Where you are from is HUGE part of who you are, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Read below to learn more about how I overcame some obstacles when I CHOSE to eat and live 100% plant-based while still or acting Mexican traditions.
What’s it like being Mexican and vegan? And YESS! I’m Mexican! Grew up in the U.S but with Mexican traditions and visiting Mexico almost every year!
Like most cultures, Mexican traditions revolve around food: holidays, birthdays, and celebrations. Every time you step out the house, there’s some stand with delicious treats calling you, so food is life over there !
How did your family react? The last time I was in Mexico, I was already eating 100% plant based, no by- products, no excuses. This trip was 1 MONTH! My aunt, great aunts and uncles and cousins all understood why I decided to stray away from the meat and dairy industry in the U.S, but they didn’t understand WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO EAT. Because we are a culture that doesn’t take no for an answer when it comes to trying out our food, they would always question if what I was eating was enough or get stressed on what I was going to eat (more on that in the next section).
My immediate family back in the U.S was a whole different story. My sister actually BECAME VEGAN BEFORE ME (she was 16 years old). My brother (now a teenager) is almost vegan!! The only thing he, and most people, are addicted to is CHEESE....My younger brother seems to reallly really like my green smoothies and is obsessed with my Tofu Squares recipe (see Instagram) so he’s def a prospect. My mom now....is like most people, misinformed and adamantly opposed. She believes that being vegan stunts growth and a passing fad. She and anyone can feel how they want, but the results don’t lie (read “It All Started with a Challenge” for how going vegan feels)
So what’s it like? At first, I felt like I had to convince everyone that I have limitless options (which I do) and not make a big deal when the restaurants they chose to eat at had almost no vegan options. It’s now 2021, so if there’s no vegan option, it probably means I’m in the middle of nowhere. I’ve also become more prepared so if I know the vegan options are LAME then I eat beforehand but if I look ahead at the menu and see that there’s at least one YUMMY OPTION, the. great! Either way we will all be going out as family...
Did you stop eating Mexican Food?
Yes, I stopped traditional fatty, disease-induced Mexican food. Now I cook and eat clean, equally delicious plant-based versions of Mexican dishes—sopa de fideo, posole, enchiladas y aguas frescas. The good thing is Mexican dishes (where my family is from) are mostly plant-based—salsa, guacamole and other side dishes are also vegan-friendly!
Do you feel like you are losing out on your culture? At the end of the day, my culture only identifies a part of who I am. There are many cultural traditions that for generations were justified like arranged marriages of young girls, but is now extremely frowned upon and is to many morally wrong. Just because it’s part of your culture doesn’t mean it’s right. Challenge yourself and ask yourself, WHAT FEELS RIGHT? Feeling MORE ENERGETIC, CLEARING UP MY SKIN, BEING FASTER during my runs and PREVENTING DISEASE—feels right to me.
Stay woke my friends! Challenge yourself and try a 30-DAY VEGAN CHALLENGE!