vegan ideas for birthday party

November 10, 2003

Hi, I have been lurking on this list for years. I know this has been

asked before, but does anyone have any ideas for snack type food for

my daughter's third birthday party. It will be a Dora party and it's

at 2:30 so we won't need a full meal. I do have a lot of non-veg

friends and family attending. My daughter would be happy with a big

bowl of hummus, but I'd like a few more really good snacks. Also,

does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for the cake?

Thank you!!

Stephanie

November 11, 2003

In a message dated 11/11/2003 10:54:59 AM Eastern Standard Time,

ss6055 writes:

ideas for snack type food for

my daughter's third birthday party. It will be a Dora party and it's

at 2:30 so we won't need a full meal. I do have a lot of non-veg

friends and family attending. My daughter would be happy with a big

bowl of hummus, but I'd like a few more really good snacks. Also,

does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for the cake?

Now that my son just turned 8, I have a fair amount of practice with vegan

party food.

Guacamole, or white bean dip. Stuffed mushrooms, tamari almonds. Nori rolls-

I use all different types of veggies in addition to the regular cucumber,

carrot and avocado. Like, green beans, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms.

You can also make little vegan pizzas using pita or tortillas, layer a few

toppings.

A platter of fresh cut fruit and veggies.

The food colorings can be odered from Dancing Deer on the web.

Good luck!

Peace,

Laura

November 11, 2003

http://www.naturesflavors.com/default.php?cPath=72

http://kitchenette.topcities.com/natural_colouring.html

http://www.dancingdeer.com/store/

Also,

> does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for the cake?

> Thank you!!

>

> Stephanie

>

> For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at

http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to

http://www.vrg.org/family.

>

November 11, 2003

Apple juice can be made more festive by adding Koolaid lemonade mix and no

sugar. Lemonade is the only flavor I found with natural flavoring and less

color than others; fruit punch flavor Koolaid is popular with kids. Juicy

Juice is nothing but juice. You can mix juice with club soda or seltzer

water into a spritzer, maybe with ice made from fruit juice.

Carmine/cochineal is 'natural' color, but it comes from insects. Beet

extract and anato are natural colors. The FDA has a web page that lists

artificial colors they regulate, plus natural colors they don't regulate. I

used cocoa powder to color icing in different shades. Pureed blueberry or

other all fruit preserves can tint icing.

Be kind. Be of good cheer.

Dick

November 11, 2003

Hi Stephanie,

There are quite a few places on the net to get good snack ideas...

one place i use for alot of my recipes is vegweb.com/food/ i have

several for actually healthy vegan cookies... was a hit at my

daughters Halloween party at school... she is the only vegan in the

whole class and it makes a whole bunch and is easy to make... let me

know... ttyl..

tricia

, " ss6055 " <ss6055@c...> wrote:

> Hi, I have been lurking on this list for years. I know this has

been

> asked before, but does anyone have any ideas for snack type food for

> my daughter's third birthday party. It will be a Dora party and

it's

> at 2:30 so we won't need a full meal. I do have a lot of non-veg

> friends and family attending. My daughter would be happy with a big

> bowl of hummus, but I'd like a few more really good snacks. Also,

> does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for the

cake?

> Thank you!!

>

> Stephanie

November 12, 2003

Simple things are popcorn, nuts, crudites, fruit salad. More complex things

are fruit kebabs, mini sandwiches, crackers with spreads. Peace and

blessings, Tracy

November 13, 2003

dickford writes:

Apple juice can be made more festive by adding Koolaid lemonade mix

What type of chemicals, flavors etc. are in Koolaid?

Peace,

Laura

November 14, 2003

From one Stephanie to another,

I was wondering why you chose a cartoon character for the theme of

the party. My daughter has always been responsible for coming up

with a theme and she has never chosen a corporate logo (one year's

was pirates last year dinosaurs), of course we watch almost no

television.

Anyway, one thing that we always have at our birthday parties is a

big tray of fresh organic fruits. There is never any left.

Peace, Stephanie

, " ss6055 " <ss6055@c...> wrote:

> Hi, I have been lurking on this list for years. I know this has

been

> asked before, but does anyone have any ideas for snack type food

for

> my daughter's third birthday party. It will be a Dora party and

it's

> at 2:30 so we won't need a full meal. I do have a lot of non-veg

> friends and family attending. My daughter would be happy with a

big

> bowl of hummus, but I'd like a few more really good snacks. Also,

> does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for the

cake?

> Thank you!!

