As today is my birthday, I was given a gorgeous present by a Daught, which was, in effect, a fabulous 'Ploughman's Lunch', and the box was superbly packaged, and had directions to keep cool.
Daught in question has always been marvellous in her choice of presents, and we've had a fantastic day, although she couldn't join us!
Looking through all the comestibles, there is a 'Fig and Apple' chutney, which is just gorgeous, and we've squandered that delicacy nearly to the end of the jar already - yum yum...
One thing slightly irks though... why should such a generous gift have to have a printed message 'Suitable for vegans' on the label?
Why do big companies (I won't mention their name but think 'St Michael', and you'll know who I mean), have to even print this? For better or worse, to be a 'vegan' is just a lifestyle choice, as is 'fruitarian', 'vegetarian', and the rest, but why stop there?
What about 'Type 1 Diabetes', 'Type 2' as well, 'Gluten-abhorrence', and all sorts of nasty conditions we are faced with from time to time! Chums here have far worse problems to deal with! One of my closest friends is in the final chemo stages, and as she's so gorgeous and strong, she'll damn-well win! Do they ever print 'warnings' for such lovely people?
As normal carnivores, who actually eat very little meat these days anyway, simply because as above, I'm 73 now, and Mrs Growster is still around 30 - and looks it too, I'm not sure I really want to read these little reminders of a small, percentage of people who desire a lifestyle different from ours, but try make me feel as though we're doing something wrong.
I'm going to question the supplier on this, but feel that we, here on this great forum, all strive to do whatever we can with our veg, fruit, chooks, flowers, cooking etc, we have some sort of common, loving interest in just getting the stuff to grow, lay eggs, burn on the stove etc., rather that have some sort of unusual idolatry bounced at us by certain supermarkets and retailers.
Nobody needs to remind me that there are others to consider in every discussion, but I don't rate 'lifestyle choices' as something so important in a commercial environment.! They can label their stuff to attract whoever they want, but don't charge me with the wonderment of their issues!
Anyway, I have had a fab birthday, and will go and buy some more of their chutney, and take a felt pen with me, to block out the wording on my new jar as I see fit!