Most of you know that I don’t post many personal details about our children on my blog. I’ve discussed it here. I occasionally share photos (as with today’s post) that show them as part of our family, but without identifying their faces and features. For the most part, I like to keep them anonymous so that they have their own life journeys apart from my blogging as an author.
Still, I AM a vegan mom of three strapping vegan girls! And, I realize that this is a unique perspective as a vegan author and blogger, and that I have useful information and experiences to share. I receive e-mails and comments daily about vegan parenting. So I know you are searching for more information and insight – either as vegans moving into parenthood… or parents moving into veganhood!
Last week I was struck with the idea to do a series on feeding vegan children. I should mention that I do share many family-friendly tips in my cookbooks, especially in Let Them Eat Vegan. There is an entire section in the back of the book called “Powering the Vegan Family” and “The Plant-Powered Lunchbox”. Plus, I sprinkle advice and tips all through the recipes. But, after a brief discussion on facebook (as well as numerous e-mails these past few weeks), I decided it was time to consider a “Feeding Your Plant-Powered Children” series – here, on my blog.
If I start this series, I need information from YOU. I need to know… what pieces of the puzzle you are missing, what stresses you, what is difficult, what is too time-consuming? I’d like to have a “Feeding Vegan Kids Wish List” of sorts. Tell me where you need help! Is it recipes? Day to day tips? Meal planning and preparation ideas? Social situation advice? Help with ingredient groups (ex: nuts or beans)? Lunch strategies? Snack ideas?
Tell me – What information would YOU like to tap into from this vegan mom of three?
My intuition tells me I am on track with this idea. I will run with this series if the response here is strong. I am off to Summerfest this week, and will work on ideas once I return. So, please comment if this is something you’d like. And, equally important – please share this idea to recruit more feedback. The buttons are above to share to pinterest, fb, etc, so get the word out – so I can get the word in!
Kat says
I’ve been a vegan step mom of two boys 8 and 9 for the last three years. They are with my husband and I every other week. Unfortunately they had bad eating habits prior to my arrival, the typical kid foods…hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, chicken nuggets. They know I’m vegan and will try some things that I make or sneak in to their food. I have been able to increase the veggies and fruit they eat but they are growing boys with big appetites. I’d love to know how to make vegan kid friendly food to satisfy two raging carnivores. As of today I end of making two meals, one for them and one for my husband (who has gladly adopted a vegan diet) and I. They don’t like a lot of veggies and each one like something different. Their mom does little cooking but the weeks they are with her they are not exposed to a vegan diet. I’d love to see you expand on this subject and offer advice, ideas and recipes. My boys are open and curious and I feel I’m letting them down.
Christine says
My comment echos yours Kat, I am suffering from the same step-mom issues with a 9 year old girl. Luckily your husband is vegan – I haven’t been able to convert him though he eats vegetables now 🙂
Jennilyn Nichols says
I need to know everything! I am a first time mom of a 10 month old son. I am transitioning to a vegan diet, and plan to raise my little guy vegan. It’s so overwhelming! Portable finger foods would be great. Easy weeknight meals would be awesome, since I have a full time job. Lunchbox ideas since I’ll be packing him one for daycare very soon. Nutrition information on vegan foods like nutritional yeast, maple syrup, coconut sugar etc. So many things that I need to know…
Christine Magiera says
I think you’re on the right path with this topic! For me, since we aren’t 100% vegan (I am but my hubby and boys are not completely vegan) I agree with one of the other commenters that requested ideas to substitute (or maybe that’s not the way I should look at it) current favorites. Suchas anything with cheese, quesadillas especially…they don’t want beans and veggies on there, just cheese. 🙁 In fact, cheese is their favorite non-vegan food. And I am aware that there are properties (or ingredients?) in cheese that make it addicting. So maybe we just have to go through the withdrawal phase? In that case, I would need ideas for substituting cheese. I could maybe use Daiya, right? And substitute favorite veggies and fruits for snacking. Hmmmm, I’m feeling better about this…it can be done! Only my middle boy refuses most veggies. sigh… I look forward to future posts. 🙂
Tiffany says
Yes I would love to know now to get my children to vegan and love it. All I hear now is I hope it’s not vegan as I switched to a vegan diet for lent and keeped it up after because I felt so much better.
Tiffany says
That’s eat vegan and kept it up sorry.
Summer says
My husband and I have been vegan for 3 months and have three young daughtes (5, 5, and 6). We have been somewhat successful switching most of their meals…but would love suggestions for cutting out the staples they dont seem willing to let go of…cheese quesadillas and cheesy hot dogs (gag). Also…how do you handle talking about the switch? The six year old has been asking lots of thoughtful questions and I want to be honest (for us its health….my husband is a surgeon and operates on overweight people daily) but not terrify her into something she’s not emotionally ready for. BTW…just discoverd your site and cant WAIT to buy your books!