Really the kids’ birthday parties are for me as much as they are the kids. It is an excuse for me to channel my inner child and bust out all the crafts that I really don’t have time for. But, I put aside my floor cleaning, car cleaning, and meal planning for one week of glorious indulgence into the Pinterest world. I love making homemade crafts, but really most of all, I love making vegan party food! It’s such an amazing way to show friends and family that vegan food doesn’t have to be all alfalfa sprouts and kale! Every party, the plates are empty and I have several people asking me for the recipes. My favorite is when people don’t know it’s vegan and when they find out “it’s not real cream cheese” or “those meatballs are made from lentils, not cows”, the look on people’s faces is absolutely priceless. To me, it means I’ve done my job. I don’t need to change the world, but changing people’s perception of a plant-based diet, even for one day, is so satisfying!
My twin boys’ turned 4 and we invited 21 children. Every single one RSVP’d yes! Whoa. Last year we had 12 kids total and now we have 24 total. I had my work cut out. Actually the kids are the easy ones to feed. It’s the parents that I always seem to find more challenging.
Our menu this year was the following:
“Build your own rocket!”: Slider buns or butter lettuce cups, BBQ pulled jackfruit and soy, and homemade coleslaw
“Freeze Dried Astronaut Food”: homemade cinnamon applesauce in squeeze pouches
“Orbits” : Hummus and avocado rollups
“Jupiter Red Eye” : Watermelon balls
“Meteorites” : Potato salad bites
“Space Junk” : Pretzels
“Planets and Rockets” : Cucumber with dill cream cheese on crackers or bread
Well, of course, it wouldn’t be a great birthday party without a glitch. About an hour before the birthday party, I opened the fridge and wouldn’t you know. Food comes crashing off the shelves into a huge pile on the floor. Next thing I know, I’m running out the door in a frenzy picking up prepared food as quickly as I could! So, added to the buffet were a large fruit bowl, a veggie tray with a bowl of raspberry vinaigrette dipping sauce. Lastly, I added an assortment of beautiful sushi – all made with avocado, mango, carrots, cucumber. It was truly beautiful! So, even in a pinch, you can make it work!
For a birthday cake, I did a “rocket cake”. I made homemade rocket popsicles from pureed strawberries, oranges, and a little spinach (I couldn’t help myself). Even the parents were helping themselves – which made me so happy! I bought two sets of molds on Amazon and borrowed the remaining sets from neighbors and friends. I used the rind of the watermelon (leftover from the watermelon balls). I cut the rind in half and placed on a round pizza tray. I cut a couple holes in the rind and stuck a couple stars candles, a # 4 candle, a few silver star spray confettis, and then last, but not least, the rocket popsicle. My boys’ LOVED it!
Happy healthy eating!!
My twin boys’ turned 4 and we invited 21 children. Every single one RSVP’d yes! Whoa. Last year we had 12 kids total and now we have 24 total. I had my work cut out. Actually the kids are the easy ones to feed. It’s the parents that I always seem to find more challenging.
Our menu this year was the following:
“Build your own rocket!”: Slider buns or butter lettuce cups, BBQ pulled jackfruit and soy, and homemade coleslaw
“Freeze Dried Astronaut Food”: homemade cinnamon applesauce in squeeze pouches
“Orbits” : Hummus and avocado rollups
“Jupiter Red Eye” : Watermelon balls
“Meteorites” : Potato salad bites
“Space Junk” : Pretzels
“Planets and Rockets” : Cucumber with dill cream cheese on crackers or bread
Well, of course, it wouldn’t be a great birthday party without a glitch. About an hour before the birthday party, I opened the fridge and wouldn’t you know. Food comes crashing off the shelves into a huge pile on the floor. Next thing I know, I’m running out the door in a frenzy picking up prepared food as quickly as I could! So, added to the buffet were a large fruit bowl, a veggie tray with a bowl of raspberry vinaigrette dipping sauce. Lastly, I added an assortment of beautiful sushi – all made with avocado, mango, carrots, cucumber. It was truly beautiful! So, even in a pinch, you can make it work!
For a birthday cake, I did a “rocket cake”. I made homemade rocket popsicles from pureed strawberries, oranges, and a little spinach (I couldn’t help myself). Even the parents were helping themselves – which made me so happy! I bought two sets of molds on Amazon and borrowed the remaining sets from neighbors and friends. I used the rind of the watermelon (leftover from the watermelon balls). I cut the rind in half and placed on a round pizza tray. I cut a couple holes in the rind and stuck a couple stars candles, a # 4 candle, a few silver star spray confettis, and then last, but not least, the rocket popsicle. My boys’ LOVED it!
Happy healthy eating!!