>

> Stephanie

November 14, 2003

In the Koolaid section of the grocery store, all the flavors say 'artificial

flavor' except lemonade and pink lemonade. The ingredients are nearly

identical for the two flavors, with differences in which FDA colors are used

to make it yellow or pink.

Ingredients: citric acid (provides tartness) calcium phosphate (prevents

caking), maltodextrin (from corn), salt, natural flavor, lemon juice solids,

ascorbic acid (vitamin C), artificial color, --yellow 5 lake, yellow 5--red

40--BHA (preserves freshness).

If you are concerned about FDA colors, you could use fresh or bottle lemon

or lime juice with the apple juice, or add some Juicy Juice concentrate (not

frozen) for color and extra flavor.

Be kind. Be of good cheer.

Dick

November 17, 2003

Ok i'm walking into this dilemma now... my daughters bday party is

coming on dec 13... now she picked her own party theme...and since

she is turning 5 its all about Barbie...barbie this barbie

that...lol...last year she didnt pick anything except wanting all her

party favors had to be purple... this year it all has to be pink and

barbie...

im hosting a vegan party for omni people..my daughter and i are the

only vegs in the whole entire family...since mine is a family affair

this year i dont think i will have any issues... i can order a

cheeseless pizza and have fruits and veggies and call it a day... i

hope... ive taken some of these ideas of guacamole and dips... and im

using that..i find everyone loves mexican food... so thats easy

enuff... tortillas and salsa... so thanks for all the ideas ppl have

put forward...

, " Stephanie " <sjoynsen@a...> wrote:

> From one Stephanie to another,

> I was wondering why you chose a cartoon character for the theme of

> the party. My daughter has always been responsible for coming up

> with a theme and she has never chosen a corporate logo (one year's

> was pirates last year dinosaurs), of course we watch almost no

> television.

>

> Anyway, one thing that we always have at our birthday parties is a

> big tray of fresh organic fruits. There is never any left.

> Peace, Stephanie

>

> , " ss6055 " <ss6055@c...> wrote:

> > Hi, I have been lurking on this list for years. I know this has

> been

> > asked before, but does anyone have any ideas for snack type food

> for

> > my daughter's third birthday party. It will be a Dora party and

> it's

> > at 2:30 so we won't need a full meal. I do have a lot of non-veg

> > friends and family attending. My daughter would be happy with a

> big

> > bowl of hummus, but I'd like a few more really good snacks. Also,

> > does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for the

> cake?

> > Thank you!!

> >

> > Stephanie

November 17, 2003

Hi,

I guess I really shouldn't have included the Dora part when posting to

this list. I know that most of the parents on this list probably don't

let their kids watch ANY television at all, and they are probably better

parents than me because of it. In answer to your question, my daughter

does watch some commercial free television like PBS and Noggin and she

chose her theme.....Dora.

Stephanie

Stephanie wrote:

> >From one Stephanie to another,

> I was wondering why you chose a cartoon character for the theme of

> the party. My daughter has always been responsible for coming up

> with a theme and she has never chosen a corporate logo (one year's

> was pirates last year dinosaurs), of course we watch almost no

> television.

>

> Anyway, one thing that we always have at our birthday parties is a

> big tray of fresh organic fruits. There is never any left.

> Peace, Stephanie

>

> , " ss6055 " <ss6055@c...> wrote:

> > Hi, I have been lurking on this list for years. I know this has

> been

> > asked before, but does anyone have any ideas for snack type food

> for

> > my daughter's third birthday party. It will be a Dora party and

> it's

> > at 2:30 so we won't need a full meal. I do have a lot of non-veg

> > friends and family attending. My daughter would be happy with a

> big

> > bowl of hummus, but I'd like a few more really good snacks. Also,

> > does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for the

> cake?

> > Thank you!!

> >

> > Stephanie

>

November 18, 2003

Stephanie --

This is precisely why I don't post anything anymore. But I had to respond

to let you know you weren't the only horrible mother on the list that lets

her child watch television. Wait, I think social services is knocking now.

Gotta run!

______________________

Message: 2

Mon, 17 Nov 2003 09:06:04 -0800

Stephanie <ss6055

Re: Re: vegan ideas for birthday party

Hi,

I guess I really shouldn't have included the Dora part when posting to

this list. I know that most of the parents on this list probably don't

let their kids watch ANY television at all, and they are probably better

parents than me because of it. In answer to your question, my daughter

does watch some commercial free television like PBS and Noggin and she

chose her theme.....Dora.

