As a mom who writes children’s books on veganism, Ruby Roth is on a mission to help change the way we see food and the world. While Roth has recently drawn criticism for her new book ‘Vegan is Love,’ I really believe the overall message she is sending to moms and dads and families across the globe is invaluable.
The harshest criticism this book is receiving according to registered dietician Nicole German:
“...it could easily scare a young child into eating vegan, and without proper guidance that child could become malnourished” and “…children are impressionable and this is too sensitive of a topic to have a child read this book.”
I agree that children are impressionable, but I also believe that it is our responsibility to convey truthful messages to our children without guilting them or instilling fear. Furthermore, any diet that is not properly overseen by a responsible parent has the possibility or tendency to become unhealthy – not just veganism. It’s the lack of supervision, not the diet in this case. Why does the media tend to forget that WE are RESPONSIBLE for raising healthy, well-adjusted kids?
In a video book trailer (below) for ‘Vegan is Love,’
Roth says:
“If we want to move towards an era of solutions where the planet is healing, people are fed and healthy, there is good in the way we do business and a reverence in the world for all living things, then all we have to do is live that life ourselves.”
Whether you are vegan or vegetarian or omnivore – we ALL need to become more connected to our food and to Mother Earth. As parents we need to teach our children about proper nutrition, why healthy eating is a must, and how every decision we make influences our world. The best way to do this is to live that life ourselves!
Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.~David Bly
Remember to get your Earth Day on this weekend!
dr. lisa
Mommy OM 
Why does the media tend to forget that WE are RESPONSIBLE for raising healthy, well-adjusted kids? –> well said.
Thanks Dr Briana! Have a wonderful weekend! ~Lisa
This is a great post and I totally agree, it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure our children have a healthy, balanced diet. They will have their own likes and dislikes but we do need to be the living example of healthy living and eating to encourage this for them as well. I am in LOVE with the quote you posted from Roth as well, beautiful!
Anna – http://www.themommypadawan.com
Thanks Anna! Change begins within! I am off to visit your site. Much love. ~Lisa
I should preface this with a disclaimer- I am a writer for children, though I primarily write young adult fiction and nonfiction for younger readers.
My only concern with a book like this is- does it mean that if we are NOT vegan, we don’t love? Does it convey the message that “omnivores” don’t care as much about the environment or their bodies?
As the product of a long line of hunters, and as someone who sometimes ate only because my father was successful in his effort to put food on our table, I am wary of books that promote an “us against them” message, even if the message is wrapped in fluffy love.
That said, my least concern would be that someone was raising their child vegan, or that my child might want to go vegan. If someone is raising their child vegan, I would assume unless there was evidence otherwise, that person was working with their pediatrition and educating themselves to be certain their child had a well-balanced diet. If my child wanted to “go vegan”, I would take that opportunity to teach them how to educate themselves (and I would educate myself), to make that transition.
My concern is not with the vegan lifestyle; I know it’s perfectly possible to be very healthy on a vegan diet. My concern is that every time we place a marker and say “This is the “good” way to live”, we build another wall… and doesn’t that contribute to the “mommy wars”? 😦
(Of course, having not read the book, I can’t make a judgement call either way. I’m interested to read it now, and to see how the author handles the issue.)
I didn’t read the book either, but I don’t think the title necessarily means that if you are non-Vegan that you don’t love. In life there are so many ways to convey love. Is it uncaring of us to eat meat? Personally I eat meat and so do my children and my husband, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to learn more about where my meat comes from – I was trying to emphasize the point that we ALL should develop a relationship with our food. It’s definitely a learning process. Obviously Ruby Roth is extremely passionate about veganism, but she is equally passionate about awareness. That is where I feel her strong points are in her message. Her passion. To understand, to acquire knowledge, and to want to choose what’s best for your children and the world.
I don’t mean to come across as running her or her message down. I’m a little more sensitive to the issue of divisions right now than I normally would be, having just written a paper for my Lit class about censorship.
You’re right, in a “civilized” society where we are, in many cases, no longer required to hunt our own food, or prepare it, we have lost touch with where it comes from. I think that can change, whether we go vegan or choose to support local, organic, sustainable farming.
You are so right and you didn’t come across as “running her message down” at all! I actually heard a lot of media people talking this way earlier, saying that she seems to be relaying the message that vegan is the “only” love, for which I think they were just sensationalizing and trying to cause controversy where there didn’t seem to be any. It’s funny how when people try to send out positive messages about awareness and change, there always seems to be a media backlash. I guess it’s hard to veer off the beaten path.
Supporting local, organic, sustainable farming is a great way to show love!
Have a wonderful and blessed weekend Mary!
~Lisa
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