Guest guest Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 I just had to share this little tidbit. We are vegetarians who don't drink milk, nor eat eggs, but we still eat cheese and don't yet make a fuss over egg and milk ingredients in pre-made foods (but absolutely no meat). I guess you could say we are SLOWLY trying to eat a more vegan diet. Anyway, we have told our 4 1/2 yr-old twin girls and our 6 yr-old girl what foods are considered junk food and what are healthy foods. (And we homeschool, so we don't have to worry about school lunches.) My husband's parents like to bring " treats " over to our house which are usually Swiss Cake Rolls and the like. This last time they brought treats over my twins practically yelled at their grandma, " That's junk food! Do you want us to get fat or do you want us to grow up healthy and strong? " Grandma's answer was that one treat won't hurt you, but the girls decided to eat fruit instead of the treats. We'll see if that will stop the unhealthy treats. And we did sit the girls down after the grandparents left to explain how they could have better approached Grandma instead of yelling at her. They're usually very shy girls, but they have become very defensive lately of their healthy ways of eating. It could be because all of their grandparents (they have three sets) are obese and unhealthy and can't really play with the girls much. Plus, I, too, am fifty pounds overweight and have had to stop playing physical games because I am out of breath and overheated. Children see much more than we think they do. I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who hardly ever eats vegetables. I just LOVE this list and all the wonderful people on it. I have to repeat other posters here when I say, you make me feel a lot less lonely. Laura, In Small Town Midwestern Meat and Potatoes Land, trying to be a good vegetarian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 About a year ago, we visited my mom, and we were at teh grocery store, My mom took my son with her, so I could get a little break, and I think they were looking at crackers when she asked if he liked this kind or that, and he asked her " Well, is it vegan? " She about flipped out (I mean, laughing hysterically- she didn't know of any other 3yr od who would say that. HE kept asking her about things and wether or not they were vegan. She thought it was nice though. (we have to be super/ever vigilant because our son does have a milk protein allergy - even a little bit will give him a reaction). It is nice that your girls are aware that they eat healthily and the other stuff is junky. My son i sthe same way, only we do bake vegan junkfoods (cake/etc, but not all the time - as I realize that today we had no-sugar vegan chocolate chip cookies with lunch...heh). Overall, though, this is a kid who shouts that we totally have to have eggplant for dinner and will go select one at the store for us. He also likes to snack on mushrooms, so it all evens out. LOL. (my son is super active, and I think that as long as those sweets are balanced with lots of activity and making sure that he gets in some good food before having any of it works for us. I'd hate for it to backfire so that he binges on the junk stuff later in life. Though I'm guessing with the milk protien allergy it might keep him from doing so in the first place. ). As for the losing weight when changing diets, you do have to watch - especially with the vegan switch, it's too too easy to go for too much starches instead of protein rich foods. I actually gained about 8-10lbs when we switched to being vegan (and I was hoping to lose more). It's crazy. I know my issues, but it sounds totally backwards - I don't usually eat enough (Just not hungry), nor do I drink enough water during the day. I did weight watchers before and found I could eat a bowl of soy ice cream every night just to get to the minimum points range. I didn't think *that* was healthy, but I was losing weight....I just never really feel hungry. And I know that many folks struggle with other issues, but none of them ever address my issues with not eating enough, so my body slips back into holding on to whatever it gets. I'm working on it, slowly. Sigh. Good luck to you in your w/l journey. Missie also in the Midwest, and we're contemplating a move to the land of cheese and dairy...with a kid who has an allergy to all of that stuff...what are we thinking...heh. On 8/1/07, Laura <redmountaindragon wrote: > > I just had to share this little tidbit. We are vegetarians who don't > drink milk, nor eat eggs, but we still eat cheese and don't yet make a > fuss over egg and milk ingredients in pre-made foods (but absolutely > no meat). I guess you could say we are SLOWLY trying to eat a more > vegan diet. Anyway, we have told our 4 1/2 yr-old twin girls and our 6 > yr-old girl what foods are considered junk food and what are healthy > foods. (And we homeschool, so we don't have to worry about school > lunches.) My husband's parents like to bring " treats " over to our > house which are usually Swiss Cake Rolls and the like. This last time > they brought treats over my twins practically yelled at their grandma, > " That's junk food! Do you want us to get fat or do you want us to grow > up healthy and strong? " Grandma's answer was that one treat won't hurt > you, but the girls decided to eat fruit instead of the treats. We'll > see if that will stop the unhealthy treats. > > And we did sit the girls down after the grandparents left to explain > how they could have better approached Grandma instead of yelling at > her. They're usually very shy girls, but they have become very > defensive lately of their healthy ways of eating. It could be because > all of their grandparents (they have three sets) are obese and > unhealthy and can't really play with the girls much. Plus, I, too, am > fifty pounds overweight and have had to stop playing physical games > because I am out of breath and overheated. Children see much more than > we think they do. > > I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially > I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, > cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to > have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately > - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our > cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. > It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was > funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who > hardly ever eats vegetables. > > I just LOVE this list and all the wonderful people on it. I have to > repeat other posters here when I say, you make me feel a lot less lonely. > > Laura, > > In Small Town Midwestern Meat and Potatoes Land, trying to be a good > vegetarian. > > > -- http://mszzzi.zoomshare.