Guest guest Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 My name is David, i'm new to vegetarianism, and I'm trying to raise my daughter the same way. I don't get any support from my wife and her son freaks out at the sight of anything green near his food. My daughter is 3 and enjoys the same vegies I do, but does anyone have any fresh and fun ideas for small children? Thanks a bunch. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 That's great that you are persevering even without your wife's consent. Although, I think it's really important for your spouse to be on board. It took me about a year to get my husband on board from when I first started. It's a hard concept to get at first, but once you become a vegetarian, it's hard to see it any other way, isn't it? Try making regular dishes like lasagna, enchiladas, pastas without meat so that your wife and her son can see that vegetarians can eat the same food that non vegetarians eat. Or if you guys have a burger and fries night, just make your own garden burgers or get those boca burgers that look the same as meat. I think it's ok to start out that way and then move on to making your own homemade stuff later. Others might not agree, but I think it's a good way to get those who think vegetarianism is a crazy way of life to see that it isn't so bad after all. Do you ever make smoothies? Try putting some spinach in them. You can't even tell it's in there. You just have to use blueberries to hide the green color. I use strawberries and blueberries in my smoothies. If you want a creamy substance to your pastas, you can use tvp instead of cheese. It tricks my daughter. Good luck! And just remember it may take a while to convince others, but the reward is great when you become a vegetarian family! :-) Stephani _____ On Behalf Of David Tuesday, March 18, 2008 8:53 AM Hell-0 My name is David, i'm new to vegetarianism, and I'm trying to raise my daughter the same way. I don't get any support from my wife and her son freaks out at the sight of anything green near his food. My daughter is 3 and enjoys the same vegies I do, but does anyone have any fresh and fun ideas for small children? Thanks a bunch. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 David - I have three suggestions: (1) Plant vegetables this spring from seed with your daughter. She will delight in seeing them grow and she'll look forward to harvesting and eating them. Some parents can't get their kids to eat carrots; my son (now 4) loves them because he helped plant them last year and we'd take a couple out each day and make a ritual of washing and eating them. In the fall, take her apple and pumpkin picking. (2) Your wife no doubt cares for your family's well-being, so she apparently doesn't appreciate the benefits of a vegan diet. I suggest you get these books for your family to highlight the health benefits: The Vegan Diet as Chronic Disease Prevention Raising Vegan Children in a Non-Vegan World: A Complete Guide for Parents The Vegan Diet As Chronic Disease Prevention: Evidence Supporting the New Four Food Groups Milk - The Deadly Poison Don't Drink your Milk The Weaning of America Raising Vegetarian Children Disease-Proof your Child If she is an environmentalist (as we all should be), there are dozens of books to recommend, but she could start with: Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet If she's concerned about animals (as we all should be), there are also dozens of books, but I'd start with Prisoned Chickens Poisoned Eggs: An Inside Look at the Modern Poultry Industry Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry The Ethics of What We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter Animal Liberation Here is a great book to make it all more fun and convenient: The Vegan Lunchbox Or just go here: http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=100 I could go on and on, but you know better what she needs to understand to draw her support. (3) Perspective taking is probably the best way to encourage empathy, and this may work best with your son. I'd suggest spending some time at a legitimate animal sanctuary (not a zoo, roadside exhibit or circus!) where you can see farm animals and/or wildlife firsthand. Take them camping so they can appreciate the wilderness, exercise, drinking water from a stream and making meals at the campsite. Those memories will live with them longer than any video games. Hope this helps. Mark , " David " <choptops_bbq2000 wrote: > > My name is David, i'm new to vegetarianism, and I'm trying to raise my > daughter the same way. > I don't get any support from my wife and her son freaks out at the > sight of anything green near his food. > My daughter is 3 and enjoys the same vegies I do, but does anyone have > any fresh and fun ideas for small children? > Thanks a bunch. > > David > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 My husband and I just made spaghetti O's. We went to cooking light web site and made the Tomato Basil Soup (sub. chicken broth for veg. broth) then added the Ditatalli(sp) noodles that look like O's. If you eat cheese, sprinkle some partisan cheese on top. You have a home made, fun meal for your child. On Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 7:52 AM, David <choptops_bbq2000 wrote: > My name is David, i'm new to vegetarianism, and I'm trying to raise my > daughter the same way. > I don't get any support from my wife and her son freaks out at the > sight of anything green near his food. > My daughter is 3 and enjoys the same vegies I do, but does anyone have > any fresh and fun ideas for small children? > Thanks a bunch. > > David > > > -- Sarah Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them -- that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. ~ Lao Tzu However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them? - Buddha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 just wanted to say thank you the info, means a lot. we go apple and pumpkin picking the fall, this spring we are going to plant our own veggies. thank you all. David Fear the nerd rage Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I've been using a book called " Mommy Made (and Daddy Too) " or something to that effect. I've been using it for infant purees, but it has some fun toddler and older kid recipes too. Not sure it is all vegetarian. I just skip past anything dead. Good luck! P.S. That is awesome that your daughter loves veggies! Way to go! " Desire the well-being of your fellow creature, eyeing his good fortune benevolently. Let his honor be as precious to you as your own, for you and your fellow are one and the same. " ---Moses Cordovero Never miss a thing. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Welcome! Shredded carrots and zucchini can be hidden in lots of foods (pasta, soups, under cheese in pizza, etc. Kids love to dip: veggies in hommous or salad dressing, fruits in yogurt, etc. There are really great kids cookbooks that can encourage a love of cooking and healthy eating - Stone Soup by the Moosewood people is great. Ask your son to pick out a vegetable at the store and help him find a recipe in a book or online; when kids are involved in cooking and meal planning they eat a better variety of foods. Robin David <choptops_bbq2000 wrote: My name is David, i'm new to vegetarianism, and I'm trying to raise my daughter the same way. I don't get any support from my wife and her son freaks out at the sight of anything green near his food. My daughter is 3 and enjoys the same vegies I do, but does anyone have any fresh and fun ideas for small children? Thanks a bunch. David Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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