VEGANS!

[Calliope]

Almost eleven years ago I went from being a full omnivore to a vegan, and it was the easiest lifestyle choice I have ever made. I hadn't even been vegetarian before, so when I decided to opt out of eating meat/dairy/eggs I said to myself that if in six months I found my diet to be boring, too expensive or difficult to maintain, or that I was suddenly lacking in energy, then I could go back to eating whatever. At the time, the only veg*ans I had encountered were of the high school "I feel sad for animals so I will stop eating them until a week later when I remember I like cheeseburgers" variety, and I wasn't going to have any special food provided for me at home, so I had to figure it out by myself. It took me six months before I realized that there was no "butter" in peanut butter! I make some rookie mistakes, but ultimately found my diet became vibrant, interesting, not a lot of work, and that I very rarely feel like I'm missing out on anything.

Some people go vegan for health reasons, some to lose weight, some to cut down their impact on the environment, and some to help reduce direct suffering in animals. Some will happily eat honey and wear leather, and others will eschew all but the most necessary conventional medicines - guess what, people are diverse! What I've learned is that most omnivores treat all vegans as if they are the same, and in reacting against the "PETA supporting, super-militant-and-judgey, preaching-at-the-dinner-table" stereotype, they become really unpleasant and judgey themselves. I'm more than happy to answer questions from people who are concerned or genuinely curious, but if I had a dollar for every facetious question from Stupid Omnivore Bingo that was ever asked of me, I'd be a millionaire. I'm so tired of people saying things like "Oh, haha, I put bacon in that thing you just ate!" or "Oh, you feel tired today? That must be because you don't eat steak like me!". I don't act morally superior to other people just because I happen to have the privilege of being able to choose and prepare what I eat - so either ask me a polite question, or shut up and let me eat in peace.

What surprises me the most is when I go to eat out with a new friend and they suddenly ask if it's "okay" for them to eat meat or dairy in front of me - it's cute, but they don't have to ask. My goal as a vegan is to reduce suffering, and that includes not being a dick to my friends or lecturing someone on what they should choose to put into their body. I've also been pleasantly surprised when I go to a party or to someone's house and they have gone out of their way to provide an option for me - I don't expect anything, so it's always very sweet when they do, especially if they discover it's something that they enjoy, too!

You can be vegan while subsisting on a diet of oreos, red bull and vodka, minute rice and potato chips. You can be a vegan while subsisting on sprouted bread, kale juice, alfalfa and dehydrated fruit. Not every faux vegan product is terrible (Heads up for Daiya Cheese, Smart Bacon, Gardein Chicken, Vegannaise, So Good Ice cream and Tofurky Kielbasa) but many of them are terrible and overpriced. Likewise, I've had disappointing experiences at vegan restaurants, and wonderful meals that I still think about, but when it comes to savoury items, the best meals are ones that let the fresh ingredients be delicious on their own without trying to replicate a meat item.

It annoys me when people say "Oh, all vegan _____ is bad" - do you happen to like EVERY brand of sausage/cheese/milk/whatever that is on the market that meets your dietary restrictions? Did you decide to "go vegan" yesterday and magically expect your palate to automatically adjust from twenty years of eating McDonald's? Have you tried every vegan item on the market? If you're expecting to be able to buy a seitan steak and have it render the exact same taste and texture as beef, then you're a fool. The first time I ever tried tofu, it was awful, but I've since learned to cook and order it the way that I like it. If you're willing to explore that maybe some alternative protein sources (alternative only in Western culture, might I add) can be different but still delicious, you're going to have a much different experience.

If you're limiting yourself to pre-packaged vegan substitutes, then not only is that pretty bad for you, it's also really boring! Personally, I dislike it when somethings looks or tastes too closely of meat - if I really wanted to eat meat, I would! I enjoy a grilled "cheese" sandwich or a hotdog about once a week, but most of my food I make myself, using inexpensive ingredients like lentils (green, red, black, french, etc.), beans (chickpeas, kidney, great northern, black, pinto, adzuki, etc.), grains (faro, quinoa, barley, rice, freekeh, wheatberry), herbs and spices, and fresh vegetables. I like to cook, and I've had the means to be able to experiment making my own savoury pies, burger patties and sausages.

I eat curries, soups, salads, stir fry, pasta, casseroles, sandwiches, burritos, cereal, home-baked treats - nothing revolutionary or bizarre. If I ever bring baked goods or salads into work, they disappear very quickly and people beg me for the recipe. People love coming to my house for lunch. I can outcook and outbake most people I know because I've had to explore for myself how to make fresh, healthy food that I enjoy.

I get more than adequate fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals (with the exception of Vitamin D, because everyone who lives in the Pacific Northwest is Vitamin D deficient). If anyone wants to "ask a vegan" about recipes, or options for buying vegan shoes, makeup, vitamins, cleaning products, etc., or just questions in general, I'd be more than happy to answer them, but I don't put up with crap just so that other people can feel superior or avoid feeling guilty/defensive about their own choices.