Guest guest Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hello, We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. She is Type 1 diabetic. WE have a 7 yr who would never eat meat for us ever. We think she was just getting prepared all these years for the vegetarian lifestyle. Just failed to tell us we will become vegetarians.. LOL. We have become vegetarian for so mnay reasons. We were going to ease into it. Then started to just not eat meat. Then all sudden just within one week. We could not even look at meat without feeling sick to our stomach. We love this way of life and eating. Of course we have the famous struggles from friends and family. Who think we are just plain nuts. Think this is just a phase we are going through with our family. When they dont relize this is our life now. They just dont understand. We feel left out alot on things now. They are all afraid because the still eat meat. We cant be around them while eating. That is there choice. If they choose to eat meat. We just dont want to. Doesnt mean we have to be set aside like we no longer exist. Family questions everything with us now. How are the kids getting there vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein. How is the oldest DD doing with her blood sugars not having the protein from meat? All these questions and drill sessions. Making us feel inferior as parents. Had us questioning if we made the right choice. I know deep down we have. It is still hard to not have the support we would like from them all. Then going out to eat as a family. WOW.. never relized what a task it is for a vegetarian family to find a restraunt who makes even just a few meals that dont have meat. I am so glad I came across this group. I know all of you have been through this at one time or another. Or may even still be going through this. It is nice to be here. To be able to talk to others who truly understand the reasons why we chose this lifestyle. The Keperling Bunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 The first question is: where do you live? There may be vegetarian-friendly restaurants and even veggie groups you can connect with to help you at this beginning stage. Liz ________________________________ PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! <warrensangels Monday, February 9, 2009 8:45:31 AM Hello~ New here & New vegetarian family Hello, We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. She is Type 1 diabetic. WE have a 7 yr who would never eat meat for us ever. We think she was just getting prepared all these years for the vegetarian lifestyle. Just failed to tell us we will become vegetarians. . LOL. We have become vegetarian for so mnay reasons. We were going to ease into it. Then started to just not eat meat. Then all sudden just within one week. We could not even look at meat without feeling sick to our stomach. We love this way of life and eating. Of course we have the famous struggles from friends and family. Who think we are just plain nuts. Think this is just a phase we are going through with our family. When they dont relize this is our life now. They just dont understand. We feel left out alot on things now. They are all afraid because the still eat meat. We cant be around them while eating. That is there choice. If they choose to eat meat. We just dont want to. Doesnt mean we have to be set aside like we no longer exist. Family questions everything with us now. How are the kids getting there vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein. How is the oldest DD doing with her blood sugars not having the protein from meat? All these questions and drill sessions. Making us feel inferior as parents. Had us questioning if we made the right choice. I know deep down we have. It is still hard to not have the support we would like from them all. Then going out to eat as a family. WOW.. never relized what a task it is for a vegetarian family to find a restraunt who makes even just a few meals that dont have meat. I am so glad I came across this group. I know all of you have been through this at one time or another. Or may even still be going through this. It is nice to be here. To be able to talk to others who truly understand the reasons why we chose this lifestyle. The Keperling Bunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Welcome! I think the best thing you can do regarding the family criticisms is arm yourself with loads of information. For instance, that meat contains NO fiber (I laughed out loud at that one). If you look back through the archives, you will find lots of good refences for books. This group has converted me to a Dr. Joel Fuhrman fan, and he's written plenty of books to choose from, including some that are geared specifically towards children's nutrition. My perennial favorite is John Robbins. Both of these authors will give you more info than you would ever really need, and they are both great writers, easy to read. You are correct that you are doing the right thing for your family. Cheers! jenni --- On Mon, 2/9/09, PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! <warrensangels wrote: PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! <warrensangels