This month has been too busy and I have been neglecting this beautiful place I call home, the spot for my complaints and general good vibes. However, I am here and I will still post stories about being a vegetarian. 11 months in.

So before, we go too far. This weekend I went to bury someone who was my friend, my real friend (Our mothers did not know each other until we became friends). Like any other funeral, one has to eat and act like the food is delicious. So I stood in the queue and I took the food then said "Ha ke je dijo tsa ko masong (I don't eat funeral food.)" and I offered them to someone.

With some people, me saying I don't eat funeral food means I am afraid of a runny stomach (which happens from time to time). However, when I explained that I am a vegetarian the expressions on the faces of the people I told about my lifestyle were priceless. They asked the usual question "why are you vegetarian" and for the first time I heard someone ask me if there was a butchery at home so that my vegetarianism made sense to them. One said that my family did not cook meat well that's why I hated it so suddenly.

I am approaching my ONE year anniversary as a vegetarian and would love to hear different questions than what I am currently hearing. I love meeting new people and keeping in touch with some people however, I hate having to explain the reason for me being a Burnt Veggie. It is irritating.

Not only did this happen at the funeral, it normally happens where black people gather (I am not pulling a race card it is just truth). With white people, they just ask why and how long then it is back to normal conversation. With black people, you then become the topic of discussion and you are generally not the main topic but because you said something, they don’t think a black person could be they just sit there and discuss your choices.
 

I love being a Burnt Veggie and I enjoy every minute of it. Now we prepare for my anniversary, hope you are ready for the festivities.

Onwards and Upwards

#TheBurntVeggie :) 

SPINACH and TIENG(SOUR PAP) are not the only things that I will eat. My mom needs to understand that there are other things that she can make me.

Just because I like these food items doesn’t mean that I only want to eat these items. Mamasto(as she is affectionately known) should understand that I am not a spinachetarian but a vegetarian which means I eat all the veggies, and I mean ALL.

A day without the tieng and spinach combination would be so awesome. I love spinach but I could go a week without it. My mom however makes it for me as I said I only want to eat it and nothing else. A few months ago, it was chips and mash now she found something new. 

Not that I dont appreciate what she makes for me but it would be so awesome if she did not make me the same meal every day. I love my mom more than anything in the world and I would do anything for her, she knows it too.

I just don’t want to eat the same meal every day. :)

Onwards and Upwards

#TheBurntVeggie

The Burnt Veggie would like to say that the vegetarian journey has become fun and tough. I would also like to apologise for not posting... LIFE

I recently visited my neighbour, an old woman who is more of my second mother than she is my grandmother. She made the most beautiful piece of food that I have ever had in my life. It was so delicious that as I write this now I get the taste of it.

It had corn bits, red speckled beans and a bunch of aromatics and spices. I had a taste while she was making it and I was somewhat reluctant of eating it however, after it was ready, I wanted the pot... and I mean the whole pot right next to me with the spoon she used to stir the meal. I didn’t want to lose any flavour. I wanted everything.

My taste buds went on a journey that was so beautiful. They do not want to come back. Mama (as I call her) did not know that I am vegetarian until that day when she made this wonder meal. I told her that I loved it and would eat it all day, every day.

This meal made me realise that protein is everywhere and people can stop asking me if I get enough. I’d like to think that I am. Everyone thinks that meat has protein, well vegetables do too, some more than meat. Eat your Broccoli :). 

Onwards and Upwards

#TheBurntVeggie 

Hi, I am Kelebogile and I am a Burnt Veggie.  

16^th of August 2014. This is not just another date on the calendar. It is the day I decided I will be a vegetarian. No, I did not do it because I wanted to be special or I wanted to seem weird. My family, friends and the society always ask me questions and here is a list of those silly and weird ones:

1. Why are you a vegetarian? 

Well, this question is not the best question one can answer. I can't honestly say that I openly answer with a smile. I can't explain why I went vegetarian without sounding rude. You can’t just ask me out of the blue, anywhere why I am a Burnt Veggie. I am not going to be all nice and sweet if you ask it with an undermining tone. I promise you, you will hate me.

2. Are you sure meat is not for you? 

WOW!!! Do you think I would just wake up and decide to stop doing something because I just felt like that. Yes, meat is not for me. I do not like how it tastes and smells.

3.  How long has it been? 

Unless I somehow say it to you then you do not have a right to ask me. I will tell you if you and I have known each other or it is a magazine interview. Do not come to me after I announce or say that I am a Burnt Veggie and ask me how long it has been. Please for the goodness of heaven don't.

4.  So you just eat salad? 

Well, salad is part of my diet but this doesn’t mean it is the only thing I eat. I eat a selection of food and I am happy to say that I eat pizza alone, unless I am with Cas, Hlompho or Lehlohonolo. They eat my food. 

5. Do you want a taste of my burger? 

Is it vegetarian? No? Then leave me alone I don’t want your burger. 

6. Don't you miss eating meat? 

I did for the first week, not now. I will not say I won’t cook it for someone I just won't eat or taste it. 

7. Now I can't invite you to my party?

Shame man, unless you don’t want me there, then don’t invite me bruh. The Burnt Veggie will stay happy and healthy. But if you feel that I should be there, please make sure that there is vegetarian food. I want to eat and not be the one eating snacks to get full and all that.

The question every black person asks me...

8.  Are you a rasta? 

No. Nooit. Never Bruh!!!

And just for clarity, 

9. Why the Burnt Veggie? 

I am the Burnt Veggie because I am black and very proud to be a vegetarian.

Now that we have established some ground rules (yes, that was me telling you what not to ask me, or any other vegetarian unless stated otherwise in the Vegetarian constitution.) we can now go forward and have fun together, maybe I will convert a few of you. 

Onwards and Upwards. 

#TheBurntVeggie