What's a Vegan?

       In 2007,  my son announced to me at the age of thirteen that he wanted to eat a vegetarian diet. I said OK. I walked into the grocery store with fresh eyes, looking for what I needed to buy, cook, and feed my young teenage son so he would be fed a nutritious, healthy diet. I was all set, good to go. I researched, and collected recipes. I really got into it, and enjoyed finding new ways to make new dishes. I love to cook and bake so everything worked out and to be honest with you, I figured this new vegetarian diet was just another phase and one that  would pass quickly. In 2008, my son then announced "mom, I want to eat a vegan diet." My immediate first question to him was "what's a vegan?" I basically had no idea. He explained in detail what a vegan is as well as why he was choosing this diet. My son also backed up EVERYTHING he was explaining to me with astonishing research. This kid had done his homework! He came prepared. 


       My initial reaction was fear, uncertainty, and his health. He was at a crucial stage where puberty and growth was about to take place! As a mom, I was worried. I went on to think that there was nothing left for him to eat! I also had so many worries and concerns. How was he going to grow properly? How would he get enough protein? How was I going to explain this to the rest of the family? The vegetarian diet was one thing, but now this?? I had to start from scratch all over again. But this time, when I walked into the grocery store, everything as I once knew it to be had briskly become foreign to me. I started spending many hours reading labels, learning new words for new ingredients, asking questions, and  researching everything I could find to learn how to navigate through this new vegan diet. 


       As I look back, I think there must be other parents out there who have had their children stun them as well. I have discovered that being a vegan is not just about diet. It is about a life style change. One that involves an ethical, humane way of living that shines a light on the earth and all who inhabit this planet. One that I respect. I embraced my son's ethical choice to live a vegan lifestyle, based on the respect and love I have for my son. I went on to learn and educate myself so that I could continue to raise a healthy, happy boy.