Hello~ New here & New vegetarian family Monday, February 9, 2009, 6:45 AM Hello, We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. She is Type 1 diabetic. WE have a 7 yr who would never eat meat for us ever. We think she was just getting prepared all these years for the vegetarian lifestyle. Just failed to tell us we will become vegetarians. . LOL. We have become vegetarian for so mnay reasons. We were going to ease into it. Then started to just not eat meat. Then all sudden just within one week. We could not even look at meat without feeling sick to our stomach. We love this way of life and eating. Of course we have the famous struggles from friends and family. Who think we are just plain nuts. Think this is just a phase we are going through with our family. When they dont relize this is our life now. They just dont understand. We feel left out alot on things now. They are all afraid because the still eat meat. We cant be around them while eating. That is there choice. If they choose to eat meat. We just dont want to. Doesnt mean we have to be set aside like we no longer exist. Family questions everything with us now. How are the kids getting there vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein. How is the oldest DD doing with her blood sugars not having the protein from meat? All these questions and drill sessions. Making us feel inferior as parents. Had us questioning if we made the right choice. I know deep down we have. It is still hard to not have the support we would like from them all. Then going out to eat as a family. WOW.. never relized what a task it is for a vegetarian family to find a restraunt who makes even just a few meals that dont have meat. I am so glad I came across this group. I know all of you have been through this at one time or another. Or may even still be going through this. It is nice to be here. To be able to talk to others who truly understand the reasons why we chose this lifestyle. The Keperling Bunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hi and welcome! My 7 year old son acted the same as your 7 yr old daughter. Never really eating meat. He finally said mom I dont want to eat animals. That is all it took. He and I have been vegetarians for about 2 months now. This group has helped me a lot. I am able to ask questions about everything. There are a lot of people on here with a ton of experience. So dont be afraid to ask questions. Michelle and Devin , " PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! " <warrensangels wrote: > > Hello, > We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. She is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 We want to thank you all so very much for the most, warmest welcome ever. Making us feel like we truly are making a good decision for our children and us. We live in Elizabethtown, PA. I know it will take some time for friends and family to be ok with all of this an stop critizing us. It sure is nice to be able to come here for now and in the future when we need the support. Would love to meet others in our area who are vegetarian. So got a ? Our teen is 13 yrs old. We pack her and her little sisters lunches for school. So I dont have to worry about them eating things that we dont want them eating. When our 13 yr old goes over to a friends house to have a sleepover what should we do? I hate asking the mom to make something special for her. At same time dd feels though it is ok to eat meat when she is over there. For example also. She went to an event this weekend at our church for youth group. They served chicken. Most at church know we are vegetarian. Our dd ate the chicken still. She said MOM it was my only carbs. I said there are no carbs in chicken. She knows that. She says the stuffing that was inside of the chicken had the carbs. There were other menu items that had carbs. So she in one sense is all about being vegetarian. Tells family and friends how much better the food tastes. That meat even smelling it cooking makes her nasueas etc. Then on the other hand she is still eating meat and has no issues about it. Gives me excuses of why she HAD to eat it. What do you do? Do you allow this to keep happening allow them the choice? or do you make it a rule that they are to under no circumstance eat meat? In this house there will be NO meat. I am just at my wits end with her. Not sure what is the right approach. I just believe this is our lifestyle now. This is how we eat now. I cant have her going back and forth. I dont want to seem demanding either. Any advice would be great. Thank you~ Cheri , " PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! " <warrensangels wrote: > > Hello, > We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. She is > Type 1 diabetic. WE have a 7 yr who would never eat meat for us ever. > We think she was just getting prepared all these years for the > vegetarian lifestyle. Just failed to tell us we will become > vegetarians.. LOL. We have become vegetarian for so mnay reasons. We > were going to ease into it. Then started to just not eat meat. Then > all sudden just within one week. We could not even look at meat > without feeling sick to our stomach. We