Why Did You Go Vegan?

Vicki

I hated meat as a child and my parents tried to make me eat my meat, "You're not leaving this table until you finish that (steak)(pork)(etc)." One night I honestly fell asleep with my head on the dining room table and when I woke up I still had the chewed-up meat in my mouth that I couldn't bear to swallow. I was famous for hiding chewed-up meat in napkins under my lap or under the furniture...

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Fast forward to freshman year of college, 1988. freedom at last! dorm room and dining halls, and the next year, my own apartment, kitchen, and grocery shopping.

Fast forward again to 2000, married several years to a meat-lover (who also loves any tofu, tempeh, falafel, hummus... I make), and pregnant with our first child. I was still disgusted by eggs, using milk primarily to wet my cereal or make shakes/ smoothies, and eating fat-free, but nonetheless real dairy, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, etc, and was so used to fat-free that any whole dairy products grossed me out. Ryan was hoping and praying that during pregnancy, I'd crave meat, but hahaha, I ended up getting so disgusted by dairy that I finally went vegan. I don't think it was morning sickness but just concern for the health of my baby growing in me and later for the healthiest breastmilk. I'm still so disgusted by the smell of eggs cooking and frustrated when I pour a bowl of cereal and find we're out of soy milk- Ryan says "Just use my (dairy) milk" but I can't and won't.

Our 18 month old son Sean eats everything, he's from a "mixed" marriage haha (please don't anyone get offended) but he's so healthy and perfect from breastmilk and veggies and soy, and I think when he's old enough to make his own choice, he'll make the same one I did. He's actually boycotting chicken right now! (but also his carrots, ha ha)

It's amazing but everyday I get reactions from people like I'm from another planet. "So you only eat salads, right?" and "So how do you get your protein?" Oh well, at least I have all of you on this website! :)

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