Vegan, plant based family of 10

Our family, including 8 children have been eating vegan and now more plant based since 2011 to stay healthy. Easy to turn one of their favorite recipes into a vegan recipe. Many recipes out there.
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Replies

  • cyfehr76
    cyfehr76 Posts: 45 Member
    I feel like I'm a hybrid. I haven't eaten beef in over a year, I replaced real cheese with vegan cheeses.
    I'm still stuck on the fish, poultry, eggs, and occasionally pork.
  • cyfehr76
    cyfehr76 Posts: 45 Member
    cyfehr76 wrote: »
    I feel like I'm a hybrid. I haven't eaten beef in over a year, I replaced real cheese with vegan cheeses.
    I'm still stuck on the fish, poultry, eggs, and occasionally pork.

    Hardly anyone eats the full range of animal-based foods that are available to them. That doesn't make you a "hybrid," it just makes you a non-vegan who doesn't eat beef or dairy cheese.

    Agreed :)

    Shouldn't have stated it that way...
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    cyfehr76 wrote: »
    Hardly anyone eats the full range of animal-based foods that are available to them. That doesn't make you a "hybrid," it just makes you a non-vegan who doesn't eat beef or dairy cheese.

    Agreed :)

    Shouldn't have stated it that way...[/quote]

    Before I went completely herbivorous, I self-identified "plant-based slacker" or a "vegan in training" :-)
  • cyfehr76
    cyfehr76 Posts: 45 Member
    cyfehr76 wrote: »
    Hardly anyone eats the full range of animal-based foods that are available to them. That doesn't make you a "hybrid," it just makes you a non-vegan who doesn't eat beef or dairy cheese.

    Agreed :)

    Shouldn't have stated it that way...

    Before I went completely herbivorous, I self-identified "plant-based slacker" or a "vegan in training" :-)[/quote]

    Nice!
  • penguinmama87
    penguinmama87 Posts: 1,155 Member
    Our family of seven omits meat and other animal products from our diets on a regular basis as part of religious observance. It's taught me a lot about cooking and has encouraged me to try a variety of ethnic foods that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. Even when we're not strictly abstaining, I find that I enjoy those kinds of foods more often, too.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    are all of you happy to eat this way? 10 people must have all kinds of opinions and likes and dislikes.
  • Laughter_Girl
    Laughter_Girl Posts: 2,226 Member
    @Alsheathy That's a large family, but I'm sure preparing a meal that everyone can/will eat is probably easier than me preparing two separate meals because one out of two of us is a chicken/turkey/fish lover. He will, however, eat some of the plant-based meals I prepare, which is always convenient.

    I'm curious about something. Does your family eat a ton of fresh produce? I only ask because my refrigerator is always stuffed because of all the fresh produce, and it's only two of us. Maybe I just need a bigger fridge? 🤔 Also, if you prepare the meals for the family, do you meal prep? I want to start doing that if I can.
  • penguinmama87
    penguinmama87 Posts: 1,155 Member
    @Alsheathy That's a large family, but I'm sure preparing a meal that everyone can/will eat is probably easier than me preparing two separate meals because one out of two of us is a chicken/turkey/fish lover. He will, however, eat some of the plant-based meals I prepare, which is always convenient.

    I'm curious about something. Does your family eat a ton of fresh produce? I only ask because my refrigerator is always stuffed because of all the fresh produce, and it's only two of us. Maybe I just need a bigger fridge? 🤔 Also, if you prepare the meals for the family, do you meal prep? I want to start doing that if I can.

    I'm not the OP, but I have a large family and know a lot of other large families...I think all of us have more than one fridge. :) We go through a LOT of produce.

    I meal prep occasionally, but I did a lot more when my family was smaller. I have larger size mixing bowls etc now, but the quantities are now pretty daunting for that to be effective. I do double and freeze things on the weekends. Or I might meal prep my own breakfasts and lunches. Or I prep a couple components of a meal ahead but not everything.
  • Laughter_Girl
    Laughter_Girl Posts: 2,226 Member
    @alisdairsmommy I appreciate you sharing. I guess two refrigerators at minimum is required for larger families. Heck, I feel like I need a 2nd fridge, but I don't have space for that. 😑

    Meal prepping is a daunting task for me, but the YouTubers make it seem so easy. 🤔 😁 I may do like you and just try doing it for a few meals... primarily lunch because that's the meal I skip most frequently. Not because I want to, but work meetings often get in the way.
  • shetland
    shetland Posts: 55 Member
    So what are some of your favorite plant based recipes that do not include and animal based food replacements (i.e. no fake meat, dairy, etc.).
  • cyfehr76 wrote: »
    I feel like I'm a hybrid. I haven't eaten beef in over a year, I replaced real cheese with vegan cheeses.
    I'm still stuck on the fish, poultry, eggs, and occasionally pork.