love this way of life and > eating. Of course we have the famous struggles from friends and > family. Who think we are just plain nuts. Think this is just a phase > we are going through with our family. When they dont relize this is > our life now. They just dont understand. We feel left out alot on > things now. They are all afraid because the still eat meat. We cant > be around them while eating. That is there choice. If they choose to > eat meat. We just dont want to. Doesnt mean we have to be set aside > like we no longer exist. Family questions everything with us now. How > are the kids getting there vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein. How is > the oldest DD doing with her blood sugars not having the protein from > meat? All these questions and drill sessions. Making us feel inferior > as parents. Had us questioning if we made the right choice. I know > deep down we have. It is still hard to not have the support we would > like from them all. Then going out to eat as a family. WOW.. never > relized what a task it is for a vegetarian family to find a restraunt > who makes even just a few meals that dont have meat. I am so glad I > came across this group. I know all of you have been through this at > one time or another. Or may even still be going through this. It is > nice to be here. To be able to talk to others who truly understand > the reasons why we chose this lifestyle. > > The Keperling Bunch > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Hi again- I actually have encountered this very same problem for the first time this year, as my daughter started Kindergarten, and has been to a party where I didn't know the parents very well (and thus they didn't know about our dietary habits beforehand). Here's what I did: I asked the mom beforehand what she would be serving, and explained that Lillian is a vegetarian and that eating meat would probably make her quite ill, as she hasn't ever tasted meat before (I threw that in in case our diet wasn't taken seriously). I then said to the mom, as I do to everyone who is cooking for us wherever we go, that I don't expect them to cook something special just for us, and I would be happy to send a vegetarian option for Lillian that is similar to what the mom would be serving. We got lucky and the mom was serving cheese pizza (we do eat occasional dairy), so no need there, but I would have been ready with some veggie pizza, Morningstar Farms 'chicken' nuggets (if that's what they were serving), etc. I DON'T want my kids to feel like they miss out on the 'party goodies' when they go somewhere and that being a vegetarian is any kind of burden- it's actually a wonderful thing. Being that your daughter is 13, I would probably have HER ask the friend what they'll be having. You may want to keep a store of veg pizzas, 'chicken' nuggets, whatever other veggie 'convenience' type foods she enjoys on hand so you're ready for these types of occasions. If she balks at asking the friend (it sounds like she enjoys still eating meat on occasion, if only to fit in), I would tell her that every once in awhile you will be checking to see that she sticks to the plan by asking the parents what was served, etc. If she doesn't tell the truth about eating the meat and you find out, you will be calling the parents ahead of time EVERYWHERE she goes to check it out for yourself and see that your new habits are respected. If your daughter is anything like I was when I was a teenager, she will do just about anything to spare herself the humiliation of you calling every single place she is going to spend any time. I also think that the easier you make it on her (if she knows she can go grab a veggie pizza on her way out the door, or whatever), the more likely she will be to stick to it, and enjoy it. It may take some extra vigilance on your part (at least at first), but it seems to me like effort that will not be wasted. Hope this helps, and I'm sure others will have many more good ideas! jenni p.s. I just went back through your message to make sure I didn't miss anything. You are NOT being unreasonable or demanding by expecting your daughter to keep to your new lifestyle. It is just as important as you expecting her to keep to your religious beliefs when outside the house, or any other set of rules you have. Your daughter will benefit by knowing you care enough to 'enforce' and knowing where your boundaries are. --- On Mon, 2/9/09, PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! <warrensangels wrote: PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! <warrensangels Re: Hello~ New here & New vegetarian family Monday, February 9, 2009, 4:54 PM We want to thank you all so very much for the most, warmest welcome ever. Making us feel like we truly are making a good decision for our children and us. We live in Elizabethtown, PA. I know it will take some time for friends and family to be ok with all of this an stop critizing us. It sure is nice to be able to come here for now and in the future when we need the support. Would love to meet others in our area who are vegetarian. So got a ? Our teen is 13 yrs old. We pack her and her little sisters lunches for