Vegans and carnivores can live together peacefully if a mutual respect for each other's choices exist. Before a meat eater decides to live with a vegan, both people should learn to accept the other person's culinary and lifestyle expectations by having an honest conversation about preferred food preparation techniques, product choices and budgets. After reaching an understanding about these aspects of daily living, the vegan and the carnivore should make a wholehearted commitment to support mutual choices in order to avoid household hostilities.
1Communicate details about your food preparation techniques and preferences. This ensures that each person feels their choices and habits are respected in the kitchen. Some vegans won't cook food in the same pan that's held an animal product.
- Know each person's quirks about mealtimes before living together. Allow enough time and space during mealtimes to avoid confrontation over meal preparation.
2Share details about your monthly food budget. Often a meat based diet will cost more than a vegan diet, while purchasing specific vegan alternatives to animal products can lead to a more expensive diet.
- Avoid heated discussions about food expenditures by creating an understanding that will allow both parties to purchase the foods they enjoy the most. Predetermine who will pay for what products, if income isn't shared.
- Consider organic alternatives for more costly products. For example, expensive vegan margarine is nearly identical to conventional margarine except for the added preservatives.
3Think about meals that will satiate both a vegan and a carnivore. Instead of preparing 2 separate meals, consider making meals that can incorporate animal products after the basic ingredients are combined. For example, many ethnic dishes use meat as condiments instead of making them the center of the dish.
- Reach vegan and carnivore compromises that allow the vegan to cook the main meal first, then incorporate meat into the dish when it's almost finished.
4Disclose your feelings about products that utilize animal products. Many vegans will not purchase skin care items, shampoos and cleaners made with animal-based ingredients. If you will share these items, ensure that both parties agree on what items to buy.
- Learn about inexpensive household product alternatives that can work for both carnivore and vegan roommates. Homemade cleaning products made with baking soda or vinegar serve as alternatives to more expensive, commercially-made items.
5Respect carnivore and vegan choices. Instead of condemning a vegan or carnivore lifestyle, make a conscious choice to support each person's choices.
- Meet halfway and decide to accept individual choices to maintain household harmony. This can also broaden each person's world by exposing both parties to new ideas they might not have considered before living together.
- Choose ethnic restaurants when dining out. Restaurants specializing in world cuisine often have both vegan and carnivore menu choices.
- Many non-animal products can serve as dairy product substitutes in recipes. For example, ground flax seed makes a terrific egg replacement when baking.