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!
michelle says
awesome idea. for the first time in almost 11 years, i’m having to deal with fussy eaters!! what’s up with that?! my kiddos have always been excellent eaters, not very picky at all. now, all of a sudden, the fussy monster has reared it’s ugly head! i wonder if it’s because they see how their friends eat at school and on play dates, and they realise that we eat “weird” compared to most (which is unfortunate). i’m really hoping that this is just a phase.
ps. that really is a lovely quilt in your pic 😛
Johanna says
Ugh! This is my problem also. My kids were great until they got to middle school and they wanted to be like their friends. I could have tolerated this if their friends at least ate healthy but it was pre-packaged junk, nuggets, etc. Now my girls are 14 and 16 and they do not eat well outside the house and are kind of picky when they are home.
I would love to see strategies to get over this. Recipes are great, especially with beans and greens!! I’m a beanie girl and anything that gets them to eat whole beans (they already eat hummus, etc.) would be great.
Thanks!
michelle says
awesome idea. for the first time in almost 11 years, i’m having to deal with fussy eaters!! what’s up with that?! my kiddos have always been excellent eaters, not very picky at all. now, all of a sudden, the fussy monster has reared it’s ugly head! i wonder if it’s because they see how their friends eat at school and on play dates, and they realise that we eat “weird” compared to most (which is unfortunate). i’m really hoping that this is just a phase.
Marsha says
This series will be great! As you know I’m new to vegan world but my little one, at 15 months, has been vegan since birth. She doesn’t know any different and has taken to the varieties of food I feed her very well. I know she’s getting the nutrients she needs. What I don’t know because I haven’t been faced with but have been asked is how she will do with her school aged friends? When they go to a fast food chain for parties or after sports practices? How will she manage? Dreena, I think this series will help so many! With possible guest bloggers there would be a wealth of knowledge to be shared.
Andrea says
Hi Dreena. I am vegan, my 5 year old son is vegetarian, and he loves to eat these horrible cupcakes at birthdays parties. I let him eat, but I know he is eating bad things like white sugar, artificial colors etc..What can I do in these situations? I have another concern, he wants to eat tofu every meal, and I don´t know if it´s safe and healthy to eat it often.
Thanks
Andrea
Molly says
Unlike the above comments, I don’t have a hard time figuring out things to feed the kids, but I do worry that they get enough fat for growing brains. I’m having a hard time convincing my vegan self that it is ok for my 4 yo and 18 mo not to drink milk! So, I guess nutritional info would be helpful!
TransformingAFatGirl says
If you haven’t watched the movie Forks over Knives I highly suggest you do. That was all it took for me to be convinced they DON’T need cows milk now or at any other times in their lives. There are MANY other choices of milk as I sure you know they don’t contain cancer causing casein. That’s just my two cents.
Heather Mora says
totally a concern I have also, I have one daughter (13 months) and it has been DRILLED into my head that she needs a lot of fat. I don’t really care where the fat comes from, so I have tried avacado (she has never really been a fan) and I know nuts would do it but I worry about giving them to her (even though I am almost positive she isn’t allergic because she stole a bite of my pb&j one day and was fine) so yes – I also would like to know if fat an important thing to consider for little ones?