HOLIDAYS
Holidays can be tricky, but if you are creative and willing to be flexible, veg kids can fully enjoy holiday activities and food, just like non-veg kids. Here are a few suggestions for the most popular holidays:
7 Tips to Eating Vegan at Family Holiday Gatherings
Valentine's Day
Unfortunately those little conversation heart candies are not vegan, but you can make conversation heart cookies instead. Valentine's Day is easy for vegans- you will have no trouble finding and/or making vegan cakes, cupcakes, cookies, chocolates and more. Here are a few online places to buy vegan sweets including boxes of chocolates, donuts, cookies and even vegan Valentine gift baskets:
Allison's Gourmet Sweet and Sara Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe
For fun, try making everything heart-shaped on Valentine's Day- your kids will love it! Online at Amazon you can buy lots of heart-shaped cookie cutters, molds, and plates and bowls. Check out these delicious vegan cake recipes. And remember, most good dark chocolate is vegan, just check the ingredient label to be sure.
Kids can make Valentine's Day cards for the animals in their local animal shelter. What a caring way for them to show their love for an animal in need.
What better day to show your compassion and love for animals than on Valentine's Day!
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Allison's Gourmet Sweet and Sara Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe
For fun, try making everything heart-shaped on Valentine's Day- your kids will love it! Online at Amazon you can buy lots of heart-shaped cookie cutters, molds, and plates and bowls. Check out these delicious vegan cake recipes. And remember, most good dark chocolate is vegan, just check the ingredient label to be sure.
Kids can make Valentine's Day cards for the animals in their local animal shelter. What a caring way for them to show their love for an animal in need.
What better day to show your compassion and love for animals than on Valentine's Day!
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ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Leprechauns, rainbows, and four-leaf clovers are all animal-friendly, so use these themes and be creative. Think "eat the rainbow."
Lots of delicious St. Patty's Day vegan recipes with photos here. To keep with tradition (and compassion), make vegan corned beef and cabbage and vegan irish soda bread.
Leprechaun Cake and Other Tales: A Vegetarian Story-Cookbook is a wonderful book for kids mixed with vegan recipes and fun tales.
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Lots of delicious St. Patty's Day vegan recipes with photos here. To keep with tradition (and compassion), make vegan corned beef and cabbage and vegan irish soda bread.
Leprechaun Cake and Other Tales: A Vegetarian Story-Cookbook is a wonderful book for kids mixed with vegan recipes and fun tales.
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EASTER
Easter is not the friendliest holiday for animals... for hens in particular. More than 95% of the eggs sold in this country come from hens who live in the space the size of a piece of notebook paper for their entire lives. Read about the cruel conditions they live in and watch Fowl Play to learn more.
Try vegan jelly beans, chocolate easter eggs, and chocolate bunnies. Around Easter-time you will easily find vegan sweets available online, and also check back in at Sweet & Sara for their vegan peeps.
Zoe Weil from The Institute of Humane Education recommends a valuable lesson on empathy for kids in her book, So, You Love Animals: An Action-Packed, Fun-Filled Book to Help Kids Help Animals. Under supervision, have your child and 4 others climb into a small closet-- they should be so crowded that they can barely turn around. Stay there for 15 minutes. After they get out talk about how they felt, and what it would be like to spend their entire life like that (as hens raised in this country for eggs do).
Instead of coloring real Easter eggs, try making them out of paper mache and then painting them. And don't forget to fill them with vegan candy! Or make a huge, egg-shaped pinata filled with vegan candy! Or buy these dyable ceramic eggs.
Articles:
Happy (Vegan) Easter by VegFamily
Coloring Easter Eggs Is Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be by Robyn Moore
Painting Clay Easter Eggs blog post
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Try vegan jelly beans, chocolate easter eggs, and chocolate bunnies. Around Easter-time you will easily find vegan sweets available online, and also check back in at Sweet & Sara for their vegan peeps.
