Question: I have been a vegetarian since 1988 and a vegan since 2005. I am used to the verbal crap from family members when it comes to get-togethers. Now, I have gotten worse (more hated) as I am now militant, anti-GMO in addition to vegan. So this past Easter, a family member went out of the way to make pozole for the family and a special vegan pozole (hominy and beans) for me. What is a person to do? Add more to the familia alienation factor by asking if the beans and hominy were GMO-free (unlikely) or just, shut up, inhale my values and justify to myself, one bowl of GMO-laced beans and white corn ain't gonna kill me?
Answer: Ah yes, the dreaded family food issues. I'm so glad I'm done with that. I have informed everyone I know that my diet is just too crazy for them to attempt to accomodate me so they can all just relax, I'll bring my food and I'll bring extra so they can see how awesome it is. Values. It's something most people can't relate to because their values are based on what they were taught in the school system, their family, and bonus: all that fake stuff the media tries to feed us for their own welfare. Oops, don't get me started on that. When we start thinking for ourselves we run into all kinds of societal issues. Of course one bowl of whatever isn't going to kill you because you decide when you die. You also decide what you are willing to put in your body based on how it makes you feel. Would you eat something you didn't like or were totally against just to appease someone else? Would you eat a hamburger just because someone made it just for you? The fact of the matter is, people feel uncomfortable around vegans because it makes them question their own actions which they are not ready to review let alone change and an easy defense mechanism is humor or downgrading others to make themselves feel better about something the spirit knows is intrinsically wrong. I sometimes eat stuff that isn't good for me just because I want to. I might go to a vegan potluck and taste some foods that are cooked even though I feel the best when I eat raw. I don't do it to appease anyone but myself. The bottom line is, you are you and you get to make your own choices. Apeasing someone else is just as fine of a choice as standing your ground no matter how it makes someone else feel. In the end, every time we stand our ground we educate those around us and hold up a light that is difficult to ignore. Sometimes it's easier to opt out of the education conversation, but sometimes, Aunties GMO meal made especially for you IS the perfect opportunity to teach people why Monsanto is getting away with criminal actions and that it's just about time to start voting with our fork. Next time, bring something delicious to offer your family members and say something like, "I'd love to try the food you made, and wow, I can really appreciate how you went out of your way for me but I really wish you wouldn't do that since I'm so picky and I don't want to hurt your feelings... but I'm just enjoying this .....................(fill in the blank) too much to try anything else, would you like some?"
As for me, I avoid functions like that like the plague. I understand not everyone can relate to separating themselves from situations that will be uncomfortable but it's the reason recovering alcoholics don't often hang out in bars and it works for me.
Good luck on the battle field ;)
Crystal
