I have enjoyed a plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle for years and frankly, I have encountered no “social backlash” of which to speak. To the contrary, many of the Good Folks that I meet and with whom I associate express a degree of curiosity and admiration.

I do recall an occasion many years ago while enjoying lunch with Beautiful Wife’s Grandmother, Esther. Prior to the meal, Esther was unaware that I did not eat meat and accordingly served meatloaf. When the meatloaf serving plate was passed to me I politely passed it on to the next person at the table. Esther caught the plate being passed without me taking a serving and asked: “Don’t you like meatloaf Jim?”. With a slight bit of hesitation for being unsure of her reaction to my nutritional choices, Beautiful Wife shared “he does not eat meat”. Esther looked down at her plate while we all awaited her reaction and after a long pause said: “think of all the cows that will go to waste”. That was the end of it - and that was the most negative response I have encountered in some 20 plus years of plant-based eating.

That being said, I am certain that others have encountered more impact-full social circumstances as responses to their choice to enjoy a vegan lifestyle.

I would most respectfully offer that a true commitment to the factors that lead to the consideration of a vegan lifestyle will arise with many positive benefits that will more than compensate for any negative circumstances that may be encountered.

Veganism, in my humble opinion, is about living a healthier, happier, more-kind life and that includes a lighter, less-stressed, more joyful attitude toward the world we share. Immersed in that way of being, you will be equipped to easily smile through any social backlash that you encounter.