Why and How to go Plant-Based (even when the rest of your family resists!)
“I want to go Plant-Based but no one else in my family is interested.” I think this is the number one complaint I hear from people who have symptoms and want to change their eating habits. These folks KNOW that it is imperative they change their diet, but can’t fathom trying to do it when no one else in the family is onboard.
It feels emotional. Stressful. And a huge undertaking to try and turn the ship towards Plant-Based when everyone else in the family still wants to eat burgers!
Here’s the thing that’s really important to remember: if someone isn’t symptomatic, then why would they want to change their lifestyle? It’s the discomfort of symptoms that alert us to the fact that we need to change something in our life. Symptoms or pain is the body’s way of saying: “HEY- we are NOT good, ok? Please figure this out so we can feel better!” Your body’s symptoms are a way of telling you that you need to assist your body in some way. Whether that is assistance is through a diet change, rest, more water, cleansing, supplementation, all of the above, or another measure that will guide you back into health.
Let me give you an example. My dad is 89 years old. For his whole life he has enjoyed meat, cheese, alcohol, strong coffee, and fatty foods. A salad is a garnish on my dad’s plate. He is not into salads. And he CERTAINLY isn’t into celery juice! He doesn’t even exercise! Yet my dad really has no serious health complaints. Sure, he’s on medications for cholesterol and a few other things, but his doctor says he is in “excellent health.” (Also, consider that my dad isn’t concerned with how the dairy and meat industries are hard on the health of our planet and water sources. Mostly because he wasn’t raised in a world where this was a huge issue!) So. Back to my question: Why would my dad want to change his diet if he has no impetus to do so?!
As for me on the other hand, a totally DIFFERENT human being, I HAD to change. I had migraines (sometimes lasting for weeks), energy loss, chronic acid reflux, digestive issues, insomnia and more. One day I realized (and confessed to myself) that never did a day go by when I didn’t feel at least mildly crappy in one way or the other. Western Medicine wasn’t working. So I chose to try a Plant-Based lifestyle. Within 3 months, almost all of my symptoms were gone. And in the next years, as I continued to detox, I not only became free of all the symptoms described above, I became increasingly interested in understanding the negative impact that animal products have on our planet. (By the way, the reason I had symptoms to begin with and my dad doesn’t is an interesting topic for another blog. We’ll get there another day.)
So- back to our original question: WHY should you go Plant-Based to heal your symptoms even if the rest of your family won’t? Because YOU are an individual. YOU are ready to make a change. YOU need to take care of you. YOU are important enough to go the extra step and your example can influence and educate your family and those around you in a positive way.
Some Tips for Eating Plant-Based When the Rest of the Family Won’t.
Make meals that are fully Plant-Based but have meat “on the side” for others. (This option would work great for me if my dad lived with me.)
Make small changes over time for the whole family. Use my Plant-Based shopping list to find YUMMY and healthy (not nasty-tasting and chemical filled!) replacements for cow milk, butter, yogurt, wheat pasta, ice cream and much more. (See below how to to get this list!)
Focus on re-creating your families favorite meals in a Plant-Based Way. There are sooo many awesome plant-based online recipe websites! A few of my faves are here and here.
Educate yourself and your family on why the meat and dairy industry are not only bad for our bodies, but hard on the planet!
Educate teens on how going plant-based helps clear skin and regulate hormones!
It does take some thought, drive and passion to turn the ship. But trust me it’s doable and the results are WORTH IT!