Vegan Kids Saving the World

February 24, 2012

Vegan Kids Saving the World & Gardein Chicken Piccata

I knew that vegan kids existed but I never met one. That changed yesterday when I met my first all vegan child.

His name is Matthew, and he is twelve years old. I had so many questions for him and here are a few things he told me. Biggest shocker;  he was the first in his family to become vegan

Eventually, his entire family was so inspired by his love for animals and the world, that they all became vegan. I asked him what his friends thought and he told me that being a vegan kid hasn't changed his relationship with his friends.

Yes, he has met some jerks who don't understand what vegan is but the majority of his friends think it is very cool. Whenever he has friends over, he loves to share some of the things he eats and his friends are surprised by how delicious the food is.

As a vegan, he gets a lot of questions like “what is vegan?”, “why are you vegan?” and  “what do you eat?”. If they are genuinely interested, he enjoys sharing videos and information,  and considers it an honor to share his compassion for animals and the world.

Some kids tease him,  but he says that he knows that they are just ignorant and don't understand. My last question was,  why is he a vegan? He said at first it was because he loved animals and didn't want them to suffer. Later, he became concerned about where his food comes from because of a movie he watched called “Food. Inc“.

The truth is lots of children are being exposed to the cruelty of the animals they eat and they want to do something about it. If your child wants to be a vegan or vegetarian – you should be happy.

Children today are in the worst physical shape of any generation in our history. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – one in three children born from 2000 on will develop diabetes at some point in his or her life.

A child who has decided to go vegetarian or, better still, vegan gain a measure of protection against many diseases. Also, by not eating meat, your children are reducing global warming and world hunger in addition to saving animals. Also, research has shown that vegan children are more intelligent and compassionate people. Be proud of your child, because acting on empathy at such a young age is not only good for him or her, it is great for the world. Here are some simple rules that will ensure good nutrition for your vegan kids.

* Each day, have foods from the four healthful food groups: whole grains,legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), vegetables, and fruits.

* Include a reliable source of vitamin B12, such as any common multiple vitamin or fortified foods.

Protein: There is ample protein in grains, vegetables, beans, and bean products (including tofu and soymilk). If your child consumes a normal variety of these foods over the course of a day, she will receive all the protein he or she needs.

Calcium: Green leafy vegetables and legumes — or “greens and beans,” for short–are rich in calcium. This is particularly true for broccoli, collards, kale, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts. Less valuable for calcium is spinach, because the calcium in spinach is poorly absorbed. You'll also find plenty of calcium in fortified foods, such as fortified orange juice and most soy milks.

Iron: Greens and beans come to our rescue again. They are rich in iron. And vitamin-C-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, tend to enhance the absorption of iron consumed in the same meal. If you are concerned, a daily vitamin-mineral supplement will have you covered easily.

Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy blood and healthy nerves. It is not found in unfortified plant foods, although it is present in dairy products and eggs, which you may or may not be serving. But vitamin B12 is easy to find in many fortified breakfast cereals, fortified soymilk, and in all common multiple vitamins. Have them take a multiple vitamin or other convenient source of vitamin B12 every day.

Now on to my new favorite vegan food – Gardein chick'n.

I have been experimenting with recipes from The Conscious Cook cookbook and highly recommend it. This week I made the most delicious vegan chicken piccata from guest chef – Scott Jones using Gardein Chick'n. Gardein Chick'n is a plant-based high protein meat substitute that looks and tastes very much like chicken. I served it with mashed potatoes (ladled with the yummy piccata sauce) and leafy greens. This is by far one of the most satisfying vegans meals I have ever made. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Vegan Day 300 – wish me luck!

Gardein "Chick'n" Piccata with Earth Balance Butter
 
Gardein "Chick'n" Piccata with Earth Balance Butter
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Ingredients
  • 6 (4 ounce) Gardein breasts, pressed thing
  • salt & fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 8 tablespoons Earth Balance butter
  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ cup vegetable stock
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • ¼ cup capers, rinsed and drained
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon chopped shallot
  • pinch of sugar, if needed
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
  1. Season the Gardein breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge in the flour and shake off the excess.
  2. In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, melt 3 tablespoons of the Earth Balance butter with 3 tablespoons of the oil.When they start to sizzle, add 3 breasts and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until browned on the bottom; flip and cook for another 3 minutes to brown the other side. Remove the breasts to a plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons of the Earth Balance with 2 tablespoons of the oil, heat until they sizzle, and cook the remaining 3 breasts in the same fashion. Remove the breasts to a plate.
  3. Reduce the heat under the pan to medium-low and add the lemon juice, stock, wine, capers, garlic and shallot. Bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed. If the sauce is bitter add the sugar.
  4. Return the breasts to the pan and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, until they are heated through and the sauce is thickened. Remove the breasts to a serving platter and add the remaining 3 tablespoons Earth Balance to the sauce. Whisk vigorously. Pour the sauce over the breasts and garnish with the parsley. Serve immediately, with sauteed spinach or braised escarole. I served mine with some old fashioned mash potatoes ladles with the sauce.

 



4 thoughts on “Vegan Kids Saving the World

  1. What a great story. I’ve been reading a lot lately about kids taking the steps necessary to raise awareness and implement change. It’s inspiring and motivating. There is a lot we can do. And it all helps.

  2. Way to go Mathew! I wish I was as smart and compassionate at 12 as Mathew is. I miss Chicken Piccatta the most so I thank you for the great recipe, it looks yummy!

  3. Do you have a list of the daily nutritional needs a toddler needs and how to get them? I find info from many different sites. I value your opinion the most!

    1. Hi Tabitha – I am sorry to say I don’t. I think it is super important to make sure that your little person gets lots of calcium, B12 and vitamin D. It can be hard with children because their personal food choices are usually so limited. I would recommend a nutritionist who specializes in a plant-based diet for children. Hope that helps and congratulations on wanting your children to live a compassionate life.
      Nancy

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