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,
I have been following your blog for the past two years and I love all that you do here. I’m so sorry that you received such negative feedback after your last post. Please keep doing what you do best – creating wonderful, plant-powered recipes and writing in your insightful, friendly voice. Honestly, your blog and your book have changed my life. You are amazing!
P.s. Can’t wait for your next book! :)
Hi Angela,
I LOVE reading your blog and you have inspired me so much about eating healthy food. Don’t let anyone make you feel differently about you. I have recently moved to Egypt and have your cookbook with me that I use often. I will continue to support you no matter which country I am in. :)
Love you Angela!!!!!
I’m sorry others reacted negatively to your honesty. My household is not vegan. We are not even vegetarian. But I love reading your blog, trying your recipes, enjoying your photographs, and cooking from your cookbook. I love the healthy, fresh alternatives you provide. Keep up the fabulous work!
Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. (And don’t be a judge-y so’n’so.)
I always say that I eat and cook vegan food but I’m not a vegan. Can’t bring myself to say “plant-based” but think it’s something more than vegetarian.
More power to you Angela. As the always wise woman, Taylor Swift, put it: haters gonna hate.
Here’s to an ever burgeoning community of respectful, kind and humourus people who mostly eat vegetables.
PS The prologue to the installment called “Stuck in the Middle” of ‘This American Life’ has a wonderfully thoughtful piece on how an omnivorous mother is dealing with her almost millitantly vegetarian 7 year-old and his pepperoni-loving 5 year-old brother
Agree with your comment – and philosophy! I love ‘This American Life’ and will have to check out that installment, as I’ve got a son and daughter who have quite different approaches to food as well
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Thank you for keeping the dialogue open on this. I agree there is no right or wrong answer… I personally have changed my diet back and forth from vegan to totally not vegan several times. Ultimately it’s an individual choice and I salute you for allowing your daughter her choice. By not having tight restrictions on her diet you will allow her to grow up with a healthy view on food.
FYI huge fan and huge supporter!
This is one of the reasons I won’t identify as vegan. I’m sad to hear that once again the ‘vegan police’ have decided to enforce their views and opinions on everyone. It must be tough to have to face that kind of attack and you have handled it with grace and dignity. Well done!
F the naysayers!! You have accomplished so many great things (including becoming a wonderful mother) and you continue to inspire me everyday. Keep on rockin’, girl!
Angela, thank you for all of your good work on this blog; I have learned SO MUCH from you! Pay no attention to the naysayers…you have helped numerous people become educated about real, vegan food and that is huge. Thank you for being so smart and thoughtful and great. All the best to you and your family!
Angela,
Thank you for your beautiful blog, book, and your words. What an amazing thing that we can share our lives with others all over the world via the internet–thank you for sharing yours so positively and openly. Wishing you and your family all the best.
Angela,
Thank you for your beautiful blog, book, and your words. What an amazing thing that we can share our lives with others all over the world via the internet–thank you for sharing yours so positively and openly. Wishing you and your family all the best.
Hi Angela:
I read both your posts and (some) comments and I am horrified at the things that you have to put up to.
I am not vegan or vegetarian but your recipes, your book and your blog have allowed me to introduce many vegan dishes to my household, where I have two teenagers and a meat-eating husband. So, please, please, do not get discouraged by the unbelievable comments, keep doing what you are doing. You have helped many people and will continue helping them by providing a choice of fantastic, tasteful vegan dishes that would not be available otherwise!
Thanks for your fantastic job! Keep it up,
MV
Just to let you know that you by your recipes changed my life (and my family, and my baby which we decide to raise vegan) here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Yes, that far from you. Please keep your confidence and keep going on, despite the unjustified hate.
Xo,
Amanda
People who keep bragging about how “compassionate” they are while at the same time lacking compassion, kindness and respect for other human beings are clearly exposing themselves as hypocrites. Case closed.
