I loved reading this! I used to be called in certain circles a "bad hunter" as many folks referred to vegetarians as... This never offended me, and I honestly have a lot more understanding of the situation now that I'm grounding food production.

I often tried to avoid the veganism conversation altogether if there wasn't overt interest, but it can be tough to make a life choice known without going into discussion. That's great you had an early introduction to the healthy vegetarian choices.

"Most people also struggle with empathy - they don't stop to put themselves in other people's shoes and wonder what it might be like for them." I couldn't agree more. On both sides of the discussion this is true. I've heard ppl say that no one should eat meat, or that you can't survive without meat. In too many conversations, it's not about understanding so much as it is about righteousness.

Nowadays I tend to look to the distant past for eating advice. Eat what's around you and don't be picky. Yesterday I ate a raccoon I salvaged from the road and was amazed at how delicious and tender it was. What used to be common fare across this continent is now looked down upon and seen and gross. Food is life that comes in many forms and it's all too common that we create a toxic environment through close-minded views on food.

Thanks for sharing.

-ini