Preparing vegan meals for the family embodies passion, health-conscious choices, and culinary creativity. But as every vegan parent knows, this culinary path, while rewarding, comes with its own unique set of challenges.

Cooking vegan meals for my family is both a passionate endeavor and a health-driven choice. While there are challenges, like finding the right dairy substitutes and ensuring variety, my family thankfully eats whatever I prepare. And given that I cook every meal, every day of the week, I’ve found ways to keep the process enjoyable and streamlined.

Cooking every meal, every day has shown me how to be strong and creative. I love seeing my family enjoy what I make. Let’s discuss these challenges and share ways to make vegan family meals even better.

How to stay sane and inspired in a vegan family kitchen

Plan Ahead:

Organize your week with a robust vegan meal plan. This strategy tackles two birds with one stone – eliminating the daily dinner dilemma and promoting economical, waste-free grocery shopping.

Honestly, this does not even have to be a detailed plan like listing out the exact recipe you’ll be making. In our household, we list our meals like this:

• Monday: Fruit, Salad, Roast
• Tuesday: Pancakes, Noodles, Soup
• Wednesday: Oatmeal, Salad, Roast
• Thursday: Fruit, Salad, Soup
• Friday: Bake, Noodles, Roast
• Saturday: Free for all
• Sunday: Free for all

We list these very general guideline to keep us on task but not fully committed so we can be flexible with what we will be making under these general ideas and this has helped us tremendously!

Incorporate theme nights, a wonderful way to bring predictability and fun to your dinners. It also introduces kids to diverse vegan foods, turning meal times into culinary adventures.

Building on the first point, crafting a guide based on themes offers multiple benefits:

• Simplification: Streamlines the planning process, making it less daunting.
• Inspiration: Keeps the culinary journey fresh and exciting.
• Consistency: Helps you stay on track and committed to your plan.

These thematic guides ensure a balanced approach, merging creativity with structure.

Stock Your Pantry:

Frustration: “My pantry lacks variety!”
Solution: Introduce one new pantry item every week. This could be a grain, legume, or even a unique seasoning. Over time, you’ll have a diverse pantry ready for any recipe.

Imagine crafting a masterpiece without the necessary tools. That’s cooking without a well-stocked pantry! Key items to have:

• Versatile legumes: chickpeas, black beans, and lentils
• Grains: millet, oats, and wild rice
• Quick-fixes: vegan pasta, noodles, and canned tomatoes
• Vegan protein sources: tofu, tempeh, and seitan

Master Staple Recipes:

These are your kitchen anchors. These recipes, be they a creamy vegan soup or a plant-based casserole, are your reliable friends on hectic days.

We love roasted vegetables and potatoes a few times a night to make it a simple go to on a weeknight. We often cut up broccoli, cauliflower, a variety of roastable (ok I know this is not a real word, but it is in my vocab today) vegetables and some red potatoes. We add these to large roasting trays, add oil, salt and seasonings and roast at 425 for about 45 minutes and dinner is ready!

We also love a good soup no matter what season it is. Soups are our go to because it is so full of nutrition! All we do is chop up some vegetables, add it to a pot and cook it all day long until the end of the day when it’s dinner time.

Find these staples to make it easy for you to prepare healthy vegan meals, and you’ll always have something up your sleeve.

Batch Cooking & Freezing:

Embrace the culture of batch cooking. This approach is a lifesaver for busy vegan parents, ensuring that a nutritious meal is always just a microwave beep away.

Although we don’t do this personally as we like to keep things as fresh as possible, especially for my husband, we still do believe in cooking a double batch for the next day if possible!

Frustration: “I’m tired of cooking the same recipes.”
Solution: Dedicate one day a month to trying new recipes. Turn it into a family activity, letting everyone pick a dish. This keeps your menu fresh and involves the whole family.

Engage the Family:

Transform cooking from a task to a cherished family bonding time. This is not just about getting help but also about imparting valuable life skills to the younger generation.

Here are some fun recipe ideas and recipes to make with the littles ones in the family:

Keep a Recipe Journal:

Just like an artist has a sketchbook, a culinary enthusiast should maintain a recipe journal. This is your space to jot down recipe successes, improvisations, and new ideas.

Dive into Pinterest:

Harness the power of Pinterest for vegan culinary inspiration. Whether it’s plant-based desserts, vegan breakfast options, or gluten-free vegan dishes, the platform is a goldmine.

Gander in the world of Pinterest from time to time, maybe before your next grocery run so you can be inspired to make some new recipes for the week and you can easily add the ingredients to your list for your next grocery haul!

Experiment with International Cuisines:

Every culture has its own vegan or easily veganizable dishes. From the robust flavors of Ethiopian lentil stews to the subtle taste of Thai coconut curries, the world is your vegan oyster.

Let the diverse flavors and wonders of the world spark your inspiration, leading you and your family to explore and relish delightful tastes from every corner!

