I'm a bad mom!

[MrsKey]

:D

I picked dd up from school today and we were both thirsty but I didn't have any cash. McDonald's has an ATM from our bank inside so I wouldn't have to spend 2.00 in ATM fees - and well Coca-Cola is Coca-Cola no matter what else the restaurant serves.

So my daughter asked me if she could have chicken nuggets. We've both been going through a meat craving phase for some reason since going veg*n right after Thanksgiving.

So I let her. After all, I thought, it isn't about perfection but about the effort.

Well - we both had chicken nuggets. We both didn't like them. We both feel icky after eating them. We both felt guilty after eating them.

If nothing else at least this was a learning experience. Right?

[aspiringvegan]

Nearly the same thing happened to me when I was first going veg. Every time I ate something non-veg I felt horrible (not just mentally, but physically). It just served to remind me of the many reasons I chose to do this in the first place. You are not a bad mom (I get the feeling you know that). Everyone has slip ups, but the important thing is that your realize how much better you and your daughter feel on a veg*n diet. Don't beat yourself up. Guilt isn't any better for you than meat. Just take this opportunity to redouble your efforts at the veg life. It's worth it, you can do it, and I am sure everyone on this board will be glad to support you.

[sarahrose]

While I have to admit that I don't think it's the best message to send to your daughter (it's O.K to bend our morals, ect) it does seem as though you realize this and will not do it again. There are some really great vegan chicken nuggets out there-when you get a meat craving, just go buy a faux meat product! Gardenburger makes some riblets that are so realistic it's scary! In fact, I am passing a bunch out at my Meat Out event (march 20, this saturday!) to show meat eaters how yummy vegan food can be.

[Erin Pavlina]

The vegan police are on their way to your door as we speak. Don't try to run, don't try to hide. We've got you cornered. ;)

But seriously, try the faux meat products when you get those cravings. It should help a lot.

[MrsKey]

Originally posted by sarahrose
While I have to admit that I don't think it's the best message to send to your daughter (it's O.K to bend our morals, ect) it does seem as though you realize this and will not do it again.

I don't think I was telling her it is okay to "bend our morals" but that it is her choice to be vegetarian and that she can choose to or not to eat meat.

She is 8 years old and has chosen to be a vegetarian. I won't force her to eat veg - especially since my husband is an omnivore.

I was trying to reinforce the message I've been sharing with her since she decided to go veg. It isn't about perfection and one poor choice doesn't undo all the good choices she's made.

I am glad though that she and I both learned a couple of valuable lessons.

#1 - Meat tastes a lot better in our memories than in our mouths.

#2 - Even if it had tasted good it would not have been worth how it made us feel (both physically and emotionally).

[Erin Pavlina]

Years ago when I went from meat-eater to vegetarian on day 21 or something I had this really strong fish craving. I went out and got a filet-o-fish from McDonald's. Ate it. Loved it. Next day I went out and got a fish sandwich from Carl's Jr. Ate it, got sick. Suddenly realized how awful I felt and never strayed again. On the one hand, I hate to admit that I slipped. But on the other hand, it reinforced my decision to be vegetarian. It was 9 months later that I made the switch to vegan.

[mabelkitty]

This thread reminds me... has anyone read the book by Dr. Neal Barnard, "Breaking the Food Seduction"? I haven't yet, but I sure would like to. In the book, he explains that "cheese and meat have opiate effects, stimulating the release of chemicals within our brains' pleasure centers and keeping us hooked." Heck, it sure would explain why it took me so long to cut out the occasional dairy dessert or cheese sauce and just go vegan! :D

We heard Dr. John McDougall speak at last year's World Vegetarian Day event in San Francisco, and he mentioned the same kind of thing in his presentation.

It seems to make sense... how we all get these insane cravings for things we know we don't want to eat anymore.

And why do our downfalls seem to be at McDonald's or another fast food place?!:p Mine was at McD's -- chicken nuggets, as well. Before that time, during my first couple weeks of being a vegetarian, it was the seduction of a Jack in the Box taco...

[abigailsmomma]

To MrsKey

If it had to happen, it's great that the two of you were together. Great for your relationship, I mean. From your post, it sounds like you talked it over afterward. So now your daughter realizes that Mom can relate to how she's feeling (re cravings etc), and she'll probably be less likely to try something like sneaking meat behind your back down the road.

Just my $.02

[dal]

It's good that your daughter works on ethical issues with you. I've been vegan since my son was conceived, and he's only 7 months old. It must be very hard to convert with an older child, so a slip-up is very understandable.

I second the thumbs up for the vegan unchicken nuggets. I love them. But... the ones I used to get (I think they were by Yves, but I'm not certain about this) cost a fortune and I can't find them anymore! I hope I can track down some of the gardenburger ones soon. :)