Been veggie for almost two years now and so far it's been running smoothly. Unfortunatly I've recently hit on a problem and could use a little wisdom. My Grandparents, as part of their assumed duties, buy my brother and I chocolate or some form of confectionery. Now I'm not utterly adverse to that, but am trying to cut down my dairy intake. So asked if they could stop buying me chocolate. So now they buy me various other forms confectionery. Problem is they usually contain at best dairy products, at worst gelatine, concheal, shellac or God knows what else. (am growing to dread what should be a treat) Really have no idea where to go from here. Ideally I'd like them just to quit altogether and spare the agro. They probably won't though, or at least I should propose an alternative. The negotations will probably be conducted through my Dad, but he's the least of the problem. At least I can give the points and he'll phrase them in a way that gets through. So please any advice on explaining vegetarianism [in detail] to small minded 80 somethings who don't really listen? Or just some wisdom in general? Many thanks
Don't even try. Just tell them you have a serious eating disorder and purchasing sugary foods is encouraging you to binge. Tell them rice cakes are good because they help to fill you up without calory-guilt
Rather than think in terms of what *not* to buy, why not suggest some specific things that you do find acceptable?
if it was me, i'd go out and find some kind of treat that has nothing objectionable in it and just start RAVING about how much i love them, and how i'm obsessed with them because they're juuuust sooooo goood and i wouldn't shut up about it for a long time and then they might catch on that you really like this stuff and start buying that to try to make you happy. good luck!
wise words, my brothers and sisters. would dark chocolate work? warning, Special Dark is now dairy. seems the target market could not take non-dairy. Rapunzel is good. My sweetie always bought me Altoids...which have beef geletaine in them. I pointed this out to him, and now I get flowers or a packet of herb seeds..love basil!. much better.
you say your grandparents are 80-something? maybe they haven't quite gotten the hint because they simply dont understand the idea of being veg... my grandma is 83 and she's oblivious to what a vegetarian or vegan is. she keeps asking me to go to KFC with her and she doesn't understand why I keep declining her offer even though I've informed her countless times on why... if anything, just say thank you, accept the candy and don't eat it.
