Vegetarian to Vegan with Picky Tweens

[Shortsbysummer]

I'm a single mom to 2 (11/14). I've been vegetarian for most of 24 years, they have been since birth. I've tried going vegan with them when they were 4/6 and it was impossible. They were teased at school about their 'weird food' and hassled at birthday parties. I also couldn't keep up with trying to plan balanced meals at that time.  I gave up and went back to vegetarianism. I feel ready to try again especially after watching some of the documentaries on Netflix this week! My challenge is that my kids are extremely fussy eaters, one is a fruit-hater and one is a vegetable-hater, and so they are not super open to this idea.  However, I refuse to cook more than 1 meal, I am not the Food Court.  When we eat away from the house, or they go to a friend's/party/etc I will leave the choice up to them, but at home we will eat plant-based, period.  So today we started to come up with a 'points' system for every fruit/veg they eat, and double points for trying new things without a fuss. If they beat their points goal every month they will earn 'prizes' like movie tickets, etc. I'm thinking that we will eat what is in the house right now, and once those things are gone start replacing them with wholefood vegan equivalents. I don't want to use things like Toffuti and I want to get away from vegan 'meats' because most are just as bad as any other processed food. I've got cookbooks galore, but finding the time to cook is challenging so I'm developing a static weekly menu and shopping list to start with. I definitely want to get them more involved in the shopping, preparing and cooking.  If I can get my act together, I'd like to get them to help grow some kale or lettuces on our small patio.  Has anyone else made the switch with older kids who were a bit resistant to the change? Any tips?

Now to find a nutritionist and family doctor in the middle of 'where's the beef? town' who will be supportive of this!  

[SunsetRunner]

Many years ago, I went to vegetarian for health reasons, and my spouse and 3 children didn't.

My spouse would prepare meals as always (meat included), except no meat went on my plate,

and visiting friends, it was the same thing - make whatever you want, no meat on my plate.

Now, my one daughter (who is an avid runner) is a vegetarian, and the other two use meat in

small quantities. The point is, make a meal, including what everyone wants, let them leave off

their plate whatever they don't want. Let them make own school lunches, what they want.

[HelenaFitbit]

I think @SunsetRunner's advice is really valuable, also Raw Vegan Not Gross has plenty of recipes (not all raw) for different foods that are not alien looking 

Hope to see you around the forums! 

[TeaAddictedGeek]

Try the blog (and I think books) called Vegan Lunch Box. 🙂