Vegan Cruise, Easter Dinner, etc...

[Guest guest]

I love how everybody has an opportunity to share their opinions here on this wonderful site that Tammy and Chris have worked so hard to build and maintain. I've been sitting here wanting to respond but I've been concerned that I might offend somebody. Diplomacy isn't one my strengths. Nonetheless, I've really wanted to say that I'm interested in turning people onto vegetarian/vegan living. I'm a nutrition consultant and I'm always looking for resources for my clients. There is great information to be shared here and great people sharing it, no doubt about it. On the other hand, there is SO much judgment, even amongst ourselves, that I am too embarrassed to share it with others. Others that aren't as connected with the vegetarian community could be very offended by some of the dialog that happens here. For instance, if somebody is uncomfortable sharing their reasons for not wanting eggs and dairy with their meals, that's entirely up to them. That's their business. If somebody else feels more comfortable in making a "vegan" statement at every meal, well more power to you, but that's your business. Can we just try to be more accepting of others and where they are at the time. Vegan, or not. our attitude often comes across as being arrogant and elitist. Not the message I want to share with my friends and clients, that's for sure. Most vegans that I know are vegan because they are warm and compassionate human beings. Can we please just try to convey that more in our communication, especially on a site that is viewed by many, including non-vegans, that you hope to inspire someday to embrace this lifestyle.Anyway, now that I've made a lot of enemies, I wanted to let you know that the Marin Vegetarian Education Group (VEG) is having a potluck on the day of Easter and they will be having, what sounds like to me, a very good speaker. The website is marinveg.org. Well worth the time to check out. The details about the potluck are as follows:Sunday April 16, 6:00 - 8:00 PMHealing Medicine Author Dr. Steve Blake to Speak on Natural Approaches to Genuine Health Conference Room at La Plaza Office Complex4340 Redwood Highway, San Rafael$2 - $5 sliding scale At our April meeting on Easter Sunday at 6 PM Steve Blake, a naturopathic medicine doctor and author of HEALING MEDICINE: A Complete Guide to Safer Healing, will talk about how we get sick, how to stay well, and how to make medical care safer. We will start the evening with a vegan, potluck dinner, and a section will be reserved for dishes with no added oils.  Meet at the conference room at La Plaza office complex, 4340 Redwood Highway, San Rafael.  The cost is $2 - $5, sliding scale, and a dish to share with eight others. Please bring your own plate and utensils as well.  For more information, call 459-1666 or visit www.MarinVEG.org. HEALING MEDICINE is a critical analysis of modern medicine with holistic solutions. "For too long, medicine has been missing the deeper causes of disease and drugging us to suppress our symptoms," Dr. Blake declares in this, his 12th book. Dr. Blake has two doctorate degrees in natural health and a masters herbalist degree. He was the director of the Maui Holistic Health Center for seven years and has dedicated his life to helping people understand how easy it is to attain excellent health. Come hear him speak about the perils of modern medicine and the choices we can make to achieve and maintain excellent health. Directions:From 101 take the Freitas Parkway exit. On the East side of 101, go North (left) on the frontage road, also called Redwood Highway. Go 1/2 mile past the light at Professional Parkway, and La Plaza Conference Center is the second office complex on your right. Drive to the far back of the conference center, behind the last buildings, and look for the well lit conference room. We start promptly, so please come a few minutes early.