One of our new friends here has a daughter that has recently gone vegetarian. They hosted a super bowl party, and I found myself churning my brain to come up with ‘football’ food that didn’t have meat in it. I finally settled on a ‘salad’ we make, most people call it ambrosia salad (although we don’t use coconut), basically it’s fruit and pudding and cool whip type of stuff all mixed together. Usually it lasts us a few days, or goes around a family dinner with some left. Seriously, the WHOLE bowl was gone. Guess I know what to take for parties in the future, hmm?
I swear, there is a point to this, something that requires actual thought, and here it is. I’m now certain that cloth diapering, and natural parenting has made me a more relaxed, but thoughtful and accepting person. I don’t think that I would have even given a thought to someone else’s child being a vegetarian, I would have just taken whatever and not worried about it. I probably would have thought it was odd, as well that the child was not eating meat and called it a fad and rolled my eyes. However, she is 14 and seems to be committed to it, and not just throwing a fit about something because she can (which would have been my initial reaction a few years ago).
Branching outside my small circle of friends, making new ones in a new place, with different experiences, and hearing about how similar (but different) my online friends are, is really an eye opening, and thought provoking process for me. I’m less judgmental, and a better person for it.
It’s great that you thought to accommodate her – we’ve been pleasantly surprised at how people are willing (mostly) to accommodate our food allergies. I agree that being in touch with other people’s experiences has made me more open-minded – in many ways. I still have a few high-horse issues!
When I was diagnosed with cancer – I read the book “The China Study” – about how meat protein contributes to cancer – a Vegetarian diet is actually better for you. (but I still eat meat)
I had a friend growing up who was a vegetarian. My mom asked her what kind of foods/snacks she liked and always made sure to have them when she came over.