Newbie requesting friends and help

[Evergreen Grrrl]

I am the only veggie is a family full of carnivores. When I say that, I mean they base their entire diet around meat. It is in everything they cook, and a meal is considered incomplete without it.

I have been veg-friendly all my life, but especially since dating a long term vegetarian and learning to make all of the dishes I loved without meat. Then, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and chronic migraines. To top it all off, I needed an allergy test and learned that I was ALLERGIC to all meat except turkey, freshwater fish, and shellfish. I had gone Kosher years before, so that left minimal meat to eat. I then found out that I had IBS along with the other chronic conditions, so my body could not digest the food. I gave up eating meat in order to have a healthier, happier, fuller life.

Now I have started buying organic, joined a CSA, and subscribe to various veggie mags to get ideas on making my life more full in its new environment. Unfortunately, I have just moved back to the country, away from civilization and all of the understanding that it brings with it. I have to drive 30 minutes to get a good vegetarian meal and am currently living off some good TV dinners and peanut butter concoctions.

Everytime I adapt my life to what I feel it needs, my family is nothing but critical. I am the butt of all jokes, and my sick grandmother complains and doesn't want my "veggie crap" when I offer to cook dinner. My family complains when they come home to a vegetarian dinner. I am doing all I can to make this change work for me, but Rome was not built in a day. My mom even "joked" complaining that the next thing I would make us do is start a compost heap. I would like to start a garden first, but the "joke" was un-called for. Why not start composting? Especially when we no longer have a garbage disposale.

On top of everything, my little cousin has come to live with us since her mother died. She is 10 years old, autistic, has health and behaviorial problems, and loves going to the farmer's market, cooking, and wants to garden. I am trying to help her be healthy and keep my family from falling down this contiously slipping slope. How can she grow when I am the only one encouraging her to try new things and develop healthy habits?

I am overwhelmed right now. Holidays are dismal. How am I supposed to enjoy our get together when nothing I cook will be eaten, everyone will complain about me, and I cannot eat anything others prepare. I would love to be involved with an active veggie community and find friends who accept my choices. But all of the world seems to be conspiring against me. I welcome all friends, invites, recipes, or ideas.

[amhappy1]

Wow. You have a lot to deal with. Congratulations on making a positive change even when the people around you don't view it that way.
This board has a lot of helpful information. Just hang in there.

[sallyb]

Cor eck, sounds like you got a very full house there and a hell of a lot to cope with, bless ya.

I wish you good luck and hope it all soon gets less stressful luv, *hug*

[adam antichrist]

sounds like you need to be more assertive.
then get yourself some liquid vegetable enzymes. It may help with IBS, allergies etc. Worth a try at least.

[Purp]

I would think, especially with your allergies, your family might be a little more understanding. I'm sorry you have to move back there. What you do is fix dinner for everyone anyway, and even offer to clean up afterwards. You can try enchiladas, or chili, or even a "Shepherd's Pie" (there's a recipe here on VB in the recipe forums. Chin up and fight the good fight. I hope you and your cousin hang in there. Best of luck to both of you.

[temmy]

I'm so sorry. All you can really do is control what you eat. I'm so sad that your family is not just unsupportive but downright antagonistic to you about this. My coworkers are that way, but I don't have to live with them.

Be strong, and use this forum for support. I've only been here a few days, but it's already made me feel more in control of my choices and more sure of my principles.

Stay healthy, and good luck!

[VeganTigress]

Hello Evergreen!

Welcom to VB! There are tons of amazing people on here who are a great support system.

All my family eat meat and trust me, I know all about being the butt of jokes for being a veggie. The thing to remember is that people react that way for 1 of 3 reasons.

1) They feel that because you are vegetarian it means you are judging there eating habits, which makes them defensive.

2) They do not understand about being vegetarian, or worse, don't care and then decide that you are now someone who can be counted on for a joke.

3) they are concerned you won't be healthy as a vegetarian. Sometimes the reaction comes from concern and it is not expressed right. In your case, It doesn't seem to be the situation.

I use to tell people that I do not go around making snide comments about how they eat and I would appreciate the same consideration. if they persist, I tell them my dietary lifestyle is not up for discussion if they do not actually want to learn about it.

It gets easier the longer you are a veggie and you need to re-learn grocery shopping so that you can easily make a complete veggie meal for you. When I cooked for my family I did pasta's so it couldn't be call "Veggie Crap"...lol!

Welcome and we are all glad your here

Kindest Regards,

VeganTigress

[Yamato]

Hi Evergreen Grrrl!!

Glad you made it here.