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My hubby is not into this way of eating. But here are some things I've done with success:

** Instead of ice cream, I buy or make-ahead my own sorbet (frozen, pureed fruit) and keep it on hand. When they want to indulge, I can too. Or, I make myself a smoothie, using fruit and/or greens/veggies of my choice. If you use some frozen fruits it will be nice and thick and you can eat it with a spoon. It's totally satisfying to me and food-plan approved since I choose the ingredients!

** If you share or make meals together, think of meat/cheese as a condiment. You know how you can make taco salad, and the meat/dairy items go on top? Well, do the same thing with your baked potato dishes, rice meals, etc. Have all meat served on the side (even stir fries). Cook all the meat separately. That way you can share all the starch/veggies, and their meat can just be added as a topping/condiment (ditto their cheese/dairy). It's a slight change, almost never noticeable in taste to many people -- just noticed in serving style!! But we know the differences! And that way, everyone is happy!

** Have someone else be in charge of cooking the meat portion.

** Try making one roast/crockpot/grilling/whatever of meat one day a week, then make it last all week ...... or make a double amount, freeze half, and use a prior week's "half" from the freezer if they want more variety. If you make the meat plain (roasted, grilled, etc), you can adapt the meals for the week with BBQ sauce, gravy, seasoning, etc.

** Think of meals as some of your favorite "buffets" or add-your-own-toppings meals. Like taco bars, salad bars, indian restaurants, etc. Not only is the add-your-own factor a helpful idea (where everyone can add/ignore ingredients they want/don't), but thinking of that fun-factor might help you present it to your friend, too. Atmosphere/mood can make such a difference!

** Sauces and things may be different or substituted, but use veggie broths or stocks in place of a lot of other liquids in recipes.... or pureed fruits instead of oils in baking recipes. It's even fun to experiment. Pureed veggies can make some great sauces, too. Pureed broccoli/veggie broth makes a great base. So does summer squash and tarragon! Ooooooh -- and using fresh herbs when you can! Try making your own version of a basil pesto sauce.

** Soup and sandwich -- and they can have the meat in the sandwich. Make it a veggie soup!

excellent ideas, Willow!

last week, someone posted a thread asking for ideas for encouraging their parents to adopt this eating lifestyle. your ideas would work for people who are helping others make a transition (ie, not just for accomodating SAD eaters).

one could also use those meat substitutes to placate meat eaters who are shifting (or even a bit open minded) to the vegan diet.

(yeah, we aren't fans of the fake meats - but they're wildly popular w/ "Skinny B*tch" book fans and those who read Veg. Times. heck, it's a way to shift away from animal products - people use 'em and realize they can survive w/o their trad. diet. this disclaimer is for those who're about to pounce on this post)

anyway, THANKS WILLOW - well said!

Even though some of this stuff is not the best, it is food that my family is used to eating before I changed my way of eating. My husband doesn't have any known health problems (yet) so I feel OK taking it gradually. My family gets the familiar along with the new "exotic" stuff. I usually try to serve the meat already cut-up and in a seperate at the table. People help themselves if they want it. This avoids the giant slab of meat on the plate and I think they eat less of it in the end.

I like to stock up on frozen meatballs (either store-bought or homemade). I can add them easily to spaghetti sauce or serve them with barbeque sauce on the side or even chop them up and use them in casseroles.
Another staple is those packets of tuna or salmon. We use them for tacos, salads, antipasto plates, sandwiches, etc.
I have splurged on the already grilled chicken (I could grill my own ahead of time, but I am a bit lazy). These can be used in all of the above - spaghetti sauce, BBQ sauce, tacos, salads, antipasto plates, etc. They can be put into soups if desired.
Sometimes I do a make your own soup night. My son loves this. I start with some sort of broth or base and people can add rice or pasta, vegetables (already steamed), beans, and meat. That way everyone gets the soup they like. I guess it could be called a soup bar.
Buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Save leftovers for future meals.
Since these are SAD ideas, why not include ham. It can be added to bean dishes and soups. It can also satisy their need for breakfast meat when serving pancakes or waffles.
This may be absolutely terrible, but if you are desperate and your family is about to revolt... pick up a refrigerated entree (pork or beef roast, etc.) from the meat department and microwave it. This is similar to the rotisserie chicken idea.
If you won't feel too guilty, my family is quite satisfied with the occasional frozen chicken nugget or fish sticks with tator tots meal - especially if you know it will keep them away from McDonald's.
Make frozen hamburger patties on a foreman grill.