Stephanie

Stephanie wrote:

> >From one Stephanie to another,

> I was wondering why you chose a cartoon character for the theme of

> the party. My daughter has always been responsible for coming up

> with a theme and she has never chosen a corporate logo (one year's

> was pirates last year dinosaurs), of course we watch almost no

> television.

>

> Anyway, one thing that we always have at our birthday parties is a

> big tray of fresh organic fruits. There is never any left.

> Peace, Stephanie

>

November 19, 2003

> Stephanie <ss6055

> Re: Re: vegan ideas for birthday party

>

> Hi,

> I guess I really shouldn't have included the Dora part when posting to

> this list. I know that most of the parents on this list probably don't

> let their kids watch ANY television at all, and they are probably better

> parents than me because of it.

Aww, don't take it so personally, it's only email. ;-D Anyway, we don't

own a TV but my son chose to be a Power Ranger for Halloween!

Peace,

Doh

---------

" You have to live every day as if it's your last, because one of these days,

you're bound to be right. " ~Breaker Morant.

November 19, 2003

Stephanie

As I put in my original email we are not television free. I don't

think parents that eliminate television are better than me, they

have just made different choices. If you really do feel that way

perhaps you need to re-evaluate your decision regarding television.

I just asked about the choice of themes because to me purchasing

items that have a character on them is tantamount to paying a

corporation for the priveledge of giving them free advertising. I am

only in my 30's but things were different when I was a child. The

only thing in our entire house that had characters on them were

these sheets we had with Yogi Bear and Boo Boo on them. What I

remember most about them were not the characters but that my sisters

and I did not like them because they were stiff and uncomfortable

compared to all the other sheets (must have been 100% polyester or

something gross like that). Just like today those items sporting a

logo or character are not usually the highest quality but are priced

higher. Okay, I had characters on my lunchbox too.

Anyway my point is that I was not surrounded by my favorite

television characters and I definitely do not feel that I missed a

thing. In fact, I feel that a child that does not get the

opportunity to make decorations for their party or put together

outfits or room decor that reflect their own sense of style are the

ones that are missing out. Do I think that parents that differ from

me on this are not as good a parent as me? Of course not. Your

daughter may truly feel that Dora the Explorer is an expression of

herself.

When I see poorly made shoes that light up and sport Bob the Builder

(or Nike swooshes from head to toe)I can't help but wonder if it

occured to the parent that the choices they make and the wishes

expressed by their children might actually be the choices and wishes

of major coorporations that hire child psycologists for the express

purpose of getting in the heads of our highly impressionable

children and surrounds them/us with images of their product at every

turn. Stepping off my soapbox now.

Peace, Stephanie (in MD)

, Stephanie <ss6055@c...> wrote:

> Hi,

> I guess I really shouldn't have included the Dora part when

posting to

> this list. I know that most of the parents on this list probably

don't

> let their kids watch ANY television at all, and they are probably

better

> parents than me because of it. In answer to your question, my

daughter

> does watch some commercial free television like PBS and Noggin and

she

> chose her theme.....Dora.

>

> Stephanie

>

> Stephanie wrote:

>

> > >From one Stephanie to another,

> > I was wondering why you chose a cartoon character for the theme

of

> > the party. My daughter has always been responsible for coming up

> > with a theme and she has never chosen a corporate logo (one

year's

> > was pirates last year dinosaurs), of course we watch almost no

> > television.

> >

> > Anyway, one thing that we always have at our birthday parties is

a

> > big tray of fresh organic fruits. There is never any left.

> > Peace, Stephanie

> >

> > , " ss6055 " <ss6055@c...> wrote:

> > > Hi, I have been lurking on this list for years. I know this

has

> > been

> > > asked before, but does anyone have any ideas for snack type

food

> > for

> > > my daughter's third birthday party. It will be a Dora party

and

> > it's

> > > at 2:30 so we won't need a full meal. I do have a lot of non-

veg

> > > friends and family attending. My daughter would be happy with

a

> > big

> > > bowl of hummus, but I'd like a few more really good snacks.

Also,

> > > does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for

the

> > cake?

> > > Thank you!!

> > >

> > > Stephanie

> >

November 19, 2003

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003, Stephanie wrote:

> Hi,

> I guess I really shouldn't have included the Dora part when posting to

> this list. I know that most of the parents on this list probably don't

> let their kids watch ANY television at all, and they are probably better

> parents than me because of it.

