Pesco What?
Happy New Year!
Now down to business. We get too caught up in titles, names and descriptions. We allow the latest "experts" to guide all of what we do, without ever considering our individuality and needs.
Recently I posted a dish on Instagram that was met with question and comment. I labled the dish Pesco-Vegan, which is what I identify my dietary lifestyle to be. At that came a few public comments suggesting that there could be no such thing (the inbox comments were a bit more harsh calling my credentials and intellect into question). The fact of the matter is there are some that accept this particular version of veganism; the lines have blurred to accommodate the needs of others.
No matter your path to plant based eating and a healthier tomorrow, you have to remember to inject yourself as opposed to taking a cookie cutter road and trying to wedge yourself in. When people ask me about my dietary change the very first thing I tell them is that being Vegan is not for everyone. Anytime you take a step towards healthier eating you have entered into success. Allowing the idea that you have to be perfect is the biggest step towards failure that you can take. Be bold in your decision on who you will be and do not allow the narrative of another to dictate your new.
To the purists out there I implore you to allow people to progress naturally. It is ok to disagree, to educate others on what YOU do when asked or to put information out there. That being said it is never ok to condemn another for how they reach the finish line. We all choose how we eat for different reasons and the person it will affect the most is ourselves. Become help not hurt!
To all I say this, I spent 46 years of my life as a ravenous carnivore and now I spend my life on The Other Side Of The Fork....... Join me in my journey.
Chef Tomlin