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/mszzzi/ ~~~~~(m-.-)m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 I'm getting over my long love affair with cheese as well, so I feel your pain. It'll go away with time, just avoid it whenever you can and if you have a little, oh well. A little is better than a lot. I'd LOVE for my kids to say stuff like that when they were offered junk food!!!! They love when Lala and Poppy give them sweets... ugh. They only get that kind of stuff VERY rarely at home, so they are more than glad to accept them when they get the chance! Laura <redmountaindragon wrote: I just had to share this little tidbit. We are vegetarians who don't drink milk, nor eat eggs, but we still eat cheese and don't yet make a fuss over egg and milk ingredients in pre-made foods (but absolutely no meat). I guess you could say we are SLOWLY trying to eat a more vegan diet. Anyway, we have told our 4 1/2 yr-old twin girls and our 6 yr-old girl what foods are considered junk food and what are healthy foods. (And we homeschool, so we don't have to worry about school lunches.) My husband's parents like to bring " treats " over to our house which are usually Swiss Cake Rolls and the like. This last time they brought treats over my twins practically yelled at their grandma, " That's junk food! Do you want us to get fat or do you want us to grow up healthy and strong? " Grandma's answer was that one treat won't hurt you, but the girls decided to eat fruit instead of the treats. We'll see if that will stop the unhealthy treats. And we did sit the girls down after the grandparents left to explain how they could have better approached Grandma instead of yelling at her. They're usually very shy girls, but they have become very defensive lately of their healthy ways of eating. It could be because all of their grandparents (they have three sets) are obese and unhealthy and can't really play with the girls much. Plus, I, too, am fifty pounds overweight and have had to stop playing physical games because I am out of breath and overheated. Children see much more than we think they do. I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who hardly ever eats vegetables. I just LOVE this list and all the wonderful people on it. I have to repeat other posters here when I say, you make me feel a lot less lonely. Laura, In Small Town Midwestern Meat and Potatoes Land, trying to be a good vegetarian. Kadee Sedtal " When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmmm, boy. " -Jack Handey Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 Just wanted to share in response. I also live in the heart of meat and potatoes land and used to be very picky. When I went veg my family was thinking the same! The interesting thing is that over the last 3+ years as a vegetarian my tastes have been changing. I have slowly come to like a lot more vegetables, some that I previously could not stand! The important thing for me was to try things again, and especially in alternative forms. Sometimes it's just a particular method of cooking, a texture issue, something like that I don't like. For instance I thought I disliked mushrooms, then found out I love mushrooms as long as they're not out of a can or in cream of mushroom soup! My DH strongly encouraged this, pushing me out of my comfort zone, and reminded me that some things I had decided I didn't like way back in childhood and couldn't even remember why. Now I'm nursing my babe who has a dairy intolerance and I'm eating close to vegan. My tastes seem to be changing yet again. Cheesy tastes come across a lot stronger now after just a couple of months. Now, I can't say this applies equally to all things. I still have not been able to make myself re-try pickles. :-) But just wanted to offer some encouragement that you may come to like more foods the longer you are veg. And to stay on topic as far as grandparents, my MIL quickly pointed out to FIL the first time he made a joke about slipping our son meat that he had best not consider it or they would not be able to babysit him! I think his dairy intolerance will help us out there too should we eventually go completely vegan. You know for whatever reason around here if you say you're allergic or even just picky, it goes over a lot better than saying you're veg... , " Laura " <redmountaindragon wrote: > > > I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially > I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, > cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to > have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately > - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our > cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. > It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was > funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who > hardly ever eats vegetables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 I live in a small town in Northern Georgia. Talk about being vegetarian and lonely. Knowone even realizes that there are other options to seasoning beside fat-back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 That made me laugh out loud. I live in Los Angeles now, but am originally from Virginia. My parents were born and raised in North Carolina and my dad complains the entire time we are home visiting (jokingly) because the food is so bland since we don't let him season everything with fat back. His arteries probably enjoy the break. _____ On Behalf Of Diana Platt Thursday, August 02, 2007 11:07 AM [Norton AntiSpam] Re:Well-meaning Grandparents I live in a small town in Northern Georgia. Talk about being vegetarian and lonely. Knowone even realizes that there are other options to seasoning beside fat-back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 We are having issues right now with my mom. When we went veg, she wasn't pleased, but never even asked questions about it. Now, when my kids go to visit, they have difficulties because Grandma's house is full of food that they can't eat. Serious junk food addicts! I had been overlooking the " fruit snacks " (yeah, right. There's no fruit in them.) but I was very uncomfortable about it because of the gelatin. So this week, I told my girls that I would buy them the good vegan kind if they avoided them at Grandma's. My younger daughter (4) was very upset at one point, crying, because she knew she couldn't have any fruit snacks, and it was horribly difficult for my mom, who doesn't understand at all why I have taken all these foods away from my daughters. In my