Recently we watched a series on HBO called “The Weight of the Nation” which is all about the obesity epidemic in America. We had Hayley watch these shows with us to help her learn more about being healthy.
During and after each episode, we would have discussions about the subject to make sure she was really understanding what she was seeing and hearing.
The result of one such discussion was the idea for Hayley to plan our dinners for one week.
Hayley, being the confused animal lover that she is, decided she wanted to go vegetarian and maybe vegan for each meal.
So I consulted Twitter and Facebook for some dish ideas along with my good friend Google and several of the vegan/raw cookbooks I have in the closet.
It took Hayley and I many hours to decide on 4 recipes that would be acceptable. The hardest part was finding meat-free meals that weren’t filled with cheese and pasta but were also hardy enough to be considered main dishes instead of just sides.
Without further ado, I present to you our week of dinners as planned by Miss Fancy Pants.
Night 1: Portobello Mushrooms with Parmesan-Herb Stuffing and a spinach salad.
Score: Adults – 2 thumbs up. Kids – 2 thumbs down. Hayley said “mushrooms aren’t her thing.”
Night 2: Carrot, Tomato, and Lentil Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
Score: 2 thumbs up from everyone. Layla even finished her bowl which is not like her at all.
Night 3: Spanish Quinoa and Black Bean Tacos with grilled bell peppers, onions and avocado. (Our vegan night)
Score: 2 thumbs up from everyone.
Night 4: Pressed Eggplant and Pepper Sandwich with spinach salad.
Score: Adults – 2 thumbs up. Kids – thumbs down, they said it was too spicy.
Overall results, the meals that Hayley picked on her own both kids really liked. The meals that I helped her pick, they wouldn’t eat. Guess maybe that should mean something important to me? Or not.
And I may or may not have washed down a few of these meals with a Cherry Bomb Cocktail. You want this drink. Trust me.
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I’m so impressed with you guys! Are you sticking with it???
Natalie @MamaTrack recently posted..A Carousel Ride
We aren’t fully converting to vegetarian but we will be doing more of it.
Twitter: AlisonSWLee
says:
That’s so healthy!
I could do with a grilled cheese sandwich right now.
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Before, After AND After
They are good on occasion.
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
I’m very impressed with the healthy choices!
Kimberly recently posted..My Summer Bucket List
I’m very impressed that I cooked it all.
That’s a great idea. We’ve been vegetarian since the gallbladder crap and now that it’s out I kind of want to still eat this way. Hmph..who knew
Kimberly recently posted..Secret Mommy-hood Confession Saturday
If you find the right meals, eating vegetarian can be really good.
Twitter: daddyrunsalot
says:
Quite the undertaking to even try, so kudos there.
My kids have been big into “helping” to cook eggs lately . . . which is kind of a nuisance, especially since, after “helping,” they very rarely actually want to eat the eggs they “helped” to cook. We’ll see, though . . . I’m really, really trying to get them to be more involved in the kitchen, as I want them knowing what they’re eating . . . and, hopefully, they’ll be choosing to avoid fast food before too long.
John recently posted..Where I like my kids
We stopped eating fast food (except for In n Out) years ago and I’m so glad we did. I know what you mean though about kids being a nuisance when trying to help cook. I always try and remind myself that it’s good for them to be in the kitchen even if it’s a pain for me.
Twitter: EverythingEvie
says:
All these look delish! I really look forward to cooking meals with Handsome’s input.
Eve recently posted..Stress, Moving, and Family
I have a feeling he will love eating what he helps you cook.
Twitter: corp2domestic
says:
Those look like some good meals even if the kids didn’t like a few of them I bet I would!
Natalie recently posted..Happy SITS Day!
You probably would, if vegetables are your thing.
Night three looks delicious. I sneaked some vegetarian ground beef into the tacos one night. No one knew.
Maggie S. recently posted..Ten To-Dos in June
Night 3 was very good and filling with the quinoa and the black beans.
Twitter: applesndroses
says:
All these meals look great and healthy. I find it so hard to find vegetarian meals, that my kids will eat. Some of these, I will definitely try. I love how you watched the show with her, discussed things with her and then put things in action. That’s really great parenting.
Mirjam recently posted..Empty-handed
Thank you. We always try to discuss things that we see or read so that she can really understand them.
Twitter: elenawollborg
says:
So awesome! I love that you had Hayley watch Weight of the Nation. Everything looks so delish & healthy. I’m trying that soup out on my boys…the only way I can get them to eat veggies!
Elena recently posted..An EPIC Garage Sale
The soup was good. I made it a little different than the recipe by using fresh tomatoes instead of canned, vegetable broth for the stock, and I used more lentils than it called for.
Twitter: UniquelyEN
says:
I am so impressed with all of those meals. Love that Hayley says that mushrooms are not her thing. I have to agree with her they’re not my thing either.
I have to know, are you all sticking with this?
Erin recently posted..Our Story part 3 . . . The Dance
We won’t be converting all the way to vegetarianism but we will be eating a lot less meat and a lot more veggies.
Those look good, but of course, I am a vegetarian!
Nicole recently posted..I has a sad
Then that makes it easy for you when your kids want to eat vegetarian.
These meals look awesome! I was once a vegan so I have a soft spot for vegetarian meals. I have never heard of that film that you referenced, but I will have to check it out now.
Jessica recently posted..Sometimes it’s nice to be a mom of one
I was a vegetarian for many years and a vegan for a few weeks. Being a vegan was hard back then but I was a teenager and didn’t cook for myself. Now we don’t eat a lot of dairy at all so it’s not that hard except to find meals that all of us will eat.
Twitter: FarewellStrangr
says:
That’s so awesome! Good for you – and for her. Those actually look good – might have to try!
Robin | Farewell Stranger recently posted..Finding My Why
They were all good (in my opinion).
Gotta say- she does an awesome job. Yum-O!
Gina recently posted..Project 366 Rewind- Week 23~ Other’s Perspective
She did do pretty good for her week.
Twitter: krrobi
says:
OMyyyy,
this looks yummy…especially the Lentil Soup.
WOW. You are such a Domestic Diva. X
My Inner Chick recently posted..Laughing. Praying. Loving.
Shh…don’t tell my husband that.
I totally blew it on sending you recipes…sorry!
Christine@theaums recently posted..A Funny Book To Go With Your Wine
That’s okay. We are going to be doing more vegetarian meals so if you ever find any you like and want to send, I”ll take them.
Soup with grilled cheese is a favorite at my house. Your soup looks wonderful.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Pausing Life for a Moment- Remembering My Dad
I’m not really a soup fan but this one was good and the grilled cheese sandwich was a nice pairing for it.
I think it’s so great that she is aware and in the kitchen helping. We don’t need to eat perfect but Haley now has some more knowledge to draw from. We love lentil soup around here too.
marie recently posted..Trippin’
It was our first time having lentil soup and I’ll definitely be making it more. Was very good and filling.
Twitter: jenrambles
says:
This is a really fun thing for you guys to do! I’m going to have to try the carrot, tomato, lentil soup. Sounds good!
It was good. Hope you try it and like it.
Good for you and your animal lover. I have a great site for you: http://puremamas.squarespace.com/ My old neighbor and good friend, Juli owns Kookie Karma and this is her blog where she shares raw, vegan and low sugar recipes. Let me know what you think.
Tonya recently posted..The Face In The Mirror
That site looks great. I added it to my feed so I can keep an eye on the recipes. Thanks Tonya!
Twitter: galitbreen
says:
I love the lesson, the follow through, and the planned meals! Serious yum factor, girl!
Galit Breen recently posted..Memories Captured June Linky!