The Sun is shining bright. School is out. Chances are you’ve already broke out that grill and started making summer magic. Yes, ladies and gents, it’s officially cookout season here in the southeastern region of the good ‘ole USA where the iced tea is always sweet (if you don’t feel like your teeth are about to fall out, they didn’t make it sweet enough), and “hey y’all” is an acceptable (and expected) greeting.

So almost 42 years ago, my parents had the bright idea to raise a completely vegan child, in the south, in the middle of the Bible belt, where chitlins are plentiful, all vegetables are cooked with hamhocks, and fried fatback and/or liver mush with grits for breakfast is a staple…Good plan, right?