You watched Forks Over Knives, read the China Study and determined to give this plant-based diet thing a try (after all if Oprah can do it for 30 days, surely you should be able to!)
Your husband and kids are reluctant but willing to try this new brilliant idea of yours.
So you start out strong with some great new recipes that you pulled off the internet….you are excited. Bu the excitement wears off as the family is just enduring some of these strange new foods with a few complaints.
But it all goes terribly wrong when your husband comes home with a pizza and declares, “I just can’t take it anymore! I need some “real” food!”. The kids hop on the bandwagon and there is a full revolt.
You feel like giving up…you failed!
The problem isn’t you, it is not even your pizza loving husband. The problem is that the plan was flawed from the beginning. If you pay close attention to those 30 day challenges most people fail. If they do make it through the 30 days few decide to stick to it.
Really the failure is in the all or nothing attitude of a 30 day challenge and not taking time to find good substitutes for some of the “real food” the family loves.
What you have to do is start slow…one recipe at a time. Start looking for something to replace the meat in some of your families’ favorite recipes. When you find one they like you are one meal closer to your goal. (HINT: If the family is not on board, You don’t have to tell them that it is not meat, try serving without saying a word and just see if they like it.) It may feel like a slow process but it is guaranteed to be way more successful in the long run than saying no to all the family’s favorite meals.
We made the switch to a vegan diet about 15 years ago and we are still going strong. I make this recipe for Walnut Gluten all the time and make it into all kinds of things that normally call for beef. I even serve it to my meat loving friends and extended family and they love it!
Test it out on the family and tell what they think.
Walnut Gluten Steaks
This recipe makes a bunch so freeze it in meal size portions so you always have it on hand for a quick dinner.
- ¼ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup quick oats
- ¼ cup yeast flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups water
- 2 ¼ cups vital wheat gluten flour
Broth
- 12 cups water
- ½ cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos or low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground celery seed
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil1 teaspoon basil
- Blend the first 7 ingredients.
- Place gluten flour into mixing bowl and pour in contents of blender.
- Mix well knead for 1-2 minutes.
- Shape into 2 logs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Mix all both ingredients together and bring to a boil.
- Slice logs into ¼ inch slices and drop into boiling broth.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about one hour.
Makes 48 slices or 8 cups
