Vegan Treats for Kids Lunchboxes

The struggle to provide kids with healthy and nutritious lunchbox snacks is not a struggle that is new to parents and guardians. With the ever increasing amount of junk food available in stores it’s hard to get kids excited in the alternatives which are usually healthy and yummy at the same time. So, let’s try and find some!
Chips are a favourite for the lunchbox but also a high source of sugar and energy that are probably not the best thing to be putting in a child about to step into the classroom! Instead, ‘Luke’s Organic Kale Chipsoffer an alternative that is organic, vegan, non-GMO and kosher to ensure you can still provide a tasty treat without all the junk! Its regular costumers report that it tastes fantastic, it offers a perfect snack for both kids and adults alike. An interesting thing to note which is reported as frequently as praise towards these particular snacks is that they don’t seem to be available in store and must be bought online. Due to this fact, most people by it in bulk which produces crushed packets and chips, however this is not so much a food issue and simply a logistical one with ordering.

Luke's Organic Gluten Free Kale Multigrain Corn Chips 142g

Mary’s Black Pepper Crackersare another option for hungry kids on the run, they are Gluten free as well as vegan friendly and are reportedly extremely addictive! It is rare that you get a healthy, organic snack that tastes as good (if not better) than the usual junk foods we put in the lunchbox. They are reasonably prices as well and the majority of those that have bought it feel there is a good balance between price and quality, something you don’t always get when it comes to organic and vegan snacks due to the cost of the ingredients that go into ensuring it is of top quality. There isn’t much else to say on these, as there seems to be no negative reviews or complaints!

Mary's Gone Crackers Black Pepper, 6.5 Ounce

Growing kids need every bit of goodness they can get, and it is no secret that getting little ones to eat healthy is indeed a trough task. Getting crucial vitamins, protein and energy every day may seem like a hard ask, but in fact there is a simple snack that can make it quite a simple task. ‘Tosi Superbites’ are an organic, gluten free and vegan friendly snack made with cashews, almonds, flaxseeds and many other healthy bits and bobs. They provide a strong source of protein, omega-3 and fiber as well as being a very tasty treat. Most people love them for how easy it is to eat them on the run, be it at the park, in school, or even at home! Everything from taste to smell is appealing and they are perfect for not just the hungry kids but adults as well. There is a common issue buyers have with Tosi, being that these products usually come out more expensive than you would like to pay and that has been a bit of a letdown for a lot of people who have tried and loved these snacks, but can’t afford to be buying them weekly to put in lunchboxes. However, if you don’t mind paying a bit extra (and to be fair, you are paying for top notch quality and a very healthy, organic snack that will provide plenty of energy for the day ahead) then this is probably one the best products you can get your hands on, even more so for vegans looking for a fast and simple meal that tastes amazing and stops cravings during the day!

Tips from a vegan: How to share the table with your relatives

I love my family. A LOT. My brothers and sisters are beautiful, creative, hilarious, and passionate people, who still somehow manage to be very different from each other. They are really great! In fact, I might go as far as to say that my whole family is great. We still don’t see eye to eye on almost anything. Over the years we’ve developed a somewhat graceful way of dealing with our differences and appreciating what we share.

The Thanksgiving table can be the front lines of the battle between omnivores and vegans. One of the biggest challenges to being vegan is still finding a way to share they table with other people who might not appreciate your values. This is a valuable skill to practice. In fact even if you aren’t vegan, or your whole family is actually vegan, you may still benefit from some of these tips. We all have our differences!

Offer to help in the kitchen

Ask if you can help prepare something. Choose something that is relatively easy to vegan-ize, like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or desert. Make the salad heartier by adding seeds and nuts and root vegetables. If you can’t cook ask if you can put in a request for an item that your relatives make that is already vegan or already almost vegan. This might be a good opportunity to show your family how easy vegan cooking is.

Don’t argue

If the topic comes up at the table, don’t argue about it. My family still likes to give me a hard time, even though I’ve been eating vegan for six years. Try deflecting the remarks with a playful and witty remark or by changing the subject. Often when people ask you about a point of view that is conflicting to theirs, it is because they want you to hear what they think. Sometimes I like to avoid the scrutiny with a quick response to the question followed by, “What do you think about it?”

Depersonalize it

If you are being pressured into eating something that you don’t want to eat, by someone you clearly can’t see eye-to-eye with, (you know, the old, “but there’s no meat in this, just chicken!”) take the focus off your decision not to partake in what they are offering. You can say, “Thanks, but I’ve really had enough to eat”, or “It looks really delicious, how did you make it?” or “Thank you, but this dish really doesn’t sit well with me.”

Be Patient

The first holiday I shared with my family after going vegan was pretty awkward. I think they felt like I didn’t want to partake in a family tradition. Don’t expect that your family will “get it” overnight. Overtime, my family has come to understand and respect my decision. They have even learned to make a few vegan dishes that I really love! Be patient with yourself too. If you are having a hard time avoiding your Mom’s Cheesy Carrot Casserole, or Cherry Pie, the vegan police aren’t going to kick in the door and pepper spray you. Don’t beat yourself up. Set a goal to stick to your diet at the next holiday.

Plan your own vegan gathering

Plan a meal you can indulge in sometime in the days before or after your family gathering. If you have to eat light at your family gathering, you will have this to look forward to. Afterwards, reward yourself for your effort and commitment to healthier living!

summer09-104