school. So I dont have to worry about them eating things that we dont want them eating. When our 13 yr old goes over to a friends house to have a sleepover what should we do? I hate asking the mom to make something special for her. At same time dd feels though it is ok to eat meat when she is over there. For example also. She went to an event this weekend at our church for youth group. They served chicken. Most at church know we are vegetarian. Our dd ate the chicken still. She said MOM it was my only carbs. I said there are no carbs in chicken. She knows that. She says the stuffing that was inside of the chicken had the carbs. There were other menu items that had carbs. So she in one sense is all about being vegetarian. Tells family and friends how much better the food tastes. That meat even smelling it cooking makes her nasueas etc. Then on the other hand she is still eating meat and has no issues about it. Gives me excuses of why she HAD to eat it. What do you do? Do you allow this to keep happening allow them the choice? or do you make it a rule that they are to under no circumstance eat meat? In this house there will be NO meat. I am just at my wits end with her. Not sure what is the right approach. I just believe this is our lifestyle now. This is how we eat now. I cant have her going back and forth. I dont want to seem demanding either. Any advice would be great. Thank you~ Cheri @gro ups.com, " PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! " <warrensangels@ ...> wrote: > > Hello, > We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. She is > Type 1 diabetic. WE have a 7 yr who would never eat meat for us ever. > We think she was just getting prepared all these years for the > vegetarian lifestyle. Just failed to tell us we will become > vegetarians. . LOL. We have become vegetarian for so mnay reasons. We > were going to ease into it. Then started to just not eat meat. Then > all sudden just within one week. We could not even look at meat > without feeling sick to our stomach. We love this way of life and > eating. Of course we have the famous struggles from friends and > family. Who think we are just plain nuts. Think this is just a phase > we are going through with our family. When they dont relize this is > our life now. They just dont understand. We feel left out alot on > things now. They are all afraid because the still eat meat. We cant > be around them while eating. That is there choice. If they choose to > eat meat. We just dont want to. Doesnt mean we have to be set aside > like we no longer exist. Family questions everything with us now. How > are the kids getting there vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein. How is > the oldest DD doing with her blood sugars not having the protein from > meat? All these questions and drill sessions. Making us feel inferior > as parents. Had us questioning if we made the right choice. I know > deep down we have. It is still hard to not have the support we would > like from them all. Then going out to eat as a family. WOW.. never > relized what a task it is for a vegetarian family to find a restraunt > who makes even just a few meals that dont have meat. I am so glad I > came across this group. I know all of you have been through this at > one time or another. Or may even still be going through this. It is > nice to be here. To be able to talk to others who truly understand > the reasons why we chose this lifestyle. > > The Keperling Bunch > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 HI Cheri, We also have a 13 year old. On the rare occasion that she has eaten meat out, she has felt really ill afterwards; when you don't eat meat, your body " forgets " how to process it. It is important to talk to your kids about why you don't eat meat. In our house, we don't eat meat because it is bad for the planet, an inefficient delivery method of nutrition, and bad for people. At 13, your daughter wants to be independent and test limits (perhaps testing limits appears to be her life's work). It is up to you to let her know that her decision to eat meat away from home is disappointing. Also, I have list of bag lunches that I put together with suggestions from this list and others; please send me an email offlist if you would like a copy. Robin --- On Mon, 2/9/09, PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! <warrensangels wrote: PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! <warrensangels Re: Hello~ New here & New vegetarian family Monday, February 9, 2009, 6:54 PM We want to thank you all so very much for the most, warmest welcome ever. Making us feel like we truly are making a good decision for our children and us. We live in Elizabethtown, PA. I know it will take some time for friends and family to be ok with all of this an stop critizing us. It sure is nice to be able to come here for now and in the future when we need the support. Would love to meet others in our area who are vegetarian. So got a ? Our teen is 13 yrs old. We pack her and her little sisters lunches for school. So I dont have to worry about them eating things that we dont want them eating. When our 13 yr old goes over to a friends house to