What’s it like being the only vegan in the family?
Well I guess that depends on how you look at it and how you address your own values.
As a mostly vegan eater I’ve made the decision that I will not dictate my families meal decisions by refusing to cook meat for them. So I do buy meat and cook it – and I dissociate from the idea like I did my entire life when I ate meat before 2019.
I know that’s not the right choice for everyone. I have a friend who is vegan and would not cook anything outside of vegan. That’s her right and her choice. I’m not sure how her family felt about it but they abided by it. Her husband (now ex – no idea if it’s related) would eat meat outside of their family home. Fair enough. If you’re the one doing the cooking you do have the right to make those rules for sure!
The biggest challenge being the only vegan for me isn’t about whether or not I’ll cook their favorite meals for them, it’s about eating together as a family.
My daughter is a super picky eater.
So is my husband.
And then I’m eating vegan.
It’s tough to find meals that we can all eat together. Well, no, that’s not true. It’s possible but it takes more work than I usually have the energy for honestly.
So in our home I eat my biggest meal at lunch time and then at dinner I’ll usually have something on the side like a salad, potatoes, bread, etc as a little thing to eat with them.
This works for us, for now! I’d love to have the time and mental space to think of some really awesome combo meals together. In the past here are some of the adaptable vegan and non-vegan meals we’ve done we’ve done:
- Pasta Dishes – Easy enough to make a vegan version by taking the pasta out before any dairy-based sauces or meat mixed add-ons are added.
- Stir Fry – I’ll cook the meat for my family and then they’ll combine that with the rice. While I maybe whip up some fried tofu or use some Just Egg to add to it. They don’t like veggies so I’ll throw veggies in with my tofu or Just Egg and throw that on top of my rice.
- Tacos – This is actually one of my favorites! We make up the tacos and I just omit the meat and dairy toppings. I heat up refried beans to add to mine.
- Pizza – We don’t do this often but you can get takeout pizza of course or make your own at home. I will often just take all the toppings off regular pizza but that’s really not much of a meal. I loaded up a takeout pizza with veggies, including pineapple (😱) and it was delicious!
- Sheppard’s Pie – My family LOVES their sheppard’s pie. I haven’t tried this but I will as I just thought of it. I’m going to get Gardien Beefless Ground which my son says is good (could also be used in Tacos) and make my own little side dish of sheppard’s pie. Then I’ll eat it with family.
I’m sure there’s more.
Just writing this has kind of motivated me to try to come up with adaptable meals that me and my family can have so I can get into doing this MUCH more often.
It’s definitely a challenge but not at all impossible! Wishing you the best on YOUR vegan journey and being the only vegan in the house!