This blog post is just so spot on! I have been eating a vegan diet for over a year now and your blog (and new book) have helped me fill my kitchen full of delicious meals which make me feel great and excited about food! This being said, ‘vegan’ isn’t a label I use for my diet (although most people who know me refer to me as a vegan anyway) because I feel there some negativity and elitism out there in the vegan community. It is sad the aggressive and arrogant actions of a few often result in fewer kind hearted people, following a similar lifestyle, abstaining from the ‘vegan’ label to save themselves backlash should the not be meeting the standards of others.
I think it is possible to respect and support each other regardless of what labels you may choose to identify with.
Just do what makes you happy :)
Hi! I am new to your blog–recieved your cookbook for Christmas and it really has changed my life! You really are amazingly talented not only as a cook, but as a writer as well! And I just want to say that I really commend you for this post. It took a lot of courage for you to write that and it’s really admirable. I have been debating going vegan, but after reading your post I realized that I don’t need to give myself a label either.
The blog post on your daughter’s diet was an incredibly brave one to publish. Too many of the responses received online however were appalling, and the majority clearly should have gone through the ‘would I speak like this to someone’s face’ filter..
Your blog introduced me to vegan food and I use it most days (thanks!), however I’m slightly sickened at the thought of being part of a community (for want of a better word) that would attack on mass like that. So vegan won’t be word I’ll ever use to describe myself.
Keep up the great work
I just want to congratulate you on deciding to no longer call yourself vegan.
I completely respect this decision and while it’s sad to read all the hate towards vegans in the comments for this particular blog post, at least your message won’t be confusing anymore to the public.
Keep on rocking those plant based recipes Angela!
I admire your honesty and the way you stick to your beliefs. You approach the topic of veganism with grace and kindness. The people who commented rude things on your previous post responded to you with disrespect and a total lack of empathy. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in this world who are convinced they possess the only right answer. These people approach touchy topics with anger, and rather than convincing people of their viewpoint, they turn them off. That is their loss. You, on the other hand, make positive change in the world through your lack of judgment and hard work ethic. And that is what convinces people. :)
Wow! Angela, I was deeply moved by your post. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability as you put yourself out there to your readers. Please remember that your supporters far outweigh your nay-sayers. Try your darndest not to give the hurtful comments any power.
I, for one, am newly converted to more plant-based eating because of your cookbook. I have bought your book as birthday, Christmas and housewarming presents. I recommend it to anyone else who cares to talk food with me. What you’re doing is tremendous and delicious and I think you are a Canadian gem. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished… and keep forging ahead!
Thank You so much for sharing your honest thoughts and opinions about this topic. I also red your “Will you raise your daughter a vegan?” post which I also loved as well. Actually I exprienced the other way around. I don’t much vegan or vegetarian friends or family members – just my brother and sister, so I was judged because I didn’t eat meat while I was pregnant.That it’s unhelathy, where you’ll get your protein and iron and calcium, etc. I’m vegetarian. I eat sometimes organic eggs, and very rarely sour cream or cheese – if I would live in the USA or Canada or the UK, or where I could get my hands on some Daiya cheese, OMG, or some vegan soy-free ice cream… I’m so jealous of You guys! You’re totally spoiled! I tried to be vegan but it was super hard because of the narrow range of products here where I live. I didn’t eat any meat while I was pregnant with my babygirl, and now that I’m breastfeeding as well. It’s so empowering that I can sustaine another human being without meat. Without killing any animals. Oh and I have been thriving ever since I’m eating like that. I broke my left leg while I was 6 months pregnant, the day after our home’s renovation started – speaking of bad luck, hah – I’ll soon share that story on my blog. Anyways when the Doctor took of the plaster the bone was so perfect that she didn’t see where it happened in the x ray photo. I know that it’ll be hard sometimes if my daughter will enjoy some chicken or bacon or hot dog or whatever, but I would love to be a great example of empathy and understanding. Not just for the animals – but for everyone else as well. My husband sometimes eats meat as well as my family and I love them to pieces. So I’m totally on the same page as You ! By the way I know that because of this “don’t push” approach my daughter more likely will enjoy my plant-based meals. It was a journey for me as well – to became a vegetarian, and if somebody would pushed me before I was ready for that change I would probaby rebel. I’m planning the same thing. At home I cook plant-based meals and when we’ll go out or visit family or friends she could eat meat if she would like to eat it. In this way I will teach her that I respect her and I also respect myself and my principles at the same time. And thank You so so much for posting your amazing recipes. You’re making this whole journey for me so much more fun! :) And I love reading your baby posts!!! :) Melinda
Just want to add to the positive voices to help drown out the negative… I think you are awesome, your blog is awesome and your recipes are awesome! In my family we eat differently vary our diets and I refuse to label the way I or any of my family eats. Labels can be so damaging I really understand and respect your description of your daughters diet. Love this blog and your recipe book is my go to for family meals and snacks! Thank you for all of it :)
I think you are amazing and I think this is such a lovely post. Do you know Bryant Terry’s work? He also eschews labels (even though his work is largely vegan) for many of the reasons you listed here. I’m so sorry that some folks were so dogmatic, which is completely counterproductive. We need more compassion and kindness toward everyone, not judgment and vitriol. You’ve inspired me and so many others. Keep on keepin’ on, vegan label or not!
Good for you! You don’t have to be all things for all people! Just continue to be true to yourself and ignore the trolls!
I’m so sorry to hear of your experience. I don’t understand how some readers who claims to love animals can be so hateful to fellow humans. We are all animals that feel pain and fear. Even if you chose to feed your daughter Vegan, ultimately she would make her own choice with or without your approval.
I can imagine it’s difficult to have a wonderful blog such as yours, and then have people criticize you on a very personal level. Please know though, how much we all appreciate the work, love, and dedication into your recipes and blog, because it shows! I have recommended many people to your blog, and they have all loved it. Regardless of someone’s diet, no one can deny that we could all use a few more plants in our life, but that is what’s so great about your recipes. There is something for everyone, and I would say that is your niche. Please know you have so much support out there for you Angela! :) xx