"When people ask me why I moved out to California I simply respond "because I wanted to." I've learned that there's a small subset of socially acceptable reasons for moving across the country - family, job, business opportunity - and "because I want to" is not included in that set. It just showed me how rare it is to live intentionally, but how powerful it is once you let go of the "right reasons" and follow your own path" - …

Related to yesterdays post, Plant-Based Meals for Meat Eaters, I wanted to address another common question: How to get your partner, or parent, or child -- or best friend, on board with a plant-based (vegan) diet.

In my experiences, I've had 0 converts when I pushed or tried preach to someone why they should adopt a plant-based (vegan) diet. 

I'm of the persuasion you can lead the horse to water but you cannot make him drink.

So how, then, …

This same question kept popping up on Happy Herbivore this week. 

First Diane asked, "I make dishes for myself separate from my family, unless it's your muffins or cakes, which they eat. I was wondering if you have any tips on how to make my family eat the same as me without them feeling like they are giving up something and resenting me for it?"

Then Ember asked, "Any tips on cooking meals for a non veg husband without …

To sort of piggy back on my earlier post about dealing with negativity, this post is for Dave, who left this comment on the blog:

Dave said: "Please write a blog about how everyone treats us "Happy Herbivores" like we are freaks or something that don't like food."

Let me start by saying, I am guilty of sometimes forgetting what I was like as an omnivore. I've only eaten a plant-based (vegan) diet for 5 years. Five years ago I …

This comment was left on HH's Facebook wall the other day, and I felt inspired and motivated to talk about it (again). To put it in in context, we were talking about the terrific documentary, Forks Over Knives, which I can't recommend enough. 

Robert said: Now we need a film that teaches us how to withstand the negativity from our friends and family over our plant-based diet. Not just negativity, but real hostility. Why would someone get angry over …