Mushroom Sandwiches and Silk NEW
By Courtney Denning, age 18
"I quickly scan an Applebee's menu hoping to find something new, an item I somehow missed or that was added since the last time we came here. I hurry through the appetizers and on to the sandwiches. Not even the salads are appetizing; they all have chicken in them. I sadly look at the desserts, all of them looking delicious and sinister at the same time with their vanilla scoops of ice cream. I close my menu with a sigh as the waitress returns with our drinks and gets ready to take our order. Eating out was much easier when I wasn't a vegetarian. .."
Dealing With Parents
An interview with a group of veg teens about their parents.
Stay Healthy Even if You're Parents Aren't Convinced
By Melanie Mobbs
"I wanted to become a vegetarian at age 12 but was forced to eat meat because of family pressure. At age 18 I finally became a vegetarian and even then faced lots of family resistance..."
Don't Push...Respect Others and be an Example
By Linda Evans
"I stopped eating animals when I was 13 (I'm 30 now), and
that was a little tough on my parents, worried
them a bit. Now my parents eat vegetarian 95 percent of the
time..."
Staying Strong
By Courtney Kelly, 14
"Would you like some roast beef, Courtney?" I cringed at my Grandmother's words. I was at their house for Christmas, and I had recently become a vegetarian..."
How to Deal With Criticism
By Shakira Croce, 14
"Whenever you are part of a minority, you will have to face criticism. Whether you receive adverse pressure from family, friends, or strangers, it is important to stay strong and focused and stand up for what you believe to be the truth..."
Worst Nightmare: Dealing with the Parental Units
By Ava Wolfberg, 16
"Have you tried to drill the fact that you are a vegetarian into your parent's brains, and still they don't get it? Some kids are lucky, their parents are vegetarians, and they cook vegetarian meals for them three times a day. But most of us aren't that lucky..."
Hang in There!
By Ingrid Newkirk
An excerpt from her book Kids Can Save the Animals: 101 Easy Things to do
Explaining Veganism to the Family
From Joanne Stepaniak's website
"I want to make the transition to become a vegan. For the past two years I have been following an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet at college. However, when my parents are around, I don't seem to have the guts to tell them how I really feel..."
Family Friction
From Joanne Stepaniak's website
"My mom and relatives are against my vegetarianism and concerns for animal rights. My mom does not take me seriously..."
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