could use some creative advice re: serving friends?

Question

My 12 year old daughter and I are vegetarian. We do not eat wheat, soy or egg, due to severe allergies. My daughter has friends over alot, and I am running out of ideas of what to feed her friends. I do not want to purchase commercial, chemical laden stuff. Not only do I not want to be exposed to it, but I wont support companies that are making unhealthy foods. Obviously, her friends are meat and toxic food eaters. We never mention anything about our ideas, but I know the kids are getting tired of eating the same few things. They love when I do a spagetti fondue, but I have done that to death, as well as pizza. I need ideas where I can stick to my beliefs, but still give the kids something where they dont feel deprived. So many kids these days dont know the goodness of a veggie. I served a veggi tray with dip at a recent slumber party, and two of the girls asked me what a baby carrot was!! They tried them and loved them! shocking! ideas please?

Answer 1

Good for you!!! I loved the baby carrot story. What about veggie burgers--there are a lot of recipes to make it from soy/tofu or lentils--can you make wheat free rolls in which to serve the veggies burgers? You can also slip a slice of tomato and a little lettuce too. Also, what about small "meatballs" made from soy products, and serve it with a dipping sauce--maybe a mix of tomato paste, soy sauce and honey? Good luck.

Answer 2

I wouldn't believe the carrot story had I not seen it happen; a childhood friend of mine was once extremely confused about the stuff she ate at my house. She did like it quite a bit, but what was it?

Spinach.

Anyway. Just keep doling out the healthy stuff. The veggies-with-dip is great.

Fruit and cheese is popular with kids, too -- try apples and cheddar.

Some sort of wheat/egg-free noodles -- rice vermicelli, say? I liked them plain and cold when I was small.

Simple risottos.

Home-made hash browns with some veg like onion and peppers thrown in.

Tomato dishes. Baked with cheese, say. Any sort of stuffed veg.

The problem is not that you're depriving the kids; the problem is that they're already deprived -- agreed re. "So many kids these days dont know the goodness of a veggie." No after-school visitor of mine (or my siblings) ever balked at well-prepared non-junk-food. It'll look a little weird at first, but, as you've seen, they will indeed try and enjoy a carrot. Good luck.

Answer 3

Morning Star Veggie Burgers are very delicious, I am the only vegetarian in a house of 10 people and everyone of them love these burgers my father gets them for dinner all the time. Unfortunately when other people's children come over to your house they do have to eat what you provide but you can't force what you believe on them. You can serve them healthy food but let them have some fun. For breakfast make them homemade pancakes with jelly instead of syrup. For lunch give them a sweet fruit and a few celery sticks and carrots. Grapes and carrots are delicious together try that sweetie. For dinner give them the veggie burgers or vegetarian chili and crackers, put lots of corn in the chili. Good luck sweetie!

Answer 4

I understand a 100%. My son in Jr. high told me he wouldn't invite his friends over because I cooked weird. LOL..now he too is a "Health Nut".
I see you do pizza..do Vegetarian Nachos 1) of our favs is balckbean(mashed up, salsa & brown rice topped with "cheese". Cut up Fruit with a dip (like with the veggies you did) maybe using a thinned nut butter with honey. I also get Brown Rice Tortillas & make Wraps (sandwiches) or Quesadas cut into slices like pizza & dip in mild salsa. All these things can be bought organic now.
Popcorn & Hot Cocoa is old fashion but is still nice.

Answer 5

Kids are so used to only eating the same things over and over -- pizza, mac and cheese, or McDonald's -- that I don't think you should worry. We kept a healthy food house and it was never a problem.

How about serving food they participate in making? Serve up raw clean vegetables and cookie cutters. Let them cut their own shapes to eat.

Find a waffle receipe made from seeds and nuts and flours you can enjoy. Have them make their own waffles. Is honey a sweetener you enjoy?

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Cut a spagetti squash lenthwise (make a bowl) scoop out the seeds, parboil, make a veggie stirfry to go in it with maranara sauce......Or fried eggplant (breaded) with sauce

Answer 8

i always have rice cakes, and yogurt covered or plain raisins on hand in our house for snacks, always love a fruit salad, with yogurt for dipping ( not sure if you have yogurt in your diet) also enjoy a plate full of in season veggies sliced into bite sizes and steamed to soft perfection.

Answer 9

Fruit kabobs, smoothies (blend fruit, ice and milk), apple slices with peanut butter dip

Answer 10

Try frying potatoes in pure coconut oil mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
healthywiseorganics.com has nutiva extra virgin yummmmmmy.