Vegan MoFo Day 18: Pancake Day and Vegan Dramaz

P is for Pancake!  This is P week and today is Pancake Day at preschool.

Recently we had an issue where Silas was given goldfish crackers to use in an activity (and then eat) at school and when he asked if they were vegan, he was told they were.  He even told them his mom said he can't eat them, but was told it's okay, he still could eat them.  Silas' little heart was broken when he came home and told me that "goldfish crackers have different ingredients now!" and I told him they weren't and it must have been a mistake.  Accidents happen, but his feelings were really hurt when he was told they were actually vegan.  Poor little dude cried and asked if the animals were hurting because of him!  We all talked him down and let him know it was just a teeny accident and not his fault, and the animals aren't mad at him at all.  Happens to everyone! 

So sad though.  Talking it through helped a lot and at the end, he said "I'm okay now, Mommy.  I'll just poop them out and not eat them ever again.".  (so, so vegan)

So obviously I spoke to his teacher (again!) and explained veganism VERY CLEARLY and let her know how important it is to us ethically to be cruelty free.  I was told he "had a choice".  I stressed that Silas isn't reading yet, so he is relying on her and the other teachers & aides for accurate information.  He's very used to being able to fully trust all adults in his life and needs to be able to do that at school as well.  I explained that I will arrange and provide any vegan alternatives for him to be able to participate in the future, as I had told her at the beginning of the year.  I also let her know that Shae is 14 and we've never had this happen to him so I know it couldn't be too disruptive to the class dynamic. (ha!)

I walked away feeling a little disappointed by the reaction I got.  I felt a little dismissed.

But it turns out I was really heard!  Yeah, I'm shocked too. In an impressive turn of events, his teacher sent home a note at the beginning of this week letting us know that today is Pancake Day and Friday is Pajama Day where they will be making mini pizzas.  It said to let her know if there are any dietary restrictions & to bring in an alternative if so.  YAY!  Feels good to know that Silas' veganism is being taken seriously finally.  Also, I'm reminded at how little veganism is respected.  We have a whole new school to invade and educate and my little pancakes were going to be the first ambassador!  No pressure ( jk.  ALL THE PRESSURE.)

I used my favorite pancake recipe ever, Isa's Puffy Pillow Pancakes from the PPK Blog.   I think they are also going to be in her upcoming book Isa Does It (which I tested for and IT IS AMAZING.  Preorder asap, my friend.).

I also packed some Earth Balance.

He was proud to take them to school with him in his adorable hand embroidered reusable lunch bag that his Faux Auntie Amanda (my bff) made for him as a New School gift this year.

His teacher let me know that Pancake time went perfectly today with no issues at all!  And Silas was super happy to chow down on his pancakes with his friends.  He reports back that his pancakes were the yummiest looking.  haha.



***FUN FACT!  I used baking soda by accident and actually had to make these pancakes TWICE yesterday.  This kid better know how much I love him!

Vegan MoFo Day 16: High School Lunch

I try not to blog about Shae too much anymore because we all know I've humiliated him enough online already, but guess what, today we are peeking at his lunch.  He's in high school now and his food is all about total convenience.  It's easiest to eat a sandwich (Tofurkey, Tofutti American Cheese Slice, Vegenaise).  A big bag of grapes and apple slices that he always eats, and then today was Chex Mix (didn't eat, "was full") and a Builder's Bar for afterschool between soccer practice, if he needed it.  (he didn't!). 

I don't love all the trash and usually we use containers and reusable sandwich baggies , but high school is hard enough (even though he says he LOVES it), so I'm okay with doing what makes it easier for him.

Can't even tell this lunch is vegan, right?  Sometimes you just want to eat your food and not answer a million questions! 

Vegan MoFo Day 14: Silas' "most loveable food"

Yesterday, Silas declared Tofu his "most loveable food!" and inhaled twice as much of it as I ate.  This kid is not messing around either.  Any kind of pan-fried tofu and he shock you with how much he eats of it.  I've seen him eat half a block in one sitting before!

Vegan MoFo Day 13: Smoothie Playdate

Today was a smoothie playdate at the insane indoor mall playground.  Such chaos.  The noise, the insanity.  But somebody had a ball...

I had the Island Green Spinach & Kale and both kids had a Jetty Junior (strawberries & banana)

We were right across from a candy store and neither kid even mentioned it.

Vegan MoFo Day 12: Today's preschool snack!

Silas' snack today:  He's obsessed with these Fig Bars.  They really are delicious.  And Vita CoCo Kid's fruit-flavored coconut water are super yummy!  I'm on the fence about regular coconut water, but these are really great.

Vegan MoFo Day 11: Reliable Old Subway

Another busy day and another lunch date with my Little!  He needed Subway and he needed it baddddd.  I don't know how he got it in his head, because I always bring lunch to him or take him home to eat.  We only go to fast food if we are out of town or desperate.

But this week has been CRAZY BUSY so I went with it.

He was kind of happy that I agreed.

Here's his kid's meal.  Good old reliable Veggie Delite, apple slices, and a Juice Box.

Then came funny face time.

Can't stop at just one...

CHOMP.

CHOMP CHOMP.

And the prize of the day, the reusable bag his lunch came in.  Turns out this is what his insistence was all about.  One of his friends at preschool is to blame!

Vegan MoFo Day 6: Honoring the Taco Cleanse with Leftovers

The best thing to happen to food all year is, by far, The Taco Cleanse!  I don't know about you guys, but I know I am guilty of not feeding my family enough tacos.  I feel so much shame at my myself for letting something so important slide.  The only way to rectify this is to START NOW.  Full steam ahead!  No child left behind. 

Lazy Smurf tells us how it all works with this handy chart.  Austin can teach us so much.

Starting this now is convenient since it was leftover "Clean Out the Fridge" night anyway!  Tacos are my favorite way to use up the little bits of leftovers and the produce that is on the verge.  The kids love it!  It's basically a full on buffet.  What kid isn't happy choosing their own foods?

Below are my tacos.  I went with brown rice, black beans, marinated mushrooms, caramelized onions and Tofutti Guacamole Sour Cream.  I felt better instantly!  Amazing.

 

The kids both used up all the veggies and had much prettier tacos, but of course I forgot to take pictures of them!  No worries.  Plenty more tacos to be had.  Onward for the cause!

Vegan MoFo Day 3: Preschool Snack Time

Today, is back to school after the long weekend!  Here, have a little peek at Silas' snack for preschool.  He has a short day, so no lunch.  We let him pick out any "healthy snack" he wants.  He picked this all out in the grocery store himself, especially thrilled by a cartoon character on the mini hummus.  I love that that character is on something I'm happy for my kid to eat!  Those pretzels are shaped like little airplanes from the new Disney movie, Planes, super important in Silas Land.

He'll probably only eat half of this at snack time, but I like him having options and I know he'll finish it after school.

He's so proud of his little snack and his independence in choosing it.  I'll post a video of him telling you about it soon <3