    Hardly anyone eats the full range of animal-based foods that are available to them. That doesn't make you a "hybrid," it just makes you a non-vegan who doesn't eat beef or dairy cheese.

    Why do you get to dictate how she or he describes her diet?
    Hybrid vegan diet suggests she is actively trying to change her diet from a meat eater to more of a vegan one. Any change to a more ethical environmental friendly way of living surely deserves a well done than a put down?
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    edited March 2021
    shetland wrote: »
    So what are some of your favorite plant based recipes that do not include and animal based food replacements (i.e. no fake meat, dairy, etc.).

    Veggie chili is great !

    https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/veggie-chilli/

    My mom roughly follows a recipe like this and just adds anything extra she wants (like corn, rice, etc) if she has it on hand.

    Sometimes she would make chili one day and then the next day chili over pasta or chili over baked potatoes with a side of some type of veggie/salad.
  • Laughter_Girl
    Laughter_Girl Posts: 2,226 Member
    Creamy Lemon Pepper Chickpeas in the It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken blog. They are so very good served over rice or pasta.
  • penguinmama87
    penguinmama87 Posts: 1,155 Member
    edited March 2021
    cyfehr76 wrote: »
    I feel like I'm a hybrid. I haven't eaten beef in over a year, I replaced real cheese with vegan cheeses.
    I'm still stuck on the fish, poultry, eggs, and occasionally pork.

    Hardly anyone eats the full range of animal-based foods that are available to them. That doesn't make you a "hybrid," it just makes you a non-vegan who doesn't eat beef or dairy cheese.

    Why do you get to dictate how she or he describes her diet?
    Hybrid vegan diet suggests she is actively trying to change her diet from a meat eater to more of a vegan one. Any change to a more ethical environmental friendly way of living surely deserves a well done than a put down?

    I partially agree with you and partially disagree. I think there is something to be said for using terms precisely. Reducing consumption of animal products is not the same as eliminating them. A person can absolutely describe themselves how they choose, but if the description is easily misunderstood, it might not be very useful.

    The other thing is that it's debatable whether a vegan diet is automatically more ethical or environmentally friendly than a diet that includes meat. But I'll stop it there because that's a subject for another thread. :)
    shetland wrote: »
    So what are some of your favorite plant based recipes that do not include and animal based food replacements (i.e. no fake meat, dairy, etc.).

    I started with some of the recipes from Budget Bytes (which is focused on inexpensive, but tasty and reasonably healthy recipes. Since meat can be very expensive, she has a lot of vegetarian and vegan recipes.)

    I made these black bean and avocado enchiladas last week and they were very good!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,985 Member
    cyfehr76 wrote: »
    I feel like I'm a hybrid. I haven't eaten beef in over a year, I replaced real cheese with vegan cheeses.
    I'm still stuck on the fish, poultry, eggs, and occasionally pork.

    Hardly anyone eats the full range of animal-based foods that are available to them. That doesn't make you a "hybrid," it just makes you a non-vegan who doesn't eat beef or dairy cheese.

    Why do you get to dictate how she or he describes her diet?
    Hybrid vegan diet suggests she is actively trying to change her diet from a meat eater to more of a vegan one. Any change to a more ethical environmental friendly way of living surely deserves a well done than a put down?
    So I guess lab grown meat would be okay?

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  • hipari
    hipari Posts: 1,367 Member
    edited March 2021
    cyfehr76 wrote: »
    I feel like I'm a hybrid. I haven't eaten beef in over a year, I replaced real cheese with vegan cheeses.
    I'm still stuck on the fish, poultry, eggs, and occasionally pork.

    Hardly anyone eats the full range of animal-based foods that are available to them. That doesn't make you a "hybrid," it just makes you a non-vegan who doesn't eat beef or dairy cheese.

