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
beautifully and powerfully written. thank you for all that you do!! i hope you feel uplifted and cherished today!!
Angela,
I thank you for your informative and helpful blog. Although I am not a vegan by any stretch, you are aspiring to me in the recipes you put out there which if followed, would make my health far better than it currently is. I don’t care what you are called, I appreciate and enjoy your blog and you can raise your children any way you choose.
As I learned long ago, no one else can take our inventory – it is too bad that so much negativity can be thrown at you when you are the one offering positive things for your readers.
You have my admiration and deep thanks
Kathy
Hi Angela,
Please keep doing the wonderful job you have been doing all along. Your recipes are amazing and I look forward to your posts. As for all of the unkind people who said such mean things, perhaps they need to find themselves a new name for their exclusive club. I have been what I call a vegan for several years and after reading a lot of those ugly comments, I believe I will begin calling myself plant-based. I don’t believe I want to be associated with such black and white thinking as opposed to an inclusive do-what-moves-you stance.
I believe you have given much thoughtful consideration to what to feed your deeply-loved baby girl and I wholeheartedly respect and support your decision. You are the kind of “vegan” that I want in my life and in my inbox.
Virtual hugs,
Sue
Who cares if you’re not vegan enough? I think you have the right to label yourself any way you want. There are a lot of hateful people on the internet who will attack you no matter what you say or do. You could post a picture of a potato and call it a potato, and you’d still get flamed. I’d say don’t let it get you down cause there’s a huge number of people who love what you’re doing. Take care!
I have been a long-time follower of your blog, but I’ve never left a comment on anything. I thought I would on this post because I wanted to thank you for your sincerity and your courage. It bothers me more than I can tell you that you received hateful comments. I’m not sure why people feel the need to tear each other down, especially when what you are doing is such a positive, uplifting endeavor. I can’t tell you how many times your recipes have brightened my day–something as simple as making your mac n’ cheeze recipe was monumental for me because I thought macaroni and cheese was a dish I would never be able to eat again. And now I love your version way more than I ever loved the “standard” way! Keep doing what you’re doing, and please know that you have an immeasurable amount of support and admiration. I’m sure you won’t be able to know how many lives you’ve touched by sharing your story and your thoughts. So thank you for not giving up!
Good for you for rising about the negativity. Do your own thing!
*above the negativity
Thank you so much for your persistence, creativity, and commitment, and your willingness to share yourself and your ideas openly in a way that lifts up others.
I am a mental health provider and recently I was encouraging a college student to look into CBT, and I found your blog on the topic. She had heard of you! Which was super helpful to move that conversation forward.
I’ve never read your blog until today but had heard of you spoken of by young women wanting to enjoy food and be healthy. You are doing so much. Huge kudos to you!
And thanks especially for your openness and honesty along the path.
Thank you, Angela, for your recipes and for the way you share them. I loved your line above: “kind and compassionate both to animals and humans alike” – thank you for your non-judgemental approach that’s compassionate to humans – so sorry to hear you haven’t always experienced this same compassion. I’m a big fan no matter what you do or don’t label you’re diet – keep up the good work!
Eleanor
PS We just had portobello mushroom and pesto burgers for lunch from your cookbook, and while I was busy feeling grateful for plants and the woman who brought the recipe to my home, my husband (who claims not to be a fruit/veggie fan) started swiping apple slices off my plate. I had to drizzle them with almond butter to fend him off!
Angela, you are amazing and you have changed my life, I can’t imagine my days without OhSheGlows.. ;) Extreme people always scare me, you have to find your balance and be happy. I also have a daughter and she is not vegan, she eat organic food at her school and that includes fish and meat at times, when she is older she can make her choice. I know of children that go to her school and are vegetarian and everyday they get pre-made frozen vegetable paddies full of crap in them, they hate it and I dont think it is a better alternative. You are a strong woman, dont let anyone put you down. We love you Angela! ;)
I have also been a long time follower of your blog and I just wated to add my name to this long list of people who support you! I would be LOST without your blog and cookbook. Your recipes have had such a huge impact on my diet and my health. I can’t wait for your next cookbook!
I read this blog post as I was looking for one of your recipes that I adore making. I’m not vegan but four months ago I tried an experiment to see if I could eat vegan for a week. I actually did about a month. It’s too long to get into the whole story as to why I am not eating vegan right now but suffice to say that I will make it to that lifestyle eventually. Your blog was a tremendous help and inspiration. It challenged me to think about my lifestyle and that of my family. I was truly sad to read that someone I feel is further along the journey of ‘love they neighbour be it human, animal or planet’ was receiving hate mail. Prayers for you and your family.
