I used to avoid eating out.
I always spent way too much money on a boring salad that I could have made fantastic at home. There weren’t too many options for vegetarians or vegans. It was like the world hated us. True story. But lately I’ve noticed there has been a shift in attitude and acceptance. More and more restaurants are serving up options for plant-based eaters, not completely vegan in Red Deer but it’s a good start.
Last week a few of us from Eat Like You Give a Damn (Vegan Red Deer 2.0) met at OJs for pub night. I can count on one hand the number of vegan-friendly pubs in the city so it really doesn’t matter where we went. A cold bevvie and some hummus would be fine with me.
Imagine our surprise when we were given the option of a vegetarian menu. Don’t you love the Defeat the Meat title? Our wonderful waitress told us the cook could tweak just about everything on the menu to our vegan hearts desired, if possible. We were so impressed. I’ve been to so many places where the staff seemed put off when I asked for some tweaking. (Follow us on Twitter and use #vegdeer)
I decided on a spicy vegan noodle dish. Allie and I shared some hummus with veggies before our main course. Sona enjoyed the vegetarian burger (top right). Full bellies all around! Our waitress told us we simply have to ask for the menu. It makes me wonder if other places in the city have secret vegetarian/vegan menus.
It also solidifies in my mind that 2016 is the perfect time to adopt a vegan lifestyle. There’s so much support and information out there for people who are willing to take that first step – changing what is on your plate. It’s not as challenging as many people assume. I have talked about this so many times on my blog. But I think I have to keep saying it because I keep hearing the same arguments and asked the same questions. Yes it can be frustrating but I believe it is important to answer honestly every time.
Veganism starts in the mind. I don’t feel deprived because I can’t eat eggs or drink cow’s milk. It is my choice rooted in my values and beliefs. It’s like anything, if you are fully committed to a decision, you will not waiver.
I can’t overestimate the importance of having a support system or like-minded individuals in your corner. Thanks to the Internet it is so much easier to meet people who share the same values and beliefs. Sometimes it’s tough to speak out about your beliefs especially when you live in a place where there is tons of backlash. (Alberta beef, anyone?)
Red Deer doesn’t have a huge vegan or vegetarian community (that I am aware of). I can count on my two hands the people I know who live an ethical vegan lifestyle. I am hoping our new FB group will encourage others to be open to hearing the vegan message and to do their own research to become informed about the choices they make every single day.
Oh and grow your own food.