Just a few recipes from our sister-group, The Vegan Recipe Club! BREAKFASTS ********** Protein-Packed Pumpkin Waffles ********** Ingredients: - 1 cup oat flour or almond flour - 1 scoop protein powder (vanilla or unflavored) - 1 tsp baking powder - 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice - 2 eggs - ½ cup pumpkin puree - ½ cup plant plant milk of choice Instructions: 1. Preheat waffle iron. 2. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine. 3. Pour into waffle maker and cook until golden. ********** Blueberry Chia Overnight Oats ********** Ingredients: - ½ cup rolled oats - 1 tbsp chia seeds - ½ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) - ½–1 cup plant milk of choice - Optional: drizzle of honey or maple syrup Instructions: 1. Mix all ingredients in a jar. 2. Refrigerate overnight, stir before serving. ********** Almond Butter Banana Smoothie ********** Ingredients: - 1 frozen banana - 1 tbsp almond butter - 1 cup plant milk of choice - 1 scoop protein powder (optional) - Cinnamon to taste Instructions: 1. Blend all ingredients until creamy. ********** Coconut Yogurt Parfaits with Hemp Granola ********** Ingredients: - Coconut yogurt (unsweetened) - Hemp granola or mix of hemp seeds + oats + nuts/seeds - Fresh fruit Instructions: 1. Layer yogurt, fruit, and granola in a jar or cup. ================ **LUNCHES** ********** Vegan Baked Avocado Boats ********** Ingredients: - 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted - 1 cup cooked chickpeas or firm tofu (pressed if using tofu) - 2 tbsp nutritional yeast - 1 tsp turmeric powder - ½ tsp garlic powder - 2–3 tbsp unsweetened plant milk (oat, almond, or soy) - Sea salt + pepper to taste - Optional toppings: fresh parsley, vegan shredded cheese, or salsa Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). 2. Scoop a small amount of avocado flesh from each half to create extra space for filling (set aside for another use). 3. If using chickpeas: mash with a fork until mostly smooth. If using tofu: crumble with your hands or a fork. 4. Mix chickpeas/tofu with nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder, plant milk, salt, and pepper until creamy but not runny. 5. Spoon the mixture into avocado halves. 6. Place on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 8–10 minutes, just until warmed through. 7. Top with optional parsley, vegan cheese, or salsa before serving.

Back-to-school season is exciting, but let’s be real — it can also feel like running an obstacle course when you’re raising vegan kids. New teachers, new routines, birthday parties, sports snacks… and endless conversations where you find yourself explaining (again) what your child eats, what they don’t, and how to keep them included without making it a big drama. Here’s the thing: you don’t need a debate kit in your back pocket. You just need a few calm, clear scripts ready to go. That way you’re not scrambling for words in the moment, and you don’t feel like you have to justify your parenting choices to every teacher, coach, or curious grandma. Use these as-is, tweak them to your style, or even copy/paste them into a text or email. They work. **1. Teachers & School Staff** Quick intro email:“Hi [Name], just a quick note about [Child]. We’re plant-based. For any class tastings or snacks, we’ll provide a swap. If you’re unsure, a quick text with a label photo works great. Thanks for helping us keep it easy.” Snack/treat reminder: “We skip meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, but [Child] eats fruits, veggies, grains, beans, tofu, nuts/seeds, and plant milks. If you’re planning a class treat, we’ll always send a swap so they don’t miss out.” Cooking/science activities: “If food is part of an activity, please let me know so we can send a swap. That way [Child] can join in fully.” **2. Coaches & After-School Activities** Team snacks:“ We pack [Child]’s snacks since we skip dairy/eggs/meat. If you want something that works for everyone, fruit or pretzels are perfect.” Hydration:“We bring our own drinks. Just water refills needed.” **3. Birthday Parties & Playdates** Host parent note: “We’re plant-based, so [Child] will bring their own cupcake/snack. Please don’t stress — they’ll be thrilled just to join in.” Practicing with your child:“If someone offers you something that isn’t vegan, just smile and say, ‘No thanks, I brought my own.’” Kid-to-kid explanation:“We don’t eat animals. We eat plants instead — like beans, tofu, pasta, and fruit. Want to trade snacks?”