Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

I try to raise DD as healthy as possible. We are still working on portion sizes and usually let her have some freedom when we are at a party/holiday, but we are pretty good inside the house. I like her to have a lot of vegetables and try to get as much organic as we can.

Now, every year I have to go to my in-laws for Christmas. We usually stay like 4 or more days. I usually wouldn't care about a 1 day holiday meal but what they make for xmas eve we also eat christmas day for lunch and dinner and usually a day or two after that. Essentially we eat the same foods leftovers for the ENTIRE time we are there. And they eat very unhealthy. They don't eat any vegetable whatsoever, unless its plain lettuce covered in some heavy disgustingly unhealthy salad dressing. I usually bring my own food for her but she is getting older and wants to have what other people at the table are having.

So, I am looking for suggestions that I can quickly make without too much trouble (not take over the kitchen) or make ahead and can travel 3 hours with us and last the 4+ days.

This is what they already serve: For appetizers: Deviled Eggs (which I won't let her have, I find them gross and don't like her having mayo or non-organic eggs), Cheese and crackers, and Shrimp Cocktail (We are vegetarians). For dinner: Potato Pierogies (I let her eat these), served with sour cream (I already give her yogurt and she doesn't yet realize the difference), Kielbasa (we are vegetarians), rye bread (i dont like her having this for some reason), mashed potatoes (but basically the potato pierogie is mashed potatoes wrapped in dough), coleslaw (but DD has never had mayonnaise and i dont really want to give her that), and sometimes lettuce salads (just lettuce, not organic, which is a dirty dozen). I was thinking of maybe making broccoli which she loves because thats quick in the microwave. But what other kinds of appetizers or side dishes can I start making like my annual contribution to Christmas? I need staples that could become DD's food traditions, so she is not trapped into their food traditions.

Sorry this is so long! Any ideas would help. Its hard when I'm not home for so long in my own kitchen!

Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

Well, considering it's unhealthy for everyone to not eat vegetables, what I would probably do is tell them that you are bringing (or making) a vegetable dish for everyone. Maybe instead of just nuking it in the microwave, make a nice broccoli sauteed in a little EVOO and garlic - very tasty and something that works nice with just about everything. I try to stay all organic as well, but sometimes it's just not reasonable, and holidays are one of those times. But, I would DEFINITELY be making something big enough for everyone, since that list of food is NOT something I would be able to sit and eat alone (though I love me some kielbasa). Definitely do the broccoli, maybe even some peppers and onions roasted with potatoes?

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

Dear Lord - i'm far from the healthiest or most 'organic' eater but that menu for ONE day turns my stomach, much less 4 DAYS of leftovers ?? !!

Do you eat cheese? I make a really good zuchinni pie that is actually better the next day or 2, and cold - the recipe uses bisquick (obvioiusly not organic) but I'm sure you can substitute whatever flour you normally use, and different veggies, but I don't think it would have the same flavor/texture if you omitted the cheese too.

I get you don't want to take over the kitchen .......

What about a crudite with hummus and/or dill/greek yogurt dip?
Roasted Sweet Potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower (Mashed cauliflower - like "mashed potatoes) I don't know how that reheats though to be honest I've never had leftovers .........

Seems odd to me to have a whole family of vegeterians in your home for 4 days and be serving keilbasa for 4 DAYS ..........

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

What about a nice quiche that you make with organic eggs, cheese and some veggies? Quiche is great b/c you can cut is small for apps or a larger piece as a meal and keeps well over a few days.

I would also bring or send a nice Edible arrangement. Not organic but at least a healthier option for nibbling, etc.

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

That's not the worst of menus... I thought you were going to refer to chicken nuggets & fries.

It's slavic, for sure, but not horrible (flour, boiled potatos, dough).

I think something to add that would be in line with what is served is borscht (beet soup). This is full of good stuff, can be vegetarian & my kids love it. We get it at a restaurant with broccoli, cauliflower, etc. in it (meat too, but they have meatless varieties). Check Polish restaurants: they will make take out & give you cold. Transport in a cooler.

I love pierogies with mushrooms much more than those w potato. Again, I'd bring a few of these over with you (you can transport them frozen & just boil). Be careful though, if the host's pierogies are handmade, you may tick them off... unless you do something cute like say that you are trying to get your kid to eat more mushrooms.

I agree with making a veggie side for everyone to share. My hubbie makes amazing haricot verts (think green beans but not mushy) & they reheat well in the microwave (but we cook them at home in the cast iron pan w with some oil, garlic, & seasonings). Can store for days.

You can also say you are providing the salad, bring your own & make the dressing (be sure to also bring a bottle of whatever it is the family prefers).

