 The other week I posted a picture of some farm-fresh eggs on my Instagram and Twitter accounts. I was then unfollowed by several vegans and vegan groups. I get it. I get that seeing a picture of eggs posted by an egg-eater can be offensive to some. And what I’m going to say could come off as equally offensive - actually, probably more so. But you’ll be better off for continuing reading because we have more to gain by collectively banding together than being separated because of our differences. Let's talk Humane and Eco Practices...With a few exceptions, vegans and vegetarians tend to see eye to eye on many animal welfare issues. Just like the widely held belief that it's not humane to abuse a pet, like a cat or a dog, vegans and vegetarians alike believe it’s not permissible to abuse other animals, including those customarily used in food production. The Egg Issue....One point where we differ is on the egg issue. I would argue that although an animal is customarily used in food production, even when many of those animals have been abused, it does not mean that all such animals have been or will be abused. I get my eggs supplied from chicken-loving friends. When at a loss for such friends, I seek out a conscious, humane chicken farmer. It’s not so easy to find these sources, so when I do, it’s like, holy shit, I’m going to...
There’s a difference between factory farmed eggs and eggs sourced from humane farms and households. I don’t think I need to go into details here because we all know bad things can get. But it’s easier to ask your local egg supplier what their chickens eat and how they provide them with medical care then it is to ask your quinoa dealer where your quinoa comes from and how the animal and human populations are truly affected by the land and water usage and the social and economic effects that exporting this product has on their local populations. Actually, the former is much easier, and amongst the local, farm-fresh egg scene, it’s widely practiced. Asking questions is a necessary part of conscious consumerism that vegetarians and vegans alike often engage in. Supporting sustainable farming practices (with poop and honey)...Growing vegetables requires fertile soil. Chickens poop. I’m going to support farms that utilize chicken poop over widely-used petrochemicals. I’m voting with my dollars. On a related topic, I also feel it necessary to disclose that I do eat honey. I know that bees in conventional farming have it bad. I’m not by any means condoning conventional bee farming practices. But honeybees are necessary pollinators in our food system. We need more of them. It’s expensive, but supporting local bee farmers is one way I help to propagate bee populations to… you know, help save the planet. I like animals. Including humans and polar bears. While I have reason to believe that if more people ate less animals the world would be a better place, I also know that our contemporary food system is complex, and no one of us has the best path figured out. Engaging in discussion and finding solutions within the bigger picture is important. Like, the-whole-world-depends-on-it, kind of important. To the vegans who unfriend non-vegans... (i.e. me)When you de-friend or unfollow someone whose belief system does not entirely match your own, you also cut yourself off from a lot. One thing you cut yourself off from is a potential ally. And in the case of vegan and vegetarians, we share more in common than we do not. While I choose to follow and friend veg eating people and businesses, I don’t shun the rest of the world. I won’t de-friend someone who posted a picture of bacon even though it is so far from my practices, belief system, or level of consciousness. No pigs would be saved by an unfriending. But an un-friending and an unfollow does often lead to a mutual unfollow. Which means that you’ve lost a listener, a potential convert. A “meat-eater” could read and be inspired by a meatless meatloaf recipe. Ideas are shared through the Internet. Advice is given. New neuropathways are forged by participating in this network. I follow both vegans and conscious bloggers and businesses to learn about #crueltyfree beauty, veg recipes and conscious practices. I believe that vegetarians, such as myself, and the “meat eaters,” as well, are better off for participating in the discussions. Here's a very important point I want to stress...Sharing your ideas, and findings, and solutions with diverse groups of people is progressive. But hoarding them within your group and shunning other ideas or practices is… cultish. If you truly wish to change the practice, you’ll take the time to figure out why people engage in it, and meet them at that level of understanding. Or you could just keep on preaching to your own choir and see how far that gets you. Ouch. We’re all on this planet together. Humans, chickens, cats, and polar bears. We all need to eat and we all got to get this figured out. The discussion board is open! I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and commentary!On Pinterest? Let's connect!
41 Comments
It is such a struggle to keep an open mind when dealing with those who's mindset is so different than your own. I think you articulated so well why we need to do so.
Lori
3/25/2016 07:30:14 pm
Amber, Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I don't have many gardening posts up (yet) on my blog but I will soon. I do share a lot on Instagram though (@ambertackles). One book I read recently that shares a lot of information about growing food organically, and they do it without mechanization, is The Market Gardener by Jean-Martin Fortier. Their farm supplies a CSA share to 200 families off of just 1.5 acres in Quebec Canada.
Lori
3/25/2016 08:14:38 pm
Amber, I'll have to check it out. I just got the rooftop guide to gardening :-)
Most definitely! We are planting almost an acre this year, everything from greens, to squash, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, peas, beets, potatoes, melons, pumpkins....everything. I'm growing some veggies that I have never even tried! 3/25/2016 03:05:29 pm
I love love love this and whole heartedly agree with you! And I love that you get your eggs from happy healthy chickens! I've been vegetarian for 27 years and vegan on and off for 2! We veg/vegans need to stick together for the greater good of the environment and the animals! Thanks for bringing up this really important topic!
