I'll never forget when I was in kindergarten, on my sixth birthday, my mom visited my classroom (as she often did) and brought in a special treat for my class on my birthday. There was a cake with ice cream for my classmates, and a platter with spinach dip, crackers, and veggies--for me as requested. I don't think I realized until that moment, that not everyone's favorite snack was spinach dip with crackers and veggies.
As an adult, I have floundered back and forth between being a vegetarian, vegan, and eater of all things. More than a few years ago my whole family went vegan for over a year. Then slowly the kids and my husband wandered back to being eaters of all things and I felt like a short-order cook making food for myself and them as well. I caved.
However, in January of 2019, I decided to try going vegan again, just me. My family could join me if they wanted but I was going to figure out a way to balance being a vegan while feeding my family meals they could get behind. It's been a year now. I can't call my self a true vegan as I do have eggs occasionally and once in a great while seafood, but otherwise 98% of my meals are fully vegan. I feel like I've conquered the balance too! Not to mention, my family likes some of my vegan meals and many of them can easily be served up with a side of baked chicken or protein of their liking.
Tonight I've got quinoa and rice in the rice maker. Asparagus, mushroom, and cauliflower are roasting in the oven with a little olive oil and garlic salt. I made some chicken over the weekend to slice up for the meat-eaters and we will have some rice bowls topped with chia seeds, a drizzle of olive oil, and sliced avocado. It is one of my favorite weeknight meals.
*Two of my favorite websites for recipes are This Savory Vegan and Pinch of Yum (not all vegan).
My son came home for college last year a vegetarian for the environment - he is now close to vegan. I struggle with cooking - thank you for the ideas and resources. I am now vegetarian about 5 days a week.
ReplyDeleteBetsy, Great compromises so that you aren't a "short order cook" for sure. It's another area for balance - trying out new ideas with the comfort foods we know and love!
ReplyDeleteI screenshot your dinner menu because it sounds so scrumptious. My husband is a meat eater. Big time. I often eat very little meat. I can’t see myself never eating meat, but I do want to eat as little of it as possible, mainly because not eating meat is the single most important step each person can take to help the environment.
ReplyDeleteThe part about your mom bringing you a crudité platter for your birthday (and ice cream cake for everyone else) made me chuckle. First of all, what a way to respect the birthday girl’s wishes. Second, that’s such a great story!
ReplyDeleteI’ve tried Meatless Mondays. I’ve refrained from meat for a few days. I can handle those, but I don’t think I’d be able to hack a vegan lifestyle daily. I love my dairy too much!
What I like most about this post is your flexibility of eating styles through the years. I am a veggie lover, too, but bacon always calls my name. :-) Your vegetarian dishes sound absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteMy childhood was the complete opposite. Many a night did I push those veggies around my plate in a standoff. Now I can't get enough!
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