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 am so sad to hear that people have criticized your very personal decision! I love your blog and your willingness to put yourself out there. It takes a lot of courage and I know you inspire vegans and non vegans on a daily basis.
It took me awhile to become vegan because I feared I wasn’t going to be a “perfect” vegan. I wasn’t sure I wanted the label…would I still be the fun, laid back person I always had been or did I have to become an animal rights activist to be vegan? I have a huge amount of respect for animal activists, but that is not my path or my personality. Ultimately I have been vegan for almost 10 years and it was a great decision for me. I am raising my son vegan and love sharing my compassionate diet with him.
Please don’t let negative people discourage you. You are a huge asset to the vegan, veg curious and healthy living communities and I believe most of us appreciate your voice and your talent!
I’ve been vegan for 7 years and I’ve followed OSG for at least 5 years now and I can honestly say that I use your recipes every week. I’ve also gotten family and friends to eat more plants and more healthily with your recipes too! You’ve always been an inspiration and someone I look up to. There’s no such thing as the perfect vegan and those who argue semantics do so much to discredit the movement. The whole point of veganism is to minimize animal suffering and you and your family do your part whether your husband and daughter are vegan too. Would I love a vegan world? Of course, but we’re not there yet and putting down those who are experimenting and figuring out veganism in a non-vegan world won’t get us there. Keep up the great work Angela!
I have never commented on your blog before, though I love it. I have read your book and love it as well. I am only commenting today to say, thanks for pushing through even if it means changing a “label”. I have had some of my most loved bloggers quit because of the hate and nastiness from “the public” in comments. I don’t know why people think they can have such opinions online for people they don’t actually have any relationship with and say things you wouldn’t say to someone’s face. I was really nervous while reading this post that you were leading up to saying that you were going to tone back the blog / move onto something else, so thanks for not! I think your recipes are inspiring, attainable and great tasting, its why I love them so much.
Angela, I couldn’t be more proud to be a longtime follower of you + your blog. You make plant-based eating so incredibly delicious, fun, easy, and contagious. Almost every time someone asks me for a good “entry-level” vegan recipe I send them to your site. I’ve made your 5-ingredient date bars so many times my husband (and now his co-workers) call them “Hannah bars.” I cook out of your cookbook WAY more than any other cookbook I’ve ever owned (making enchiladas tonight!). I’m sure you hear this a lot, but I feel like I know you personally, and it makes me so sad to hear about the shitty ways people act on the internet without any ownership of their words or repercussions. It’s so brave of you to share personal details, and I hope this setback doesn’t permanently alter that. Thanks for being awesome, always!
Angela,
I’ve been following your blog for years and love your style and, of course, your recipes. It’s amazing to me how hateful and judgmental people can be. It is no one’s business how you raise your daughter or even what changes may occur in your own lifestyle over time (my diet has evolved many times over from raw-vegan to vegan to vegetarian and pescatarian). Life is an evolution and you need to do what is right for you and your family…what feels authentic for you. Don’t allow others to bring you down…it’s their own issue. Again, thank you for all that you do. I, and so many others, greatly appreciate who you are…vegan or not.
XO,
Audra
Hi Angela,
This is a beautiful response to the overall flavor of comments on your previous post. I felt so sad reading all those comments. You come across as genuine, sincere and honest about your love for a “plant-based approach” (or vegan-whatever!!) and inspiring people of all sorts to love what they eat. You open yourself up to hurtful and unsupportive comments by publishing your thoughts and opinions, and taking the high road like you did is the best thing! Keep doing what you are doing- thanks for sharing and in celebration of you and your hard work- tonight is an Oh She Glows recipe night! :)
Kaitlyn
I’ve been following your blog for probably about 5 years. I can’t imagine people have anything, but nice things to say about you. While I am no longer vegan, I still enjoy many of your recipes and follow your blog. In fact, I made your Berry Bliss Oat Squares yesterday for the 100th time and passed the recipe on to several friends with food allergies. Thank you for the many delicious recipes I’ve been able to enjoy.
So sad to hear this news Angela! You are such an inspiration to all of us who are trying to live a healthier life. I absolutely love your recipes and am always excited when you post new ones! Don’t let those negative comments get you down, you have enriched so many peoples lives :-)
It sucks that the fanatical people involved in any group are always the most vocal. Being overly judgemental of others never leads to good, it always leads to bad. Negativity brings a negative outcome. I love your recipes and they’ve made my life as a vegan (yep I’m claiming the label people though I’m imperfect) so much less daunting. Without this blog and a few others, my transition to veganism just would have been too overwhelming. I think those that actually bring about change, help others, and improve the world the most are always spreading positivity and happiness (like you). Those that can’t see the greatness aND spread their message with positivity, and do only through fear and hate I feel sorry for you. Maybe reevaluate your tactics. Why drag my fav blogger down? It accomplishes the exact opposite of the goal you had in mind.
