My meat eating family
We are having dinner with my husbands family on Sunday, they were here today along with my husbands Aunt and I made them a beutiful lunch(upside down veggie casserole, cole slaw,muffins, cookies, and the peaches I canned this summer) and Im gently trying to put my feelers out there as to what is going to be served, so I can know if we are going to have anything to eat or if I can bring anything.
They do not understand we don't eat meat, no matter how much I say it! My aunt says she is making this gorgous salad Blah Blah and then says she is putting bacon in it becouse it will be just a little bit and I say, just put the bacon on the side and those that want it can put it on and she acts like a little bit of bacon can't hurt you. Then up mother-in-law pipes up about how I would rather she didn't take my 7 y.o. to Mcdonalds for chicken nuggets but if she makes them in her oven it will be ok. I say again Mom we don't eat meat, not even a little bit, that is our choice. My Aunt says, "but couldn't you just have a little chicken" Again I explain that we can eat anything we want but we choose not to eat meat. Then they pout like we are so deprived, when they are all stuffed from lunch! AND guess what is on the menu on Sunday? Pork Roast, baked beans with meat sauce, mexican casserole, probably with hamburger. Im so frustrated, I want to cry. My daughter just left with them for the rest of spring break and Im just so upset with the whole thing, I don't know what to do.
I'm sorry about your situation. It's frustrating when people who are close to you and should respect your wishes, don't. Maybe your daughter staying with them for and extended period will open their eyes, because instead of it being just "one meal with a little bacon won't hurt you," it will be multiple meals that they will have to provide for her. Maybe after they see your daughter is only picking at the side dishes of a couple of meals, and then going off to eat something else, they will wise up. As for this dinner coming up, I see no problem with you bringing your own food. You've expressed your views to them, they refuse to provide you with a suitable meal, so you have to provide your own.
How long has your daughter and family been veg*n? If she's been veg*n most of her life and she eats a heavy meaty meal, it may make her very sick. I hope not but don't be surprised if you get a phone call saying come get her. They probably won't admit to what made her sick. >:( My DH is only semi-veg (he eats meat when he eats out) and he has to be careful because he'll get sick if he eats too much meat! After a while your body doesn't handle the overload of protein and fat so well (from my observations). Can you blame it, it likes to be fed healthy foods and meat is not a healthy food! (Of course.)
I'm sorry you're going through that with them. That is awfully disrespectful. My mom used to try to con me w/the "it's only a little" line too.
Thanks everyone for your nice replies and advice. We have been vegetarians totally since November 2007. I hope she doesn't get sick,
but I don't think she will eat any meat even though she is only 7, we name our food and she says she will not eat "Bessie" HA! (cow) I know my husband did that same thing though after months of pure eating and then at a restaurant he ate some fish and suffered for 2 days! Not fun!