opinion, none of this stuff can be considered food. My mom ended up crying when we left, and still wouldn't talk to me about it. I think I could handle it if she would just have a conversation with me about it. I'm thinking we have to come up with some compromises or arrangements. It seems like she is offended if I take food over for the the girls to eat, as if her food isn't good enough. But if I don't take it, she doesn't know what to feed them. Either way, her feelings are hurt, which is not at all my intention. I'm just trying to do what's best for my girls, but now Grandma's feelings are hurt, and my girls are stressed. My older daughter says she just wants to be normal, and not have to always say " no " when people offer her food. She really doesn't want to eat it, but she's tired of feeling like an outsider. It's bad enough that we home school, don't vaccinate, don't eat fast food, etc. etc. Any ideas? I'd love to ask her to have healthy food on hand for them, instead of junk, candy and ice cream, but she gets so defensive about her food. Plus, with my girls, even if you provide decent food, there's no guarantee they'll eat it. They're horribly picky. For my 4 year old, if she sees the potato chips, candy and fruit snacks, she'll turn her nose up at the good stuff, because she wants the junk. And what grandma can stand a child who won't eat? How can I ask my mom, who doesn't want to talk to me about it, to put the nasty food away while the girls are there? I wish there was some way to get her to think of healthy food choices, so it wasn't like I was just telling her what to do. I'm thinking that even providing her with a list of good choices would seem offensive. Do you ever have days where you wish it was just a bit easier? Depressed in Ohio , " Laura " <redmountaindragon wrote: > > I just had to share this little tidbit. We are vegetarians who don't > drink milk, nor eat eggs, but we still eat cheese and don't yet make a > fuss over egg and milk ingredients in pre-made foods (but absolutely > no meat). I guess you could say we are SLOWLY trying to eat a more > vegan diet. Anyway, we have told our 4 1/2 yr-old twin girls and our 6 > yr-old girl what foods are considered junk food and what are healthy > foods. (And we homeschool, so we don't have to worry about school > lunches.) My husband's parents like to bring " treats " over to our > house which are usually Swiss Cake Rolls and the like. This last time > they brought treats over my twins practically yelled at their grandma, > " That's junk food! Do you want us to get fat or do you want us to grow > up healthy and strong? " Grandma's answer was that one treat won't hurt > you, but the girls decided to eat fruit instead of the treats. We'll > see if that will stop the unhealthy treats. > > And we did sit the girls down after the grandparents left to explain > how they could have better approached Grandma instead of yelling at > her. They're usually very shy girls, but they have become very > defensive lately of their healthy ways of eating. It could be because > all of their grandparents (they have three sets) are obese and > unhealthy and can't really play with the girls much. Plus, I, too, am > fifty pounds overweight and have had to stop playing physical games > because I am out of breath and overheated. Children see much more than > we think they do. > > I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially > I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, > cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to > have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately > - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our > cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. > It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was > funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who > hardly ever eats vegetables. > > I just LOVE this list and all the wonderful people on it. I have to > repeat other posters here when I say, you make me feel a lot less lonely. > > Laura, > > In Small Town Midwestern Meat and Potatoes Land, trying to be a good > vegetarian. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 I have a few thoughts on this. You could get your mom a kid's cookbook (moosewood is great); this will have the added bonuses of an instant activity for your mom and the kids, and kids are more likely to eat food they prepare. Grandma may need to see her grandchildren at your home for a while, until she learns to make the necessary adjustments; if Grandma lived with a smoker or an untrained dog, you would likely make the same choice. thefourlakes <thefourlakes wrote: We are having issues right now with my mom. When we went veg, she wasn't pleased, but never even asked questions about it. Now, when my kids go to visit, they have difficulties because Grandma's house is full of food that they can't eat. Serious junk food addicts! I had been overlooking the " fruit snacks " (yeah, right. There's no fruit in them.) but I was very uncomfortable about it because of the gelatin. So this week, I told my girls that I would buy them the good vegan kind if they avoided them at Grandma's. My younger daughter (4) was very upset at one point, crying, because she knew she couldn't have any fruit snacks, and it was horribly difficult for my mom, who doesn't understand at all why I have taken all these foods away from my daughters. In my opinion, none of this stuff can be considered food. My mom ended up crying when we left, and still wouldn't talk to me about it. I think I could handle it if she would just have a conversation with me about it. I'm thinking we have to come up with some compromises or arrangements. It seems like she is offended if I take food over for the the girls to eat, as if her food isn't good enough. But if I don't take it, she doesn't know what to feed them. Either way, her feelings are hurt, which is not at all my intention. I'm just trying to do what's best for my girls, but now Grandma's feelings are hurt, and my girls are stressed. My older daughter says she just wants to be normal, and not have to always say " no " when people offer her food. She really doesn't want to eat it, but she's tired of feeling like an outsider. It's bad enough that we home school, don't vaccinate, don't eat fast food, etc. etc. Any ideas? I'd love to ask her to have healthy food on hand for them, instead of junk, candy and ice cream, but she gets so defensive about her food. Plus, with my girls, even if you provide decent food, there's no guarantee they'll eat it. They're horribly picky. For my 4 year old, if she sees the potato chips, candy and fruit snacks, she'll turn her nose up at the good