new to group/intro - shelly

[Guest guest]

hi shelly,

welcome to the group!

 

how old are your children? what kind of resistance

are you getting from them? what kind of foods do they

like? and what foods do they not want to give up?

let us know and we can help you 'vegetarianize' their

favorite foods or find alternatives. how is your

husband dealing with the change?

 

many of us in this group have family members who are

omnivores. i think the best strategy is to continue

to prepare and serve delicious vegetarian dishes to

your family and eventually they will come around.

also, there are so many meat substitutes out there and

that helps alot.

 

we have a great files section with tons of tried and

true recipes.....check those out for inspiration.

here's a link:

 

/files

 

well, feel free to vent or ask lots of questions or

for suggestons. there are so many wonderfully

knowledgeable people here. we are here for you.

 

glad to have you here,

 

susie,

mom to a 5 year old who recently proclaimed, " but, i'm

a vegetarian! " when offered meat topped pizza at

school.

 

--- Shelly <anislandgirl wrote:

 

> Hello all!

>

> I'm new to the group and just wanted to introduce

> myself a little.

> I am a stay at home, homeschooling mom of 5 kids. I

> am in the process

> of trying to switch my family over to a vegetarian

> diet (hopefully,

> permanently!) and I am having ALOT of trouble with

> the kids. I am

> hoping to find some wisdom from those of you who've

> successfully

> traveled this path ahead of me. I've found several

> message boards

> about raising vegetarian kids but it seems most of

> them have fed their

> kids this way from birth and haven't had to convert

> anyone. I am also

> very interested in changing our family's existing

> favorite recipes

> into something more healthy and need help with the

> new and interesting

> ingredients used in vegetarian cooking. Looking

> forward to getting to

> know all of you

>

> Shelly

 

 

 

 

 

Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005

 

[Guest guest]

Hi, Susie!

 

I feel so welcome! Thanks very much for the message you wrote. Looks

like I've stumbled upon a very friendly bunch of people at this

group!

 

My kids are 14 years old (boy), 7 years old (girl), 5 years old

(girl), 3 years old (girl) and almost 2 years old (girl). I am

having the most trouble with the youngest three. Come to think of

it, I had the most trouble with the youngest three when we were

eating meat, also. They are just picky, picky, picky. I guess it's

their ages.

 

They REALLY miss cheese! I have attempted some " uncheese " dishes and

they didn't go over well. LOL And they really miss chicken nuggets.

I would LOVE to find a recipe for a homemade nugget since I can't

afford to buy them in the quantity they want to eat. Oh, and another

favorite dish of the kids is meatloaf. Haven't found a good

replacement for that yet. Everything I've tried just tastes and

feels like stuffing.

 

Our main problem is that we used to eat the standard diet of meat

main dish (usually BBQ chicken, London Broil, roast chicken,

meatloaf, etc.), veggie side dish (usually corn or green beans), and

a starchy type dish (potatoes, white rice). When I present dinner

without a meat main dish everyone seems to feel like I haven't given

them any food. They feel like the meal isn't complete.

 

Another problem I'm having is with " To Go " type food. We used to

take meat sandwiches on picnics. I just am at a loss for what to

take now. I was presented with an opportunity recently when my son

had a soccer tournament away from home. I took a great fruit salad,

brown rice veggie sushi, and a giant bowl of veggie chow mein. The

kids all ate it but thought it was very weird and we all decided

chow mein does not taste good cold. It also required real dishes

which wasn't too smart.

 

My husband and son are not vegetarian away from home but at home

they are very cooperative and supportive. My husband is always

reminding me, when I get discouraged and am in the process of

throwing away uneaten food from the kids plates, that I may have to

serve them something dozens of times before they will learn to like

it. I try to always make at least one thing I know they will eat

(plain pasta, rice, potatoes) at each meal.

 

I have looked at the recipe section a little bit and can't wait to

try some of it. Looks like some good stuff.

 

Shelly

[Guest guest]

hi shelly,

 

--- Shelly <anislandgirl wrote:

 

> My kids are 14 years old (boy), 7 years old (girl),

> 5 years old

> (girl), 3 years old (girl) and almost 2 years old

> (girl). I am

> having the most trouble with the youngest three.

