Living the Vegan Mama Life

Hey, friends! It's Natasha here, your go-to vegan mama, lifestyle enthusiast, and content creator over at @natashauk_.

I'm excited to share a bit of my world with you – from being a fiancée to my awesome partner, a stepmama to a football crazy 11 year old, and a proud mama to my 4 year old son and my 1 year old daughter.

Let me briefly take you back to the start of my plant based journey. Roughly four years ago I turned vegan, did I push my partner into it as well…. yes just a little bit however I knew all the benefits, and he certainly now does as well.
We feel so much healthier, less groggy! And trust me when we say plant based it’s not only lettuce we eat as you can see by my colourful feed.

The biggest mistake we done when we first started our journey was get rid of our comfort foods, you know, the normal home cooked meals. Just replace the meat for an alternative, there are so many variations of meat alternatives which makes cooking a lot easier! I’m very lucky also cause my partner can cook. My quick suggestions for you, bolognaise? switch the mince to a plant based one, sweet n sour chicken? switch the chicken to a plant based one, lasagne? you get the drift. It’s not as hard as you think especially in 2024 when we’ve got all these amazing vegan alternatives and collaborations from many brands.

Here are my top tips for anyone whose interested in the family plant powered way of living:

* Nutrient-Packed Goodies: We dive into a rainbow of fruits, veggies (mostly cucumber and strawberries in this house) and plant-based proteins to ensure my kids get all the nutrients they need.
* Learn as You Grow: I've turned mealtime into a learning experience. They all get involved in the kitchen. My son loves getting involved. We chat about the why's and how's of veganism, making it an exciting journey for all of us.
* Smart Supplementation: Our place to go for vitamins and supplements is Holland and Barrett, they have a great variety for supporting their growth and development. Vegan or not, I believe all kids benefit from having supplements/vitamins.
* Leading by Doing: Being the example is key. By showing my kids that it can be a whole vibe – good for them and the planet. We went to a vegan kids festival last year and it was great for the children to be around other vegan families plus we absolutely love camping. Sitting by the fire, eating good food with some music. I’m so ready for summer! Anyone else?
* Family Planning Fun: Everyone gets in on the meal planning action. We all help decide what's on the menu.
* Open Chats: Communication is everything. We have open, honest talks about why we've chosen this lifestyle. Answering their questions and addressing concerns helps us stay connected. School can be a hard time for understanding and questions. Not everyone of course is veggie/vegan and that can be hard to explain to a nearly 5 year old who loves animals.

Diverse Dining: I'm all about keeping meals interesting. A variety of different meals keeps my kiddos excited.

What NOT to Do:

* Flexibility is Key: NO strict food rules here. An occasional treat keeps things balanced and prevents any feelings of deprivation.
* Respect Preferences: I don't force-feed anyone. If a certain meal isn't a hit, no biggie. I find creative ways to introduce new ones without making it a battleground.

You can catch all our adventures and mishaps on @natashauk_. It's not just about picture-perfect moments but about sharing the real, messy, and beautiful side of family life. Join us one Instagram post at a time! ✨