Zoe Weil from The Institute of Humane Education recommends a valuable lesson on empathy for kids in her book, So, You Love Animals: An Action-Packed, Fun-Filled Book to Help Kids Help Animals. Under supervision, have your child and 4 others climb into a small closet-- they should be so crowded that they can barely turn around. Stay there for 15 minutes. After they get out talk about how they felt, and what it would be like to spend their entire life like that (as hens raised in this country for eggs do).
Instead of coloring real Easter eggs, try making them out of paper mache and then painting them. And don't forget to fill them with vegan candy! Or make a huge, egg-shaped pinata filled with vegan candy! Or buy these dyable ceramic eggs.
Articles:
Happy (Vegan) Easter by VegFamily
Coloring Easter Eggs Is Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be by Robyn Moore
Painting Clay Easter Eggs blog post
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4th of JULY
4th of July is the biggest holiday in the U.S for grilling- and that means a lot of hamburgers and hot dogs will be consumed. A lot of cows and pigs suffered immensely for this holiday. But after learning about how animals are raised for food in this country, more and more people are choosing products that don't involve animal suffering: veggie hot dogs and veggie burgers. If you're invited to a picnic, bring your own food to grill-and bring a veg dish for others to try.
Also talk to kids about how fireworks can scare animals. Read more here.
Here are some picnic recipes from VegNews and here.
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Also talk to kids about how fireworks can scare animals. Read more here.
Here are some picnic recipes from VegNews and here.
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HALLOWEEN
Most of the candy that kids will get treat-or-treating is not vegan, so this creates a dilemna for parents. Should you let your kids trick-or-treat, and if so what do you do with the candy? You can switch out piece for piece, one non-vegan for one vegan. But then what do you do with the leftover non-vegan candy? Donate it to a homeless shelter, a nursing home, or an orphanage?
Some families have a Switch Witch that comes in the middle of the night, and switches out the candy for a special toy. Other vegan parents may opt out of trick-or-treating altogether and instead throw their own vegan Halloween party that includes carving pumpkins, watching scary movies, and telling ghost stories. Of course the decision is yours, but I really recommend letting your kids trick-or-treat with their friends for that one night a year (and switching out piece for piece). You have to pick your battles and I feel this should not be one of them. If you exclude kids from participating in trick-or-treating, it will isolate them, and make veganism look difficult and unappealing, and it will ultimately turn others off to it, which is obviously not in the best interest of the animals you are trying to help.
No Trick Treats! is an interactive map that shows specific houses, apartments and businesses that will be giving out vegan Halloween treats. You can enter your own location if you're planning on giving out vegan candy, or you can search for places in your neighborhood that will be giving out vegan candy.
For a list of vegan candy, check out The Official Guide to Vegan Halloween Candy and PETA's guide to vegan candy.
Try this recipe for homemade candy corn! It tastes just like the original.
How to make vegan pumpkin cupcakes...by 4-year old baker, Petey!
Article:
Vegan Halloween Round-Up
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Some families have a Switch Witch that comes in the middle of the night, and switches out the candy for a special toy. Other vegan parents may opt out of trick-or-treating altogether and instead throw their own vegan Halloween party that includes carving pumpkins, watching scary movies, and telling ghost stories. Of course the decision is yours, but I really recommend letting your kids trick-or-treat with their friends for that one night a year (and switching out piece for piece). You have to pick your battles and I feel this should not be one of them. If you exclude kids from participating in trick-or-treating, it will isolate them, and make veganism look difficult and unappealing, and it will ultimately turn others off to it, which is obviously not in the best interest of the animals you are trying to help.
No Trick Treats! is an interactive map that shows specific houses, apartments and businesses that will be giving out vegan Halloween treats. You can enter your own location if you're planning on giving out vegan candy, or you can search for places in your neighborhood that will be giving out vegan candy.
For a list of vegan candy, check out The Official Guide to Vegan Halloween Candy and PETA's guide to vegan candy.
