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, while I rarely interact here anymore, I want to let you know that you have my support. The vegan community is not always a welcoming one, most of us have been on the receiving end of the judgements. You are a major voice for this community – whenever I see questions like “what are your favorite vegan books?” and “favorite vegan recipes?”, Oh She Glows is continually and constantly in the answers, from many.
I feel like I have “known” you for years, and just wanted to say thank you for all you do. xo
I would like to thank you for inspiring me with your words, your stories and your recipes. I love reading your posts, and trying your recipes. There are always negative people sharing negative comments, but try not to let them get in your way. I love what you do and think you are awesome! Thank you!!!
Angela,
I am one of the people who your approach welcomed into veganism. You were a nonjudgemental hand up, and I really treasure your blog. It is a labor of love and hate has bo place there. Whenever people ask me how I managed to transition to veganism, I direct them to ohsheglows.com. You made veganism seem delicious, doable, and joyful. A representation of judgement and viciousness would have kept me away. I don’t blame you for rethinking labels at this time. You are under no pressure to be a hero. You already are one to so many of us. You brighten up our kitchens, homes, and health. Thank you! One of the principles of veganism is compassion for living creatures, which include you and your family. Hostility betrays this, and sadly prevents people from being attracted to the ideas of veganism. I am embarrassed to share a label with such people. I guess I will look at as extremism, which denegrates many groups of good people. Thanks for being here, vegan or olant-based or any of it. I consider you a wonderful health ambassador.
I loved the article about how you will raise your daughter. She is very lucky to have such a wonderful mama!
There will always be people who are haters no matter what you do, but they are so few, and they are idiots. They do not understand that the fact you are helping millions of people change from one to all meals to plant based you saved countless animals and impacted our world greatly. Some people do not understand that you cannot force change, people need to want to change and you show them the way. Incredibly deliciously might I add.
So THANK YOU for everything you have done, and please don’t let idiots discourage you in any way, they are a mere tiny little fraction of the masses of fans following you.
I only label myself as plant-based and my husband happily goes by plant-based primary because we are always trying to improve our health. We both have slipped up with choices and don’t spend a lot of time on the blame game. If pushed in certain pre-order meal situations I check the vegan box. It seems like people sometimes need to step back and appreciate the big picture that any reduction in animal product consumption is productive and compassionate and no one is “perfect.” I think you have done an excellent job of promoting healthy recipes and living in a way that is authentic for yourself. I wish you only happiness.
I will never understand why people choose to attack and deliberately find fault with people who are fighting the same cause – why don’t they focus that energy where it matters?
I’ve read your blog for the past.. 4-5 years I think. I’ve read all your blog posts and recipes, drooled over them, and saved a lot of them on a to-do-list of recipes I have to try – even tough I am nor a vegan or a vegetarian. I am shocked that some people cannot accept your choices on how you want to feed Adriana. It is so narrow-minded to spread hate like that behind a computer screen. I respect your choices and your life style even though I do not eat like you do – but you inspire me and make me want to eat so much more fresh and vibrant food! You are an inspiration and I do not doubt that you are an amazing person.
Thank you for being who you are :)
As a female who has struggled my whole life with what other people may think about me, I can only imagine how hard it is live in the public eye. One thing I have realized is with success comes the jealous of others. If anything, I think being true to yourself and standing up to these bullies makes you even more likeable and hence successful! Thank you for being a strong role model and showing all of us that no matter what people may be cutting you down about, you have a voice and you can stand up for yourself!
On another note, I don’t see how descriminating someone for how they eat or choose to raise their children is any different than being a racist and discriminating someone because of their color or religion.
We support you Angela!!!
i’m not usually someone who comments but I feel the need to send you a positive comment to hopefully, outweigh any negative ones you receive.
Yu keep on rockin how you’re rockin! I love your recipes, I love to share your recipes with my meat eating family and friends and am so happy I was recommended your blog when I went vegetarian 4 years ago.
We all strive to be the best self we can be and we define that “best” our own way. You continue to inspire me and my family in our plant-based food journey.
Wishing you and your family the best.
I have read your blog on and off for the last few years and made some really delicious dishes. Thank you for that. I just wanted to say I totally respect your decision about your daughter’s diet. I just wanted to be one of the positive voices.
Good for you Ange! Label free is the way to be and I applaud you for this well crafted, respectful response to people who have criticized you!
Very well said. It broke my heart to read some of the terrible comments both on your post and on Facebook and I’m sorry to hear about what you and your family had to go through just to answer this over-asked and very personal question.
Your website is such a joy for me and a life-saver for my lactose-intolerant husband. More than the recipes though, I always find myself coming back to read your posts because they are so well-written and your passion shines through in everything you talk about.