    Why do you get to dictate how she or he describes her diet?
    Hybrid vegan diet suggests she is actively trying to change her diet from a meat eater to more of a vegan one. Any change to a more ethical environmental friendly way of living surely deserves a well done than a put down?

    Veganism is an ethical position on animal exploitation. There is no such thing as a "hybrid vegan diet" or a diet that is "more of a vegan one." I'm not putting her down (she's probably a great person), it's just that words have meanings.

    If I told people I was Australian because I like Vegemite, people would point out that's not true. It doesn't mean I'm not awesome, it just means I'm not describing myself accurately.

    If one is of the position that exploiting animals for pleasure or convenience is wrong, then eating fish, poultry, eggs, and pork isn't going to earn someone a "well done." Why on earth would I be pleased someone is eating those things and describing themselves as a "hybrid" when it comes to opposing exploitation of animals?

    I think there’s still not that big a difference between 100% vegan and mostly vegan, which the original commenter decidedly isn’t, since they eat multiple animal products regularly. I have some friends who buy only vegan food but will eat animal products if it’s the only option or if the animal products would otherwise go to waste, or if it’s truly a special occasion like birthday cake or traditional seasonal delicacies. I have no problem classifying them as vegan despite knowing they aren’t fully vegan 365 days per year. On the other end of the spectrum, having multiple fully vegetarian days per week doesn’t make me a vegetarian as I still eat meat regularly, even though it’s less and less.

    Edit: added some words I forgot
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Adding: if one is focusing specifically on the impact, I guess it could make sense to say that there isn't a big difference between a non-vegan who limits their usage of animal products and a vegan. But if one considers part of the value of veganism is taking a position on the moral appropriateness of using animals for pleasure or convenience, there is a big, very relevant, difference.

    I believe most vegans would argue that the value of veganism as a concept is not just the impact it makes, but the concrete impact of having a concept that describes an objection to animal exploitation. For that reason, it's very appropriate to push back against terms like "hybrid vegan" or "mostly vegan" or concepts like "fully vegan."
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    edited March 2021
    are all of you happy to eat this way? 10 people must have all kinds of opinions and likes and dislikes.


    Wouldnt that happen whether you eat animal products or not?

    I presume some of the 10 are children - so, as with all families, children eat what adults provide.


    ETA no need to presume - if I read OP properly, she says 8 are children. ;)

  • 33gail33
    33gail33 Posts: 1,155 Member
    edited March 2021
    nvm
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    33gail33 wrote: »
    I think that veganism generally defines itself as seeking to exclude exploitation and cruelty to animals to as far as is possible and practicable. I'm not sure that eating cake when you are out because it is convenient would qualify, but it is probably impossible to be completely "perfect" about it in our current society.
    I had the discussion about it a while back with regards to things like vaccines and drugs that were perhaps discovered years ago with the use of animal products or testing. I think for a lot of people the point is to move forward to a time when those choices won't need to be made, not risking your health to make a point.
    I mean when I was vegan for several years a very good friend of mine at the time went out of his way to cook me something "vegan", which wasn't really vegan, but I thanked him and ate it anyway. I still considered myself vegan. Some people might quibble about that I guess.

    Yes, when we talk about unnecessary animal exploitation, it's specifically referring to those forms of animal exploitation that it is possible and practicable to avoid.
  • hipari
    hipari Posts: 1,367 Member
    Adding: if one is focusing specifically on the impact, I guess it could make sense to say that there isn't a big difference between a non-vegan who limits their usage of animal products and a vegan. But if one considers part of the value of veganism is taking a position on the moral appropriateness of using animals for pleasure or convenience, there is a big, very relevant, difference.

    I believe most vegans would argue that the value of veganism as a concept is not just the impact it makes, but the concrete impact of having a concept that describes an objection to animal exploitation. For that reason, it's very appropriate to push back against terms like "hybrid vegan" or "mostly vegan" or concepts like "fully vegan."

    OK, I get your point regarding animal rights and the absoluteness of being vegan within that motivational argumentation. Most vegans I know, and vegetarians too, have changed their diet because of environmental impact and sometimes make exceptions they are OK with because their focus is specifically on the impact of their overall lifestyle and not the concept.

