looking for Vegan cooking help

Payne2B2008 · January 2012

Hello, Anyone know were I could find a Vegan cooking class that would focus more on "kid friendly" food? Aiden needs to go dairy free & I am having a hard time finding more then a few things he will like. I did see Whole foods had some classes but they are all sold out (mlps location)

thanks so much

Janell's Nest · January 2012

Not sure vegan is what you're looking for though...I'm sure there's plenty of recipe's online for stuff that's dairy free, or where you can substitute Lactaid or non-dairy milks.

Vegan means no meat, dairy, or dairy by-products so not sure you wanted to go that extreme can he not have meat either?

wittyschaffy · January 2012

Robin Asbell is a local cookbook author and chef for both vegetarian and vegan cooking methods. She teaches classes at most of the cooking stores around town (Cooks of Crocus Hill, Chefs Gallery, Kitchen Window, etc.). I really like her style. Not sure that they're "kid friendly" necessarily but you'd get some sound and proven techniques regardless.

Payne2B2008 · January 2012

I have found some great ideas online but I would really like to take a class so that I can taste it first before spending a lot of the food only to find out will not work for us. Also we don't eat a lot of meat (Chicken & turkey mostly) and I am sure it would be easier to add that to a meal. He is unable to have Milk protein & even in meany Vegetarian cheeses has this in it so we are very limited on what he eat... the kid loves his cheese.

I will have to Check Robin Asbell out, thanks for the lead.

MissFit29 · January 2012

Check out some of the classes they have at the co-ops too....you could find classes or suggestions at the Wedge or Seward for sure.

Payne2B2008 · January 2012

Oh I didn't even think about checking out the local Co-ops thanks so much for that idea

jennyk213 · January 2012

I agree with the co-ops. I haven't seen any specifically geared towards kids at Mississippi Market but I know I've seen them at other co-ops in the co-op newspaper that comes out. I just can't remember which co-op. Also look for classes that are for people with food allergies in general - I know I've seen a lot of those classes and they generally avoid dairy products.

Is he allergic to whey or casein (those are the two proteins in dairy products)? Maybe you already know this but those ingredients are in a lot of processed foods, fast foods, vitamins, etc. It would be worth googling to find out what other names they go by and check the ingredients whenever you buy a packaged food. I know this because I can't eat casein. I don't even bother with processed/packaged foods anymore because it's a PITA to deal with.

I honestly would focus on cooking meals from real ingredients instead of processed foods. It's really not that hard to leave out dairy when you cook that way and it's easy to find recipes for "real" food online. The Moosewood cookbooks and Donna Klein's cookbooks are good and I think a lot of their food would be appealing for kids. The co-ops also have a lot of cookbooks for allergies and/or vegans. You could also do a google search for blogs about allergy/dairy free cooking for kids. I just did that and there are a ton. If you are serious about him being vegan, I would strongly suggest talking to a dietician to make sure he's getting proper nutrients. (And I'm not saying this to rip on being a vegan because I am one).

Janell's Nest · January 2012

jennyk213:

I honestly would focus on cooking meals from real ingredients instead of processed foods. It's really not that hard to leave out dairy when you cook that way and it's easy to find recipes for "real" food online. The Moosewood cookbooks and Donna Klein's cookbooks are good and I think a lot of their food would be appealing for kids. The co-ops also have a lot of cookbooks for allergies and/or vegans. You could also do a google search for blogs about allergy/dairy free cooking for kids. I just did that and there are a ton. If you are serious about him being vegan, I would strongly suggest talking to a dietician to make sure he's getting proper nutrients. (And I'm not saying this to rip on being a vegan because I am one).

I agree with the whole post, but especially with the bold part. My Brother and SIL are raising their kids vegan and they'd be what I'd consider "bad" vegans because my niece won't even eat a strawberry because she's "never had one" and they "taste horrible". Their vegan diet involves vegan pizza, Frito's Corn Chips, and surprisingly oreo's (who knew that some of them were vegan). So if you're serious about going vegan please do it the right way and seek out advice of someone qualified to help you.