have a sleepover what should we do? I hate asking the mom to make something special for her. At same time dd feels though it is ok to eat meat when she is over there. For example also. She went to an event this weekend at our church for youth group. They served chicken. Most at church know we are vegetarian. Our dd ate the chicken still. She said MOM it was my only carbs. I said there are no carbs in chicken. She knows that. She says the stuffing that was inside of the chicken had the carbs. There were other menu items that had carbs. So she in one sense is all about being vegetarian. Tells family and friends how much better the food tastes. That meat even smelling it cooking makes her nasueas etc. Then on the other hand she is still eating meat and has no issues about it. Gives me excuses of why she HAD to eat it. What do you do? Do you allow this to keep happening allow them the choice? or do you make it a rule that they are to under no circumstance eat meat? In this house there will be NO meat. I am just at my wits end with her. Not sure what is the right approach. I just believe this is our lifestyle now. This is how we eat now. I cant have her going back and forth. I dont want to seem demanding either. Any advice would be great. Thank you~ Cheri @gro ups.com, " PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! " <warrensangels@ ...> wrote: > > Hello, > We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. She is > Type 1 diabetic. WE have a 7 yr who would never eat meat for us ever. > We think she was just getting prepared all these years for the > vegetarian lifestyle. Just failed to tell us we will become > vegetarians. . LOL. We have become vegetarian for so mnay reasons. We > were going to ease into it. Then started to just not eat meat. Then > all sudden just within one week. We could not even look at meat > without feeling sick to our stomach. We love this way of life and > eating. Of course we have the famous struggles from friends and > family. Who think we are just plain nuts. Think this is just a phase > we are going through with our family. When they dont relize this is > our life now. They just dont understand. We feel left out alot on > things now. They are all afraid because the still eat meat. We cant > be around them while eating. That is there choice. If they choose to > eat meat. We just dont want to. Doesnt mean we have to be set aside > like we no longer exist. Family questions everything with us now. How > are the kids getting there vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein. How is > the oldest DD doing with her blood sugars not having the protein from > meat? All these questions and drill sessions. Making us feel inferior > as parents. Had us questioning if we made the right choice. I know > deep down we have. It is still hard to not have the support we would > like from them all. Then going out to eat as a family. WOW.. never > relized what a task it is for a vegetarian family to find a restraunt > who makes even just a few meals that dont have meat. I am so glad I > came across this group. I know all of you have been through this at > one time or another. Or may even still be going through this. It is > nice to be here. To be able to talk to others who truly understand > the reasons why we chose this lifestyle. > > The Keperling Bunch > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2009 Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 I am a new mom so i don't really have any teen advice for you but i do have a few ideas for getting your dd a little more enthusiastic. Like i said though i am a new mom so take my ideas for what they are worth. Have you thought about possibly having a youth night at your house or a place that has a kitchen so that the group can get involved in making a fun veg. meal. It could be something as easy as pizza with different toppings that arn't commonly found on pizza, i.e. broc., corn, asparigus ect. Or have your dd help plan it using her favorite dish. Also during this time if it is appropriate you could have a talk about the possible religious reasons people (yourself included) abstain from eating meat. If she gets a chance to put her two cents in in a comfortable place she might see that you can be different and feel great about it. Especially when she gets a chance to show off facts and knowledge others might not have known. One last thing, you mentioned you lived in PA. You could arrange a tour of the New York Farm Sanctuary, maybe even lend the staff a hand. After she meets the animals and gets to know how loving and gentle all creatures are when treated with kindness and respect it will be a lot harder for her to make justifications for eating an animal. When i first became vegetarian i found that The Teens Vegetarian Cook Book had a lot of good easy recipes to get me started. Also check out www.vegweb.com. And change.org the animal rights section has a lot of useful info. > We want to thank you all so very much for the most, warmest welcome > ever. Making us feel like we truly are making a good decision for our > children and us. We live in Elizabethtown, PA. I know it will take > some time for friends and family