Lori
3/25/2016 07:37:38 pm
Jenny, I agree with so much of this! Just because someone does not completely fit one's ideas of how one should eat does not mean they should be ignored or judged. They should be appreciative of any step toward their belief, even something as simple as meatless Mondays! It is reflective of everything else in life, would they treat people who root for a different football team the same way they treat non-vegans just because of a difference in opinion? Or people that follow different religions, or the same one but differently? Definitely a frustrating subject that gives many vegetarians/vegans a bad name.
Lori
3/25/2016 07:44:24 pm
Kim, Thank you for your thoughtful commentary :-) I cheer every time I see meatless Monday posts! It reminds me of a Ted Talk that advocates weekday vegetarianism. Such practices don't cause too much upset amongst deeply rooted habits and are likely to be integrated with ease. Yay! I love how you've put this in words! I myself am trying to cut back on my meat drastically. I do eat fish still and sometimes the occasional meat (although I dislike that more and more). I am afraid to come forward with this because I'm afraid to be called a fake, or to anger the vegetarians. But I shouldn't, since I am trying. I just cannot do it all overnight. I do follow lots of veggies and vegans on Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest. The recipes inspire me so much. It is truly valuable of keeping to share them with non-vegans and meat eaters. Especially meat eaters. I mean, if a fellow vegan tries out your recipe, you've just shared a recipe. But if a meat eater tries out your recipe, you've just saved an animal.
Lori
3/25/2016 08:06:04 pm
Wow, Tanya... Great points! And I appreciate your honesty!
I myself am a veggie not vegan and also run a cruelty free beauty website and I have to say that this group is also widely divided within itself - mainly on the vegan issue and whether companies are truly cf if they have a parent company that is not.
Lori
3/31/2016 09:58:48 pm
Hi Vivi, Thank you for the thoughtful comment! I'm going to have to jump over to your blog and join the conversation!
Lori
3/31/2016 10:08:15 pm
Vivi, Just found your blog and loved the CF news report on your round up! :-) Followed you on social! 💞 3/27/2016 09:50:10 pm
"I get it. I get that seeing a picture of eggs posted by an egg-eater can be offensive to some." - This...may be the best sentence I've ever read in a blog post. lol.
Lori
3/31/2016 10:16:11 pm
OMG. I LOVE that you love my humor! (Somebody really gets me!!!)
Lori
3/31/2016 10:24:21 pm
Thanks Sim! (I just friended you! ;-) 3/28/2016 10:24:25 am
This was a great post and I agree with your points about remaining friends with people whose views differ. We all have a different path and it's not my place to decide what other people should put on their plates. I wrote a similar post a while back, and made this point to my meat-loving friends: Though my opinions are vastly different, I am not silently judging you. I respect your right to make choices that suit you. Love is the absence of judgment. If I love animals and hate people, what is the point anyway?
Lori
3/31/2016 10:25:22 pm
Rica, You bring up a good point: people are animals, too, and in need of love and compassion! 💕 3/28/2016 10:45:36 am
As a social worker and pescatarian I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Removing ourselves from those with different views limits our ability for growth and our chances to educate others. I always have an issue with eggs specifically. I do not agree with factory farming of eggs but I have my own chickens and they are going to lay the eggs anyway so why not eat them?
Lori
3/31/2016 10:29:12 pm
Georgianna, You have your own chickens! How lovely! When I have my own home one day, I hope to have my own chickens! 🐣 I totally agree with you about having diverse friends! I keep loads of people on my Facebook that have VERY diverse opinions and POV different from my own so I can keep it real. Neuroscience illustrates that having new experiences and being confronted with new situations and people expands our intelligence. I, too, want a big brain! 😉
Really enjoyed this post! I'm totally with you on this issue. I don't want to be looked down on or "hated" on because I eat eggs. It's really just important to respect everyone's views and practices. If someone doesn't eat eggs, I'm not going to treat them disrespectfully because of that. Great post, very insightful!
Lori
3/31/2016 10:31:32 pm
Thank you for the comment, Cristina! :) I LOVED this post! I'm a meat eater, but I think this applies to all kinds of walks of life and how we should try to be open to other's points of views! Just because I eat meat doesn't mean that I can't appreciate vegetarianism and try recipes! It inspires me to rethink my food choices! 3/28/2016 12:30:18 pm
I'm sorry you experienced this! I wish people had more respect for others' choices. Your choices don't affect theirs in my humble opinion. Everyone has different views and that's what makes the world so diverse and wonderful. Keep up the good work!