Angela, Please do not let a fraction of people change you. Some people just cannot deal with honesty; they would rather it be cloaked in whatever label of “perfection” they think they have attained… “The holier than thou” group. You have changed/impacted my life with your recipes and your story. I started the vegan lifestyle to live healthier, but was able to stay with it because of your blog/cookbook. I discovered how good food, real food/non-processed food, could taste. I never even craved meat or cheese (a big surprise). Last week, I was out of town living with others who were not vegan. I could have been “that girl” who makes a big noise about things or go along. (We were all chipping in with the groceries so to buy “special” things seemed very selfish indeed.) I deviated from the vegan lifestyle for the week. Huge revelation: The SAD didn’t have taste. I am back on the “vegan” lifestyle because it makes me feel better physically and food has flavor. I would urge you not to “remove” your label of “vegan” because that is how I found you. You help so many people with your food, your story, and your authenticity. Your cookbook is my guidebook daily. Thank you for all that you do. I am so thankful for your blog. (Disappointed that I didn’t make it as one of your tasters. It would have been fun to be part of the process. Maybe next time.) Keep your chin up! Give that sweet baby a big hug from all of us in the blogosphere; don’t blink she will be 18 before you know it.
You are a light in a world that sometimes forgets its own. I quite using the #vegan hashtag because I feel like it is divisive. And my husband eats meat. I call myself a plant eater, not a vegan.
Your approach is so welcoming–and I’m sure that that’s a major reason why your cookbook is among the best selling cookbooks out there. You don’t make people feel bad for being imperfect; you simply celebrate your love for cooking and eating plant-based foods.
I’ll keep reading your blog and cooking up your recipes and buying every cookbook you ever write and recommending it to everyone I know. And I’ll be sending love to you for being so strong and brave in a world that is sometimes so cruel.
Angela. Your recipes and what you have done for the vegan diet are all that matters. Labels are simply labels. I have always chosen not to use them both in my diet and in my life as there is argument in regards to all labels used within religion, sexual orientation ext. I eat mostly vegan. However sometimes i eat meat and dairy. I do not think this makes me any less anything but what i am. The fact that people are so quick to judge and attack someones decision to eat something and what they want to label there diet as is really quite sad. Is there not way more important issues out there these people can be arguing for? I think how you will raise your daughter is the most mature decision i have heard. I am raising my son as a vegetarian with his choice to eat what he wanta later in life. Continue being as amazing as you are with the wonderful blog and cookbooks!!
Hi Angela, although this is the first time I’ve responded to one of your blog posts, I have been long-time fan and also have your cookbook. You are an inspiration and have added great value to the quality of plant-based meals my family enjoys. Thank you for all the work that you do.
It’s shocking that people could be mean to you. Honestly sugar and oil also contribute to health issues and in a more round about way, environmental impact, not just animal products. That’s allowed in a vegan diet! So the vegan way of life isn’t perfect and you provide vegan but also allergen free options that are invaluable. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sarah and family
I’ve followed you from the beginning when you were posting your workouts on you tube and find you to be fun, encouraging, and …vegan, if their is any title at all. Let’s call it “nutritarian”. What’s improtant in your life is right in front of you. Family. Friends. Good food. Happiness.
I genuinely have to stand up for you, with you, because the negativity that these people bring isn’t where happiness comes from. If you were to call these people out by name I am positive they would be embarrassed by their own words.
Keep up the good work Angela because great things are coming to you because of the positive energy you put out.
K
It is a shame people feel the need to be so negative. Clearly, the comments above, you’ve made a huge positive impact on many non-vegans – shifting their diet to be more plant-based. And raising your daughter to be what she wants is OK! It’s not like you’re saying she can only eat french fries and candy bars for the rest of her life. You’re leading her on a path of healthy eating.
Anyways, don’t let all those crazies get you down. You are awesome and don’t ever let anyone else make you think otherwise!
Dear Angela,
I am truly saddened to hear that not even you, the bringer of so much joy (great food, conversation about great food, improved health, new friendships, soulful cooking…) can escapes hurtful criticism.
I am sure somebody else have also mentioned the quote The Man in the Arena by Theodore Roosevelt and the book Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, but here it is again:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who
is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives
valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without
error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great
enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best
knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least
fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who neither know victory nor defeat.
I found this to be one of her best interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAk4cwjvJ0A
Do not let unhappy people take away a moment of joy in your journey.
Zs
Hi, Angela. I felt I needed to add my voice to your many supporters here. I’m truly sorry for the undeserved criticism you received. You and your work is so valued, and you’re able to reach people that extremists never will. Thank you for all you do!
Thank you for saying this! It’s so hard to live life with a label. You are doing an incredible service to vegans and non-vegans alike. Thank you!