to be ok with all of this an stop > critizing us. It sure is nice to be able to come here for now and in > the future when we need the support. Would love to meet others in our > area who are vegetarian. > > So got a ? Our teen is 13 yrs old. We pack her and her little sisters > lunches for school. So I dont have to worry about them eating things > that we dont want them eating. When our 13 yr old goes over to a > friends house to have a sleepover what should we do? I hate asking > the mom to make something special for her. At same time dd feels > though it is ok to eat meat when she is over there. For example also. > She went to an event this weekend at our church for youth group. They > served chicken. Most at church know we are vegetarian. Our dd ate the > chicken still. She said MOM it was my only carbs. I said there are no > carbs in chicken. She knows that. She says the stuffing that was > inside of the chicken had the carbs. There were other menu items that > had carbs. So she in one sense is all about being vegetarian. Tells > family and friends how much better the food tastes. That meat even > smelling it cooking makes her nasueas etc. Then on the other hand she > is still eating meat and has no issues about it. Gives me excuses of > why she HAD to eat it. What do you do? Do you allow this to keep > happening allow them the choice? or do you make it a rule that they > are to under no circumstance eat meat? In this house there will be NO > meat. I am just at my wits end with her. Not sure what is the right > approach. I just believe this is our lifestyle now. This is how we > eat now. I cant have her going back and forth. I dont want to seem > demanding either. Any advice would be great. > > Thank you~ > Cheri > > > > , " PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! " > <warrensangels@> wrote: > > > > Hello, > > We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. She > is > > Type 1 diabetic. WE have a 7 yr who would never eat meat for us > ever. > > We think she was just getting prepared all these years for the > > vegetarian lifestyle. Just failed to tell us we will become > > vegetarians.. LOL. We have become vegetarian for so mnay reasons. > We > > were going to ease into it. Then started to just not eat meat. Then > > all sudden just within one week. We could not even look at meat > > without feeling sick to our stomach. We love this way of life and > > eating. Of course we have the famous struggles from friends and > > family. Who think we are just plain nuts. Think this is just a > phase > > we are going through with our family. When they dont relize this is > > our life now. They just dont understand. We feel left out alot on > > things now. They are all afraid because the still eat meat. We cant > > be around them while eating. That is there choice. If they choose > to > > eat meat. We just dont want to. Doesnt mean we have to be set aside > > like we no longer exist. Family questions everything with us now. > How > > are the kids getting there vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein. How > is > > the oldest DD doing with her blood sugars not having the protein > from > > meat? All these questions and drill sessions. Making us feel > inferior > > as parents. Had us questioning if we made the right choice. I know > > deep down we have. It is still hard to not have the support we > would > > like from them all. Then going out to eat as a family. WOW.. never > > relized what a task it is for a vegetarian family to find a > restraunt > > who makes even just a few meals that dont have meat. I am so glad I > > came across this group. I know all of you have been through this at > > one time or another. Or may even still be going through this. It is > > nice to be here. To be able to talk to others who truly understand > > the reasons why we chose this lifestyle. > > > > The Keperling Bunch > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2009 Report Share Posted February 11, 2009 Those are all great ideas. I think she would really like a sleepover with her friends and have them make pizza's with her. She loves to cook and bake with me. Every time I make dinner. If she can help she does. So that is a great idea. I might have to try that one with all the other wonderful ideas I am getting from everyone. Thank you, Cheri , " havingagreatfulday " <havingagreatfulday wrote: > > > I am a new mom so i don't really have any teen advice for you but i > do have a few ideas for getting your dd a little more enthusiastic. > Like i said though i am a new mom so take my ideas for what they are > worth. Have you thought about possibly having a youth night at your > house or a place that has a kitchen so that the group can get > involved in making a fun veg. meal. It could be something as easy > as pizza with different toppings that arn't commonly found on pizza, > i.e. broc., corn, asparigus ect. Or have your dd help plan it using > her favorite dish. Also during this time if it is appropriate you > could have a talk about the possible religious reasons people > (yourself included) abstain from eating meat. If she gets a chance > to put her two cents in in a comfortable place