wow. unexpected dilemma.

[Zaphirah]

I just got a phone call. Apparently Omaha Steaks will be delivering a package tomorrow. :eek: My mom thought she got us the "perfect" gift and ordered pork chops, chicken, steaks, hamburgers, etc. Now I am the only 100% raw one, so they *could* eat it...now here's the bigger part of the dilemma.

My family is coming over on Christmas Eve, mom the gift giver, included. I am supplying the meat for dinner. Now, if she hadn't GIVEN the meat I could have just said "Oh, I'm not eating meat anymore." no big deal. But now I am to prepare and SERVE the meat at dinner. I can't think of a gracious way to get out of it...

She was SO excited to give this gift. Then she did call to say dejectedly "Well, if it's not perrrrrfect, I could just give you the $." (my mom is very low income, so this makes me sad.)

what would you do?

[trinity082482]

Aw!! lol.. Good old mums. I would just accept it but don't eat it your self :o

[Veganforlife]

Do you have a dog? Give it to him and then Christmas say, "The dog ate it."

[Frugal Raw]

Hi Zaphirah! I am in a similar situation myself. My Dad is very low income, and his "thing" each year is to send me something from Swiss Colony. The accounts there are very easy to get, and they do have fresh and dried fruits, which I have steered him toward this holiday season. (He thought he'd send some cheese, and I freaked - nicely)

BUT - given your situation, I would accept it, gloat over her generosity in helping you feed everyone who doesn't eat the way you do, and keep yourself raw.

[Eva]

I'd have to agree. Thank her for her generosity for the other members of your fam who can eat it... and keep on keepin' on eating whatever you want to eat.

That said, if you do have a dog... raw meat is quite healthy for them!!! I had my dog on the BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet, and he went from acting like he was 6.5 yrs to a puppy. I put him back on a normal diet because I was having such difficulty with the smell of the raw meat... but he turned fat and lazy again. ;) I actually have some raw chicken in the fridge. I'm going to transition him back because it's not fair to him to know how unhealthy he is becoming and to not help him out!

Didn't mean to thread jack there! I'm sure (at least I think!) that your mom's heart was coming from the right place, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your health to honor and appreciate that. :)

[greenday]

Yep, in agreement. Be gracious and thankful to your mum who was trying to do the right thing. Honor the gift - prepare it wonderfully for everyone else and still honor yourself with raw/vegan. One can cast a wide net with respect even encompassing beliefs other than their own without compromising. It's not a matter of right/wrong, it's a choice. Choose wisely.

[Im2Fruity]

"It's the thought that counts!" comes to mind! If it were me, I would recognize the gift as a symbol of my mom's affections and be very grateful. As long as she feels sincerely thanked, I'm sure she won't care if the meat goes in your mouth or not. To avoid feeling guilty, I would just imagine the gift as if it were an inedible object, like a bunch of candles. You don't have to burn them! And you certainly wouldn't try to eat them!
Good luck :)

[DavidZaneMason]

I agree with the above great posts. I would continue to eat the way that makes me happy.....make clear what I want/how I want to eat.....and then prepare and help people with whatever diets that THEY have determined are right for them. This all applies to adults - and not children.....who need more guidance and direct provision.

-David Z. Mason