How I talked my husband into taking a vegan challenge

Last week I sent this text to my husband.

21-day challenge text

I was in Washington, DC for the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine (PCRM) Food for Life instructor training. (And I’m delighted to announce that I am now a certified instructor!) The training was robust and I learned an incredible amount of solid nutrition information.

It was during the discussion on cancer that I sent the text to Dave.

See, Dave isn’t vegan or vegetarian. I wrote about it here and provided a video update here when he decided to be vegetarian at home. People have asked for years – sometimes quite snarky, actually –

….how can you live with a non-vegan? (Because I love him. Because neither of us were vegan when we met. Because before I was vegan I was not. Because.)

 …how come you haven’t converted him? (Because no one “converted” me. Oh, and it’s not a cult)

I had personal moments in my veg-journey leading me to identify as vegan. I met and ate a goat in Kenya over 13 years ago, which led me to vegetarianism. Four years ago I went vegan and within that first year I met goats and other farmed animals who made it to sanctuary and listened to animal rights podcasts, both of which sealed the deal for me to do my best to be vegan for life. These were my experiences.

Therefore my approach with my husband has been to simply live my vegan life and hope that along the way he would follow a similar path. I’ve taken him to PETA events and as a result he has reduced the amount of meat he consumes and the kinds of clothes he wears (I often say he’s the most ethical non-vegan I know). He also coaches several vegetarian and vegan athletes and provides them veg meal plans to support their training. For the past year he has described his diet as mostly vegetarian and that’s a big step forward.

I’ve been patiently waiting for him to have his moment and last week, during the cancer presentation at PCRM, I felt like I had his moment for him. Listen, I know that there are no food guarantees. Meaning some people sell veganism as a fool-proof way to lose weight (maybe you will, maybe you won’t) or that you’ll live to the ripe old age of 100 years or beyond and look young and gorgeous (um, maybe?), or that you’ll be disease-proof (diseases don’t work that way). I don’t believe in those type of guarantees. I do, however believe in doing whatever one can to live healthfully to try to avoid and prevent chronic illnesses and diseases.

I learned last week that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will get cancer. And current research indicates following a plant-based diet could decrease the chances of getting cancer (or diabetes, or other health-related illnesses). I’ve known this, of course. Hello, one of my dearest friends – and co-author of Vegan for HerGinny has been writing about this for years. But it hit home when I turned those statistics into people. A person. Dave has a 50% chance of getting cancer – just like any other man – and by changing his diet might reduce his risk.

The next day, as training was wrapping up, I followed up with another text to Dave.

21-day challenge text 2

Dave is on day six of the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart.

We’ve been eating amazing food and cooking much of it together.

yummy vegan meals

Obviously my hope is that after completing this vegan challenge Dave will grow closer to going vegan (or plant-based). But maybe, just maybe, the next step is that he will be “mostly vegan.” Anything getting him closer to eating more plants and fewer animals and their byproducts is a win, as far as I’m concerned. For him, for the animals, for me.

He just walked into the dining room with a piece of avocado toast. Score!

20 thoughts on “How I talked my husband into taking a vegan challenge”

  1. I LOVE that he’s “David” in your phone. Makes it sound like he’s in trouble 😉 And I’m really glad that he’s doing this! I’m like you in that I don’t think it’s a guarantee, but I truly believe it helps your odds A LOT. Go Dave(id)!

  2. fantastic!! I laughed out loud at the “crank text” ha!

    I recently attended the Engine 2 Retreat (no, still using coconut oil 😉 ), and came home with Rip’s two books and pages and pages of notes from the docs. Jason read half of one book that evening. Jason has been vegan at home for some time now, and even choosing vegan / vegetarian when we are out – simply from hearing about decrease of disease, probably similar info as you heard.

    I look forward to hearing how this goes! XO

  3. Yay! Good for Dave. I never forget how lucky I am that my husband went vegan with me. He just went to the doctor yesterday and the doctor was impressed!

  4. I’ve been vegan 2 1/2 years. This past January hubs told me he wanted to “try staying vegan” all the time instead of just at home. He’s lost 35 pounds and is committed to this way of eating!

  5. I’m happy to gift him a subscription to The 30-Day Vegan Challenge! Just say the word! (Sorry for the double post.)

  6. Is it okay to admit that I teared up reading this? As vegans living with omnivores in our life, we have to use cognitive dissonance, as well. Only, we pretty much are well aware of the ickiness of “the thing”. (Like when we feed our carnivore non-human companions.) Good on you for asking him to try. Good on him for trying. Here’s to hoping for a longterm commitment.

  7. I’m thrilled Dave’s trying the challenge! I hope he’s liking it so far. But, just like running your first 5K or first triathlon, it is a challenge. For some, it is easier than others.

  8. I’m also married to a non-vegetarian. I think he really hates the labels. He’ll try to soften the news to new people by saying that I’m “not that kind of vegan.” Yes I am THAT kind of VEGAN, but I don’t care what we call it, let’s just eat some avocados;)

  9. This is so awesome, JL!!!! I think you, and Dave, both handle yourselves beautifully and work together so well!! My hubby hasn’t had his own vegan awakening, yet, but I know it’s always possible that he will, when he’s ready. I loved reading your post, and it made me really happy. xo

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