So picture it...Sicily 1922..ok, sorry I couldn't resist. Picture dinner time. A toddler, a vegan, and a weight-conscious omnivore. Like I said, complicated. I do have some practical tips on how to be a multivore family without losing your mind or breaking the bank.
Tip One: Change Your Mind.
When Prairie Boy first stated that he wanted to go plant based and then eventually decided that he wanted to be completely vegan I have to be honest, I was less than supportive. Oh I said I was supportive. I wanted to do what was best for him. I knew how painful his past had been struggling with debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis for the past 20 years and enduring two knee replacement and one hip replacement surgeries. How was I supposed to say no when he and I had both seen the research about how a plant (specifically starch) based diet could help improve if not repair the damage done by this autoimmune disease? Still, my inner planner got a hold of me, and all I could think was, "What about our grocery bill? But I don't want to be a vegan! How am I supposed to cook for a toddler, a vegan, and myself? I just can't do all of this!"
Then I came to my senses, which is code for Prairie Boy talked me off of my mental cliff. We had some good conversations that included assurances that I did not have to be a vegan just because he wanted and needed that. We talked about easing into the whole process, and no, I did not have to throw away the 4 pounds of bacon that I got buy one get one free just the day before. Literally had a full on meltdown over the bacon. Not gonna lie. I cried over the bacon. You know those heaving, convulsive crying episodes? Yeah, that kind of cried.
Still, we compromised. I opened my mind to acknowledging that I had some prejudices against the vegan diet. Ultimately though I love Prairie Boy. Any time I make a food choice that could negatively affect him and his road to recovery with the RA, then I am not showing him love in that choice. The same is true for Wild Man. I wouldn't willingly give poison to my son, and if animal products cause negative affects to Prairie Boy then I won't give them to him either.
So I had to make some mental adjustments. I had to do a lot of reading and researching about the links between autoimmune diseases and traditional western diets. I had to sift through a lot of propaganda from the meat, dairy, and sugar producers. Trust me when I tell you, their main goal is NOT your health. Slowly, though the shift happened, and now that's just they way we do things.
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| Wild Man helping make pumpkin pie, not vegan but he takes ownership of the food he makes himself. |
Tip Two: Be Flexible
I love the term "adjustable meals." In my house I am learning, I won't say I have mastered, but I am learning the art of adjustable meals. I was very confident in my cooking abilities before. I knew how to make a dish just by looking at a picture and knowing the flavor profiles for certain regions. I knew I could solve this problem of how to make vegan food, toddler food, and omnivore food with just one meal. After all, I am not a short order cook. I don't play that game.
I started simple with meatless dishes like a mushroom shepherds pie. Big success. Wild Man and Prairie Boy approved. Then I started dabbling with dishes that I could make vegan and alter later to make them omnivorous. Jambalaya was another huge success. I made it vegan to start, and added sauteed shrimp to mine and the Wild Man's after it was done. Please don't mishear my 'great successes' as I've only had successes. Trust me, we've all choked down some horrendous experiments because we don't like to waste food, we need to eat, and at the end of the day food is fuel first and pleasure second.
Bottom line, there are meals that can be adjusted halfway through to make omnivorous. There are meals that are vegan that are toddler and omnivore approved. And, let's not get crazy, but I have a few vegan recipes that are...wait for it...better than the original meat-laden version! Say what?!?! I know, I know. More on that later!
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| Spicy Pinto Beans, Tossed Salads, and Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Twice Baked Potatoes |
You cannot step into the world of vegan diet without being a little fearless. Try the cashew cheese. I promise it will surprise you. Give the new recipe a whirl. It might just become a family favorite. Make no apologies with your family or friends for your own family's choices. They are yours, not theirs. Everyone is just trying to do what is best for their family, and every family is unique. You may find yourself 'defending' your way of eating to your friends and family. Again, be fearless. Your life and your choices are best for your family. Your choices might inspire others to join in or they might make others feel inadequate in their own efforts. I have developed somewhat of a radar for people with whom I can share my thoughts. I usually have productive, curious conversations with them. Other times, I get met with resistance, and at that point I back off. I am not a corner hell-fire preacher. I am not out to evangelize 'the lost' (the meat eaters). I am just here to do what's best for my family. I am a scientist, and my decisions are informed and purposeful. Any chance I get to talk research with willing ears is an opportunity I relish.
If you find yourself in a similar situation with your multivore family, I'd love to hear about some of your great successes or perhaps how disastrous Taco Tuesday turned out! We keep each other motivated to do our best. Wild Man and Prairie Boy keep me motivated to be fearless in my cooking, my writing, and my own shortcomings. They are my why. Some days it's more like "Why, oh why" but we make it work.
And as always...
When in doubt, fling it!
If you want to read the research that led us to making this decision for Prairie Boy, you can find it here: Dr. McDougall's: The Starch Solution - Diet, Only Hope for Arthritis
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