Payne2B2008 · January 2012

Oh I will not go "full on Vegan" as not only would that be a BIG life change for us but that would be really hard to do with Daycare Plus as you have pointed out I would worry he would miss some of his needed nutrients. He eats what everyone else is having at school (other then drinking the milk) & I am really looking for things like Mac n Cheese (but I think I found a cheese that would work at whole foods, now we just have to test it out) & other ways to get Veggies into his diet. I had seen a little spot on CNN (I think) that talked about someone somewhere (I missed the first part of the story) hosting a "Vegan Cooking Class" for people to test the food & I really liked the idea.

jennyk213 · January 2012

This is just a thought but what about contacting some of the instructors at the co-ops to see if they would be interested in teaching that sort of cooking class? Or you could even host one at your house and maybe have everyone bring a recipe and ingredients. I'm not sure where you would find people for that (maybe contact some mom's groups or something?) but I have to think there are a lot of people out there who have kids with food allergies.

I know this is unsolicited advice but what about fruit and veggie smoothies to get more veggies in his diet? My favorite has a cup of frozen strawberries, a cup (or more) of spinach, a banana, an apple, juice from one lemon and enough water to make the blender puree everything. I let the blender run for about 30 seconds until it's smooth. I add whey protein powder but you'd have to skip that. You can't even taste the spinach - it just tastes sweet like berries and banana and it's thick like a smoothie.

Good luck! I know how hard it is to cut out cheese. I didn't realize how many things have cheese until I couldn't eat it anymore!

Payne2B2008 · January 2012

jennyk213:
This is just a thought but what about contacting some of the instructors at the co-ops to see if they would be interested in teaching that sort of cooking class? Or you could even host one at your house and maybe have everyone bring a recipe and ingredients. I'm not sure where you would find people for that (maybe contact some mom's groups or something?) but I have to think there are a lot of people out there who have kids with food allergies.

Like you with the number of food allergies out there there I thought I could find a class quicker, but I guess not You have some great ideas Thanks for the pointers. Aiden LOVES these little puches of fruit smoothies, but I really should try to make them.

jennyk213 · February 2012

ETA: Sorry the formatting came out strange. I got a mac and can't figure out how to make this post look normal or clicky links.

I found this:

http://www.agiftofmiles.com/food-allergies.php

Their class at Lakewinds:

Food Allergies 101: Living Life Fully
Instructor: Janelle Meier and Kristin Beltaos, M.A.
Tuesday, January 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Type: Lecture with TastingPrice: $40.00
Member Price: $35.00
Class limited to 15 participants, please register early! Register by: January 20

If you have, or know someone who has multiple food allergies, now is the time to take advantage of the combined experiences of Kristin Beltaos? humorous coaching skills and Janelle Meier?s delicious chow in Food Allergies 101. Whether you are newly diagnosed or a seasoned veteran, this class will help you feel optimistic, confident and prepared to navigate the anxiety, obstacles and cooking challenges associated with food restrictions. Culinary Theme: Breakfast Ideas

And Seward;

Food Allergies 101: Living Life Fully
Thursday, May 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Kristin Beltaos, M.A.
$27/$25 Members
Food allergies and intolerances go beyond finding a good cookbook. Dietary restrictions affect our relationships, family meals, holiday traditions and participation in social activities. Whether you or your child is newly diagnosed or you?re a seasoned veteran, you?ll feel optimistic, confident and prepared navigating the anxiety, obstacles and cooking challenges associated with food restrictions. Attendees receive: lecture, roundtable/Q&A, a store tour, resource packet and SWAG bag.

Payne2B2008 · February 2012

WOW thanks so much

You are not able to each cheese right? What do you use instead?

jennyk213 · February 2012

Payne2B2008:
WOW thanks so much
You are not able to each cheese right? What do you use instead?

I can eat a very small amount of cheese without too many problems. Like an ounce a week max. Any more than that and my digestive system pays the price. I can't even use fake cheese because it has soy which I can't eat. Fun, being a vegetarian who can't eat soy or cheese. Ha.

Anyway, I just skip a lot of recipes that call for cheese or make them without cheese. I'm not going to lie - pizza without cheese sucks. It's not pizza if you ask me.

If you google vegan cheese recipes, you'll come up with a ton of recipes that use nutritional yeast. This mac and cheese recipe is surprisingly good. http://ohsheglows.com/2011/10/03/butternut-squash-mac-n-cheeze It has the texture and comfort food feel that you get from cheese and the squash actually goes really well.

What kind of foods does your son like? Maybe I have some kid friendly recipes that he'd like.

looking for Vegan cooking help

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