Don’t let those people discourage you from doing, being, and saying anything you want to – keep up the good work! Your recipes are truly inspiring and life-changing for so many people; there’s a lot of love out here for you. :-)
For lack of a better phrase, screw them! You are a beautiful and wonderfully inspiring person, and your blog has done so much for so many people, myself included. I credit OSG with taking me from my 5 year vegetarian lifestyle to a full-blown plant-based one. These elitist, cynics are the exact reason I never call myself “vegan”. Rarely do you get a mid-spectrum response of indifference; you get either thick-headed morons who think you are snobby and going to get on your soapbox every chance you get or hardcore vegans ready to nitpick everything you do and say.
And you will especially receive criticism in regards to parenting. I’m sure every parent will tell you that you are going to get a lifetime of people telling you what’s best for your child and how you should raise them, regardless of the topic. Once again, screw them.
You just keeping doing what you’re doing. You’ve made such a difference in so many’s lives. I thank you every single day for it!
*just keep doing
It does break my heart that people would write hateful messages, but for some reason, I thought it might happen because people have no shame hiding behind a computer screen and saying hurtful things. I think it’s good that you’re being true to you and just doing what you love/makes you feel good. I think I’ve switched from a vegan to a more plant-based way of describing my diet because I feel like it better explains what I eat. I always joke that haters are going to hate regardless of what you’re doing. I just know that being plant-based is 100% in alignment with my true self, and your decisions, along with your family’s, regardless of what other people think, is up to you to make! I hope people can be a little more caring after reading this post!
I hadn’t read the other piece, but have now. I could relate to so many of the comments, on both sides, but I was also left feeling like raising kids to eat healthy whole food is so abnormal in America, we better all just stick together and help celebrate the good we are doing for kids, for ourselves, for animals, and for the planet! I am raising two girls – 6 and 3 – on a vegetarian diet. Having been vegan for 10 years before the birth of my first daughter, and having a supportive husband, I thought I would raise my kids vegan. After much internal struggle and dealing with real-life situations as a mother, I slowly decided it was best for my daughter to be vegetarian. And then I stuck with that choice for the younger one, too. It works for us right now. In the liberal California town we live in, vegetarian doesn’t set them apart much. The lack of packaged food in their lunch boxes really does draw attention, though. Angela, your work helps more people add healthy plants to their diets. I am all for celebrating that!
PS – A family member was visiting recently from Wyoming. She saw your cookbook out and said “You have this cookbook. Two other friends have it, too.” and she quickly wrote down your name. I hope you are feeling the success you have earned. You go mama!
Angela, one of things I appreciate so much about your blog is your lack of pretense. I am shy by nature and so admire your openness and willingness to let us all into your life. You inspire me to be a kinder person who appreciates the blessings in life. I am uplifted when I read your posts. You have extraordinary talents as a writer, a photographer, and a recipe developer, yet there is no arrogance on your blog. I think that’s amazing. We are all here reading because we have a passion for living a healthy, balanced life, but I bet it is your personal stories and connection to your audience that keep many of us coming back. It is for me. Keep letting your light shine!!!
I adore your blog! It is hands down my favorite. I’m vegetarian and have been for over half my life. I have 2 boys ages 3 and 6 who enjoy meat like their dad. I’ve struggled with this but ultimately believe everyone has a right to choose. I’ll continue to read and share your blog. I think you are awesome! The best recipes and such lovely photography. Greatly anticipating your next book!!
Angela,
Sometimes people believe that they have the right to preach `the right way` through aggressive language. It`s really ironic. Someone claiming a compassionate lifestyle (in this case vegan) who is not even able to be compassionate to another person and their life choices.
I can`t say don`t let it bother you, because it bothers everyone. But don`t let it change your opinion of yourself and what you do, which obviously helps so many people that you have thousands and thousands of followers checking your blog daily. Your blog not only helps me, but makes me really happy!
Pardon my French, but F** them.