stuff, because she wants the junk. And what grandma can stand a child who won't eat? How can I ask my mom, who doesn't want to talk to me about it, to put the nasty food away while the girls are there? I wish there was some way to get her to think of healthy food choices, so it wasn't like I was just telling her what to do. I'm thinking that even providing her with a list of good choices would seem offensive. Do you ever have days where you wish it was just a bit easier? Depressed in Ohio , " Laura " <redmountaindragon wrote: > > I just had to share this little tidbit. We are vegetarians who don't > drink milk, nor eat eggs, but we still eat cheese and don't yet make a > fuss over egg and milk ingredients in pre-made foods (but absolutely > no meat). I guess you could say we are SLOWLY trying to eat a more > vegan diet. Anyway, we have told our 4 1/2 yr-old twin girls and our 6 > yr-old girl what foods are considered junk food and what are healthy > foods. (And we homeschool, so we don't have to worry about school > lunches.) My husband's parents like to bring " treats " over to our > house which are usually Swiss Cake Rolls and the like. This last time > they brought treats over my twins practically yelled at their grandma, > " That's junk food! Do you want us to get fat or do you want us to grow > up healthy and strong? " Grandma's answer was that one treat won't hurt > you, but the girls decided to eat fruit instead of the treats. We'll > see if that will stop the unhealthy treats. > > And we did sit the girls down after the grandparents left to explain > how they could have better approached Grandma instead of yelling at > her. They're usually very shy girls, but they have become very > defensive lately of their healthy ways of eating. It could be because > all of their grandparents (they have three sets) are obese and > unhealthy and can't really play with the girls much. Plus, I, too, am > fifty pounds overweight and have had to stop playing physical games > because I am out of breath and overheated. Children see much more than > we think they do. > > I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially > I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, > cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to > have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately > - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our > cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. > It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was > funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who > hardly ever eats vegetables. > > I just LOVE this list and all the wonderful people on it. I have to > repeat other posters here when I say, you make me feel a lot less lonely. > > Laura, > > In Small Town Midwestern Meat and Potatoes Land, trying to be a good > vegetarian. > Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games. 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Guest guest Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 My mom loves to buy my kids junk food and bring it to our house and then she is surprised to see it still sitting in the pantry months later (and still fresh, I'm sure:) She doesn't do it to be mean, on the contrary, she is trying to be NICE. Our kids aren't vegan, just vegetarian, so I will let them have an unhealthy snack once a day if they even want to, but they could NEVER eat all of what Grandma brings. My situation is a little different, but I just laugh at her....I don't know how she feels about that. robin koloms <rkoloms wrote: I have a few thoughts on this. You could get your mom a kid's cookbook (moosewood is great); this will have the added bonuses of an instant activity for your mom and the kids, and kids are more likely to eat food they prepare. Grandma may need to see her grandchildren at your home for a while, until she learns to make the necessary adjustments; if Grandma lived with a smoker or an untrained dog, you would likely make the same choice. thefourlakes <thefourlakes wrote: We are having issues right now with my mom. When we went veg, she wasn't pleased, but never even asked questions about it. Now, when my kids go to visit, they have difficulties because Grandma's house is full of food that they can't eat. Serious junk food addicts! I had been overlooking the " fruit snacks " (yeah, right. There's no fruit in them.) but I was very uncomfortable about it because of the gelatin. So this week, I told my girls that I would buy them the good vegan kind if they avoided them at Grandma's. My younger daughter (4) was very upset at one point, crying, because she knew she couldn't have any fruit snacks, and it was horribly difficult for my mom, who doesn't understand at all why I have taken all these foods away from my daughters. In my opinion, none of this stuff can be considered food. My mom ended up crying when we left, and still wouldn't talk to me about it. I think I could handle it if she would just have a conversation with me about it. I'm thinking we have to come up with some compromises or arrangements. It seems like she is offended if I take food over for the the girls to eat, as if her food isn't good enough. But if I don't take it, she doesn't know what to feed them. Either way, her feelings are hurt, which is not at all my intention. I'm just trying to do what's best for my girls, but now Grandma's feelings are hurt, and my girls are stressed. My older daughter says she just wants to be normal, and not have to always say " no " when people offer her food. She really doesn't want to eat it, but she's tired of feeling like an outsider. It's bad enough that we home school, don't vaccinate, don't eat fast food, etc. etc. Any ideas? I'd love to ask her to have healthy food on hand for them, instead of junk, candy and ice cream, but she gets so defensive about her food. Plus, with my girls, even if you provide decent food, there's no guarantee they'll eat it. They're horribly picky. For my 4 year old, if she sees the potato chips, candy and fruit snacks, she'll turn her nose up at the good stuff, because she wants the junk. And what grandma can stand a child who won't eat? How can I ask my mom, who doesn't want to talk to me about it, to put the nasty food away while the girls are there? I wish there was some way to get her to think of healthy food choices, so it wasn't like I was just telling her what to do. I'm thinking that even providing her with a list of good choices would seem offensive. Do you ever have days where you wish it was just a bit easier? Depressed in Ohio , " Laura " <redmountaindragon wrote: > > I just had to share this little tidbit. We are vegetarians who don't > drink milk, nor