A reader wrote this:

“Hi Taylor – Loving the latest posts, both on Best Life Ever and Super Mom!  Two questions – has Philippe also relinquished the raw vegan approach?  I ask because my partner and I have vastly different eating habits – I’m a salad/veggie/tofu kind of girl and he’s a steak bomb with extra mayo kind of guy.  I sometimes find it tough to make different meals and once in a while (okay, a little more often than that), find myself eating something that doesn’t really feel right to me.  Second question -not sure how to phrase this, so I’ll just put it out there.  Does trading in such a restrictive lifestyle ever make you feel “less special?”  I suffered from anorexia for about 6 years when I was younger – when I finally gave it up, I felt a lot of the things you described, “free”!  I can eat a slice of pizza and it’s okay.  There were a lot of good feelings, but also a sense of loss.  The restrictive eating had become part of my identity, even though I knew that it wasn’t necessarily healthy, it made me feel stronger and lighter.  I know you described the raw vegan lifestyle as having some of those same benefits, even though you approached it from a place of health and light, not darkness as in my case.  But you must have had some moments – like at Disneyworld – when you thought that you were “better” than other people for having the strength and discipline to make the sacrifices that a raw vegan lifestyle required.  I don’t mean that in a critical or negative way, it’s just the most honest way that I can think to put it!”

Thanks for the comment and excellent question.

I have actually felt “special” and “different” for as long as I can remember, but not in a narcissistic (LOL) way, but just as a matter of fact. Not good or bad or better or worse.  Just it is what it is.

I now understand this from a metaphysical and spiritual place like this. Everyone feels “special” and “different” at birth. That’s why every baby takes your breath away and even the angriest “hater” will crack a smile when in the presence of a little “popper,” as we’ve all nicknamed our babies and all babies (LOL).

But with time and life and socialization, kids begin to forget. To forget that they are indeed special and different. Yet totally connected to all as well.

So why didn’t this happen to me?  My theory is that the “socialization” that happened in our house was so off, so not me, that I totally and completely rejected it. I said to myself over and over again, “that is not me. I am light. I know who I am. And one day I’ll be outta here and free.”

Concurrent with feelings of difference, I’ve always felt incredibly connected with others and super social and loved being with people and helping them if they so asked, and girl they always have. I joked on my masters and doctoral program apps that I’d been a shrink my whole life, I’d just never had the “official degrees” so I wanted to seal the deal.

They accepted me.

I totally get what you’re saying about the specialness and subsequent judgment because I worked with clients with eating disorders for years when working clinically, and they described this often.

I didn’t at all think you sounded harsh or critical by the way sister.

While at places like Disneyworld by the way I would usually feel triumphant that I could finesse both worlds concurrently, that was my focus, as well as its a small world.

So the letting go of the label for me has just been a huge sense of relief and freedom and confidence that this is the right thing for my family and me.  And yes, Philippe also let go of the label, so supermom ain’t makin more than one meal per mealtime for our party of seven. . But I hear ya sister because when I was married to Madison’s dad, I made three meals for the three of us.  So I been there!