Hello. I'm Marly. I'm a vegan. For any members of my family who may be reading this post, it's pronounced VEE-ghun. I have had several people (yes, in my family, but others too) who've asked me what the heck that means. Here's the short and simple answer: it means I do my best to eat food that does not include any type of animal products. I also do my best to avoid purchasing things (like purses) that are made of animal products.
It's nearly impossible to avoid all animal products. The book Vegan Freak points out how animal products are even in automobile tires and I don't plan to give up driving my car any time soon. Rather, I try to aim for a more middle-of-the-road approach to my vegan life.
That's an interesting statement. Vegan and middle-of-the-road are not often two descriptors that you see in the same sentence. Just on face value alone vegans are outliers. It's a way of life for me, so I don't think about it...until I meet someone who has no idea what a vegan is. I get the same blank stare as I describe my vegan life to virgin ears. The conversation usually goes something like this:
"You don't eat any meat?"
"No, I don't eat meat."
"Not even chicken?"
"No, I don't eat chicken."
"Fish?"
"No. No fish. Nothing with a face."
"Whoa. And you don't drink milk?"
"That's right."
"Ice cream?"
"Nope. No ice cream."
"Eggs?"
"Sorry, no, I don't eat eggs either."
"Whoa. That's so strange. What DO you eat?"
Usually there's some exchange here about nuts and twigs. I do eat almonds, cashews and other various nuts. And I drink kukicha twig tea.
We live in Kansas City, Missouri, the heart of beef country. BBQ is king. Steak houses are on every corner (almost). There are some restaurants where you can't even order a vegetable side order without some kind of meat in it.
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Article comments
1 - David G.
Nice post Marly. Im glad you found that a vegan life works well for you too! :-)
2 - Patricia Buchanan
My response to people who ask 'what do you eat????' is 'EVERYTHING ELSE!"
3 - Marly
David - thanks for your comment. It's nice to meet other vegans.
Patricia - great response! There's no shortage of other things to eat!
4 - vegan greenhorn
respect!
5 - Marly
Right back atchya, VG!
6 - Jill
I so enjoyed reading your article. I live in the heart of Silicon Valley/Bay Area and so many friends are now vegan. In this part of the country, it is considered "normal" and many restaurants cater to those who are vegan, vegetarian, gluten free.....
Really, thank you for sharing!
7 - Marly
Hi Jill,
I'm so glad you liked it. You have SO many wonderful vegan restaurants in your area. I love going out that way. By the way, I'm in the heart of the midwest (KC) and we've got a couple of great vegan places to eat too. Let me know if you're ever out this way!
8 - Eric Hoyer
Very good Marly! Excellent post.