I think it's probably a misconception that most parents on this list don't

let their kids watch any tv. I know there are some for whom that is true,

but I don't think it's a majority, or that parents who allow some tv are

automatically inferior parents because of it. It's not a good thing when

people on this list feel they have to hide how their families live to

avoid being publicly shamed by others.

----

Patricia Bullington-McGuire <patricia

The brilliant Cerebron, attacking the problem analytically, discovered

three distinct kinds of dragon: the mythical, the chimerical, and the

purely hypothetical. They were all, one might say, nonexistent, but each

nonexisted in an entirely different way ...

-- Stanislaw Lem, " Cyberiad "

November 19, 2003

Hey stephanie.... if because u let your daughter watch PBS and that

makes you a bad parent than im the worst that has ever lived...

lol... i do let my daughter watch tv..and ive also explained to her

its all pretend... as i am a single mom in order to get the dishes

done or what not sometimes my daughter chooses to watch tv versus

playing in her room.. and i let it happen... my daughter watches PBS

and other programs... oh well everybody raises their kids

differently... im not too worried about my child growing up to be a

serial killer due to tv... since the first sign of that is being mean

to animals and she loves them...lol...

, Stephanie <ss6055@c...> wrote:

> Hi,

> I guess I really shouldn't have included the Dora part when posting

to

> this list. I know that most of the parents on this list probably

don't

> let their kids watch ANY television at all, and they are probably

better

> parents than me because of it. In answer to your question, my

daughter

> does watch some commercial free television like PBS and Noggin and

she

> chose her theme.....Dora.

>

> Stephanie

>

> Stephanie wrote:

>

> > >From one Stephanie to another,

> > I was wondering why you chose a cartoon character for the theme of

> > the party. My daughter has always been responsible for coming up

> > with a theme and she has never chosen a corporate logo (one year's

> > was pirates last year dinosaurs), of course we watch almost no

> > television.

November 19, 2003

Stephanie,

Just because you let ur child watch TV and the others on this group

don't. That DOESN'T make them a better parent. AT ALL! It takes a lot more

to be a great parent than " tv watching " so don't put urself down like that

Diana

>Stephanie <ss6055

>

>Re: Re: vegan ideas for birthday party

>Mon, 17 Nov 2003 09:06:04 -0800

>

> Hi,

>I guess I really shouldn't have included the Dora part when posting to

>this list. I know that most of the parents on this list probably don't

>let their kids watch ANY television at all, and they are probably better

>parents than me because of it. In answer to your question, my daughter

>does watch some commercial free television like PBS and Noggin and she

>chose her theme.....Dora.

>

>Stephanie

>

>Stephanie wrote:

>

> > >From one Stephanie to another,

> > I was wondering why you chose a cartoon character for the theme of

> > the party. My daughter has always been responsible for coming up

> > with a theme and she has never chosen a corporate logo (one year's

> > was pirates last year dinosaurs), of course we watch almost no

> > television.

> >

> > Anyway, one thing that we always have at our birthday parties is a

> > big tray of fresh organic fruits. There is never any left.

> > Peace, Stephanie

> >

> > , " ss6055 " <ss6055@c...> wrote:

> > > Hi, I have been lurking on this list for years. I know this has

> > been

> > > asked before, but does anyone have any ideas for snack type food

> > for

> > > my daughter's third birthday party. It will be a Dora party and

> > it's

> > > at 2:30 so we won't need a full meal. I do have a lot of non-veg

> > > friends and family attending. My daughter would be happy with a

> > big

> > > bowl of hummus, but I'd like a few more really good snacks. Also,

> > > does anyone know where I can find natural food colorings for the

> > cake?

> > > Thank you!!

> > >

> > > Stephanie

> >

November 19, 2003

Stephanie,

I think you make an excellent point with regards to using children as

advertisement for corporations. I also support a balanced approach between

creativity and a child's indentification with certain cartoon characters. I

think that a child's use of imagination to create their own characters is

essential too. I was recently asked by my brother (who does not have any

children) why I don't let my son (16 mos) learn from video cassettes. I am not

totally opposed to television, I carefully monitor what he does watch on PBS,

but I don't think it is appropriate to allow him to sit for hours and learn

colors, shapes, and sounds solely from the t.v or videos. In my opinion, it

takes away from the parenting process for me. These educational tools are great

supplements but spending time with my child, learning, is great for me. It's

problematic when children that do not have their entire room decked out in Dora,

with sheets, lunchbox, sneakers, hats, bookbag and feel bad about themselves

because of it.

Stephanie in MD <sjoynsen wrote: Stephanie