Meat-less

Today has been one of those Northwest gems...the kind of day that we wait for, that we know is coming, and when the sun finally pops from behind the clouds to shine all day we relish in it.
We throw off our rain coats and fleece jackets and play in the beautiful Vitamin D rays.
But that is completely off subject. I can't help it. It's so much fun to hear the kids playing outside while I blog and whilst dinner cooks in the oven.
Which brings me to my point. When you have your first child you don many hats. One of them is the family nutritionist. It's a huge responsibility to feed your children. One that comes with much guilt when you feel like your failing.
My oldest has always been a sturdy child, but after moving to the Seattle area my pediatrician told me by his current BMI he was obese. What a blow that was. I've never had a weight problem and didn't know how to help him. We ate normal meals, he rarely had juice, or candy, I do bake cookies and brownies every once in awhile but nothing over the top. I think what he really needed was more exercise.
We have now become a much more active family, rain or shine.
But it also got me to thinking if I was really helping him enough as the resident dietitian.
One of my close friends put her family on a vegan diet. The benefits seemed clear to me, but at the same time I didn't think I could pull it off. I do frequent vegan blogs and try to go meat-less more often than I used to.
Tonight, for instance I am cooking this number and let me tell you it smells AMAZING.
My kids saw me roasting the eggplant in the oven and admonished me that I would have to be the first one to try it. They are always hesitant to try new things, but I just keep on trying. Because I don't want to eat chicken or ground beef every night for dinner. And I don't want to raise kids that are scared of anything green. I know adults that still won't eat their vegetables and I find it ridiculous.
It's definitely on the bucket list to give Vegan a chance. :)