kids on a vegan diet... a rant

**leighcat** · 05-20-2010, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfriend

I'm sorry you are going through this and hope it gets easier as time goes on and they adjust. I have been thinking about these things lately myself and with what I'm feeding my kids, after hearing about a movie called "Food, Inc". I haven't seen it yet, but after I get over my anxiety about opening Pandora's Box, so to speak, do want to see it. Have you seen it?

I watched Food, Inc. I am reading Omnivore's Dilemna now by Michael Pollan. I am not sure I want to go vegetarian, but I can't afford to eat only organic and free-range meat either. It isn't fair that lower income people get stuck eating garbage. Trust me, I tried to do the organic thing when I was still married. Our cupboards were nearly bare because things were so expensive. I am going to try to start growing some of my own food. Even that is expensive to start. Here in Florida (I hate it here) it is hard to have a garden. I would have to buy a lot of soil and an expensive compost to keep bugs and creatures out. Then there is the thing of having almost no time. It is really disheartening.

**Jamielane** · 05-20-2010, 10:32 AM

I am terribly sorry your kids are having a hard time adjusting. We are not vegan or vegitarian here but my kids still have food issues. One day they like something, the next they look at me like I have two heads for suggesting they eat that same item. My kids are older to so I think it is a problem for all ages. I think I could go vegitarian but my husband would NEVER NEVER NEVER do it. The only meal he eats without meat is spaghetti with meatless sauce. My kids really like meat as well so I cant imagine making it work here. I hope you guys work it out though! Good Luck!

**vigilant20** · 05-20-2010, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by leighcat

I watched Food, Inc. I am reading Omnivore's Dilemna now by Michael Pollan. I am not sure I want to go vegetarian, but I can't afford to eat only organic and free-range meat either. It isn't fair that lower income people get stuck eating garbage. Trust me, I tried to do the organic thing when I was still married. Our cupboards were nearly bare because things were so expensive. I am going to try to start growing some of my own food. Even that is expensive to start. Here in Florida (I hate it here) it is hard to have a garden. I would have to buy a lot of soil and an expensive compost to keep bugs and creatures out. Then there is the thing of having almost no time. It is really disheartening.

Best of luck to you! I'm sure you can find some good advice online or from neighbors on getting started in your area. Raised beds would help with soil

And you are lucky to have such a great growing season there. Those are some of the many reasons I'm trying to urban homestead this year.

**IntlMom** · 05-20-2010, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Jamielane

I think I could go vegitarian but my husband would NEVER NEVER NEVER do it. The only meal he eats without meat is spaghetti with meatless sauce. My kids really like meat as well so I cant imagine making it work here.

Actually, this is my situtation EXACTLY, but trust me, if you decide to go veg - you CAN do it. I lessen the meat in most of my families dishes that I serve them (and I pull out a portion for me before I add the meat - or make a meatless section of a casserole....etc). I serve them some veg dishes (like yummy black bean pasta). My other tip is to make sure that your veg side dishes are substantial enough for a meal. Like last nite I made a roast and made a veg pot pie for a side - the veg pot pie was plenty filling and yummy for a meal - especially with the watermelon I cut up for supper too!!

Anyway, it IS possible to go veg in a meat household, if you want to

**Jamielane** · 05-20-2010, 11:59 AM

IntlMom , can I have the recipe for your black bean pasta? I do have a spaghetti recipe with chick peas they all like to that has no meat.

**mek42** · 05-20-2010, 01:08 PM

Regarding a transition from omnivore to veggie household where not everyone is on-board completely, would a first baby step of using ground turkey instead of ground beef be helpful?

We're trying to reduce our mammal consumption due to my gout and this is one of the things we're doing.

**Palooka** · 05-21-2010, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by Jamielane

IntlMom , can I have the recipe for your black bean pasta? I do have a spaghetti recipe with chick peas they all like to that has no meat.

Hope you don't mind, IntlMom.

Black Bean Pasta

6 Servings Prep/Total Time: 25 min.
Ingredients
9 ounces uncooked whole wheat fettuccine
1-3/4 cups sliced fresh baby portobello mushrooms
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups fresh baby spinach
Directions
Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute mushrooms in oil until tender; add garlic, cook 2 minutes longer.
Stir in the black beans, tomatoes, rosemary and oregano. Cook and stir until heated through. Stir in spinach until wilted. Drain fettuccine. Serve with bean mixture. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup bean mixture with 2/3 cup pasta equals 255 calories, 3 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 230 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrate, 9 g fiber, 12 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-21-2010, 07:35 AM

Good news, dinner from the last two nights went well. No complaints and even one Hey MOM , can we have this one again?
We even managed a school function without incident.
They were serving pizza, hot dogs, and popcorn.
The popcorn had so much butter the smell alone was sickening so I wouldn't have let them eat that regardless.
The only thing they wanted was a snow-cone. The snow cones contain HFCS but I didn't mind, it was a small price to pay for a happy child.