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From:	vmae71 (cpe-204-210-112-15.hawaii.res.rr.com)
Subject:	Re: How do I get my non-vegetarian family to support my vegetarian lifestyle?
Date:	February 2, 2006 at 4:24 pm PST

In Reply to: How do I get my non-vegetarian family to support my vegetarian lifestyle? posted by Jamie on January 8, 2006 at 4:34 pm:

It sounds as though there are plenty of negative family dynamics possibly going on here; but I can't really tell from only one email.

Your family will not change overnight and you really can't expect them to. It is, unfortunately, you and your reaction to them that has to change. My father thinks my veg lifestyle is a bit weird and says some very mean things(mainly about how my daughter is going to be hurt by this). How do I deal? I had to tell him that food was off the conversation list. So far, so good.

How about bringing some of your greatest veg dishes to share at family meals/gatherings? This way there is always something for you to eat and something for them to discover. I wouldn't go really exotic on them right away; but what about a killer pasta sauce, bean dips and fresh veggies, etc.

Also are they put off by how you present the "can't kill animals" aspect of vegetarianism? I would try presenting health benefits and if anyone is showing more interest then discuss the moral and ethical aspects. Sometimes slow and easy gets through to family and friends, better than hard and heavy.

Good luck and just take it one day at a time.

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