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!
Kate says
I would LOVE a feature like this! I am lucky that my children love just about any food I give them. My biggest anxiety with a vegetarian/vegan diet for my kids is being confident my children are getting the calcium, iron & other nutrients and fats they need for their brains and bodies to grow optimally! I live in Switzerland & we don’t have the calcium fortified juices and other products that seem prevalent in the US. I definitely don’t want to rely on pills as supplements for them, but I also don’t have time to figure out how many milligrams of these I’m getting in their food. Thanks so much!
Jennifer Davis says
Hi Dreena,
Well I’m not vegan but more of a whole food eater that would like to eat more vegan and eventually be vegetarian/beegan. I struggle with getting in enough vegetables. You would think with all I know ( I have a company that makes raw desserts & chocolates of all things!) I would be able to eat more of what I know are the healthiest food on the planet-veggies. Its scary admitting this as people look up to me as being this health freak. Ok, well we do eat differently than most (my husband and 3 kids still at home are on board with eating better by the way) but its not up to my own standards. Make sense? How can I be better at what I already have believed in for years?
We are snackers. Always on the go. This leads us to pick up more boxed items out of the pantry like crackers, nuts, seeds, chips etc… If veggies are made we eat them. If not, forget it. Also, we get tired of the same old veggies-carrots, bell peppers, celery-made in the same old way. I just ordered your new cookbook so I bet that will give me lots of new ideas.
I dont think its just a ‘time’ issue. Its more of an organizational issue and possibly an ADD issue (that would be me). Strangely my ADD would be helped by the very thing (veggies) that I am having a hard time eating more of.
So thats it: Organization in our (mostly) plant powered lifestyle for ADD moms.
Josee says
Great idea! I have been looking for info and help on how to raised vegan children and have not been too sucessfull. My son is 18 month and we are trying for another one. We are not completly vegan yet but have slowly been making the transition in the last year. The hardest has been for my son. I don’t feel our family understand our life choices nor is my doctor, she wasn’t happy about us not giving my son dairy and made a comment about it. I am happy to see a blog like this. It makes me feel like I’m not alone.I want to make sure my son nutritional needs are met and if I don’t give him dairy, what to replace with? And how to deal with the social life, friends and family?
Josee says
Another thing with my son is he seems to wake up in the middle of the night crying with belly cramp and gas when we eat beans and lentils even if I make them myself by soaking over night.My family says he’s too young and its too mucch fiber for him. I keep asking myself what do vegetarian and vegan family do? Any suggestion?
Molly L. says
I would love for you to do this series! I need advice with all aspects of this issue–particularly recipes and meal planning and preparation. For example, I would love a sample daily menu just to give me a guideline of what my 9-month-old should be getting in a day…portion sizes and all. I am vegan and know how to feed myself, but I have not a clue on what to feed a baby, other than breastmilk! Of course, I am feeding him other things but I don’t know if I’m giving him enough, or the right things or the right balance of things. I will just soak up any information you give!!
Thank you,
Molly
Melanie says
This is a fantastic idea! My 5 year old daughter is the pickiest eater in the world and it seems like she hates everything I make. If I’d let her she would eat nothing but french fries and vegan cheese pizza. So ideas on how to please picky eaters would be awesome! Also, I’m in need of easy and quick recipes that require very few ingredients and very little time to prepare. Looking forward to the series!
Melanie says
Oh and I forgot to add both my children have nut allergies and are on a total nut free diet, so recipes that require no nuts would be great too! Thanks