Keep doing your thing and I can’t wait for your next cookbook!
You go girl. You have single-handedly brought vegan food into my household and into those of my loved ones with your approachable style and delicious recipes.
That being said, people do associate the word vegan with radical strident people, or just not tastey food. I made your tomato soup from the cookbook for my mother and step-father and when I told them it was Vegan, I saw his mind close and he ate very little. I am confident that had I said nothing or said that it was “plant-based” he would have appreciated how delicious it was!
I agree that plant-based food is the best for our health and that of the environment, and it is a much less loaded term. These hard-core and rude vegans are only perpeuating the sterotype that contributes to meat-eaters not being open to Vegan restaurants, recipes, etc. I am also going to adopt that label as I feel it allows more people to be open to that mode of eating and ideally, adopting more of it themselves.
I SO appecriate what you do and please keep on doing it!! Nothing better furthers the movement of plant-based eating than your crazy delicious recipes. Keem ’em coming!
I have been following your blog for almost two years now, since I became vegetarian. I have also bought your book for myself and a friend, who is also vegetarian. My eventual goal is a completely plant-based diet, but I am not quite there yet. You are definitely an inspiration, both because of the delicious recipes, but also because of your lovely personality-that seems to shine through every post. I think it took a lot of courage to share your decision regarding Adriana’s diet. You strike me as thoughtful, kind, compassionate and balanced person who is doing amazing things for veganism. You are certainly one of the reasons I am striving for a purely plant-based diet. Just wanted to echo what others are saying. Thank you for all you do-it has definitely made a difference in my life and in the life of my family.
Angela…I have gifted your cookbook to no less than 4 friends…none are vegan but all looking to get more plant based recipes in their diets and all adore your cookbook as they find it really accessible and DELICIOUS. While I eat plant-based exclusively, my dog is not on a vegan diet (different than a child of course LOL) but I consider her my child and after a lot of research, do what is best for her needs and diet. My boyfriend is an omnivore but he continues to be inspired by plant based meals and I am so thankful to you and all that you do!! I also came back from a debilitating eating disorder and have found a plant diet to be the most healing, healthy & inspiring way of living that works best for me. It is by no means black and white and you do what works for you. Judgement & criticism only hurt the cause and no one is perfect. Keep doing what you do and what works for you and know you have had such a positive impact on the world. If even one non vegan adds a plant based meal from your site once a day that makes an impact. The tide is turning!
Argh – the Hate Brigade needs its kicks, I suppose. Angela, I love your blog and I am NOT vegan or even vegetarian. – what we do like is having vegan weeks (and veganizing Italian cuisine is so much fun….). So thanks for your insightful blog and for great recipes – there is much to be learnt! And I am sorry for the hate – don’t let it curdle your milk!!!
Love from Italy
Hi Angela!
It’s so sad to read this! You’re absolutely right, there’s so much hatred from some vegans towards others or from vegans to vegetarians. It doesn’t make any sense and it has such a negative impact in the term ‘vegan’. Just wanted to let you know you’re not alone and to give you my support. Your work is great!
Victoria
Angela, I am so sorry that you’ve had to deal with so much negativity. For someone who does so much inspiring work and has changed so many lives, this is shocking. And stupid. It’s all about compassion and those people are lacking.
You are amazing and I support you completely. Keep on doing what you do. xoxo
I am so glad that you posted this – mostly because I have been really, really worried about you and your family after not seeing Instagram posts for a while. Truly, I’ve been praying for you all multiple times a day for the past week or so! I even went so far as to google “Is Angela Liddon okay?” (it wasn’t very helpful). My brain was so filled with worry and hopefulness for you that I had a weird dream in which your family and my family moved in together to start a restaurant.
Promise, I’m not a stalker. :-) Just hoping that my sentiment that YOU MATTER and are worthy of unconditional love comes across — and that your vulnerable, transparent sharing of so many details of your life is appreciated and respected. You inspire me to continue the journey of moving away from disordered eating and into a healthy relationship with yummy food.
I’m glad that you’re okay, and I’m sad that you’re received a lot of criticism and hatred. …Still praying for you all! :-)
You have inspired and changed so many of us. Life does not come with labels; humans invented them so it’s easier to feel like you “fit”. Life it too short. At the end of the day, only few things really count: finding true love, being happy, being healthy. Enjoy you baby, your husband’s company and continue pursuing your passions. PS. I enjoy cooking and adopt a plant-based diet. It is so rewarding to offer my family good, healthy food, cooked with love. And your recipes help me get there. I really look forward to reading your recipes when you start cooking for your daughter (mine is 16 months old and I LOVE cooking for her)!