Vegan Parenting Dilemma Part II

I wrote a couple of posts ago regarding a decision that I had to make on whether or not I should take my son to a petting farm on a field trip with his classmates. My concerns were taking/supporting a place that I know probably did not parallel with my moral feelings regarding how animals should be "used". I asked for comments from my readers as to what they think that I should do. I received some really good responses from both vegan and non vegans alike.

So as you can tell we decided to go to the petting farm. This farm had goats, sheep, ducks, geese, rabbits, miniature horses, llamas, chickens, turkeys, and a pig. You were able to feed the goats and sheep, hold baby chickens,  go on a hay ride, and have an outdoor picnic.

On the plus side of this experience, my son was able to interact with the same animals that I hope in the future he will decide to save by continuing his vegan diet (just like his mama). He was able to see in person the animals he has only seen in his books and hopefully this experience plants a seed in him that animals are sentient beings.

On the other side...as an animal activist and as someone who has visited farm animal heaven (also know as Farm Sanctuary) I saw this place as a very inhumane place for animals. The animal enclosures were very small and dirty. There were not many employees walking around to ensure that people where not taunting the animals. The only pig there was solo (pigs are very social creatures who like living in herds). And I couldn't help but wonder what happens to all those baby chicks when they become adults.

All in all I will have to say that I am glad that I went with my son. He was able to experience the joys of animals with his family. He was able to touch and feed them and was able to continue to develop positive experiences associated with animals.

Will I take him there again? If on a school field trip maybe. By myself No.

I do know that my talks of animals will change and develop depending on the situation and his age. At 20 months I just want him to experience all types of animals. I will save the talk of factory farms until he is  a little but older :-)

What do vegans eat for Thanksgiving?

Food silly!!!

I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my family for the first time yesterday. It was vegan of course so I had to make it extra special as this holiday is especially know for the eating of a beautiful dead bird.

So what did I make?

1. Jerk seitan (with homemade seitan) from The cookbook "Vegan with a Vengeance"

2. Sweet Potato and lentil stew from the cookbook "A Kind Diet"

3. Rice

4. Yuca

5. And for dessert  (which is my favorite meal of the day) Pumpkin Cheesecake from the cookbook "The Joy of Vegan Baking".

All I can say was YUMMY. I am glad that I wore leggings as I had to be rolled into the living room for after dinner game night :-)

What vegan goodness graced your table this Thanksgiving?

Vegan Parenting Dilemma

My son is enrolled in an Enrichment program at a local school. It is a program for 0-3 years old that prepares them for preschool through a once a week class that introduces them to reading, singing, interactive play, sign language, Spanish, and play. This class also takes the kids on fields trip to various kid friendly place. The first place was to a local family farm. This farm is homes to farm animals such as chickens, goats, and sheep and it allows people to interact with the animals.

Here comes my first vegan parenting dilemma. Do I take my Mateo and give him his first opportunity to interact with animals that I hope his will spend his life respecting and refraining from harming? Or do I not take him because I know that this "farm" houses animals in an artificial environment where they may not have room to roam and where they have to spend their day letting people touch them and stare at them?

Have you encountered this parenting dilemma or one similar to it? What would you do? What should I do?

Look out for my next blog to see what I choose to do.