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!
Kathy says
Not fully Vegan yet (but heading in that direction), and am desperate to learn more so that I can switch our whole family’s way of eating to this way. Especially creative lunches – beyond nut butter sandwiches. I am already seeing the health benefits as I’ve changed our diet over to plant based (mostly) but I have raised my family thus far on a VERY Southern Fried diet (all the while believing that I fed them healthy – bah). After being on 3 high blood pressure meds (me) and countless trips to the pediatrician for every illness that even peeked its head at my kids school – well, I started looking at our diet, watched Hungry For Change and Forks Over Knives and here we are – but the knowledge is not helpful when I don’t have the tools to make good food happen. This is a mUCh needed series – thanks for doing this!!!!! BTW (I’m off all my blood pressure meds and have lost over 60lbs and without dieting – didn’t ever count a single calorie – just ate only nutritious REAL food and no meat.
Debbie says
I have a 14 month old grandson who eats dinner at my house at least once a week. I would like ideas for toddler friendly dinners that can be frozen in individual portions. He is really hungry when he gets home from daycare and wants to eat right away – no waiting around while someone cooks a meal.
Robi says
Why not have some fresh cut fruits and veggies for him when he gets home to eat as an appetizer while you heat up his meal? Yellow peppers are very sweet, and so are snap peas. Kids usually like that stuff. Then make him some pasta or something.
Nicole says
Hi dreena! I have been vegan for 6+ yrs now; ds has been vegetarian for 4, and dd and dh are both omnivores. You can imagine how long it takes to prepare meals around here! The kids are 12 & 8, and although I’d like them to eat vegan, I don’t want a rebellion from imposing it on them if it’s not something they choose to do. I respect that dh and I have been together a lot longer than I’ve been vegan, and our dietary choices don’t need to be a thorn in our relationship… I know a lot of people have questions about handling social situations, and I’d have to agree…
Recipes for snacks we’d be appreciated… The kids don’t like hummus or soy/tofu but love beans, lentils, rice, veggies…
Thanks!
Natalie says
Yay! Please write this series. My biggest thing is social situations. We do not know veg families. At play group/preschool my 2.5 year has a hard time because others have meat and he is curious. I bring food but he doesn’t want it. He is little so I see he doesn’t really understand. How do I explain why we don’t eat meat to a two year old? Now he knows hot dogs are meat and “bad”, but how do I explain a veg hot dog is ok when they look the same?? It must be so confusing for a two year old.
And how to deal with people’s comments that we are depriving our kids. My neighbor and friends actually say to my hubby “come to our house so you can have some meat”!!
Robi says
Why not just tell him that “animals are our friends, and we don’t eat our friends.”
Heather Mora says
what did your children drink after weaning (my daughter is 13 months and I am just making a switch to vegan – not sure if I should change her routine of drinking whole milk yet) ? lunch box ideas! how do your kids handle eating at friends homes? thanks!
Jill says
This is something I stressed about! I started my daughter on coconut and almond milk when weaning from breast milk.