Food, Beauty, Mind

Oh that was so good. I cracked up especially at the end with the Julia Child impression.

Nindrene

Heya Abi! Absolutely loved this one. The part about the "questionable" womanhood of trans women exacerbating body image issues really spoke to me. I'm curious about my tier rewards, I'm a $15 Patron and yet my name wasn't in the credits of this one, is that something $15 Patrons get or am I illiterate?

Overall I very much enjoyed this one. Hearing your perspective on the social philosophy of food (and especially your own history with food as I can relate) was very engaging. I would love to have a chat with you about veganism one day, because I think you're really close to making veganism work for you and for the animals.

Rupour

I cheered when you ate that cake!

Gigantobear

A lot of people are saying that Kelly is terrifying, but I just find her deeply pitiful. Most of Abby’s evil characters are aware of their evil intent. Kelly just seems like someone who has become so deeply estranged from her own body, desires, humanity, and estranged from the lives and realities of others in return. Her race and class act as blinders, as shields, only furthering that estrangement. She does not seem capable of self reflection, or if she has, she has lost that ability completely.

Blaire Frei

hello abi! just a quick logistical question; i unexpectedly saw my name (which i just changed in case it wasn't a glitch thing so that it's less recognizable; it was just the letter 'l.') in the credits of this video while watching for your subtitle comments despite only being a $2 tier patron rather than a $5 tier one. was that a first-month thing? is the amount per month just a size thing in the end credits? thanks (in general and for this video in particular) and sorry for the trouble!

hell

Ooh yeah, this one really made me think. I don't think I've had a fraught relationship with food, but I definitely have that fear of being seen as indulging too much in other things. Right now it's *leisure* since I'm out of work at the moment. So nervous about being thought of as lazy. The end in particular where you mention a moral approach to vegetarianism becoming a more addictive way to basically be seen punishing yourself really hit me. As a vegan, on one hand, I do genuinely believe in the philosophy behind animal rights, end of animal exploitation, ect. But...I'm a cynical leftie who cares about other things, too. A *lot* of products and services use unethical means to produce them, vegan or not. Yet I don't feel that same *need* to make sure that I don't allow those products to enter my life. Sometimes I buy from Amazon. I still buy Goya and use plastic straws. Sometimes its what's cheap and accessible, and I'll forgive myself for that. I think a lot of folks would. But for some reason, the animal rights cause is the one where I feel like I genuinely need to abolish those products from my life entirely in order to...be taken seriously, I guess? Idk, I don't think enviornmentalists renounce their identities by drinking from a single-use cup sometimes. I understand logically that individual choices don't matter as much as sweeping systemic reforms, and eating a burger wouldn't change my politics about animals, not really. Everyone's a bit of a hypocrite sometimes as consumers under capitalism. We live in a society, and all that. There's a bit of a difference--no systemic reform or utopian means of production will change the fact that, to eat an animal, you need...an animal. But, functionally? I have to admit that at least part of the strictness I put on myself to not buy those things is this fear of judgement from aaaall sides if I slip or just stop. It was a phase, I wasn't a real vegan, I couldn't hack it, see, that's why plant-based is bad for you, look what happened, ect ect. And it comes coupled with this *feeling* that, by continuing, I'm challenging myself, proving something, and that's somehow inherently good? And that's occasionally had health consequences I still work to manage. I probably won't stop being vegan, but the motive from how people *perceive* me as correctly practicing my ethics is definitely part of that choice. I just don't feel that same anxiety for other bad consumer habits. A bit of a personal ramble I guess. Great vid as always

Freakivore

Also, I'm excited and a bit terrified to see more of Ms. Slaughter in the future!

I'm so thankful that you've dedicated a whole video to this. It brought a memory to mind; my Mom and I were watching "The Doctors", one of the many health-related talk shows that air on weekday afternoons aimed at stay-at-home Moms/parents. The segment was a giveaway of cosmetic surgery to a woman who had lost a significant amount of weight but had some loose skin on her midsection. There was a lot of hubbub about her "putting in the work" and "earning" this prize. I remember feeling really sad and guilty about my failure to lose weight and wishing I had more discipline. Not a good lesson for a child to learn. I've always had a toxic relationship with food and my body, particularly the parts of it that will never change without cosmetic surgery-something I'm not willing to do nor able to afford. It was especially nasty to have that message come from medical doctors that now sell diet pills and weight loss plans. Anywho, awesome video and good work!

I'm not about to bake a cake, least of all one I can't eat, but elizabeth184 in the youtube video points out, `The method for the cake says "mix the flour" ...but there's no flour in the ingredients list.` I note that they're spot on regarding both points and the apparent conflict therein. I could see this being either an accident or a deliberate omission. I feel it would be good to have some clarity on that matter in some fashion.

Some Ed

I figured it'd be better to write this here rather than on Youtube, since I'm still struggling with a phrasing that won't sound overly... creepy: Abigail, regarding what you said about your self perception in relation to your videos, I'd like you to know that I have always found you to be very beautiful. I know it's a beauty that's a product of effort and a great aesthetic, but I genuinely think your videos are a pleasure to see and to hear. Keep up the great work!

Oren Barzilai

Really loved this one. Gave me a new perspective for thinking about my relationship with myself and inspiration to chase the joy. I loved/feared Kelly Slaughter. One thing though - in the US we say "whole grain" instead of "wholemeal" 💜

Lila Sadkin