Hey Angela! I thought your post was lovely :) the comments not so much…I find it comical how vegans are the ones who are supposed to show “compassion” for all living things and many of the vegans commenting are hypocrites with their vile responses. Very nasty and unfortunate. Such awful things directed at you and I just feel so terrible for those people. They can’t be fully happy with their lives. I grew up on a farm where we raised our own animals and we indeed ate them. I’m never putting a label on my diet. I love making your recipes and I love making vegan meals :) but I would never be so nasty to someone based on their diet. Some of the commenters should be ashamed!!! If you don’t agree with Angela, simply don’t follow her blog. She’s better off without you anyway. Haters gonna hate. You do you girl!!!
It’s clear you are an inspiration to many, so I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with negativity. Of course, we all just do the best we can with what we have. Continue to do what feels right for you! :)
Angela – beautifully put. I am not Vegan. My diet has morphed over the years & has been influenced by many eating styles & values. However, you are one of the first blogs I have followed along with for years. Your authentic honesty, delicious recipes that can appeal to everyone, and beautiful pictures & story. Your blog was recommended to me over 5 years ago, & I continue to recommend it to others for all these reasons. Keep doing your thing- & congrats on your baby!! xox
Angela, you have handled some very nasty feedback with such grace. I think your approach to both your lifestyle and your critics is a great example of the kind of compassion we should be showing to animals and to each other. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing! I am not a vegan, but I enjoy your blog SO much. I have your cookbook too and incorporate your recipes from both into my daily life to promote a healthier lifestyle, and because I think everyone can benefit from even a couple meals or days without meat :) Also, I am lactose intolerant (also intolerant to eggs) as of a couple years ago, so your pastries and baking tips have been a life safer so that I can still enjoy sweets. I’ve recommended your recipes to vegans and non-vegans alike and everyone loves them! Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re awesome.
I just went and read the comments – and they’re pretty typical, I’m afraid. I can understand it, though – some people feel so strongly and have very few tools available to them to make change that all their passion comes out through their keyboard. That said, though I can understand it, I don’t agree with it. The “vegan police” just makes veganism look difficult, and less approachable to people who may have considered it otherwise. However, small changes on a large scale mean big changes, and your approachable and fun website has made a far greater difference for animals than an angry blog comment ever could.
When it comes to the parenting, I plan to take the same approach as you. I read that some vegans regretted not raising their families vegan; however, having been raised by a dietitian that was very strict with sweets (and anything high-fat or processed), these items became coveted as I entered adolescence and I would purposely seek them out, driven by the taboo (and, likely, the sugar and fat). However, as I matured, my body reminded me how good healthy eating felt, and I was ultimately benefitted by her good example. By allowing your daughter to try anything, you’re not creating any coveted “taboo”, and by providing her healthy, delicious, plant-based meals, she will have the healthy tools for life, and even if she doesn’t choose to eat a “vegan” or “plant-based” diet all the time, the likelihood that she eats that way most of the time is pretty inevitable.
Thank you for this post! I was wondering if you were going to respond to the harsh comments you had here and on your Facebook page! I am not a vegan, I eat a mostly plant-based diet because this is a way of eating that I prefer and I am trying to transition to a fully plant-based diet. I will not call myself a Vegan because it seems you have to be perfect to be one. I am sorry that you had so much critism…your blog has brought a lot of people to eat less meat and healthier and that’s already a really big step in the right direction to help animals and the environment! Keep on doing what you are doing Angela, stay strong!
Angela, yours was the first website I went to for recipes as I began eating more plant-based foods and is still my favorite (along with your cookbook). What I read of some of those comments shocked me – I had no idea that some in that community were so extreme! If it weren’t for you and some of my friends and co-workers (one of whom is a nutritionist), who take a kinder, gentler approach to those on the journey towards eating less meat/dairy, I’d probably have never ventured down this new path which has pretty much completely changed the way I and my children eat now. You keep right on doing the wonderful things you’re doing – believe me, there are so many (as I’m sure you’ve discovered from all these posts) who will stay right there with you!
haters gonna hate! keep doing your thing! you’ve been an inspiration and i hope you keep cooking, eating, and developing recipes that make us all feel good inside and out!
Thank you for everything you do! I am fairly new to the plant-based way of life and am loving it because of you and your recipes. I am ecstatic to have found your blog/cookbook and I recommend it to everyone I know. Keep up the good work and don’t let the haters get you down. I truly appreciate you!!
I would like to add my support as well. I’m so glad that you post so many amazing recipes, have shared your story, and put out such an inspiring message to your readers. I’m not vegan myself, though I have been pescatarian for a while, but you’ve definitely motivated me to expand my horizons so much in the food that I eat and prepare for myself and others. I’m so excited to continue to make more of your dishes!