Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Gayle--Congratulations on a successful conclusion to your case! I know from experience what a relief it is. As to the school lunches, it is so unfortunate that the schools insist on feeding all kids so unhealthfully, vegan issue aside. If it were me, if at all possible I would try and fight the district, just on principle, but plan on providing the kids' lunches. Or make it clear that you will accept the free lunch, but the kids WILL be throwing away the unhealthy milks, etc., and drinking and eating healthy substitutes from home. They can't control what your kids toss, and they can't stop them from bringing food to school. Forgive me if you've already thought of these things. I just wanted to throw a few ideas out, to give you some idea of what I'd do, FWIW. Just provide as frugal a menu as possible--thermoses of water to drink (maybe add a couple of drops of stevia and a squirt of lemon), rice and beans or soup made from leftover veggies in a thermos, nothing disposable, no individually pre-packaged items. Buy in bulk from warehouse clubs or co-ops. Make everything from scratch--dips, granola bars, etc. Search out frugal ideas from websites like Hillbilly Housewife (not vegan or even vegetarian, but might spark some good ideas for you--they have a lunchbox idea page). I'm sure there are vegan sites that have lunchbox idea pages as well.This one just happens to be a site I'm familiar with. Here are some of my own ideas: burritos made with homemade refried beans pitas stuffed with veggies and some homemade dressing salads of all sorts soups (leftover from dinner?) stews chili rice cakes with homemade hummus snacks: homemade popped popcorn homemade pretzels homemade trail mixes (made with odds and ends of leftover cold cereals, etc.) homemade cookies and bars HTH! Marilyn **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Wow, Gayle, God Bless you! You have remained strong in your values and in doing what is right for your children. I'll bet 2 years ago you couldn't even see the end of this. You have done amazing things for your children so far, and I'm sure you will continue to find the way. Sorry, I don't have any advice for you about the lunch program. But seems like you are on the right track. Good Luck and God Bless you! Sorry that's all I can say. I'm not even that religious, but that's where I'm trying to find strength these days. Peace and Love, Janeen Gayle <dilemma5 VeganParenting ; Monday, July 7, 2008 7:33:13 AM Divorce Results and School Lunches Hello All, First, for those of you who have written to ask for updates on my divorce situation, it's finally over. After more than two years of pure h_ _l and $50,000.00 (of which proceeds from the sale of my house paid for 1/2 and the other half I have no idea how I will ever pay), I will be divorced on or about the 19th of July. The Judge sent his decision to the attorneys and all that is left is to have him sign the order my attorney is preparing for him. During the the whole two years, my ex-husband's attorney brought up the evils of a vegan diet for children, repeatedly. Initially the Judge said he wasn't going to get involved in philosophical issues, however that didn't deter my ex' attorney. He continued hounding me about it and how I was abusing/neglecting my children by feeding them a vegan diet. When we had our trial in April, my ex' attorney pelted me with questions/accusatio ns about veganism. I was able to answer, with all certainty and accuracy all the questions he threw at me. When I was able to successfully deflect his attacks about the nutritional needs of vegan children, he and my ex ended up resorting to the fact that my children are quintuplets and that makes them stick out enough (of course my ex is the only one who makes sure everyone he knows and meets knows that they are quintuplets. My children are at the age where they would rather not offer that info unless they want to so I never do. I leave it to them to tell if they want to.). He said that by them being vegan and starting middle school along with being quintuplets they would be made fun of for that too. They don't get made fun of for being quintuplets. They have rarely had any problems with being vegan, in fact most of the kids want what they have for lunch. If anything, they have problems with everyone asking for their food. Most people get over that they are quintuplets in the first few minutes when they realize how different they are from each other. Anyway, the Judge concluded his remarks at the end of the trial by telling both attorneys that if he were them, he wouldn't waste much time on the vegan issue when they both wrote their final arguments (he wanted them written rather than presented orally in court). " I'm not an expert on veganism, " he said, " but I am convinced that it is the healthier way to live. In fact, don't even address the subject in your final arguments. I don't want to hear anything about it in them. " YES!!!!! Of course, my ex' attorney still did address it in his final arguments. The Judge, however ignored it. So in his decision, I have primary custody of my children and their father has secondary. They will visit their father every other weekend and one night every week. Another, YES!!!!! The unfortunate part is that the Judge, after 14 years of marriage and me giving up my job and retirement and any advancements I could have made in a career to raise my children, ruled against alimony and also cut the child support in half. So, though I make less than 1/3 of what my children's father makes and have six people to support while he has one, I get very little in child support. So, being that we will be living below the poverty level, my children will be on free lunches at school. That leads me to the advice I need. In my children's school district, in order to have any part of the lunches, a student must take the whole lunch. They do not provide vegetarian or vegan options - period. I would like my children to be able to get the veggies and juice and any other vegan options they may have from the school while I provide the sandwich/main course. The district will not allow this. I don't want them to get the whole lunch and then throw what they don't eat away and the district policy is that students cannot give food to one another. Now that the divorce is finally over, I can focus my attention on other things that " might " bring attention to myself and veganism (I couldn't do this while it was going on because of the stupidity of the reporter who wrote the article about our divorce happening because of veganism and all the negative comments and publicity that was focused on me because of her ignorance and stupidity. BTW, thank you Doh for sticking up for me on one of those " Gayle/vegan/ wife Bashing " forums). Have any of you run into anything like this and had to deal with it? If you have, what did you do that was successful? What did you do that you wished you had not done or would have done differently? How did you approach the administrators? Actually, where did you begin? I don't think a child should be forced to eat animal products because they are on free lunches. Any positive advice would be ever so much appreciated. God's Peace, Gayle " We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. " ~~ Anais Nin (1903 - 1977) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Oh Gayle, I'm so sorry for all of your heartache over this. Yeah! for the judge's comments on veganism - and is that part of the public record? You can take a bow for your capable presentation of the facts! **applause** **standing ovation** I guess it's too late to point out to your ex that his lack of full financial support and therefore living below the poverty level could lead to a way more likely source of the kids being viewed as different than being a quint or a vegan. grrr. But now you can move on and tackle these other issues. I don't have any advice at this point except this... One of the speakers at NAVS Summerfest in June (and I included the program blurb about her) was - AMIE HAMLIN (NY) Executive director NY Coalition for Healthy School Food, responsible for resolutions passed unanimously in NYS Legislature & NYS PTA, asking that plant-based entrees be served daily; founder of Club Veg here is their website http://www.healthylunches.org/index.htm New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches Amie Hamlin, Executive Director 607-272-1154 To communicate with Executive Director: NYCHSL POB 6858 Ithaca, NY 14851-6858 amie Maybe she can give you some advice. Best wishes and a big hug, Danita >Gayle <dilemma5 >Jul 7, 2008 7:33 AM >VeganParenting , > Divorce Results and School Lunches > >Hello All, > >First, for those of you who have written to ask for updates on my divorce situation, it's finally over. After more than two years of pure h_ _l and $50,000.00 (of which proceeds from the sale of my house paid for 1/2 and the other half I have no idea how I will ever pay), I will be divorced on or about the 19th of July. The Judge sent his decision to the attorneys and all that is left is to have him sign the order my attorney is preparing for him. During the the whole two years, my ex-husband's attorney brought up the evils of a vegan diet for children, repeatedly. Initially the Judge said he wasn't going to get involved in philosophical issues, however that didn't deter my ex' attorney. He continued hounding me about it and how I was abusing/neglecting my children by feeding them a vegan diet. When we had our trial in April, my ex' attorney pelted me with questions/accusations about veganism. I was able to answer, with all certainty and accuracy all the questions he threw at me. When I was able to successfully deflect his attacks about the nutritional needs of vegan children, he and my ex ended up resorting to the fact that my children are quintuplets and that makes them stick out enough (of course my ex is the only one who makes sure everyone he knows and meets knows that they are quintuplets. My children are at the age where they would rather not offer that info unless they want to so I never do. I leave it to them to tell if they want to.). He said that by them being vegan and starting middle school along with being quintuplets they would be made fun of for that too. They don't get made fun of for being quintuplets. They have rarely had any problems with being vegan, in fact most of the kids want what they have for lunch. If anything, they have problems with everyone asking for their food. Most people get over that they are quintuplets in the first few minutes when they realize how different they are from each other. Anyway, the Judge concluded his remarks at the end of the trial by telling both attorneys that if he were them, he wouldn't waste much time on the vegan issue when they both wrote their final arguments (he wanted them written rather than presented orally in court). " I'm not an expert on veganism, " he said, " but I am convinced that it is the healthier way to live. In fact, don't even address the subject in your final arguments. I don't want to hear anything about it in them. " YES!!!!! Of course, my ex' attorney still did address it in his final arguments. The Judge, however ignored it. So in his decision, I have primary custody of my children and their father has secondary. They will visit their father every other weekend and one night every week. Another, YES!!!!! The unfortunate part is that the Judge, after 14 years of marriage and me giving up my job and retirement and any advancements I could have made in a career to raise my children, ruled against alimony and also cut the child support in half. So, though I make less than 1/3 of what my children's father makes and have six people to support while he has one, I get very little in child support. So, being that we will be living below the poverty level, my children will be on free