Veggies Baby!

Meet our baby JACK! He is a big, happy 9 month old boy who stays in the 97th percentile on a plant based diet! While under our care (Al and I), Jack will grow up vegan. When he is able to make his own decisions about his health and nutrition, if he chooses to eat meat, that will be his choice. We will be educating him on where all food comes from and why we believe in fresh, whole, organic and non-GMO, plant-based foods.

Jack already has a very special bond with his dogs, especially Walker, who we got as a pup when I was about 5 months pregnant (crazy right?). Crazy or not, Jack will grow up surrounded by animals, learning to respect and care for them. We feel that it is important that we educate him on the ways of non-vegan lifestyles, as he will of course be surrounded by people who have different views than we do. Much like cultures and religions, Jack will grow up knowing that there are differences between people; that it does not make him an outcast but, rather, unique and to be proud of that. Our hope is to raise a child that views difference as an opportunity to learn and that he not be embarrassed or ashamed that he has the only strange-looking cupcake at the birthday party.

You might be curious to know what a plant-based diet looks like for baby - or maybe you would like to make the transition with your family. Though I am new to this myself, I take time to prepare all of Jacks food (other than his formula) myself. I have come up with some great meal ideas, purees, finger foods and things you can do to encourage your baby to try new foods and flavours. The plant-based diet is a well balanced diet and is meeting all of Jacks nutritional requirements (yes he gets enough protein - and as you can see, he is not malnourished).

Jack loves food is an understatement. He enjoys everything from our homemade, spicy, vegan chilli, to roasted blueberries in a black bean and spinach puree.

Everything I make is simple. I want our plant-based life to be sustainable and the way I do that in my family is keep things easy, organized and efficient - like a well oiled machine. Recently, I started adding some additional nutrition to Jacks oatmeal to spice it up and add some protein and healthy fats - morning cereal doesn't need to be just carbs, lets get the most bang-for-the-buck shall we?

Using your oatmeal or dry cereal of choice add:

1/2 tsp - Cold milled hemp protein (a great source of protein and fibre - I use the GoldTop Organics brand)

1/2 tsp - chia seeds - them healthy fats.

1/2 tsp - ground flax seed - must be ground for ready absorption.

1 tsp - nut butter of choice - I love pumpkinseed butter as a protein source!

Using breast milk, filtered water or formula, mix up and enjoy! I have trouble not eating his food all the time and this cereal is no exception - it is not safe around the mama! Yum!

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