> Come to think of

> it, I had the most trouble with the youngest three

> when we were

> eating meat, also. They are just picky, picky,

> picky. I guess it's their ages.

 

lol, i understand. my son is 5 and he is the

pickiest! drives me insane.

 

 

> They REALLY miss cheese! I have attempted some

> " uncheese " dishes and

> they didn't go over well. LOL And they really miss

> chicken nuggets.

 

cheese is hard to give up. i just posted a recipe

that i really like for melty cheese. i have tried

tons of other uncheese recipes and this one is the

best tasting. you could use it to make pizza or

nachos. have you tried any of the commercial vegan

cheeses? most taste awful there is one called vegan

gourmet by follow your heart

(http://www.imearthkind.com/). it's an excellent

product, although hard to find. i can't find it where

i live, but i keep asking about it at one of the local

grocery stores that carries natural products and at

the health food store.

 

i also just reposted a recipe for tofu nuggets that

one of our members, jesika posted. she says her 17

month old daughter loved them. they might be a good

chicken nugget replacement.

 

 

> I would LOVE to find a recipe for a homemade nugget

> since I can't

> afford to buy them in the quantity they want to eat.

> Oh, and another

> favorite dish of the kids is meatloaf. Haven't found

> a good

> replacement for that yet. Everything I've tried just

> tastes and feels like stuffing.

 

i'm going to repost a lentil loaft that members just

rave about. all of these recipes are in our files,

but i think it's nice to repost them so everyone can

see them again. we have lots of new members. i'm

also going to repost a lentil burger recipe of my

mom's. they were a favorite of me and my brothers

when we were kids...perhaps your kids will like them

too.

 

> Our main problem is that we used to eat the standard

> diet of meat

> main dish (usually BBQ chicken, London Broil, roast

> chicken,

> meatloaf, etc.), veggie side dish (usually corn or

> green beans), and

> a starchy type dish (potatoes, white rice). When I

> present dinner

> without a meat main dish everyone seems to feel like

> I haven't given

> them any food. They feel like the meal isn't

> complete.

 

oh, i see. i suspect the further along y'all get,

meals will get easier. do take a look in the main

dishes folders in the files....there are so many

recipes. such a great resource.

 

> Another problem I'm having is with " To Go " type

> food. We used to

> take meat sandwiches on picnics. I just am at a loss

> for what to

> take now. I was presented with an opportunity

> recently when my son

> had a soccer tournament away from home.

 

take a look at this blog for lunchbox ideas:

 

www.veganlunchbox.blogspot.com

 

> My husband and son are not vegetarian away from home

> but at home

> they are very cooperative and supportive. My husband

> is always

> reminding me, when I get discouraged and am in the

> process of

> throwing away uneaten food from the kids plates,

> that I may have to

> serve them something dozens of times before they

> will learn to like

> it. I try to always make at least one thing I know

> they will eat (plain pasta, rice, potatoes) at each

meal.

 

i'm glad they are supportive. that helps. your hubby

is right....it does take the little ones multiple

times before they will eat something.....or so i keep

reading. this doesn't apply to my son. lol.....not

only is he picky, he's very very stubborn.

 

 

hang in there...things will get easier. we are here

for you.

 

susie

 

 

 

 

FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

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[Guest guest]

HI Shelly:

 

Have you tried a lentil loaf. You can serve it with a potato and vegetable

side.

How about lasagna or other pasta dish.

You can use the veggie crumbles instead of meat.

 

Let us know what you find that the kids will eat.

 

Gayle

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Shelly, are you going vegan? i wasn't sure except

you mentioned giving up cheese, etc.

 

i am not vegan, but enjoy cooking that way as

much as possible in my combined omnivorous

household.

But all that aside, just keep doing what you are doing.

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan of action

and it is great your husband is supportive.

We have so many tried and true recipes in our files.

Keep trying them and you will find recipes that will

please your family. It is hard to change from the meat,

starch, veggie plate mentality. But your kids are

young and will adapt to the new life-style.

 

~ pt ~

 

The morns are meeker than they were,

The nuts are getting brown;

The berry's cheek is plumper,

The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,

The field a scarlet gown.

Lest I should be old-fashioned,

I'll put a trinket on.

