Seasoned Living
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

By Mary Rose Remington

These five words stopped me dead in my food preparation tracks – “Mom, I’m a vegetarian now.”

I was grateful my 23 year old daughter Laura had at least provided advanced notice before she arrived home for her first visit since moving to Colorado; I needed time to ‘digest’ her news and research meatless meals. Truthfully, I initially felt a bit defensive about my own food choices, which most days include plenty of poultry or meat.

During dinner the first night her brothers asked Laura what led to her decision. She replied, “You know, I’ve never been a big fan of meat… it has always kind of grossed me out. And if you watched the movies I’ve watched about the unethical treatment of animals, you’d probably be a vegetarian too.”

She reminded us about the health benefits of this lower fat, higher fiber diet, plus the lower risk of cancer and diabetes for vegetarians. Being an environmentalist, she has always strived to leave a small carbon footprint and feels her choice to be a vegetarian is another way to live lighter on Mother Earth.

This lifestyle choice is just another reason I am so proud of my daughter, and while I may not be ready to become a vegetarian, I am enjoying this wonderful point in our relationship where my grown daughter can now teach me about life. I asked Laura to share tips for parents wishing to keep their vegetarian son or daughter fed while avoiding family feuds. She quickly fired off the list of dos and don’ts in an email. Maybe she’ll take payment in veggie burgers.

Laura’s Dos and Don’ts for Parents of Vegetarians

Do
Ask your kid about their reasons for going vegetarian, but not as a skeptic. Be sincere about wanting to learn more about something that obviously means a lot to them.

Learn what your child is okay eating. What kind of vegetarian are they?

Involve your child in the planning and creation of meals. Vegetarians don’t expect non-vegetarians to know all the non-meat options. Often it is possible to find a good compromise where the family can eat essentially the same thing. Ex: spaghetti with meat sauce for the family, spaghetti with tomato sauce for the vegetarian.

Don’t
• Don’t try to force your child ‘back into the fold.’
• Don’t criticize or belittle their choice: it will only cause tension, frustration and discord.
• Don’t make food preparations an angry event. The little bit of extra work is a priceless tradeoff when it comes to showing your child that you respect their decision.
• Don’t expect your child to eat an iceberg salad as a meal. Provide options, be open to trying new things yourself and make compromises.

Restaurants Friendly to Vegetarians

Good Earth in the Twin Cities is the best restaurant for vegetarians, according to my daughter.

She states Chipotle is also good: “You can get a deliciously filling meal without feeling like you are only full of lettuce.”

Garbanzo (Mediterranean) is known for their delicious falafel.
Tip: When dining at mainstream restaurants, ask your server if they have veggie burgers, even if it isn’t on the menu. Oftentimes they do.

Vegetarian Cookbooks

New Vegetarian by local author Robin Asbell (Chronicle Books)

The Vegetarian Cookbook - the Practical Guide to Preparing and Cooking Delicious Vegetarian Meals, Editor Nicola Graimes (Parragon Publishing)

Versions of Vegetarians

Veganism
A diet and lifestyle seeking to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. Vegans endeavor not to use or consume animal products of any kind.

Pescatarian (also spelled pescetarian)
Those who abstain from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish.

Flexitarian/Semi-vegetarian
Those who eat a mostly vegetarian diet, but occasionally eat meat.

Vegetarian (Lacto-ovo vegetarian)
These people do not eat beef, pork, poultry or fish, but do eat eggs and dairy products.

Websites

www.happycow.net
www.vegetariantimes.com
www.vrg.org
www.vegweb.com

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