August 3, 2025

Why I’m Choosing Plant-Based Eating with Compassion at the Center

Food is personal and powerful. Let’s think about food with care, not judgment.

We all know the trope: Vegans are often seen as judgy and holier-than-thou. Many are ready to pounce on your burger with a side of moral superiority. I get it. That energy exists, but it’s not me, and it’s not what Sunny Bites is about.

My plant-based journey is rooted in something much softer and, I think, more sustainable: compassion.

Food is one of the most personal choices we make

What we eat impacts everything. It impacts our health, our culture, our values, our relationships, our communities, and the planet. It’s intimate, layered, and emotional.

For me, shifting away from meat wasn’t just a nutritional decision. It was an emotional one. I felt overwhelmed by the sheer cruelty in the world. The news, the suffering, the injustice all felt like too much. And I realized, I can’t stop all of it, but I can stop contributing to this one piece.

So I stopped eating meat, not because I’m perfect or because I have it all figured out. It’s because it felt like the most honest and kind next step for me.

Choosing compassion over disconnection

I also completely understand why people don’t want to look too closely at where their food comes from. It’s easier to disassociate and to focus on the taste, the tradition, and the moment, especially in a world that already feels like it’s on fire. Who wants to add another layer of grief?

But once you start learning and really see it, it’s hard to unsee, which is scary. It can feel like you’re being asked to give up flavor, joy, and connection.

That’s why I’m here. Not to guilt you and not to lecture, but to show you what’s possible.

A no-judgment zone

I still go out to dinner with friends who eat meat. I still visit restaurants that don’t have a single vegan label on the menu. And I still believe we can all share a meal together, even if our plates look different.

Sunny Bites was born out of the idea that food can meet values, and also where people meet people, however they think about food. We’ll find those menu gems that everyone at the table will be excited to try. We’ll soften the edges of this conversation so we can bring more people along, not push them away.

I’m holding space for you to do what you need, too. If you’re plant-curious, plant-adjacent, or just tired of ordering a side salad and calling it dinner, welcome. You’re in the right place!

This space is about sharing, celebrating, learning, and above all, choosing compassion, for the animals, the planet, ourselves, and for each other.

Peace

Why I’m Choosing Plant-Based Eating with Compassion at the Center

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