Hope these help someone.

Hi,
I just wanted to say that I have the "Come on America let's eat" by Susan Powter and it has lots of family friendly meals that are low in fat. If they have to eat meat-at least it is healthy. My son will eat anything I make out of this cookbook! You need to buy it off Amazon because it is no longer in print. Thanks, Rebecca

When your family wants SAD, you simply need to adjust your time frame.

The worst method is to make changes quickly.

Think about a 50 month plan that takes their SAD foods down by 50%.
After 50 months see where you want to go.

Now, if you have a family where after 10 months they even realize they've had the size of their steak cut from 6 ounces to 5.4 ounces, then I guess they this won't work.
Imagine after 6 years they will be down over 70% of their bad SAD food.

So, a variation of this method is a sneaky but successful plan.
You think 1% a month is too slow......well, you might try 2% a month.
Gosh, that would be about 25% in one year. That puts you at risk of rebellion, but thats the maximum I would try.

Good advice Purdy. Make a list of your family's favorite meals and start to make them without meat (occasionally). Make veggie lasagna, bean and rice burritos - serve alittle shredded cheese (for now) on the side for the topper. Try some of the meat "substitutes". One dish meals are easier to sneak meat out of since there is no side of "where's my chicken"? with it. I have converted my family over to my way of thinking. I am the cook. The deal is, if they want meat they have to get it somewhere else. Out to dinner, etc. I don't know how old your children are but they are going to be easier to persuade. The husband is usually the last hold out. Good luck and don't give up.

I just plan to go right ahead and fix meat and vegetables and grains but just not eat the meat myself. I have never added butter or salt to my vegetables or grains even if the recipes called for it, so not that much will change. that way everyone will be happy. I just hope to set a good example for my husband.

I do the same thing. My 4 year old generally follows suit with me but my husband likes meat and slowly he is eating more vegetarian meals by choice.

What a good idea, Harmony! I think it would be good to also have a "make your own pizza" night as well. I know my family loves to have a diverse amount of toppings, and it gets expensive when you try to buy extra toppings from restaurants, so I could keep the topping on hand, maybe in the freezer and whip them out on Friday nights.

I can completely relate to having trouble transitioning your family to a healthier way of eating. The trick is to make sure it doesn't taste weird or look "too different" from what they're used to eating. What has saved me is having a vitamix - because I can use whole foods and heat things to just the right temp (easily, too, without using the stove). Plus vitamix provides a really great recipe book with the quickest, easiest, healthy recipes. I'm a raw foodist but my husband is not. I'm still able to quickly and easily prepare meals for him - I literally use my vitamix on a daily basis now. Luckily he doesn't come home from work until I'm done making his food or else he'd be all freaked out by how unconventional it is to cook his food in a "blender" (it's much more than that, though, of course). If anyone wants recipes, I would be glad to post them on here. My most recent favorite is a carrot curry soup - using all whole foods - it takes less than 5 minutes to make from scratch. I heat it to the point where it's still considered raw for myself, and then heat it to "normal" soup temp for my hubby. If anyone is interested in ordering one brand new (they come with a 7 yr warranty) I got a $25 discount using a coupon code a friend gave me; 06-003851. I just used it at the online checkout. I encourage anyone having trouble transitioning their family to healthier foods to go to the vitamix site and watch the videos. This is an amazing tool, and a great investment!