lunches at school. That leads me to the advice I need. > >In my children's school district, in order to have any part of the lunches, a student must take the whole lunch. They do not provide vegetarian or vegan options - period. I would like my children to be able to get the veggies and juice and any other vegan options they may have from the school while I provide the sandwich/main course. The district will not allow this. I don't want them to get the whole lunch and then throw what they don't eat away and the district policy is that students cannot give food to one another. Now that the divorce is finally over, I can focus my attention on other things that " might " bring attention to myself and veganism (I couldn't do this while it was going on because of the stupidity of the reporter who wrote the article about our divorce happening because of veganism and all the negative comments and publicity that was focused on me because of her ignorance and stupidity. BTW, thank you Doh for sticking up for me on one of those " Gayle/vegan/wife Bashing " forums). Have any of you run into anything like this and had to deal with it? If you have, what did you do that was successful? What did you do that you wished you had not done or would have done differently? How did you approach the administrators? Actually, where did you begin? I don't think a child should be forced to eat animal products because they are on free lunches. Any positive advice would be ever so much appreciated. > >God's Peace, >Gayle > " We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. " ~~ Anais Nin (1903 - 1977) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Congrats, Gayle! And yay to Doh too for publicly sticking up for one of us. (No helpful ideas on the free lunch issue....sorry.) Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Gayle - Congrats, all around! Sounds like quite a battle, and a big relief for you! As for lunches...coming from a home where my folks divorced when I was in high school, and my mom had 2 of us kids to support as well as herself - and she made barely minium wage...I have some thoughts on what to bring to school for lunches. Peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches we always had a fruit cup (in tupperware 1/2c containers) maybe carrot sticks or celery sticks, or other veggies (cucumber slices or stuff like that) It was usually enough, and I used to get the 'orange drink' instead of milk because I hated that it was slimey tasting. WE also got leftovers (now, I'd sub bean/lentil loaves for meatloaf) There is also a very cheap vegan version of 'spaghetti O's you can make - basically it's semolina pasta - it's in those little bags of pasta ( only just found o shaped pasta for this! but we'd use alphabets or other small pasta shapes - I also found tubes and if you mix in some reconstitutedTVP it's like 'beef'aroni). You make the pasta (one of the smaller bags I use half of it, - and one can of soupso it's got more sauce), drain, (don't rinse) then mix in a can of tomato soup (do not dilute) and some Nutritional yeast to make it cheesier. My son loves this. I also send frozen peas (they thaw by lunch time) and a fruit cup. Or I send along yellow wax beans (his other favorite) or garbanzos or what have you. I try to have a 'hot lunch' once a week for himbut this means that I have to cook said food before he gets up and we have to eat and leave before summer camp, but it works. If you had a microwave, you could make it ahead of time and heat it up before putting into a thermos. That's all I have. Good for you for standing up for your beliefs, and the judge for recognizingthat it was 'scare tactics' his lawyers were trying to use. It sounds like a great weight has been lifted for you, and the other obstacles - these too shall pass. Missie On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 9:56 AM, <sahmomof8 wrote: > Gayle--Congratulations on a successful conclusion to your case! I know from > experience what a relief it is. As to the school lunches, it is so > unfortunate > that the schools insist on feeding all kids so unhealthfully, vegan issue > aside. If it were me, if at all possible I would try and fight the district, > just on principle, but plan on providing the kids' lunches. Or make it clear > that you will accept the free lunch, but the kids WILL be throwing away the > unhealthy milks, etc., and drinking and eating healthy substitutes from > home. > They can't control what your kids toss, and they can't stop them from > bringing > food to school. > > Forgive me if you've already thought of these things. I just wanted to throw > a few ideas out, to give you some idea of what I'd do, FWIW. Just provide as > frugal a menu as possible--thermoses of water to drink (maybe add a couple > of drops of stevia and a squirt of lemon), rice and beans or soup made from > leftover veggies in a thermos, nothing disposable, no individually > pre-packaged > items. Buy in bulk from warehouse clubs or co-ops. Make everything from > scratch--dips, granola bars, etc. > > Search out frugal ideas from websites like Hillbilly Housewife (not vegan or > even vegetarian, but might spark some good ideas for you--they have a > lunchbox idea page). I'm sure there are vegan sites that have lunchbox idea > pages > as well.This one just happens to be a site I'm familiar with. Here are some > of > my own ideas: > > burritos made with homemade refried beans > pitas stuffed with veggies and some homemade dressing > salads of all sorts > soups (leftover from dinner?) > stews > chili > rice cakes with homemade hummus > > snacks: > homemade popped popcorn > homemade pretzels > homemade trail mixes (made with odds and ends of leftover cold cereals, > etc.) > homemade cookies and bars > > HTH! Marilyn > > > **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for > fuel-efficient used cars. > (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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