Try this recipe for homemade candy corn! It tastes just like the original.
How to make vegan pumpkin cupcakes...by 4-year old baker, Petey!
Article:
Vegan Halloween Round-Up
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THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is arguably the single worst holiday for animals. More than 45 million turkeys are killed just for this holiday alone. Family and friends gather around a dinner table with a turkey who's lived a miserable life as the centerpiece, in what is supposed to be a day of compassion and thanks.
Despite the animal centerpiece (make a fruit centerpiece shaped like a turkey), Thanksgiving is quite easy to veganize. All of the traditional dishes of Thanksgiving can be made into vegan versions including cornbread, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. Search the internet and you will find ideas galore. For the main entree, you can replace turkey with any of these alternatives: Tofurky, Celebration Roast, Veggie Turkey Breast, or make your own.
Kids can save a turkey instead of killing one, by sponsoring a turkey from Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project. Together, you can look online and choose the turkey that you want to sponsor. Kids will receive a special Adopt-A-Turkey certificate with a color photo and details. This is meaningful to both the kids and the turkey of course.
Farm Sanctuary has a special event each year at Thanksgiving time- families can visit the farm and feed rescued turkeys, and enjoy a vegan feast that doesn't include turkeys (or other animal products) on the menu. Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary also hosts a ThanksLiving event where guests can enjoy a vegan feast in a heated tent in a goat pasture. Check your local community for events like this these, and if there aren't any scheduled, create your own.
Order this Happy Thanksliving coloring zine for the kids!
Take a look at this 40-second Thanksgiving commercial, and send it to your friends and family.
For tips and advice, read Vegan Thanksgiving 101.
Turkey-Friendly Kids Books
Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey
Turkey Surprise by Peggy Archer
Albuquerque Turkey by B. G. Ford
More turkey-friendly kids book here.
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Despite the animal centerpiece (make a fruit centerpiece shaped like a turkey), Thanksgiving is quite easy to veganize. All of the traditional dishes of Thanksgiving can be made into vegan versions including cornbread, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. Search the internet and you will find ideas galore. For the main entree, you can replace turkey with any of these alternatives: Tofurky, Celebration Roast, Veggie Turkey Breast, or make your own.
Kids can save a turkey instead of killing one, by sponsoring a turkey from Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project. Together, you can look online and choose the turkey that you want to sponsor. Kids will receive a special Adopt-A-Turkey certificate with a color photo and details. This is meaningful to both the kids and the turkey of course.
Farm Sanctuary has a special event each year at Thanksgiving time- families can visit the farm and feed rescued turkeys, and enjoy a vegan feast that doesn't include turkeys (or other animal products) on the menu. Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary also hosts a ThanksLiving event where guests can enjoy a vegan feast in a heated tent in a goat pasture. Check your local community for events like this these, and if there aren't any scheduled, create your own.
Order this Happy Thanksliving coloring zine for the kids!
Take a look at this 40-second Thanksgiving commercial, and send it to your friends and family.
For tips and advice, read Vegan Thanksgiving 101.
Turkey-Friendly Kids Books
Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey
Turkey Surprise by Peggy Archer
Albuquerque Turkey by B. G. Ford
More turkey-friendly kids book here.
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HANUKKAH
For ideas on how to have a happy and compassionate Hanukkah, check out Hanukkah with a Vegan Touch.
Try these traditional holiday recipes made vegan: vegan potato latkes, Hanukkah donuts, Challah bread, noodle kugel, and more. When the kids go to bed, relax with one of these vegan hanukkah cocktails.
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Try these traditional holiday recipes made vegan: vegan potato latkes, Hanukkah donuts, Challah bread, noodle kugel, and more. When the kids go to bed, relax with one of these vegan hanukkah cocktails.
