How 'Bout A Peach? Thoughts on a Vegan Childhood

Today's Vegan Mofo prompt is to recreate a dish from your childhood - I can't do that today, because we're too busy at the lake, but it got me thinking about the broader theme of childhood, and what kind of food memories my children will have of their upbringing. 

See, I'm one of those who feels that kids should be able to choose for themselves once they are old enough to understand their decision - after all, I chose independently to become a vegetarian when I was 12. And I have never been able to picture myself swatting a slice of birthday cake out of my child's hand, so I have chosen to be more relaxed in social situations. However, I also feel strongly that a vegan diet is good and wholesome, complete and delicious. So whatever diet my children ultimately choose for themselves, when I feed them, I will always do my best to serve up healthy plant foods. And guys, she's not deprived. A vacation with a vegan kid:

Eating watermelon, rinsing off in the pool. Growing up in California, I was spoiled for fruit and veggies, and she takes full advantage of the bounty when we visit! When I was pregnant with F, my main craving was for fruit - it does not surprise me how much she loves it. When we're in the car, she'll go 'how 'bout a...peach?', 'how 'bout a...nectarine?' 'Nana? Nana?? Waterwemon???' Seriously, she can't get enough. 

Just 'cause she bad. 

Either a peanut butter sandwich or a hummus sandwich. Because vegan food is normal food. Because vegan toddlers still go through beige phases. Because she frequently announces that it's 'hummus time!'

Seeing whales off Point Lobos, because Seaworld can bite our collective behinds. 

Seeing some wonders at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, because they do a lot of good, and we try not to throw the baby out with the bath water. 

All from Cover's Apple Ranch in Tuolumne. We don't get pie, because they make it with lard, but the apple cider is tip top. We can make a pie at home!

The lake. 

And again, a happy kid, a healthy kid, a NORMAL kid.