Set Realistic Expectations:

In today’s era of Instagram-perfect dishes, it’s easy to get swept up in the quest for visual perfection. However, the essence of cooking lies in its simplicity and the love infused into every dish. While a flawless presentation can be appealing, it’s the invaluable moments spent in the kitchen and the nutritional value of a meal that truly matter. Prioritize the joys of home-cooking and cherish the authentic experiences over picture-perfect plates.

Online Communities & Blogs:

In today’s digital age, the vast realm of the internet is brimming with resources for vegans, both seasoned and new. These platforms not only provide an endless stream of creative recipes but also serve as invaluable spaces for information, connection, and inspiration.

1. Vegan Food Blogs: These are often run by dedicated vegan enthusiasts who share their culinary journey. From innovative takes on classic dishes to recreating non-vegan favorites with plant-based ingredients, these blogs often come with personal anecdotes, step-by-step instructions, and stunning photography. Many also offer advice on vegan nutrition, ensuring that meals are not just delicious, but also wholesome.
2. YouTube Channels: Visual learners rejoice! Vegan YouTube channels offer a dynamic way to learn recipes, often showcasing the cooking process in real-time. Beyond cooking, many vegan YouTubers delve into product reviews, grocery hauls, and day-in-the-life videos, granting viewers a comprehensive look into vegan living.
3. Vegan Forums and Online Communities: Places like Reddit’s r/vegan, or specialized vegan forums, are hubs of interaction. Here, you can pose questions, share personal experiences, or seek advice on specific challenges. From discussions on ethical dilemmas to recommendations for vegan skincare products, these forums cover the A to Z of veganism.
4. Social Media Platforms: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are rife with vegan influencers who share quick recipes, tips, and snippets of their vegan lifestyle. Their visually appealing content, often coupled with the latest trends, makes for both informative and entertaining consumption.
5. Podcasts: An emerging favorite, vegan podcasts can be your companion during commutes, workouts, or even while cooking. They often feature interviews with vegan activists, discussions on the latest vegan news, and deep dives into topics like sustainable agriculture.

Finding Vegan Substitutes:

Frustration: “Vegan substitutes are hard to find!”
Solution: Opt for whole-food alternatives. Instead of searching for a vegan cheese brand, try nutritional yeast or a homemade cashew-based cheese.

One of the major hurdles many face is finding worthy substitutes for their favorite non-vegan ingredients. Some top recommendations:

• Milk: Almond, soy, oat, and coconut milk.
• Eggs (in baking): Flaxseeds, chia seeds, or applesauce.
• Honey: Agave nectar, maple syrup, or date syrup.

Take a deep dive into making your own substitutes instead of settling for all the processed substitutes that are out there, you’ll find there’s so many substitutes for things that are so easy to make and so much healthier for you and your family.

Remember Your ‘Why’:

Discovering your purpose in choosing a vegan lifestyle goes beyond diet; it’s a profound commitment to a compassionate, ethical, and sustainable way of living. Whether driven by environmental concerns, animal rights, or health benefits, embracing veganism is a journey that reflects one’s deepest values and convictions.

Here are some tips to remember and live by your choice of embracing veganism:

1. Visual Reminders: Keep inspirational vegan quotes or images in places you frequent – on your fridge, as your phone’s wallpaper, or even as post-it notes on your work desk.
2. Educate Continuously: Regularly read books, watch documentaries, or listen to podcasts about veganism, animal rights, and environmental impact. This constant flow of information will reinforce your ‘why’.
3. Join a Community: Connect with fellow vegans, whether in local groups, online communities, or through events. Sharing experiences, challenges, and victories can be incredibly motivating.
4. Meal Prep and Plan: Having a stock of vegan meals or snacks ready to go can make it easier to stick to your convictions, especially during hectic times.
5. Journaling: Keep a vegan journey journal where you jot down your feelings, challenges, and achievements. Reflecting on your entries can be a source of encouragement.
6. Celebrate Small Wins: Made a new vegan recipe? Found a vegan alternative to your favorite snack? Celebrate these moments, no matter how small.
7. Stay Compassionate: Remind yourself of the positive impact you’re making – for animals, the planet, and your health. Your choices are making a difference.
8. Seek Out Vegan Alternatives: With the rise in veganism, there are numerous alternatives for almost every food product. Familiarizing yourself with these can help curb any potential cravings.
9. Stay Informed: Knowing the latest research and facts about veganism, such as health benefits and environmental stats, can bolster your conviction.
10. Practice Patience: It’s okay to have challenging days. Be patient and kind to yourself, knowing every meal and choice is a step in the right direction.

Conclusion:

Adopting a vegan lifestyle, especially when catering to a family, is an act of love, perseverance, and commitment. With the right strategies, resources, and mindset, it can be a delightful and nourishing journey for the entire family. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the small victories, and most importantly, savor every bite. Happy vegan cooking!