In the famous “Lisa the Vegetarian” episode of the Simpsons, Homer, Bart, and Marge congregated around their living room chanting this little ditty: "You Can't Win Friends with Salad!", upon Lisa’s protest of Homer’s upcoming “BBBQ." *

Well, Simpson family, I’m here to tell you that you can indeed win friends, kids, and aunts with salad! In honor of National Hug a Vegetarian Day on September 26, which kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month in October, all of us Savvy Veggie Aunties can join together in herbivorous camaraderie. The 26th will also mark two years since I made the decision to give up eating meat. For me, the decision was a personal challenge just to see if I could do it. I thought I’d try it for a week, then two weeks, then a month. Before I knew it, I saw no reason to go back. I physically felt better. I found myself making healthier food choices overall. I even started delving into cuisines and foods that I never would have even considered before! There was one catch, however: I was a closet vegetarian in regards to my niece and nephew.  

As young, impressionable children who can already be somewhat picky eaters, I didn’t want my Auntie influence to extend into that aspect of their lives. I didn’t want to sway them away from the meat portion of their diets for fear that they’d begin to lack vital nutrition. Sure, I knew how to incorporate necessary protein and iron into my diet the meatless way, but I couldn’t see a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old going to town on tofu and kale the way I’ve been known to do. Instead, when they’d offer me bites of their chicken or meatballs, I’d feign an “Aunt Bree’s belly is full,” and that was that.

Eventually, I decided this was silly. I started enlightening them upon their generous offerings to share, that I don’t eat meat, but they should continue eating it because it is healthy for them. I explained that, instead of meat, I eat other healthy foods that come from plants. I don’t want to scare them with graphic tales of the meat industry that has led many vegetarians to their present lifestyles, so I present vegetarianism as an alternate option that everyone has. If they are nearby while I’m enjoying some mycoprotein nuggets or quinoa chili, I always offer them a bite so they may experience some new foods and broaden their nutritional horizons, whether they choose to follow in my gastronomic footsteps or not.

Even if you don’t lean toward a meatless lifestyle, but find yourself with an herbivore for a niece or nephew, it’s important to be supportive of their choice, regardless of the reasons behind it. Undoubtedly, the moment they let people in on the fact that they’re opting for a meatless lifestyle, they will face a barrage of inane questioning and unhelpful comments ranging from “If you can’t eat meat, what can you eat!?” to the always fun, “BUT BACON!” I assure you, they will appreciate not being hounded about it. Instead, small gestures such as taking them to a restaurant that has an abundance of veg-friendly options or ensuring that there is a special meat-free dish for them at a holiday gathering will give them that you are mindful and supportive of them. Similarly, you can find and cook new vegetarian recipes together. You might even find yourself catching on to the Meatless Monday movement yourself!

Regardless of what the Simpsons might think, salad really can bring people together! Don’t forget to hug the vegetarians in your life come the 26th!

*BBBQ is three B's, according to Homer Simpson

Photo: stockimages

Published: September 17, 2014