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
I just want you to know I absolutely love your recipes!! I have literally never made anything from you that isn’t downright delicious, and your blog is where I always turn to find just the right dish for entertaining, too. I loved reading this post, as I have also felt like the I don’t want food to be devisive, but rather, a way to bring people together!!
Thanks for being honest and being yourself. Much love to you and your family!!
Count me in as another one of your supporters! I was so disheartened to see all those nasty hateful comments. Everybody’s entitled to their opinions, but bullying and name calling are never okay. Thanks to your delicious, healthy recipes and friendly approach, I have incorporated more plant-based meals into my diet.
I love your cookbook and cannot wait for your second one! :)
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your blog and cookbook ever since I discovered it. My husband and I are not vegan but still enjoy trying out your recipes. I don’t understand how some people can be so mean, if they don’t like something stay away from it, no need to be so nasty about it. Keep doing what you do! I always look forward to your new posts.
You are a wonderful inspiration for vegans and non-vegans alike! I have been vegan for over half of my life and still completely and totally cringe when other vegans are judgmental and ridiculous to those who are positive depictions of our own. Please rest assured that many of us are proud to have you as a representative!
Oh my goodness, it never fails to shock me how ridiculous some people can be. I am not vegan, but I love your blog and your cookbook and I’ve made so many recipes from them. I can’t believe how difficult it must be to put yourself out there to the world, and it’s sad that some people can be so hateful, but please know that there are so many more of us who think you’re fabulous!
I’m not vegan, or even vegetarian. I love steak and cheese more than any one person should. :) However, I love your site and I love the encouragement I get to eat more veggies. I’m sorry people are so crude. I completely support your decision and I fully believe that a mother knows best for her child.
Angela, I understand why you’d want to step away from the label after all that ugliness, but I hope you will work with whoever does your website and SEO to make sure that people searching for vegan recipes still find your site. Most of us still use the term “vegan” to describe plant-based eating and I don’t see that changing, as much as it enrages the Veronicas of the world.
Count me as another person that has moved towards a plant-based diet without putting a label on it.
The backlash you experienced is something I’ve seen across all strict died cliques from paleo to vegan and all between. I would go so far as to say it goes beyond food into any cultural grouping. Blind followers fail to realize that a good diet is unique to the individual. I say your ability to critically analyze the situation and make an informed choice puts you above any diet zealot. Good for you!
I’m so sorry to hear about this negative experience. You do such a great job at developing recipes that will please vegans and meat eaters alike, so I’m surprised people are trying to bring you down. F’ them!
I felt the need to comment on how thankful I am for your recipes and your honesty! My husband and I are also “flawed” vegans, but I think that any movement towards eating more plant-based foods should be praised rather than criticized.
I’m always so disappointed when I hear of people being disrespectful, hurtful, and threatening in spaces that I consider above all that. It’s never OK, I just thought your readers were better than that. So sorry you had to go through that. I love your blog and I hope those kinds of people will stay away. Please don’t let them get to you. It’s hard to do, but the voices of a few awful people shouldn’t outweigh the countless readers who are inspired by your recipes and blog posts every single day.
I have been following your blog for about a year now, and being a person who tries to eat as much plant based food as possible, I have found your blog to be a lifesaver! I know if I make one of your recipes my husband will have no complaints about the healthy eating I “force” on him. We can in no way determine what is the best for you or your family and the “diet” you follow. However, know that your contribution is making each of us a little healthier out here in the internet world, and I for one am very appreciative!
Love this sentiment! It’s so easy to say that comments are meaningless but the anonymity of the internet makes too many people way too mean. It’s one of the unfortunate things that comes with the territory of attaching a name to your eating habits, and I’m sorry to see it happening to someone who makes plant-based eating so amazingly accessible and delicious. Best of luck finding a balance that works for you!
Hello Angela! Thank you for all your creativity and wisdom :) Your book has been well used and gifted many times! In face of criticism please try to remember all the wonderful feedback and all the good you have done for so many people!
-Take care. Tanya Weedon
Love this statement as well! Your true supporters don’t require you or them to be any types of label and appreciate all you do! :)
Kudos to you, Angela for being honest with your readers. I am saddened that you have been unjustly judged by some which was completely uncalled for. I was disgusted to read such angry and condemning comments from radical vegans who, in my opinion, make me ashamed to call myself vegan. You and your husband seem like incredibly wonderful people and your daughter is so fortunate to have you both as her parents. I love your cookbook and your blog and cannot wait for your next cookbook to come out.
Hi Angela, I have never commented on your site before, but am a big fan of yours and started following your blog 2 years ago. I have merged into 90% plant based diet because of your inspiring blog and felt so terrible when I read some of those comments on your baby blog page – but so relieved to read your new post today. You have handled those negative comments beautifully and my respect for you has only quadrupled. I hope those people who made those hurtful comments are now reading your new post and feeling thoroughly remorseful and having a bit of re-think (maybe they will be better people now). Keep up being the truly amazing you that you are! PS – I love your style of writing, so witty, entertaining and inspiring! And… your photography is gorgeous. Greetings from Switzerland :)
If anything, your openness has only made me more interested in your blog. Nothing turns people away more (from a cause) than hate and ridicule of those who don’t adhere to it. Your welcoming stance and acceptance of baby steps does more to get people interested in a plant based diet than the angry Vegans in the comments. Thanks!
Self-righteousness is a powerful intoxicant and makes humans irrational and self-defeating.
Automobiles kill thousands of wild animals annually: both acutely and indirectly due to pollutants. Are the capital-V Vegans forgoing transportation by motor vehicles? I suspect many of them do not. Cruelty to animals (and humans) is embedded in the fabric of modern life and working to de-normalize this is important even when the recognition and resulting behavior change is not 1-0. If nothing else, the forward-looking conversations you can have in a society in which the average person eats meat twice a week would be vastly vastly different than the conversations you can have with a populace that feels that it depends on meat daily to live.
Honestly Angela, my heart aches for any negativity that has ever come your way. I think of you as the kindest most compassionate lovely blogger who’s heart is always in the right place and is open to share her love with the world. I don’t care what you call yourself as long as the recipes and books and blogging continue! Your recipes are terrific and your spirit is contagious! As we speak, myself and my coworkers in Connecticut are eating your gluten free vegan chocolate chip cookies and loving them!!!!! Know that we love you and your blog!!!