eat eggs, but we still eat cheese and don't yet make a > fuss over egg and milk ingredients in pre-made foods (but absolutely > no meat). I guess you could say we are SLOWLY trying to eat a more > vegan diet. Anyway, we have told our 4 1/2 yr-old twin girls and our 6 > yr-old girl what foods are considered junk food and what are healthy > foods. (And we homeschool, so we don't have to worry about school > lunches.) My husband's parents like to bring " treats " over to our > house which are usually Swiss Cake Rolls and the like. This last time > they brought treats over my twins practically yelled at their grandma, > " That's junk food! Do you want us to get fat or do you want us to grow > up healthy and strong? " Grandma's answer was that one treat won't hurt > you, but the girls decided to eat fruit instead of the treats. We'll > see if that will stop the unhealthy treats. > > And we did sit the girls down after the grandparents left to explain > how they could have better approached Grandma instead of yelling at > her. They're usually very shy girls, but they have become very > defensive lately of their healthy ways of eating. It could be because > all of their grandparents (they have three sets) are obese and > unhealthy and can't really play with the girls much. Plus, I, too, am > fifty pounds overweight and have had to stop playing physical games > because I am out of breath and overheated. Children see much more than > we think they do. > > I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially > I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, > cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to > have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately > - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our > cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. > It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was > funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who > hardly ever eats vegetables. > > I just LOVE this list and all the wonderful people on it. I have to > repeat other posters here when I say, you make me feel a lot less lonely. > > Laura, > > In Small Town Midwestern Meat and Potatoes Land, trying to be a good > vegetarian. > Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 I understand where you're coming from. My MIL actually tries to trick my girls into eating things that have meat in it. They know better. If she ever DID pull one on them and they found out, she will have to suffer the consequences as she has been warned. I don't mind that she lays out cookies and donuts and assorted crap because they only go to her house once a week as it is and next to all the good stuff they get from me, what's one afternoon of junk food? They might get a tummy ache, but they won't get cancer from that little bit. So I just don't make an issue of it. If your mom cares for you kids daily, then I can see where you would have a major issue, but if it's a once in a while/week thing, try to remain calm. Tell her where the nearest health food store is and ask her to pick out goodies from there, rather than the Super Wal-Mart, where EVERYTHING is garbage. That way, she can buy yummies, but chances are, they are made with non-refined sugar and whole grain flour and such. Good luck! Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 As much as I detest WalMart, maybe a compromise is in order. Having her go to a health food store may be too big of an emotional, social and even financial hurdle for someone set in her ways about food. I don't want to admit it but it is possible to buy somewhat healthier options at WalMart...regular fresh produce is better than none at all (and although I haven't been in one in ages- I bet they have some organic stuff), whole grain crackers like Triscuits, veggie burgers, regular cheerios, soy/rice milk etc. and even some junk food (that is acceptable to you ) for her to occasionally indulge them- there are some brands of " fruit snacks " that don't have gelatin, there are baked tortilla chips and salsa and bean dips, fruit based popsicles, sorbet and cookies that are free of the most offensive ingredients. Maybe if you go thru her local Walmart and buy all of the things that are acceptable to you (or just make a list of the ones that you don't want to buy right then) and bring them to her it could be a step in reaching out to her where she is. It sounds like she is overwhelmed with all of the changes evident in your choices and the differences from when she was a young mother. Perhaps framing it so that your choices for your girls are not an indictment of her parenting so long ago....for example, such as talking about the challenges in today's world for young bodies that weren't as issue for her- more pollution in the environment and such that you feel you need to give your girls every extra bit of protection and nutritional strengthening to endure. that way you can show that you are on the same team and not adversaries- how you both love the girls and have their best interests at heart and also you both recognize that showing love by sharing the pleasures of food is also important among loved ones. Peace, D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 I agree with what Danita said. You may also want to provide her with the " I Can't Believe It's Vegan " from PETA at: http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/ These are foods that can be found in run-of-the-mill grocery stores and most people are familiar with. There are plenty of things on this list that I really don't want my kids to eat so I modify the list when I give it to anyone who is going to feed me or my children. Even then there are things on the list I don't want to eat and don't want my kids to eat but I've taken the " worst offenders " off. I refer teachers who provide treats every now and then to my kids in school and friends who invite us to their homes for meals with the list when they ask me what they can feed us. It helps them to not feel so overwhelmed when they are faced with feeding my kids. Maybe you could provide this list (with or without modifications as you choose) to your MIL and tell her that you know how difficult it must be for her to find food to feed your kids and you just wanted to help make it easier for her. Maybe that'll help. God's Peace, Gayle - 10/6/2007 10:10:46 AM Re: Re: Well-meaning Grandparents As much as I detest WalMart, maybe a compromise is in order. Having her go to a health food store may be too big of an emotional, social and even financial hurdle for someone set in her ways about food. I don't want to admit it but it is possible to buy somewhat healthier options at WalMart...regular fresh