The KInd Life Community Forum

Brandon Becker said #1 Aug 2, 2011 at 12:00pm

I get home from work at 5:30 and by the time I'm done feeding my 6 month old, it's 6pm. It's hard to get motivated to make a vegan meal by that time (especially if it involves beans which have soak time in addition to cook time). I know if I pack a late afternoon snack like a piece of fruit, and prepare some beans/grains in advance on the weekend (as Alicia suggests) it takes some of the pressure off, but still...how does anyone workin 40 hours with kids find the time to make any home cooked meal, let alone a vegan one?

Also complicating the problem: my wife is not vegan (yet) and so whoever is making dinner would usually have to make 2 meals.

Chloe said #3 Aug 2, 2011 at 1:15pm

I highly reccomend getting in a slow cooker rhythm/routine

(if this feels right to you)

I find this can be very helpful, as I do better with fresh as possible for my energy field, technically even raw, but I'm still learning how to do that

and also feel like I need different things different days

(though I make extra too to plan ahead, gratittude attitude)

With the Slow Cooker: (crock pot)

soak beans during the day, slow cook over night

(just allow time to cool to put in fridge before work- like after you have tea in am?)

can slow cook grains too overnight, even winter vegetables

i feel iffy leaving it on during the day if out. also

chop vegetables at night/on the weekend- like kale that takes washing!

my yoga teachers suggest that, they do that, teach all day

I also like to keep easy to prepare veges on hand: zucchini, carrots....

(i.e. bug free :) )

Quinoa is great

I find beans can be heavy for dinner sometimes, so I like that

nutritional yeast, nuts/seeds (possibly soaking them to germinate)

There's a brand called Tru Roots that has pre sprouted mung beans

they cook in five minutes (they cost a bit more but do go on sale- maybe worth for a pinch) they have lentils too- both are a bit lighter, mung beans are light in general (I'm more a lunch person)

finding things to have on hand, as I don't know about you, I don't have kids, but my two cats are like kids and things come up, and I like to have options, to be in the moment, also

at the farmers market near me they have sprouted beans (a mix of ) for like $2

I also just started taking a raw protein powder meal which I'm loving

for depending on what time it is when I eat dinner (sometimes its later, and also for yoga, need lighter meals at times) the Raw Meal from Garden of Life is great

or I like to make soups with vegetables and maybe sunflower seeds added in in the vitamix,

baked yams/squash are easy in winter/fall!

for mixed eaters, it seems people suggest to make main vege/grain dishes and the protein on the side, (or make quinoa, even amaranth has protein, millet too, just not quite complete like quinoa) maybe buy a cooked chicken at whole foods?at least here there on sale on Tuesdays for $6, and often with a free side

I'm working on all this in progress too, but these things help me

sometimes I also like to take at least five minutes to transition from the day before cooking dinner, re fresh, re group, re gear- splash face with cold water... if one is a little tired the standing of cooking and cleaning up can get me at times, though I stand a lot all day in general/walk etc

I hope this helps and you find what works for you on a daily basis!

Best wishes

catconsrv said #5 Aug 5, 2011 at 5:33am

Hi Brandon, we also cook on the weekend. We make all of our food for the week usually within a few hours on the weekend and then just have to reheat during the week. My husband is doing his medical internship and I work 2 jobs so this is so convenient for us. We us the cookbooks from Dr. John McDougall and his recipes are really easy to make and you can make a ton! We usually double or triple the recipes and then freeze some. That way there are some weeks where you don't need to cook at all. All of our recipes are veggie based with brown rice or other whole grains, usually no faux meat except rarely for a special meal.

Sneaky Vegan said #7 Sep 22, 2011 at 8:36am

Cooking on the weekends is a lifesaver, but luckily making vegan meals doesn't take any longer than making non-vegan ones. Stir-frys and pastas are some of the easiest and quickest things to make. I think it will be a lot easier for you once you find a good stockpile of vegan recipes that you like and make often enough not to need the recipe in front of you every time...

To eliminate the 2-meal issue, try making vegan meals that use more typical ingredients and fewer vegan substitutes that non-vegans tend to shy away from. Here's a whole list of vegan recipes that have gotten rave reviews from my very non-vegan husband.

http://sneakyvegan.blogspot.com/p/recipe-index.html

Another good option is to make regular meals where the meat can be taken out of your portion so you don't have to make separate things.

Good luck and congrats on the new bambino =)