“World Peace begins in the kitchen.” -Anonymous

Share the vegan message gently - inspire others with your actions and presence rather than coercing them with your words. In general, people prefer to be touched and attracted toward change rather than pushed or moved toward it. You, being a demonstration of the happier, healthier life that arises from enjoying a plant-based diet and lifestyle, may be the magnet that draws out others' interest in enjoying the same. Coercion and pressure may, on the other hand, demonstrate a bitterness and anger that is not attractive. Who, after all, wants to make major life changes to end up feeling bitter and angry with the rest of the world?

Those of us that have not yet made opportunity to enjoy a vegan lifestyle likely have negative experience enough to be motivation to be open to alternatives. Not feeling well, being tired, being overweight, a growing awareness of the harm caused by the meat industry all can be symptoms of an animal product based lifestyle and all can be motivators to want something different. In such a case, it may be that it is a demonstration of the alternative is missing.

Here are some positive actions that you can enjoy and that help demonstrate the ease and joy of a vegan lifestyle:

• Eat out with friends and show how easy it is to order plant-based food. Make friends with your waitperson, share with them your food choices, ask for the help in ordering. I find that some friends are fearful of being embarrassed by needing to make a special order when out to eat. They chose from the menu because they don't want to ask about their options. By introducing yourself to your server and politely asking for assistance your company will see how easy it is to order plant-based food nearly everywhere and that there is no reason to feel stress over how people will react to their desires.
• Invite friends over for a plant-based meal. A great way to show off your cooking skills and the incredible variety of nutrition-rich, fiber dense and flavor intense plant-based foods there are. A "small plate" buffet works well - it can features several different flavors and textures and people can chose what they like. Encourage them to experiment!
• Share positive internet content about living a vegan lifestyle . Know a friend with a particular medical concern? Find content regarding how plant-based nutrition may help them heal. Nutritionfacts.org offers 1000s of videos of science-based evidence supporting the health-promoting benefits of vegan eating, and they are presented in a friendly, no sensationalism way. Athletes that you know may be especially interested in stories about top-level and professional athletes who eat plant-based nutrition.

The vegan lifestyle is about taking care of yourself and the world you share. It focuses on kindness to others, health and joyfulness - haranguing others, criticizing and insulting do not align well with that focus. Sharing, demonstrating and encouraging are better ambassadors.