produce is better than none at all (and although I haven't been in one in ages- I bet they have some organic stuff), whole grain crackers like Triscuits, veggie burgers, regular cheerios, soy/rice milk etc. and even some junk food (that is acceptable to you ) for her to occasionally indulge them- there are some brands of " fruit snacks " that don't have gelatin, there are baked tortilla chips and salsa and bean dips, fruit based popsicles, sorbet and cookies that are free of the most offensive ingredients. Maybe if you go thru her local Walmart and buy all of the things that are acceptable to you (or just make a list of the ones that you don't want to buy right then) and bring them to her it could be a step in reaching out to her where she is. It sounds like she is overwhelmed with all of the changes evident in your choices and the differences from when she was a young mother. Perhaps framing it so that your choices for your girls are not an indictment of her parenting so long ago....for example, such as talking about the challenges in today's world for young bodies that weren't as issue for her- more pollution in the environment and such that you feel you need to give your girls every extra bit of protection and nutritional strengthening to endure. that way you can show that you are on the same team and not adversaries- how you both love the girls and have their best interests at heart and also you both recognize that showing love by sharing the pleasures of food is also important among loved ones. Peace, D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Where does she shop to get all her junk food? Perhaps the same store has some healthy choices, if you she pointed them out in the same store, she might not mind buying them. How often do your girls see the granparents who give them this junk food? Do they also feed them regular meals meals? If so what do they give them for the meals? I have two boys and granma used to give them the veggie corn dogs, veggie dogs, sometimes morning star sausage links - then some potatoes with that and peas (the frozen type), mac & cheese too sometimes. It was always an easy prep meal. She would make a dish of berries for my son and put whipped cream on it and call it his salad. That was nice and even prettty healthy except for maybe the whip. I've been a lacto-vegetarain for 27 years and I've raised two veggie kids now 11 & 15. When it comes to their granparents - they were pretty good about not too much junk - once in a while they made those rice krispy treats which the kids liked and sometimes chips were around, but not all the time. Mostly when it came to meal time they fed them pretty decently veggie food and a glass of milk at every meal (we are lacto). I think it's most important that if they are feeding them a meal, that it has balanced foods that are somewhat nutritious, or at least pass for being balanced. As far as the fruit snacks you mentioned. Personally, I would let that go and let granma have her way about it, myself. I love those planet gummi worms - with no gelatin, but they are hard to find, especially for granma. As far as the chips, perhaps you could encourage her to only serve a few at lunch and be sure that the girls eat their veggies first say those baby carrots or some cut up apples. You could think about it this way, the nurturing from Granparents goes a long way and that's pretty special for your girls beyond the food scene. Talk to your mom and tell you are trying to find balance in your life as a vegetarian and let her know you appreciate the nurturing she gives the girils and her efforts in feeding them. You don't want to alienate your relationship with her by being too uptight about the food. Think about what we ate when we were kids, God forbid. The other thing is that Granparents usually put sooooooo much love into what they serve the grankids that it makes up for being junkie because it's done with love. Love is powerful and puts prana in the food. Mostly you are the one giving them all their meals. The few times they are with the granparents will not be as much of an impact as what you do for them. Pretty soon, they'll turn their nose up to that Captain Crunch etc.. You might want to wait until she's ready to hear this, but later tell her you are really trying to avoid refined sugar because you know it's not healthy for them and tends to stunt their growth. Perhaps educate her to the fact that it's a negative nutrient that's indigestible and robs the Vitamin B and Calcium in the body in order to digest. Tell her that it takes a toll on the nervous system to do that. I'm not sure it will help, but education never hurts. Talk to you later. Atma -- Atma K. Khalsa 951.696.9063 ext. 105 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 I know my reply won't be popular, but I am careful about making my kids be vegetarian if they don't want to be. They may resent you for it and rebel against it whenever they are away from you. Perhaps you could do what I am doing. I'm vegetarian as is 1 daughter. My hubby and another daughter are not. I do not buy or cook any non-veg meals, so what the family eats at home is mostly veg (unless hubby brings something home). When we go out, however, the non-veg daughter can order whatever she wants. She enjoys the things I cook and is willing to try just about anything at home, but doesn't resent me because I'm not making her eat any way but healthy. She really only orders meat once in a while - I can tell she doesn't really think she should eat it. She even told a friend the other day who had invited her to dinner that she doesn't eat meat. She really needs to make this choice for herself in order to feel strong about it. As with all parenting advice, this is just my opinion on a situation that is working for me. The Grandma thing is tricky, especially until she's willing to talk about it. You should tell her that the situation is bothering your kids. Maybe that will get her to discuss it with you. Offer to take her some snacks that you can tolerate letting your kids eat. Suggest compromise foods that they can all eat together. I think it's important that you let her know that she is not to offer things to you kids that you don't want them to have so they don't have to be the ones to say no to Grandma. I know it isn't much, but the grandparent thing is so hard. I often wish it wasn't so hard to do the right thing. I think much of what seems like the right thing to do as a parent is the hard thing to do. Just do the best you can and know that your kids will be fine!! Barb _____ On Behalf Of thefourlakes Friday, October 05, 2007 1:57 AM Re: Well-meaning Grandparents We are having issues right now