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CHRISTMAS
Kids can make a gingerbread house since the main ingredient-graham crackers- is vegan. Just make sure to use a vegan icing. Kids will also love making these vegan christmas sugar cookies, and then dunking them in soy (or rice, almond or coconut) milk. Or for a more traditional drink, you can buy vegan egg nog or make your own extra creamy and thick version with this recipe from vegan baker, Isa Chandra Moskowitz. In the mood for more of that egg nog flavor then try this vegan eggnog cheescake.
Shopping for vegan kids during the holidays is easy, you just need to avoid animal ingredients, wool, leather, fur, silk, and personal products that are tested on animals or include animal-derived ingredients. Also avoid buying games, books and toys that portray animals in oppressive situations or perpetuate myths such as Old MacDonald's Farm. You can order vegan stocking stuffers from Pangea and homemade, vegan gifts from Vegan Etsy. Check out Vegbooks for a long list of animal-friendly kids books and DVD's. For a comprehensive vegan shopping guide, click here.
Make a beautiful vegan gingerbread house. Or these peppermint-flavored cookies that you can roll & cut.
For an extra special treat when decorating your tree, or Christmas morning (or after building a snowman!), try these delicious hot chocolate cups from Pangea.
Download this holiday cookie collection of recipes from VegNews.
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Shopping for vegan kids during the holidays is easy, you just need to avoid animal ingredients, wool, leather, fur, silk, and personal products that are tested on animals or include animal-derived ingredients. Also avoid buying games, books and toys that portray animals in oppressive situations or perpetuate myths such as Old MacDonald's Farm. You can order vegan stocking stuffers from Pangea and homemade, vegan gifts from Vegan Etsy. Check out Vegbooks for a long list of animal-friendly kids books and DVD's. For a comprehensive vegan shopping guide, click here.
Make a beautiful vegan gingerbread house. Or these peppermint-flavored cookies that you can roll & cut.
For an extra special treat when decorating your tree, or Christmas morning (or after building a snowman!), try these delicious hot chocolate cups from Pangea.
Download this holiday cookie collection of recipes from VegNews.
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BIRTHDAYS
When it comes to birthdays, all you need is a good cake (or cupcakes)! And that's no problem, the vegan world has desserts down pat! There are tons of recipes online and cookbooks available. Just google vegan desserts.
The other issue that many vegans are confronted with is sending your child to a friend's birthday party-- and then what do do when it's cake time. Veg parents can call the other parents ahead of time to find out what kind of cake they will be serving, and then make and pack that with your kid to the party so they don't feel left out. Younger kids will most likely not notice they are eating something different, and older kids may be fine with it as long as they get cake. Some vegan parents may allow their kids to eat the cake on occassions like this. The choice is yours, but just make sure you feel good about your decision. You want to keep the animals best interest in mind (as well as your child's).
Vegans Have Birthdays Too! by Mary Eileen Finch
Helping Vegan Children Enjoy Non-Vegan Parties by Melanie Wilson
Can a "Real" Birthday Cake be Vegan? by Judith Grabski Miner
Let's Party! by Lisa Rivero
COOKBOOK: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Chandra Moscowitz and Terry Hope Romero. This will come in very handy, I highly recommend it.
The other issue that many vegans are confronted with is sending your child to a friend's birthday party-- and then what do do when it's cake time. Veg parents can call the other parents ahead of time to find out what kind of cake they will be serving, and then make and pack that with your kid to the party so they don't feel left out. Younger kids will most likely not notice they are eating something different, and older kids may be fine with it as long as they get cake. Some vegan parents may allow their kids to eat the cake on occassions like this. The choice is yours, but just make sure you feel good about your decision. You want to keep the animals best interest in mind (as well as your child's).
Vegans Have Birthdays Too! by Mary Eileen Finch
Helping Vegan Children Enjoy Non-Vegan Parties by Melanie Wilson
Can a "Real" Birthday Cake be Vegan? by Judith Grabski Miner
Let's Party! by Lisa Rivero
COOKBOOK: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Chandra Moscowitz and Terry Hope Romero. This will come in very handy, I highly recommend it.