she might see that > you can be different and feel great about it. Especially when she > gets a chance to show off facts and knowledge others might not have > known. One last thing, you mentioned you lived in PA. You could > arrange a tour of the New York Farm Sanctuary, maybe even lend the > staff a hand. After she meets the animals and gets to know how > loving and gentle all creatures are when treated with kindness and > respect it will be a lot harder for her to make justifications for > eating an animal. When i first became vegetarian i found that The > Teens Vegetarian Cook Book had a lot of good easy recipes to get me > started. Also check out www.vegweb.com. And change.org the animal > rights section has a lot of useful info. > > > > We want to thank you all so very much for the most, warmest > welcome > > ever. Making us feel like we truly are making a good decision for > our > > children and us. We live in Elizabethtown, PA. I know it will take > > some time for friends and family to be ok with all of this an stop > > critizing us. It sure is nice to be able to come here for now and > in > > the future when we need the support. Would love to meet others in > our > > area who are vegetarian. > > > > So got a ? Our teen is 13 yrs old. We pack her and her little > sisters > > lunches for school. So I dont have to worry about them eating > things > > that we dont want them eating. When our 13 yr old goes over to a > > friends house to have a sleepover what should we do? I hate asking > > the mom to make something special for her. At same time dd feels > > though it is ok to eat meat when she is over there. For example > also. > > She went to an event this weekend at our church for youth group. > They > > served chicken. Most at church know we are vegetarian. Our dd ate > the > > chicken still. She said MOM it was my only carbs. I said there are > no > > carbs in chicken. She knows that. She says the stuffing that was > > inside of the chicken had the carbs. There were other menu items > that > > had carbs. So she in one sense is all about being vegetarian. > Tells > > family and friends how much better the food tastes. That meat even > > smelling it cooking makes her nasueas etc. Then on the other hand > she > > is still eating meat and has no issues about it. Gives me excuses > of > > why she HAD to eat it. What do you do? Do you allow this to keep > > happening allow them the choice? or do you make it a rule that > they > > are to under no circumstance eat meat? In this house there will be > NO > > meat. I am just at my wits end with her. Not sure what is the > right > > approach. I just believe this is our lifestyle now. This is how we > > eat now. I cant have her going back and forth. I dont want to seem > > demanding either. Any advice would be great. > > > > Thank you~ > > Cheri > > > > > > > > , " PEBBLES N BAM-BAM!!!!! " > > <warrensangels@> wrote: > > > > > > Hello, > > > We are the Keperling family. We have 2 dd's. One is 13 yr old. > She > > is > > > Type 1 diabetic. WE have a 7 yr who would never eat meat for us > > ever. > > > We think she was just getting prepared all these years for the > > > vegetarian lifestyle. Just failed to tell us we will become > > > vegetarians.. LOL. We have become vegetarian for so mnay > reasons. > > We > > > were going to ease into it. Then started to just not eat meat. > Then > > > all sudden just within one week. We could not even look at meat > > > without feeling sick to our stomach. We love this way of life > and > > > eating. Of course we have the famous struggles from friends and > > > family. Who think we are just plain nuts. Think this is just a > > phase > > > we are going through with our family. When they dont relize this > is > > > our life now. They just dont understand. We feel left out alot > on > > > things now. They are all afraid because the still eat meat. We > cant > > > be around them while eating. That is there choice. If they > choose > > to > > > eat meat. We just dont want to. Doesnt mean we have to be set > aside > > > like we no longer exist. Family questions everything with us > now. > > How > > > are the kids getting there vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein. > How > > is > > > the oldest DD doing with her blood sugars not having the protein > > from > > > meat? All these questions and drill sessions. Making us feel > > inferior > > > as parents. Had us questioning if we made the right choice. I > know > > > deep down we have. It is still hard to not have the support we > > would > > > like from them all. Then going out to eat as a family. WOW.. > never > > > relized what a task it is for a vegetarian family to find a > > restraunt > > > who makes even just a few meals that dont have meat. I am so > glad I > > > came across this group. I know all of you have been through this > at > > > one time or another. Or may even still be going through this. It > is > > > nice to be here. To be able to talk to others who truly > understand > > > the reasons why we chose this lifestyle. > > > > > > The Keperling Bunch > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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