My vegan chili was freaking amazing! Vegan sausage, organic beans, roasted farm veggies and fresh spices. Healthy too. I was glowing with pride to present this recipe. I would (and did) eat bowl-fuls of the stuff. And the feedback about my dish (from those who tasted it) was great.But overall, my heart is a little sad after attending this event. I was shocked by how many people discounted my chili even before tasting - all because they heard the word 'vegan'.Boy: Yours is really good. My favorite. Voted for you.Girl (overheard boy): wow, that sure says something. ..since it is vegan!Post event thought -> Well that was interesting. I like a challenge. And I always give people the benefit of the doubt. I am open-minded, respectful and kind. I surround myself with people who are the same way. So when I take a leap of faith and expose myself to people outside the veg community, hoping to joyfully expose them to something new, I expect, and usually receive warm glances, happy smiles and curious conversation. I was a bit, no actually, a lot disappointed when a lot of the people at the Chili Takedown in Brooklyn didn't greet the word vegan with excited faces. And automatically judged it to be 'less than' the 'mainstream meat chili'. Confused faces muttered and shrugged shoulders, "Veg-en? Oh, I guess I'll try that." "Ohhh, huh?" "Interesting. Vay-gan you say?"My face had a plastered on smile the entire two hours of serving. I cheerfully spouted for every of the 200+ guests: "this is a lime-infused vegan chili with a side of coconut milk corn bread." Cheerful tone. Big smile. Friendliness is my way. But really, I felt like Tony Bourdain in a sea of vegans, I muttered to myself, "wow, these are just not my people. Darn." My optimists' heart was kinda crushed. I didn't need to win, I really just wanted to see the meat-lovers get excited to try something new! And, OK, some of them did...Thank goodness for the folks at the event who "got it" the "wow yours is my favorite!" And "cool, vegan chili, love it." "I'm back for thirds! I want more!" "I voted for yours, it is the BEST!" "the cornbread is fantastic."But for every positive comment, those very few snarling, negative stares when I said the word "vegan" really broke my heart.My husband was there helping me, thank God. But I was rudely awakened to the fact that (lightbulb) some people aren't a fan of vegans. The word communicates so much. Good to some and bad to others.And when I had to get up on stage and Matt Timms shouted, "oh here comes the vegan!" And everyone clapped and made a fuss, I put on a smile, did a slight bow and gave my mini shpeel on my chili. I smiled and laughed, like always. But on the inside I felt very small. Very quiet. Very under-appreciated. Very discouraged.I was proud of myself for having the balls to stand up there and smile and share my food. But, I kept thinking, damn, I wish I had a vegan cheering squad right about now.So the end result - did my vegan experiment work? Did I influence anyone? Yes. But will I continue to trek through unknown territory to spread my message of "vegan can be cool and delicious!" - you betcha. I won't let a few snarls get me down. My real tears are shed for the many animals who die. My real tears are not for me but for the voiceless animals who deserve a better world.(sunset/sunrise) The Day After: yea, OK I wrote this when I was emotional. My readers know I rarely ever talk like this on my blog. I hate dwelling on negative things. It's Monday, and I've totally moved on.But yes, I am very passionate about my love of animals. My kitty. The ducks in the pond. Farm animals. Birds in the sky. Deer in the woods. When people ask me "why are you vegan." I always say "for animals." Most people at the event were incredibly respectful, but it was those (As I said) very few scrunched up or blank faces that got me sad. Overemotional last night? maybe. Yes I'm a sensitive girl - but really I'm just human. And I decided to share that here on my blog. So for anyone reading this who rolls their eyes. Sorry, but I'm a human - not a machine. Everyone cries for different reasons. You cry. I cry. We all get sad. I am allowed my reasons just the same as you.