Last month at Vida Vegan Con I had the pleasure of finally meeting Christa Shelton, the woman behind VEGGIN’ OUT WITH CHRISTA. We met in the ballroom– she asked “you’re JL?” and I asked “you’re Christa?” and we both said “I love your blog!” I am a huge fan of Christa’s work and was thrilled to see that she was on the positive blogging panel with other women that I admire so. During their presentation Christa talked about how important it was for her to have a positive message because she is trying to influence family and friends who may not normally embrace a vegan lifestyle. I asked her to write more about that in a guest post. She does so here, beautifully.
***
I became vegetarian in 2001 after a very candid conversation with my brother-in-law about eating meat. It was the first time I had thought about meat consumption so literally. I went on in my vegetarianism for years and soon became a full-fledged vegan going on six years ago. Once I adopted my new eating lifestyle, I remember cringing each time I was around family and someone would pronounce vee-gun as vay-gun. Okay, it still makes me cringe a little to think of it. Anyway, I had quite a bit of explaining to do and my own food to buy and prepare whenever I was visiting. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have a very supportive family, but no one was going to be learning to prepare vay-gun meals for me on my visits. After some years passed and they saw I was serious about my veganism, more questions seem to come my way about food choices and preparation. This soon turned into them sampling dishes and actually enjoying them!
For the most part, veganism was a little slow to catch on in the African-American community, but I do see that changing to a larger degree. The more information that is made available and the more people are reaching out in their own individual communities, the bigger difference we can make. It’s very evident that food choices and culture really go hand in hand. There are some dishes that are just inherent to particular cultures and animal products are often the centerpiece in many. I am very huge on educating and inspiring rather than being preachy as it pertains to veganism. I feel it’s paramount to meet people where they are. For example, restaurants like Soul Vegetarian, provide a very valuable service in my opinion. It shows people who may love the typical soul food fare that you can still enjoy those same flavors without meat or in some cases with delicious and healthful meat substitutions. Their eyes can then be opened to all the other delicious food that happens to be vegan to enjoy. To appeal to the masses, you have to show them what they can have versus what they can’t have and educate rather than condemn and judge. Now, there are some cases where people are more radical about meat-eating, so a more radical approach may be in order, but served up with a side of love and compassion is key to moving someone to expand their minds. I strive to live by example as it pertains to my vegan lifestyle. I try to always find different ways to reach my family and friends and beyond. One way is through my seven-day vegan challenge, I say you can do anything for seven days and veganism is a good place to start! It is my ultimate goal to educate inner city youth about healthful living and introduce them to the vegan lifestyle as a choice. I believe we all have a responsibility to bring veganism to the forefront in as many ways as we can, I began around my family dinner table and anyone else can do the same.
—Christa blogs about veganism at VEGGIN’ OUT WITH CHRISTA. She also writes a weekly article series at Thrifty & Green called “The Green Path” for those wanting to learn about being eco-friendly!
***
Christa, you are so inspiring! Since meeting you and hearing you at Vida Vegan Con, it’s really changed how I have conversations with non-vegans–including my husband! I have much to learn from your positive approach to living your life and embracing others exactly where they are. Thank you!
12 thoughts on “Guest Post from VEGGIN’ OUT WITH CHRISTA: “I feel it’s paramount to meet people where they are.””
Comments are closed.
Absolutely wonderful post! This is the way I strive to live my life, though I don’t think I do it quite as beautifully as Christa does it. Since going vegan I’ve gotten less preachy, actually, and I’m finding that my kids (who are not vegan) are eating more and more things happily since I’ve stopped demanding. My friends and co-workers are being introduced to lots of things they would never have thought of eating before and/or they are getting used to there being less meat at events. We hosted a party this weekend for some of my husband’s out of town relatives. When the matriarch asked her grown children what to bring they offered suggestions and she said “Those are not vegan! We’re going to THEIR house so I want to bring things THEY will enjoy!” They brought a lovely veggie tray and a lovely fruit tray. They were trying. Really trying, to understand and support me. That goes a long way.
Jen
Christa, That is a beautiful post and a beautiful attitude. I will try to remember it when faced with the comments and questions (and judgment) I get from family concerning my vegan eating.
JL, thanks for “introducing” Christa (at least to me) via this post.
What fantastic advice, I totally agree. My boyfriend isn’t willing to give up meat (yet…) but I can get him to eat delicious and nutritious vegan meals that he asks for again (green smoothies!). I think getting people on board with veganism is about proving that you don’t have to sacrifice taste. And I cringed when people stood in front of the vegan ice cream truck at a fair this weekend and said, head turned awkwardly, “Veh-gun?”
I’m new to the vegan-food scene and still feel a little timid when talking to others about meat and why I eat the way I do. I think I need to continue educating myself so that I have better answers to questions I get about not eating meat and dairy – and there still seem to be a lot. 🙂
I had to laugh when I read about the pronunciation – I’ve never heard that before. 🙂
Heather, I have found Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s podcasts really helpful (http://www.compassionatecooks.com/) Her calcium piece is excellent and has really equipped me to answer the dairy question. I also refer to Ginny Messina (http://www.theveganrd.com/) and her new book Vegan for Life and to Gena Hamshaw (http://www.choosingraw.com/).
Love it! Memphis is a majority African-American city, and we have a pretty thriving vegan African American population. There’s a man named Brother Franco, who is seen as a sort of vegan guru in the African American community here, and we have a great raw cafe, a vegan friendly soul food joint, and a vegan catering operation, all run by African American vegan leaders. It’s pretty awesome. Granted, both white and black populations here still have a ways to go with their addictions to pulled pork and fried chicken….but its great to see a small-but-diverse group of vegans paving the way for those still hooked on the SAD diet.
One of my husband’s big jokes is this: “Vee-gun, or vay-gun, as some like to call it . . .” and we both roll on the floor laughing. I can’t exactly explain why we both find this so funy, but we do. So the joke is cracked at least once a week in our house. Thanks Christa and JL!
Wonderful post, I really appreciate your attitude and needed that after such a tough few weeks. Thanks! 🙂
Wonderful post! I can relate to this because I’ve experienced the same hesitation from my own African-American family. I also don’t preach to them and have great success with just serving food that looks traditional and not going over ingredients until they finish. 🙂 Most of the time they like it and request recipes. 🙂 It’s a small transition but sure worth the excellent benefits.
I have to agree 98% with Christa. As an omnivore, I find it easier to try more vegan cuisine when I’m not beaten over the head with “what I should be eating”. I actually find myself in the interesting position of defending my vegan friends to my “flesh” eating friend and wising they would at least try something different. While I haven’t enjoyed all of the vegan dishes I’ve tried, there are some I really enjoy and even prefer to non vegan dishes. Just meet folks where they are and they will be more likely to listen and experiment. The reason I say I agree with Christa 98% is that if I agreed with her 100%, I’d be a vegan.
i love what christa has to say! totally agree…you gain way more interest when you approach others with compassion. encouraging rather than condemning (and thus discouraging) has been such a successful way for me to bring veganism to the friends/family in my life who may not have been so keen on it otherwise. props to you both for spreading ethical eating to the masses!