Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Last night I had the most amazing and affirming experience at the grocery store and I would like to share it with you. I went to the store with an unruly list and a cluttered mind. I was wearing a fleece scarf with skulls on it and no doubt a frown on my face. I was feeling out of sorts because I recognize that I am in the process of personal transition, which I find very scary. I am totally open (closed like a clam) to change as long as it happens in a way that I (can control) expect and maybe if I know the outcome ahead of time (because I need to know), that would help too.

I have been having these thoughts, visions, insights that I want to share my new love of all things vegan with the world in a healing, welcoming and helpful way. Possibly assisting others to change their world one meal at a time like a vegan coach with a baby carrot whistle would work. What would that look like? How do you get there?

So this has been overwhelming my mind like a Mint plant in a  small herb garden. The uncertainty of not knowing where to take that or how to create such an experience exists simultaneously with the excitement of feeling incredibly passionate enough about something to want to learn more and share it with the world.

So, as I am wandering around the grocery store seeking comfort food and a valid reason to turn around and go home, I am approached by an elderly woman with the kindest face and angelically gray hair. She walks up to me and says,”Excuse me, do you know anything about organic foods?” This is not an everyday question of a stranger and I am still amazed that this happened.  So, I confess to her that I know a little….what did she need to know? She begins to explain to me that she is about to embark on a twenty day cleanse through her church and she is looking for ways to get protein. For a split second I have a flash that I am on Candid Camera because is it really possible that this woman is asking me to help her find organic, spiritually healing sources of protein?

So for the next thirty minutes I become a spontaneous vegan coach as I escort this stranger through my own personal vegan tour of the grocery store. In order to guide her accurately I ask, “What are you allowed to eat during your experience?” And she responds simply…”It is between myself and the Lord.”  Her answer was so human and so spiritually motivated that it took my breath away. For the next twenty days she is rethinking her usual consumption and introducing herself to new foods she perceives will be uplifting, healing, spiritual and soul satisfying. She will be getting closer to what she believes is sacred through food and the nourishment of her body with beautiful, clean and whole foods. Brilliant.

So, I start where we are standing and introduce her to Edamame. I go on to explain the benefits of avocados, walnuts and extol the beauty and joy of almond and coconut milk. We walk together through the store as she speaks softly, sharing the convergence of her fears of not knowing what to eat and leaping with reckless abandon into this exciting spiritual experience. She listens kindly and dutifully as if I am unraveling the Da Vinci Code.

As we part ways I stand there desperately wishing there was some way to verbally express how magical this meeting had been for me, but I settle on the most genuine smile and expression of gratitude that my body language and face can produce and I walk away. I’m uplifted, joyful, inspired and absolutely convinced that we are changing the world one meal, one shopping trip, one person at a time.  She was a vivid affirmation that through sharing this information about compassionate, amazing and soul satisfying foods (that happen to be vegan) with others, we will effect change.  Change is scary, but the human experience sharing in it together makes it safer for each of us, whether you are receiving the information or giving it.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: compassionate eating, going veg, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan transition, vegan wannabe, vegetarian transition