Lori
3/31/2016 10:32:08 pm
Thank you, Amanda! 😊
Lori
3/31/2016 10:33:22 pm
Thank you! 👍 3/28/2016 10:41:10 pm
I understand what you mean. I eat (and post) lots of vegan/vegetarian friendly foods on Instagram because I have a sensitivity to dairy and try to eat many plant-based foods, but I also eat meat. I have lots of vegan/vegetarian friends on Instagram and have noticed some unfollows as well from some of the "vegan radicals." But you're right, it doesn't help when you're preaching to the choir. I've actually been very inspired by many of the vegan dishes I've seen and wouldn't have normally tried. That's why I prefer to follow a broad spectrum of people and not only folks in my own niche. Great post!
Lori
3/31/2016 10:36:57 pm
Thanks for the great comment! Loving your pics on Instagram, Joscelyn! 4/1/2016 09:41:46 am
Spot on! When you cut out people who has got a different opinion and belief its cutting off the chance to get to know them and understand them and for them to understand you. Peace. That is how you start peace by respecting people's belief. #pocolo 4/2/2016 04:12:10 am
This is a really thought-provoking post. I'd never considered that a picture of an egg might be considered offensive enough to unfollow someone over. I know we all have different ideas and feelings about what is acceptable but if we go round getting offended by it and cutting ourselves off, then where does that lead us? We become more and more insular. (I mean obviously there are some things that no right-minded person would want to be exposed to but leaving those things out...) No point preaching to the choir, as you say. Personally I don't eat meat because I don't want to eat animals but it would never occur to me to unfollow someone who posted a picture of some steak and chips. I guess we all have different places we draw the line though. Interesting! #pocolo I'm a meat eater (sorry!) as well as an egg eater, but we buy everything from a local farm where we can see the animals, know they're treated right and teach our daughter where food comes from. I also buy as much cruelty free stuff as possible. I agree with you, that learning how to deal with people who think very differently to you in a sensible way is an important life skill. If you only have friends who agree with you, it would be very dull. Hello, I hopped over from a FB group - to check this out. I AM a vegan and noticed that most people that commented are not. So perhaps this will be the first comment from an actual vegan. YAY! I tend to ramble, so no telling how long this will be until I hit publish. Okay... So the first question I have is that you actually eat eggs? This makes me wonder why you still consider yourself vegetarian. I believe the term Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian is the term, but that even seems weird to me. Vegetarian by definition says that you only eat vegetables, but I know many that still drink milk as well. (and no eggs are NOT dairy for those that are still confused). I have never un-friended someone that posted eggs and such. I am a vegan farmer and have chickens that supply eggs to my dogs, cats and non-vegan husband. So you will see photos occasionally of my beloved feathered friends who have free range among their friends, this does not mean that I eat the eggs myself. Nor would I unfriend someone for posting a photo of an egg or a pig for that matter. Now if someone had been putting up a front and saying they were vegan only to show themselves actually eating eggs or drinking cow's milk, I may question their identity, but still not a reason to unfriend them. I know many people that go back and forth. My husband will go weeks without eating meat, thinking himself as a vegan only to crave a shrimp taco or filet mignon and I still love him. On, to the next topic...I too agree that our world would be better off if fewer (not saying everyone, just fewer), people ate meat. I can say that I was intrigued by this post and would never hate someone for saying that they were vegetarian (even though they clearly are not ;) ), omnivore, paleo, pescatarian or carnivore. I still search recipe sights that are not vegan for meals to inspire our dinners and although we sub out many of the ingredients, I would be friends with the blog owner whether he/she were vegan or not. The majority of my extended family still enjoys their corned beef and cabbage, they still order their pepperoni pizza and still chow down on their rib-eyes. I sit at the same table with them and eat my avocado, lettuce and tomato sandwiches with homemade fries or black bean burger or good old spaghetti and marinara. We used to have discussions about how insane I was for no longer cooking a thanksgiving turkey, but after many years of realizing that it is not just a fad and that I do not intend on ever eating meat, they have learned to live with it. I am not sure why someone would 'un-friend' you, but they clearly do not GET you and therefore you are probably better off without them anyway. Carry on- O veg-head that eats-eggs. I for one thought your post was great. Do come check out one of mine. Pixel26.com or WhatVeganKidsEat.com :)
See I kind of go between both. While I'm vegan when I'm away from home, when I do go home I eat meat but like. I know where it's coming from and I live in a small town so I guess I'm lucky to have that whereas at school, I don't know where it's coming from and all that. I think it's important to just make up your own rules. Honestly it's your life. 4/7/2016 11:25:45 am
I'm a meat eater and like Kenzie buy meat from my local butcher who deals directly with his suppliers with whom he has a relationship. I don't buy meat in supermarkets because I don't know its provenance. We have an allotment so grow lots of veg but are no way self sufficent (or as much as I'd want to be) but even so I couldn't even contemplate of unfollowing someone because they thought differently to me. I just find that odd. Thanks for linking to #PoCoLo Leave a Reply. |
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