    From these motivational standpoints, I guess it makes more sense to participate in things like eating the birthday cake someone else already made so it doesn’t go to waste, or eating meat that would otherwise be thrown out since the total carbon footprint of eating that meat is smaller than throwing that already grown, killed and packed meat away AND buying something vegan to eat instead. The people I know don’t intentionally leave these ”loopholes” for themselves, either, and tell others they are vegan/vegetarian whenever asked about dietary requirements or it’s polite to notify people.
  • VegjoyP
    VegjoyP Posts: 2,772 Member
    I am not posting this to start a controversy but to really state facts by definition.

    A "True" Vegan is someone who abstains from ALL animal food. Almost Vegan" is Plant based. The term plant based came about to encompass people who are eating a mostly plant based foods. Vegans, by definition ate just that. I am vegan, and my friends and room mate. There are some, many vegans who are strictly ethical. They are doing it for the planet, animals or combination of both. Some are religious and some are doing it for health. I started as plant based, then vegan. It was for health and now it is both ethical and for health.

    There is nothing wrong with being either plant based or vegan. It is a matter of choice. For some, plant based can include environmental and animal concerns, but they are d0o0ing the best for themselves at that time.
  • Wow... I think this stance that you only get acknowledged if you are 100% Vegan is problematic. You run the risk of alienating those who can't, for whatever reason just be 100% vegan. I think a step by step approach to veganism is sometimes a necessity for people. Kindness and understanding and a gentle push towards your cause can go further (longer term) than one where you say "if you don't go 100% vegan then you don't give a *kitten* about animals". Also, this idea that "harm is decorated with buttercream frosting" is a simplistic view on why people may struggle with full veganism from the get go.

    Anyway... il come away from this conversation as I find people like this do more damage than good. Good luck to you all.
  • penguinmama87
    penguinmama87 Posts: 1,155 Member
    Wow... I think this stance that you only get acknowledged if you are 100% Vegan is problematic. You run the risk of alienating those who can't, for whatever reason just be 100% vegan. I think a step by step approach to veganism is sometimes a necessity for people. Kindness and understanding and a gentle push towards your cause can go further (longer term) than one where you say "if you don't go 100% vegan then you don't give a *kitten* about animals". Also, this idea that "harm is decorated with buttercream frosting" is a simplistic view on why people may struggle with full veganism from the get go.

    Anyway... il come away from this conversation as I find people like this do more damage than good. Good luck to you all.

    I think part of the issue is that colloquially we use the term "vegan" to refer to products too, not just a philosophy or lifestyle. I can see how that could be annoying to people who want to be very strict about the term. I am not vegan, and am not interested in becoming one, but I do see value in reducing consumption of animal-based products and foods for environmental, health, and compassion-related reasons. That's why I bothered contributing to this thread in the first place. But there are lots of people who think seriously about the ethics of food (as I do) who may end up making different choices.

    I am in 100% agreement that "purity testing," in any group of people, tends to do more harm than good.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    hipari wrote: »
    Adding: if one is focusing specifically on the impact, I guess it could make sense to say that there isn't a big difference between a non-vegan who limits their usage of animal products and a vegan. But if one considers part of the value of veganism is taking a position on the moral appropriateness of using animals for pleasure or convenience, there is a big, very relevant, difference.

    I believe most vegans would argue that the value of veganism as a concept is not just the impact it makes, but the concrete impact of having a concept that describes an objection to animal exploitation. For that reason, it's very appropriate to push back against terms like "hybrid vegan" or "mostly vegan" or concepts like "fully vegan."

    OK, I get your point regarding animal rights and the absoluteness of being vegan within that motivational argumentation. Most vegans I know, and vegetarians too, have changed their diet because of environmental impact and sometimes make exceptions they are OK with because their focus is specifically on the impact of their overall lifestyle and not the concept.

    From these motivational standpoints, I guess it makes more sense to participate in things like eating the birthday cake someone else already made so it doesn’t go to waste, or eating meat that would otherwise be thrown out since the total carbon footprint of eating that meat is smaller than throwing that already grown, killed and packed meat away AND buying something vegan to eat instead. The people I know don’t intentionally leave these ”loopholes” for themselves, either, and tell others they are vegan/vegetarian whenever asked about dietary requirements or it’s polite to notify people.

    I think we could use a term for people who are fine with animal exploitation but are reducing their consumption of animal products for environmental reasons.