The Vegan Dorm

What happens when your little meat eater grows up and decides to become vegan? Go with it.College is a time when many kids reevaluate their lives along with finding causes to support. Or there's a friend or a love who's into tofu. Whatever the reason, support them and help them stock their kitchen.

Many parents will worry about the lack of protein. Don't be, Beans provide it along with fiber and a variety of other nutrients.If you're worried that all your vegan baby will eat is burritos, think again. Chickpeas are one of the most versatile beans  out there.They can be the base of salads as well as be turned into creamy hummus and falafel.Save the liquid or aqua faba they're packed in for vegan meringue cookies, and eggless mayo. Remember that any bean can be turned into tasty burgers. What is great about homemade ones is that they can be spiced up with everything from chili  powder to curry. Carry this one step further to create a vegan meat loaf. It will be just as delicious as the real thing along with having the same solid consistency.It makes for a good weekend meal, heartier with the addition of mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and a green veggie, If your your scholar has a more lenient diet, then consider bean scrambles made with any kind of bean, eggs  and veggies. It's a great way to start the morning or have a simple lunch.

Of course when most people hear vegan or vegetarian, they instantly think of tofu. Just remember that they are different types, from silken and firm to extra firm and sprouted. Know them in case you get called for advice.Silken tofu is mostly used for desserts (think a vegan cream pie) and sauces.It's smooth and has a pudding like texture. Firm  and extra firm hold their shapes and are great for stir fries and slices. They also crumble well which makes for excellent scrambles. Sprouted tofu is the same as regular except it originates from sprouted soy beans.it generally has more calories than the regular but also more protein. Another way of eating tofu is the premade packages by Morningstar Farms and Gardein. Both companies have every meat substitute available from burgers to bacon. Morningstar has excellent bacon which can be part of breakfast or crumbled into a spinach salad. Gardein has a whole gamut of vegan dinners. A favorite is their fish fillets that have a delicious beer batter on them. Serve them with fries for a good fish and chips dinner. Their hamburgers taste like the real thing as do their beef tips.Gardein's chicken scallopini is wonderful with spaghetti and sauce.

College is a time of breaking away from childhood and what came with it. Don't be alarmed if you scholar goes meatless. Embrace it. You may learn to love it yourself.