with my mom. When we went veg, she wasn't pleased, but never even asked questions about it. Now, when my kids go to visit, they have difficulties because Grandma's house is full of food that they can't eat. Serious junk food addicts! I had been overlooking the " fruit snacks " (yeah, right. There's no fruit in them.) but I was very uncomfortable about it because of the gelatin. So this week, I told my girls that I would buy them the good vegan kind if they avoided them at Grandma's. My younger daughter (4) was very upset at one point, crying, because she knew she couldn't have any fruit snacks, and it was horribly difficult for my mom, who doesn't understand at all why I have taken all these foods away from my daughters. In my opinion, none of this stuff can be considered food. My mom ended up crying when we left, and still wouldn't talk to me about it. I think I could handle it if she would just have a conversation with me about it. I'm thinking we have to come up with some compromises or arrangements. It seems like she is offended if I take food over for the the girls to eat, as if her food isn't good enough. But if I don't take it, she doesn't know what to feed them. Either way, her feelings are hurt, which is not at all my intention. I'm just trying to do what's best for my girls, but now Grandma's feelings are hurt, and my girls are stressed. My older daughter says she just wants to be normal, and not have to always say " no " when people offer her food. She really doesn't want to eat it, but she's tired of feeling like an outsider. It's bad enough that we home school, don't vaccinate, don't eat fast food, etc. etc. Any ideas? I'd love to ask her to have healthy food on hand for them, instead of junk, candy and ice cream, but she gets so defensive about her food. Plus, with my girls, even if you provide decent food, there's no guarantee they'll eat it. They're horribly picky. For my 4 year old, if she sees the potato chips, candy and fruit snacks, she'll turn her nose up at the good stuff, because she wants the junk. And what grandma can stand a child who won't eat? How can I ask my mom, who doesn't want to talk to me about it, to put the nasty food away while the girls are there? I wish there was some way to get her to think of healthy food choices, so it wasn't like I was just telling her what to do. I'm thinking that even providing her with a list of good choices would seem offensive. Do you ever have days where you wish it was just a bit easier? Depressed in Ohio @gro <%40> ups.com, " Laura " <redmountaindragon wrote: > > I just had to share this little tidbit. We are vegetarians who don't > drink milk, nor eat eggs, but we still eat cheese and don't yet make a > fuss over egg and milk ingredients in pre-made foods (but absolutely > no meat). I guess you could say we are SLOWLY trying to eat a more > vegan diet. Anyway, we have told our 4 1/2 yr-old twin girls and our 6 > yr-old girl what foods are considered junk food and what are healthy > foods. (And we homeschool, so we don't have to worry about school > lunches.) My husband's parents like to bring " treats " over to our > house which are usually Swiss Cake Rolls and the like. This last time > they brought treats over my twins practically yelled at their grandma, > " That's junk food! Do you want us to get fat or do you want us to grow > up healthy and strong? " Grandma's answer was that one treat won't hurt > you, but the girls decided to eat fruit instead of the treats. We'll > see if that will stop the unhealthy treats. > > And we did sit the girls down after the grandparents left to explain > how they could have better approached Grandma instead of yelling at > her. They're usually very shy girls, but they have become very > defensive lately of their healthy ways of eating. It could be because > all of their grandparents (they have three sets) are obese and > unhealthy and can't really play with the girls much. Plus, I, too, am > fifty pounds overweight and have had to stop playing physical games > because I am out of breath and overheated. Children see much more than > we think they do. > > I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially > I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, > cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to > have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately > - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our > cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. > It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was > funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who > hardly ever eats vegetables. > > I just LOVE this list and all the wonderful people on it. I have to > repeat other posters here when I say, you make me feel a lot less lonely. > > Laura, > > In Small Town Midwestern Meat and Potatoes Land, trying to be a good > vegetarian. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 We try do this as well, only we're vegan. Our son has a dairy allergy, and he knows that milk and related products and additives (whey and casien) will make him feel terrible. Overall we decided that going vegan was much easier with the milk issues. By proxy, though still cuts out some meats because they have milk product derived ingredients in them (or out, they are breaded and milk is used). We guide our son, and it is really how at 4 (and really since he was about 2 he could tell you he couldn't have milk) he knows. He is quite adamant now that things be vegan, and he asks me if we can buy vegan broccoli (which is cute). If he wanted to try something, we'd have to be sure there was nothing made from milk (like calcium casienate among other things), and it's just not worth the risk when we go out to eat, as it's not always a physical reaction, as his mood tanks and his behavior does as well. He understands, so I think that's why he is very happy to proudly ask for vegan things. We don't push, but when it could be a potential allergen, we have to be firm. He is pretty happy to proclaim his being vegan though. Missie On 10/8/07, Barb Deggans <bdeggans wrote: > > I know my reply won't be popular, but I am careful about making my kids > be > vegetarian if they don't want to be. They may resent you for it and rebel > against it whenever they are away from you. Perhaps you could do what I am > doing. I'm vegetarian as is 1 daughter. My hubby and another daughter are > not. I do not buy or cook any non-veg meals, so what the family eats at > home is mostly veg (unless hubby brings something home). When we go out, > however, the non-veg daughter can order whatever she wants. She enjoys the > things I cook and is willing to try just about anything