-Ê Emily Dickinson

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~>@y

 

> My kids are 14 years old (boy), 7 years old (girl), 5 years old

> (girl), 3 years old (girl) and almost 2 years old (girl). I am

> having the most trouble with the youngest three. Come to think of

> it, I had the most trouble with the youngest three when we were

> eating meat, also. They are just picky, picky, picky. I guess it's

> their ages.

>

> Our main problem is that we used to eat the standard diet of meat

> main dish (usually BBQ chicken, London Broil, roast chicken,

> meatloaf, etc.), veggie side dish (usually corn or green beans), and

> a starchy type dish (potatoes, white rice). When I present dinner

> without a meat main dish everyone seems to feel like I haven't given

> them any food. They feel like the meal isn't complete.

[Guest guest]

Gayle,

 

I am SO bad at cooking lentils!! At least I think it's me. I put the

lentils and amount of water the recipe says and cook for the

specified time and the lentils are crunchy. So, I add more water and

repeat about 4 times. I hate it because I really love lentils.

Anyone know a foolproof way to cook lentils that doesn't require me

to babysit the pot? Can I cook them in a rice cooker?

 

Shelly

 

, glpveg4life@a... wrote:

>

> HI Shelly:

>

> Have you tried a lentil loaf. You can serve it with a potato and

vegetable

> side.

> How about lasagna or other pasta dish.

> You can use the veggie crumbles instead of meat.

>

> Let us know what you find that the kids will eat.

>

> Gayle

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Shelly, are you going vegan? i wasn't sure except

> you mentioned giving up cheese, etc.

>

 

PT,

Yes, we strive to eat a diet free of all animal products. I have one

daughter who is severely allergic to milk products and another

allergic to peanuts. I have been running a " Mom's Diner " for 7 years,

making at least 3 different choices at every meal and I'm so tired.

I'm also tired of having several different milks, cheeses, butters,

breads, sandwich fillings in the fridge or cupboard. My new rule

is " If we can't ALL eat it, it doesn't come into the house/go into a

meal " . And even though we're all pretty used to it, I don't have to

worry now if someone put the " dairy " butter knife into the " non-dairy "

butter or if they got peanut butter in the jelly jar.

 

I'm really looking forward to trying all these great suggestions and

recipes that have been offered.

 

Shelly

[Guest guest]

Shelly, I don't know if it's the same where you live, but here in BC,

Canada, I can get canned lentils (that's the easiest way hee hee!) Mind you, I

also always keep red lentils in the house because they cook really fast, but the

canned ones aren't expensive up here and I always keep them on hand.

Stef

 

Shelly <anislandgirl wrote:

Gayle,

 

I am SO bad at cooking lentils!! At least I think it's me. I put the

lentils and amount of water the recipe says and cook for the

specified time and the lentils are crunchy. So, I add more water and

repeat about 4 times. I hate it because I really

 

Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well with brie.

 

 

Find your next car at Canada Autos

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Shelly:

 

Do you bring the water to a boil before you start timing how long your cooking

for? I bring the water to a boil, the cover the pot and turn the heat down to

low, like I do for rice. Then simmer for however long the recipe calls for.

Try not to take the cover off to much as this lets the steam out. When the time

is up check and see if the lentils are done. If they are done turn the heat off

and leave covered for a couple of minutes. The drain the water and follow the

recipe.

 

Please let me know if this works for you.

 

Gayle

 

 

Shelly <anislandgirl

 

Mon, 07 Nov 2005 19:05:47 -0000

Re: new to group/intro - shelly

 

 

Gayle,

 

I am SO bad at cooking lentils!! At least I think it's me. I put the

lentils and amount of water the recipe says and cook for the

specified time and the lentils are crunchy. So, I add more water and

repeat about 4 times. I hate it because I really love lentils.

Anyone know a foolproof way to cook lentils that doesn't require me

to babysit the pot? Can I cook them in a rice cooker?

 

Shelly

 

, glpveg4life@a... wrote:

>

> HI Shelly:

>

> Have you tried a lentil loaf. You can serve it with a potato and

vegetable

> side.

> How about lasagna or other pasta dish.

> You can use the veggie crumbles instead of meat.

>

> Let us know what you find that the kids will eat.

>

> Gayle

>

>

>