[bekajoi]

I've been so tempted to try the new Hershey's Kisses that MIL brings over to share. We've had some talks lately about generalities of WHY I've decided to eat a certain way (and she has said she appreciates the taste changes and trying new things, and that she's very happy that I'm ok with meat being in my home, for them or they wouldn't meal-share with us often... and that she's very happy I'm not trying to tell HER how to eat, etc)~

Anyway, the point of the ramble is that I really WANTED to try them, and when my husband was teasing me today, chasing me down the hallway with one, going "OMG IT IS SOOOOO GOOOD", his MOM popped her head around the corner and chastised him!

She told him to back off, and that she knows it's hard for me to say no to some things, but that I'm trying to do things the way I feel I need to, and he needs to respect it. (it was all in good fun, but it was nice to hear her say that too!!) And they were respectful of me at dinner today and made sure I had plenty to eat that didn't have any butter/milk in it (and TOLD me that the squash they brought over was not vegan, and said it in those terms!!)

They are being so great about it all... and are worrying over what I'll have to eat at the family/friends get together tomorrow. I've assured them I'll bring enough to share of something I can have, and I'm more than happy to do so.

But it's great that they are thinking about it and keeping me in mind!

Anyway! Had to share! My omni family out here is being SO COOL lately!

 

[Vegan Joe]

That cool. My family is supportive and excepting, but then again I'm the biggest fish in the food chain around here.

A side story I would like to share happened the other night.

Everyone was sitting around watching the movie "Memiors of a Ghesha" and when it got to the part with the Sumo Wrestlers, my Granddaughter, who is 3 years old, Black, White, and Eskimo, asked what they were. My daughter said "they are Japanese". My Granddaugter then asked" " What is Grandpa?" Her Aunty answered " he's Caucasion" to which my Granddaughter replyed, " No he's not, he's Vegan". Everybody just busted out laughing. Heck of funny it was.

Thanks for letting me share.

 

[Dirty Martini]

that's cute, VJ

 

[isowish]

bakajoi, that's great!

I'm glad things are going well/getting better.

 

[karenlovessnow]

Awesome bekajoi! Happy it went so well for you. I have a very supportive family as well.

Vegan Joe, very cute story...out of the mouths of babes!

 

[UseHerName]

Yesterday at Christmas Eve dinner, my family was amazing. My grandma made me four meatless cabbage rolls, didn't add bacon to the wild rice [w/ mushrooms, yum], and my family used my margarine.

 

[Seb_0810]

All those stories are so awesome. For Christmas we went to my parent's friends and they made a vegan dishes just for me.

 

[bekajoi]

Hooray for supportive families all around!!! That's great!!

Today at the get-together I was briefly saying I brought 2 kinds of brownies to share for dessert, and someone asked the difference. I said one was made from a mix and used normal stuff, and I added nuts... and that the other was made from scratch without the egg or butter, and also had nuts. The mix was fudgy and the scratch was more cake-like (today)

The guy across from me asked something else and MIL said "basically one is vegan and the other isn't, but they're both good!" ~ He said, "You're not vegan are you?" I said "Yeah, I am." (No tone, just answering with a smile)

He said, "Vegans are crazy! I knew someone who is vegan and they wouldn't use ANY animal things, no leather, no milk.... (he went on)"

I answered, "Well, I still do have leather shoes and a down coat and a down comforter, but when they wear out I'm not sure I'd buy those again. I'll look for things without those items FIRST, and if I can't find what I need without it, then I might make an exception. It depends on the situation in the end, but I'm not going to be 100% strict on it and go without shoes if I can't find canvas shoes, or anything"

(then he went into talking about this other guy he knows and how he preaches at everyone and is all high and mighty about his food choices and tries to tell other people what to eat, etc.

Before I could answer!! MIL stepped in and said to the guy, "You can't just lump all people in like that. She is vegan but doesn't act like that guy you were talking about. She eats how she feels she needs to, for ethical reasons, but does not try and make anyone else go her way." (and SHE went on, defending me!!)

The subject changed later, but everyone liked what I brought (I made garlic & onion potatoes, candied carrots, and saute'd zucchini), and were happy that I made their potatoes how they wanted them, and helped with the gravy. (and there was a nice hefty salad with lots of toppings and vegan dressings to choose from too!)

Nobody walked away thinking I was insane, lol. And when it came time for snacking at dinner, they thought I was brilliant for making up a veggie & mustard sandwich on wheat, having veggies on the side. They even got out the natural peanut butter for me to add to some celery when I mentioned in passing that it sounded yummy.

Anyway. Ramble! But good day!