Rye bread & sour cream aren't so bad. I'd pick my battles...

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

I know exactly where you are coming from. We stay aty I laws for Christmas for like 2 days and they are not the healthiest of eaters- lots of cheese, pasta, fried foods, and NOTHING organic. I'm not craziest obsessed with organic foods, but I try my best to get it as much as I can.

I like the idea of making a quiche. You can make that at home, all organic, and bring it with you. My mom puts it all together, then refrigerates/ freezes it, and cooks it later. Quinoa is also something you can make at home and travel with.

When you get to their house, go for a light food shopping trip. Just get what you would normally get. I know you don't want to "take over" the kitchen, I know that I would feel a little awkard too, but whatever, you're staying for 4 days. There's no way I could eat food like that for so long. Maybe it would even be nice if you spinned it as saying you want to make lunch/ dinner for everyone as a thank you for staying there


Just wanted to add: There is a mayo called Just Mayo- it doesn't have any dairy or GMO's. It's not organic, but much better for you than regular mayo. The other day I picked up some organic broccoli slaw from Trader Joe's and mixed it with the mayo and it was delicious. I think that would fit nicely with the food they serve.

Message edited 8/3/2015 3:14:56 PM.

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

I would definitely make a sweet potato dish or even just bring the potatoes with you uncooked so you can just wrap them in foil and put them in the oven. Others mentioned quiche which is a great idea. It will travel well and you can put veggies in it like broccoli or zucchini. I would bring fresh fruit for your DD. Bananas and what not for snacks. We use the stonyfield squeezable yogurt pouches for on the go. My DDs love them.

Eta: there is a website ohsheglows.com. The author/blogger posts her vegan recipes and they are really good. her most recent blog was all about healthy food that travels well if you want to check it out. I made a vegan sweet potato casserole of hers that was insanely good and I think it would travel well.

Message edited 8/3/2015 3:31:47 PM.

Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

I'm not super strict about food but there's no way I would go 4 days and not bring a lot of my own food. Dh and dd have some food restrictions so I always bring some of our usuals if we're traveling to stay with family. I pack a box of cereal and shelf stable almond milk, fruit, granola bars, nuts, and some snacks like pretzels or goldfish. I usually bake a quick bread like banana,pumpkin, or zucchini bread. I've packed broccoli and my steamer and sweet potatoes to throw in the oven. You could do a quick supermarket stop and pick up a few things like yogurt, organic eggs, frozen veggies.

As far as dinners, why not offer to buy everyone take out one night or take them out one night. For people who aren't that used to company or arent big cooks it may be a lot for them to take on feeding you guys especially with all those restrictions.

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

I'm assuming they are Polish or of another Slavic ethnicity. I am too (and I think it's a little insulting to call the meal "disgusting", it's really traditional Polish food).

I would do some fresh vegetable dish that would go such as a PP mentioned- borscht, or beet salad. Cabbage and noodles. Cauliflower soup would be nice, or just roasted cauliflower and/or broccoli. String beans with vinegar (fm for the recipe if interested), bean salad, shredded carrot and raisin salad. Or creamed mushrooms (not sure if you are vegan as well?). Use organic ingredients if you're so inclined.

Just curious- what's the problem with rye bread?

ETA: Cucumber salad with vinegar and substitute plain yogurt for the usual sour cream.

Message edited 8/3/2015 10:45:29 PM.

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

I would just make the food there that you would make at home

Just say your dd likes variety. Or is super lucky and only eats this

I have no other suggestions bc you would hate what my kids eat lol

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

How old is ur daughter? I'm asking this because once they become toddlers u don't really need to focus on their veggie/fruit intake daily but weekly, so as long as they have enough veggies/fruits on a weekly basis, they should be ok. Having said this, u can quickly prepare things once u're there, some things I like to do for my DS is pancakes, cause I can easily put any veggie I feel like, and they taste yummy, especially if u add a good amount of cheese, DS likes Asiago, also something else that he likes are zucchini tots, super easy to prepare too.

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?

This sounds like a meal I would have at an exs. Are they homemade pierogi? If so, I know his mom used to make "dessert" ones that were filled with fruit, and they also filled the others with different veggies. They would also serve some type of cucumber salad that I loved lol, that I'm sure you could find online. They usually always had different types of soups and homemade breads that I'm sure would be easy to travel with. I would try to stick to the "theme" so you don't insult them. I would also maybe ask if you could take over breakfast cooking while you are there, this way you can control one meal a day, and it's a nice gesture as well.

Re: Any organic and/or vegetarian and/or clean eating and/or super strict with food moms want to help me?