Hi there,
After looking around here the other day, I realized something I can do to help alot of people's situations. I like to cook, I like to be vegetarian, and I like to help people.

I thought of starting a Workshop for Young Vegetarians. Teach kids (from age 8 or 10, up through high school) about the basics of Veggie-ism, where to look up information and support, and...HOW TO COOK! Because it seems the biggest problem, aside from parental confusion, is that the young ones don't know how to prepare food for themselves.

It'll bring peace of mind to the young'ns to know they can make something healthy for themselves that doesn't involve meat (or dairy/eggs, depending on the person).

Does this seem like a decent idea, or totally off-base? Any suggestions?

I like that idea. I notice that veg*an teens who have unsupportive family seem a little helpless because a parent does most or all of the cooking/meal providing. I think they should be encouraged to learn their way around a kitchen and throw a few veg*an meals together. That way, once they become adults, they're much more comfortable in the kitchen and making meals from scratch, which (ideally) should translate into good veg*an eating habits.

ETA: Actually, thinking about it, veg*an teens who DO have support at home may be a little helpless in the kitchen as well, so this idea benefits everybody.

I think it's a really interesting idea. My initial question is how do you plan to find these kids in your area, so they can get signed up? Another thought - what about making it a joint workshop for kids and their parents? Teach the parents about veg*nism, so they don't have to worry and so they know how to shop for the kids, and then teach the kids to cook. Or teach them how to cook together.

That sounds like a great idea.

Soudns like a cool idea. I was 16 when I went veggie and had absolutely NO CLUE! I would have found something like that very helpful.

I think it's a wonderful idea.

How about putting together some leaflets or information packs for parents who have kids who may be considering become ing vegetarian. Many parents I know think that meat is essential to live, and 'you need PROTEIN' etc, so I think it would be good to sort of put their mind at rest about their kids' potential new diet.

Brilliant idea! :up:

I would totally do this even though I know a lot about veg*nism, just because it's always good to meet more veggies

Thanks all. It's something I'm going to really try to do in the future. I was trying to think of a kitchen I could use, maybe in a community center, or a church.

The combination of kids and their parents is a good idea too. Although I'm worried about those parents who would just come and say "This is ridiculous. Why don't you just eat a hamburger?!" To which I would be taken aback, and want them out the door immediately. Tolerance, my young Luke.

I've compiled tons of info, and can see a really good hand-out that I can give the people with a few recipes to start with.

I'll keep the wheels rolling in my brain.

i think that would be awesome. it gives kids a new perspective on different lifestyles as well. i know we had a few veggie friends in high school and never really understood because they couldnt really explain what it meant and what to do as a vegetarian. i think its a great idea and i would support it if needed.

I would suggest that you take a culinary arts class first, and check to see if you have to get some kind of commercial kitchen setting. You may be able to rent out a commercial kitchen, I don't know...

But, other then that, it sounds great! Would you travel and teach, or teach the people from where you live? Sounds great! Good luck!

You may want to start saving up some money, because bussiness will probally be slow at first.

Another thought that just came to me: allow the kids to bring a friend! You can give each of them like three friend passes or something that they can bring a friend with, because I at least have lots of friends who are interested in veganism, but can't/won't do it because they don't have enough info on it!

I think it's a terrific idea. I like the idea of marketing it to parents and children and encouraging them to come and learn as a team. Or to groups of teens.

A lot of health food stores do cooking classes, you might be able to do it through your local HFS. Also some of the gourmet shops like Williams-Sonoma have a demonstration kitchen on-site. Don't know how keen they'd be on your idea, but if they're smart they'll realize anything that gets warm bodies in their store is good for business.

As far as reading material, there is at least one book already out there aimed at parents of vegetarian children called Help! My Child Stoppped Eating Meat. Rather than putting a lot of energy into preparing your own materials, you might take a look at it and have a copy or two handy at the class and recommend it to parents.