Vegan Police

I read a very interesting blog today by a woman ( a Vegan) who was sick of being moaned at in cyberspace by the Vegan Police.( Happy Herbivore ) She was referring to the fact that she found she could never be 'vegan enough' to please everyone and so was just going to refer to herself as a plant eater from now.

It really struck a cord with me. So many meat eaters feel threatened when I say that Im a vegetarian, and I think that in some cases, its because they are waiting for the lecture. Well sorry guys, youve got a long wait. :)

I would love it if more people ate as vegetarians. One of my main reasons for becoming a veggie was because of the difference it makes to the planet. BUT thats my reason, and I honestly cant expect the entire world to eat the way I do for my reasons. I have a sincere objection to the PETA method of converting people to Veganism. They like to use horror flicks of chickens and pigs being slaughtered to convince people of the cruelty of eating meat. The problem with this approach.... people just switch it OFF. I know I do , I have no desire to see animals being killed, and so the message is lost.

A better approach is to live the part. Amaze people by not being the weak, pale and pasty wraith walking through the door, surviving on little more than morals and outrage. Rather invite people for supper, or gasp! actually go to a braai, and offer to share your lovely Vegan and Veggie food with the meat eaters. You'll probably find that they are surprised at how good meat free food can be, and will be more open to eating Veggie just once ot twice a week.

And thats all I can really hope for. Lectures and outrage dont work on teenagers, what makes you think they could EVER work on an adult :)