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!
Sandy says
I’ve recently become a vegan. Half the meals I make are vegan, the other half have the option of meat. My husband doesn’t want to give up meat completely. My kids are flexitarians. I would like to gently explain to my son, 11, why I’ve decided not to eat animals or their secretions. Don’t know where to begin. My daughter, 19, already knows, but seems hung up on the protein thing. Any ideas??? Help!
Lauren M says
School lunches!!!!!!! They are the worst. During the school year we get really busy and I am a teacher, so I work the same hours as my kids are in school (give or take–generally have some after school planning time). It’s great because I can make dinner pretty much every night and they can help. But then I’ve enlisted the help of my husband with packing lunches and it ends up falling into a routine of repetition. I want to give them enough food that they are satisfied and not “starving” when I pick them up at 4 to go home. The lunches also need to be easily consumed in a short amount of time. Lunch is 30 min. but with travel time it’s really more like 20.
Danielle says
I need help with everything! I’ve been a vegetarian for most of my adult life and had to give up dairy when I was BF my youngest daughter (she has an allergy). After watching enough documentaries, I think I’ve finally gotten my husband on board to make a switch to a whole food/plant-based diet. This makes it alot easier for me to feed our children a better diet also, but how do I make the switch when my kids range in age from 9 to 1? The things I want to know most about is how to handle social situations where food is involved, school lunch ideas, and kid-friendly dinners. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say! Looking forward to this series!
Becky says
I’m so excited about this series! My two year-old has been vegan since birth. She’s healthy and very big for her age, but she doesn’t eat huge quantities of food. I’d love recipes for really nutrient dense food because she often eats just a bite or two of something. The simpler the recipe, the better!
Jessica @Vegbooks says
Dreena, it’s fantastic you’re offering this advice! Reading through the comments has been instructive to me, even though I’ve had a vegan kid for 6 years now and I’ve been a vegan for half my life. A lot of these themes come up on the Vegetarian Resource Group’s wonderful listserv for veg parents (found on Yahoo Groups), and I’ve heard some of the questions in my life, but some are new to me.
If I were to make one suggestion, it would be that you put the birthday party question to bed for good! I remember agonizing when pregnant about what my vegan child would do at birthday parties, and I am still asked about it all the time, but in my experience, it’s the least challenging part of being a vegan family in an omni world. Birthday parties are ubiquitous and they’re not nearly as precious as most expectant parents think they will be, and in our family, we simply take each party as it comes. For some, we’ve found that the host will offer vegan food. Others, we bring our own to share. And occasionally, if we’re caught offguard, we forgo the non-vegan offering and simply indulge in a vegan version when we get home — totally ok with my kiddo who is much more concerned about people than food!
How do you handle birthday parties with your kids? (And do the dynamics change as they grow older?)