Comments on: the nutritionally recalcitrant spouse . . . part two (of four)

By: Rachel Himes

Rachel Himes — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:00:30 +0000

I agree with the “subtle teaching” method. I’ve done tons of reading on vegetarian diets in the past few years. All along the road, I’ve shared statistics, healings, testimonials, etc with hubby who grew up hard-core meat and potatoes. He thought the only veggies were green beans, corn and peas from a can. He’s serious about athletics and thought all vegetarians were skinny and weak, so I read up on athletes like Brendan Brazier and Robert Cheeke. I shared some of their stories and information. As he expressed concerns about some of his parents’ health conditions, I researched and shared research showing how a veg diet would drastically reduce or eliminate those health problems. Since he saw them as being inevitable for himself, he took notice. Finally, he saw me struggle with my own health as I compromised and ate meat with him. I finally told him that it was really hurting me and that the only way I would stop was if I didn’t have to prepare it for him and the kids, so I wouldbn’t be tempted. I found it easier to just decide to be fully veg than to compromise and have meat in the house. He enthusiastically agreed to go that direction with me, agreeing to eat meat only when he was away from home a couple of times a week. I can’t say he’s noticed huge changes, but he has stopped having stomach problems from drinking milk, and he’s been really excited about the new recipes I’ve packed for his lunches (in fact, some co-workers have asked to try them or to get the recipes). I just tried to maintain a position of sharing information rather than preaching or pushing.

By: Robyn Openshaw

Robyn Openshaw — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:27:32 +0000

Randy, you’re a minority–98% of the time, it’s the wife telling me this–but I will post this on my blog sometime soon to see if anyone has any words of wisdom for you. In four years of running this site and speaking in public, I’ve had maybe 6-8 men tell me this. Hang in, my friend. If nothing else, the kids are getting one great example and that’s better than none.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:24:30 +0000

I don’t see any other guys talking about this problem, but in our house I’m the vegan and my wife is the one resisting the lifestyle. I’ve been vegan for about two years. My wife has resisted even talking about the subject. She wants me to believe she knows more about how to eat than I do even though she has not taken the time to read any of the books I leave laying around the house like The China Study or The Green Smoothies Diet. She has even gone on a different diet which involves taking a lot of supplements and avoiding many things which are vegetarian foods. She fixes a meal for herself and has the kids fix something like ramen noodles and I buy and fix my own food. The kids refuse to eat anything I prepare because “if its good for you, it obviously taste bad”. I don’t force my eating habits on my kids or my wife, but if we were all on the same page, it would be a lot easier for me. I even offered to do all the grocery shopping and prepare all the meals as I like to do it, but was flat out told that won’t work. When I get the kids by themselves, and have them try my food, they usually like it, but when they get with the other kids they take the side of the junk food. I’m going through a real struggle. Suggestions anyone?

By: Galynn

Galynn — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:28:43 +0000

I read on a juicing website that green smoothies were dangerous because they go against the natural process of digestion. My thinking is if we can blend food for babies, why not adults. It’s weird, some raw vegans are against juicing and some are against green smoothies and some promote lots of greens and some promote only 10% greens. Personally, I eat alot of fruit and greens and 10% fat, drink juice and green smoothies. I’m trying to get off salt and vinegar from salad dressings( from eatind out). Any great raw lowfat salad dressing recipes?

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:38:23 +0000

I’m glad to hear that we all share a common hurdle. I’ve gone 100% vegan, and my husband pretty much eats whatever I put in front of him so he is being converted one meal at a time. I’ve tried to share information and the virtues of eating a plant based diet so that maybe he could stop taking all the medications for high BP, cholesterol, etc. Sadly he believes in the medical profession’s drug pushing ways and says he is doing fine. Oh well, guess I’ll just keep the focus on me for now because I’m loving it.

By: Jill Williams

Jill Williams — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:30:04 +0000

My husband is a California fireman and it too takes his Green Smoothies to work with him on Sunday morning! I replish him on Tuesday’s. I have turn Green Smoothies on to so many people it is unreal. I love it.
Robyn you are doing wonderful things and I thank you.
I’m so thankful I found you!
Jill

By: Nisha

Nisha — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 04:04:14 +0000

These are great tips Robyn! We have a standard at our house that I only make one meal for the family and if there is something you don’t want, you don’t have to eat it. We also often are able to encourage our 4 yr old to eat things she’s hesitant to try knowing she’s allowed to spit it out if she hates it. I don’t eat things I hate, so I don’t make my kids either. It works well for us.

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:09:57 +0000

I watched your videos getting ready to share some with friends and DH walked through, sat down, and wouldn’t let me turn them off till he’d seen the whole batch. He’s talking to all his friends and takes a quart of smoothie with him every Sunday and shares with those working through lunch at the Church! He’s got everyone drinking them and we’re starting a 12 steps group for the new year!
Thanks for all you do to provide great educational materials.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:31:54 +0000

Beverly, wonderful! I didn’t know it was an audio book, and I’m glad to know!

By: Beverly Jenkins

Beverly Jenkins — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:36:37 +0000

My husband is not much of a reader but he loves audio books, so I had him listen to the China Study. To my amazement he is now totally on board with the vegetarian (mostly vegan) diet and drinks a green smoothie every morning. I use the Blendtec blender to make three big servings. My husband and I each drink a serving in the morning and I drink the third serving at night.