by roundcoconut » Wed Sep 21, 2016 10:54 am
Hmmm. All I can say to you, is that the main thing I would encourage you to start doing, is not argue over absolutes. If someone asks your opinion, give it to them, in a way that processes nicel for most people. And be the person in charge of your own behaviors, but not trying to control other people's behaviors.
So, in terms of not arguing over absolutes, here's what I mean -- if someone wants to say, "Cheese has lotsa good nutrients" or "Paris is the capital of England" then they're kinda baiting you into an argument over absolutes which you have no interest in engaging in.
I mean, you're not in the Debate Club, and you really don't have to present any arguments to anyone about the ultimate nutritional nature of cheese. You don't have to be an expert on cow hormones. You are off the hook.
If people want to know about your behaviors, you can say, "I like to give my daughter puréed peas BECAUSE ____" and "I buy a lot of rice and quinoa BECAUSE ____" and "I decided to eat plant foods BECAUSE _____". And if people are asking these out of genuine curiosity, then good. But if you sense that people are trying to trap you, or trying to put you in a position of having to defend yourself -- well then, these kind of people don't really deserve answers at all. Nice people do not corner you or attack you verbally, so please respond accordingly if someone you know proves they are not a nice person.
I'll tell you one other thing, which is that it's really to express your opinion of SAD foods in kinda non-threatening terms. So, I can say, "I'm not in love with dairy products" and "I'm not positive I love the idea of eating fish oils" or "I'm not so convinced that pop tarts are health foods" and "I'm not really that ecstatic about mainstream breakfast foods".
So, it's just really hard to argue with me if I phrase it that way. If I say, "I'm not totally convinced that pop tarts are health foods", you can follow up all you want, and all I really need to say, "I dunno why, I'm just NOT." And other people can BE convinced, because each person has free will and that's their right.
And then as far as behavior goes, please remember that YOU are the one who decides what you will buy, what you will do, and what you will cook. You don't owe anyone any explanations.
If you would like me to offer you my own personal WHYs of plant-based eating, so that you can borrow them until you have your own, I am happy to share. It can strengthen your intention to have a set of ideas as to WHY we do this, and WHAT our intentions are, because then other people can't undermine our intentions. Let me know if you need this, OK?
See if that helps you any!