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Vegetarians Going All The Way
Becoming A Vegan Family
By Melanie Wilson
Brave your local health food market.
I know these places can be daunting -- full of strange items you've never even heard of, herbs that you can't imagine ever using and bin upon bin of bulk items you're accustomed to buying measured and packaged. You don't want to waste money buying a bunch of things you aren't going to use, so you need to set out with clear list and an open mind. You should already have purchased a good vegan cookbook and made note of a few recipes you and your family are willing to try. Make your shopping list based on these recipes and buy items in the smallest amounts possible (that's where those bulk bins come in handy). Don't be shy about talking to the workers. Health food markets often employ people who are knowledgeable in using the items you are considering. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find out about good products. Ask others to recommend a trusted brand of falafel mix or a tasty vegan cookie. Expand your food horizons
. Many children (and adults!) find change hard to take, so try introducing new foods in combination with old favorites. And keep in mind that you don't have to serve new foods every day. In fact, it may be better not to if you don't want to risk mutiny! Try having an entirely new vegan meal only once or twice a week in the beginning. An idea adapted from Virginia and Mark Messina's book Total Health for You and Your Family the Vegetarian Way is to list several foods your family enjoys that are already vegan. Can't think of any? How about spaghetti with crumbled veggie burgers, a green salad and bread? Or tofu-vegetable stir-fry over rice? Then make small changes in a few recipes your family already enjoys to make them vegan. Try bean burritos with shredded lettuce, homemade tomato salsa with corn chips and sauteed onions and zucchini on the side. You could even get adventurous and add a simple tofu sour cream