at home, but > doesn't > resent me because I'm not making her eat any way but healthy. She really > only orders meat once in a while - I can tell she doesn't really think she > should eat it. She even told a friend the other day who had invited her to > dinner that she doesn't eat meat. She really needs to make this choice for > herself in order to feel strong about it. As with all parenting advice, > this is just my opinion on a situation that is working for me. > > The Grandma thing is tricky, especially until she's willing to talk about > it. You should tell her that the situation is bothering your kids. Maybe > that will get her to discuss it with you. Offer to take her some snacks > that you can tolerate letting your kids eat. Suggest compromise foods that > they can all eat together. I think it's important that you let her know > that she is not to offer things to you kids that you don't want them to > have > so they don't have to be the ones to say no to Grandma. I know it isn't > much, but the grandparent thing is so hard. > > I often wish it wasn't so hard to do the right thing. I think much of what > seems like the right thing to do as a parent is the hard thing to do. Just > do the best you can and know that your kids will be fine!! > > Barb > > _____ > > <%40> [ > <%40>] On > Behalf Of thefourlakes > Friday, October 05, 2007 1:57 AM > <%40> > Re: Well-meaning Grandparents > > > We are having issues right now with my mom. > When we went veg, she wasn't pleased, but never even asked questions > about it. > Now, when my kids go to visit, they have difficulties because > Grandma's house is full of food that they can't eat. Serious junk food > addicts! > I had been overlooking the " fruit snacks " (yeah, right. There's no > fruit in them.) but I was very uncomfortable about it because of the > gelatin. So this week, I told my girls that I would buy them the good > vegan kind if they avoided them at Grandma's. > My younger daughter (4) was very upset at one point, crying, because > she knew she couldn't have any fruit snacks, and it was horribly > difficult for my mom, who doesn't understand at all why I have taken > all these foods away from my daughters. In my opinion, none of this > stuff can be considered food. > > My mom ended up crying when we left, and still wouldn't talk to me > about it. > I think I could handle it if she would just have a conversation with > me about it. > > I'm thinking we have to come up with some compromises or arrangements. > It seems like she is offended if I take food over for the the girls to > eat, as if her food isn't good enough. But if I don't take it, she > doesn't know what to feed them. Either way, her feelings are hurt, > which is not at all my intention. > I'm just trying to do what's best for my girls, but now Grandma's > feelings are hurt, and my girls are stressed. My older daughter says > she just wants to be normal, and not have to always say " no " when > people offer her food. She really doesn't want to eat it, but she's > tired of feeling like an outsider. > It's bad enough that we home school, don't vaccinate, don't eat fast > food, etc. etc. > > Any ideas? > I'd love to ask her to have healthy food on hand for them, instead of > junk, candy and ice cream, but she gets so defensive about her food. > Plus, with my girls, even if you provide decent food, there's no > guarantee they'll eat it. They're horribly picky. > For my 4 year old, if she sees the potato chips, candy and fruit > snacks, she'll turn her nose up at the good stuff, because she wants > the junk. And what grandma can stand a child who won't eat? > How can I ask my mom, who doesn't want to talk to me about it, to put > the nasty food away while the girls are there? > I wish there was some way to get her to think of healthy food choices, > so it wasn't like I was just telling her what to do. I'm thinking that > even providing her with a list of good choices would seem offensive. > > Do you ever have days where you wish it was just a bit easier? > > Depressed in Ohio > > @gro <% <%25> > 40> ups.com, > " Laura " <redmountaindragon wrote: > > > > I just had to share this little tidbit. We are vegetarians who don't > > drink milk, nor eat eggs, but we still eat cheese and don't yet make a > > fuss over egg and milk ingredients in pre-made foods (but absolutely > > no meat). I guess you could say we are SLOWLY trying to eat a more > > vegan diet. Anyway, we have told our 4 1/2 yr-old twin girls and our 6 > > yr-old girl what foods are considered junk food and what are healthy > > foods. (And we homeschool, so we don't have to worry about school > > lunches.) My husband's parents like to bring " treats " over to our > > house which are usually Swiss Cake Rolls and the like. This last time > > they brought treats over my twins practically yelled at their grandma, > > " That's junk food! Do you want us to get fat or do you want us to grow > > up healthy and strong? " Grandma's answer was that one treat won't hurt > > you, but the girls decided to eat fruit instead of the treats. We'll > > see if that will stop the unhealthy treats. > > > > And we did sit the girls down after the grandparents left to explain > > how they could have better approached Grandma instead of yelling at > > her. They're usually very shy girls, but they have become very > > defensive lately of their healthy ways of eating. It could be because > > all of their grandparents (they have three sets) are obese and > > unhealthy and can't really play with the girls much. Plus, I, too, am > > fifty pounds overweight and have had to stop playing physical games > > because I am out of breath and overheated. Children see much more than > > we think they do. > > > > I had hoped going vegetarian would help me lose weight, but initially > > I replaced all my meat-based meals with things like cheese pizza, > > cheese ravioli, other pastas with cheese, and anything Mexican has to > > have cheese on it. We have been trying lots of new vegan foods lately > > - some we like, a lot we don't. I'm also trying to reduce our > > cheese-based meals to only three times a week and take it from there. > > It's hard being a vegetarian who is picky - my family thought it was > > funny when I said we were switching to vegetarian - me, the one who > > hardly ever eats vegetables. > > > > I just LOVE this list and all the wonderful people on it. I have to > > repeat other posters here when I say, you make me feel a lot less > lonely. > > > > Laura, > > > > In Small Town Midwestern Meat and Potatoes Land, trying to be a good > > vegetarian. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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