influencing others...
This whole weekend with my family got me thinking...how do you all influence others to at least consider, if not embrace the veg lifestyle?
I've always believed in leading by example and never really had much of a problem. I've been veg for a long time, but it's been a constant journey and I've learned more and more about not only ethcial reasons for being veg (my original deciison-maker), but also environmental reasons and most recently, health benefits. In the past, if people expressed interest, I would talk to them about my decision, but I never really brought it up otherwise.
This year I seem to be really struggling, though...I'm not embarrased at all about who I am and what I believe, I'm just thinking I may be at the point where I'm ready to start being more...I don't know what the word is...proactive? I think part of it is that I'm getting used to living where there is a strongly entrenched meat and dairy culture...
What are some ways you have positively influenced people around you?
I have found in the past that serving people the delicious food you make for yourself is a huge benefit.
For example, I'd make some vegan banana bread and share it with my friends at work, and once they were devouring it by the loaf, I would say, "that is completely vegan, hope you like it!"
And my boyfriend, I would make him extravgant dinners sans animal products, and again, he would begin to devour it and I would simply say, "that's not real cheese in the ravioli." And he would be completely shocked. Now, he nearly prefers a vegan lifestyle.
I found that it takes sensitivity to other's differences, it's not only in what you say, but the example in which you set as well as the food in which you cook~ which is why I am very grateful for the vegweb community.
Challenge them. Many people will go veg to win a bet, prove they have the willpower or just to see if they can do it for a while. Then they may end up finding out they feel better, have tried new foods, lost a few pounds, etc. We are running a Vegetarian Challenge week soon at my school and allowing people to pledge as a vegan, vegetarian, or reduced meateater for the schoolweek. They are of course being provided with all sorts of information and there is free vegan food at the kickoff, prizes, etc, so people have a few reasons to join. Also, at the end they are being provided with information on the environmental/animal impact they have made over the past week by avoiding meat. It will hopefully educate and inspire people to think more about their food and the impact of their choices. Environmental issues have really been gaining media attention (even Roots has "Stop Global Warming" shirts and bracelets) and it is always great to remind people of how a vegetarian diet is another step to helping the environment.
I printed out the article that I posted here earlier on steps (and reasons) to become vegetarian and put it on the unused bulletin board in the breakroom of the building where I work. I've also put up a recipe of the week. Nobody's said anything to me yet so I don't know if there's been any effect yet. But maybe I've planted a seed or two.
We are running a Vegetarian Challenge week soon at my school and allowing people to pledge as a vegan, vegetarian, or reduced meateater for the schoolweek. They are of course being provided with all sorts of information and there is free vegan food at the kickoff, prizes, etc, so people have a few reasons to join. Also, at the end they are being provided with information on the environmental/animal impact they have made over the past week by avoiding meat.
Applelover, that is so cool! I wish my school had a larger student population and was more open minded about trying something like that.
This whole weekend with my family got me thinking...how do you all influence others to at least consider, if not embrace the veg lifestyle?
I've always believed in leading by example and never really had much of a problem. I've been veg for a long time, but it's been a constant journey and I've learned more and more about not only ethcial reasons for being veg (my original deciison-maker), but also environmental reasons and most recently, health benefits. In the past, if people expressed interest, I would talk to them about my decision, but I never really brought it up otherwise.
This year I seem to be really struggling, though...I'm not embarrased at all about who I am and what I believe, I'm just thinking I may be at the point where I'm ready to start being more...I don't know what the word is...proactive? I think part of it is that I'm getting used to living where there is a strongly entrenched meat and dairy culture...
Weird. If you flip-flopped the ethical reasons and health reasons for being veg, I could have written your statement above. Well, at least health reasons were what I cited as being the reason I became a vegetarian since I instinctively knew it would be more acceptable by family and others. I've never been a full-out activist for any cause--and I came of age in the 60s. It's just antithetical for me to confront anyone about anything. Anyway, I grew up with horses, cows, dogs, cats, and a duck so animals were the reason I had in my heart.
i'm not sure i've had much of an influence on the people around me but i have gotten some of the people i'm closest to, to atleast try different things. i've gotten my parents to try whole wheat pasta, i've gotten my dad to actually like homemade whole wheat bread, my boyfriend has told me that he likes when i cook for him, because he knows it'll be healthy for him. he will never ever stop being an omni, and he still gives me a hard time about choosing not to eat meat since he likes it so much, but thats his choice.
I am a college student, and The Vegetarian Challenge is being run by a club I am in for animal welfare. I am sure it could be adapted to any school or community environment, regardless of the number of people. Even if you influence five people to reduce their meat intake, that makes a great difference when you consider the numbers. I will let you know how the event goes once it wraps up at the end of next week.
I get a bit uncomfortable thinking about this, as I find a couple of my friends have tried to reduce their meat intake (or make it seem so) in an effort to fit in/please, rather than to benefit themselves.
I just think they're too nutritionaly and culinary unknowledgeable to stick to it (I could of course be wrong) and unwilling to say no when the only lunch provided at an event is bacon and eggs in bread (like today, *sigh*). I have no problem with that, I haven't asked them to change, I just don't want them to feel like they're obliged to follow (or pretend to) in my footsteps and resent me for it, expect my damnnation for their love of meat.
My boyfriend suprised me today, "I'm going to try being vegetarian for a week"... umm.. okay.. lol
But it is truly amazing how many people I've talked to who have openly admitted they'd like to be vegetarian but can't handle the lack of energy, the most suprising person to say so- my dad who eats about 1/2 a kilo of kangaroo meat a day! Falafel to the rescue!!! haha!
It's great to share delicious home-cooked meals and introduce new tastes like soy-chocolate to my friends and family.. Food doesn't seem to last long here anymore and we seem to have guests around dinner time increasingly more each day ::) hmm.. time to start charging for dinner? lol
I'm happy to be a positive influence if someone desires to change their lifestyle.. But how to communicate with them that it's an option, not an expectation, that is the question..
Sorry, going on a ramble .. AgAiN! lol
I never bring it up. If someone asks, I'll talk about it.
Three times in the past I've had co-workers approach me about my diet. Turns out each of them had someone in their family who was told to radically change their diet & they were looking for suggestions & help. I always point them to the VegWeb recipe secion & tell them that Vegenaise is the best mayo on the planet. ;)
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