Comments on: “Is this vegan?”

By: Mei

Mei — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:42:31 +0000

Cute! I was brought up a vegetarian (dairy-no eggs) and I remember not being able to eat the chocolate cake at a birthday party when I was in preschool. I asked my mom and she said no-there are eggs. I wasn’t at all upset although I remember my vegetarian friend (our parents were both Hare Krishnas) screaming until his mother relented. I’m 24 and I have never thought about eating meat nor eggs (although I will eat cake with eggs sometimes-don’t tell my mom!) and I am going vegan. So your daughter doesn’t have to be rebellious!
Sara, my younger brother was raised just like me and he now eats animals without qualms. His excuse is that he is lazy and doesn’t care enough. I still have hope that he will get older and wiser though!

By: veganf

veganf — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:05:14 +0000

T.L. – I disagree. It is not always more expensive to eat a vegan diet, though if you rely on assistance then it may be more difficult. We usually qualify for state assistance and WIC (our income varies greatly being self-employed), though we choose not to use it as most of the hand-outs are dairy….though there are also beans, peanut butter, vegetables, and farmer’s market coupons, so many vegetarians do quite well with this.
We just set healthy food as a priority…there are many “luxuries” that many Americans consider necessities that could easily be done without in favour of a healthy diet.

By: veganf

veganf — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:58:30 +0000

My children have all surprised me in this way too. I never thought my 2nd son would ever “get it”, but turns out he was just quiet about it, and when not in my presence always asked if food was vegan before accepting it (it’s not just veganism…he won’t read out loud at home either, but he’s apparently reading at the next grade level at school, this is just the way he is). My oldest has always been very vocal about veganism (plastering anti-meat drawings on our windows for passers-by around Thanksgiving).
Just recently my 3 1/2yo started asking me if certain things were vegan. He hears his brothers asking often, so I think to him it’s the thing to do!
Hooray for your daughter!

By: Lazurii

Lazurii — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:03:00 +0000

I always love your updates on your daughter. It’s always such a great inspiration to me. My son just tuned two a few weeks ago and it amazes me how much he understands. If he wants to eat something that’s not vegan I’ll say, “I’m sorry honey, that has milk in it,” or “That’s meat and we don’t eat animals.” He’s happy to move along to something he can enjoy. I know it helps to have similar food on hand, such as our homemade tomato soup that he loves, when one of his friends is having the same thing.

By: vegbooks

vegbooks — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:59:51 +0000

My daughter would love yours! She’s 4 and vegan too — and apparently she’s quietly starting a revolution among her fellow preschoolers with her simple ethical explanations (e.g., “We don’t drink cow’s milk because cow’s milk belongs to baby cows and stealing is wrong.”). But her activism isn’t limited to her peers. My favorite exchange: We were visiting my parents last summer and she asked my dad, “Papa, why am I vegan?” “Because you love animals,” he answered. Her reply? “Don’t you?”

By: T.L.

T.L. — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:53:40 +0000

Wow! This is a great story. I work with children from many walks of life, and as much as caring for animals is great, some families can not afford to offer their children vegan lifestyles. For many U.S families, milk, yogurt and cheese are readily available and affordable in their neighborhood, while dairy alternatives are triple the price and scarce. Many families may also come from countries where meat is considered a luxury, so living in the U.S., where fresh meat is available, is seen as a sign of prosperity. As a vegetarian who is fortunate enough to have an income that allows me to live a certain way, I invite all to consider those who may not be able to, but who would benefit from it.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:43:47 +0000

Wow, this is so inspiring! I still don’t know if I will have kids someday, but if I ever do, my family would definitely be vegan. I never thought I was one to underestimate how perceptive small children are, but I was still surprised that a 3-year-old would ask if baked goods were vegan before eating them! This is wonderful.

By: cvc

cvc — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:00:36 +0000

I loved this post. Our son is the same age and has been very good about asking if food is vegan for quite some time now. Like Rasine, if he’s told it’s not vegan, he just moves on (and he occasionally blurts out “we don’t eat animals” at the lunch table at his preschool). After trick-or-treating this year, he sorted his candy with gusto and we traded non-vegan candies for vegan faves with his cousins and best friend…and then he promptly forgot about his candy stash!

Three cheers for bright little tots! I agree, they’re so much smarter than many give them credit for!

By: Lana Holmes

Lana Holmes — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:10:28 +0000

Loved it and sent on to mom-to-be – i too reacted to the “laughter” comment and hoped it wasn’t in front of her.

By: nancie sailor

nancie sailor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:49:14 +0000

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT RASINE. I HAD A SMILE ON MY FACE DURING MY WHOLE READING AND IT GAVE ME SUCH A WARM FEELING OF A LITTLE GIRL EXPRESSING HERSELF SO WELL! TAKE PRIDE PARENTS IN THE WAY YOU ARE RAISING RACINE!

By: Ivy

Ivy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:01:26 +0000

What an adorable little girl you have there! You should be proud! I’m looking forward to hearing more wonderful stories about Rasine.

By: Lacey

Lacey — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:31:58 +0000

How great! Just one note- I hope everyone didn’t laugh at the tiny activist in front of her! I can remember family laughing at my proud opinions when I was that young… twenty-five years later, I still have difficulty speaking up, because I am afraid I’ll be laughed at!

By: Matt Ball

Matt Ball — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:29:11 +0000

I agree with Bea — I wouldn’t bet on a rebellion. Our lifelong vegan daughter is 15, and has given absolutely no indication of being anything other than a proud vegan.
Also might be of interest:
http://veganhealth.org/articles/realveganchildren

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:30:29 +0000

What a wonderful, uplifting post! It’s so refreshing to read about (and know) parents who are teaching and setting an example of compassion and respect for animals. And it’s gladdens my heart – but doesn’t surprise me – to know that their children get it.

I think, with dismay and sadness, about the children who adorn their walls with animal pictures and have favorite stuffed animals, but are lied to by their parents about where meat, dairy, and eggs come from so that they unwittingly inflict suffering and death on the real animals whom their toys and pictures represent. To what degree do the parents lie to their kids to hide their own violent lifestyles?

Thank you for breaking the cycle of violence and instead cultivating Rasine’s innate compassion and goodness!

By: links for 2009-11-12

links for 2009-11-12 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:02:59 +0000

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