Let the children lead the way! - Updated

Updated post - Originally posted August 2018

Last week I viewed a video about palm oil, as I was watching it our seven year old entered the room asking what it was I was watching, her younger sister was soon up from her Lego also asking what it was. Now the farming and use of palm oil is a big topic which like all big topics carries massive debates both for and against. So how do I explain this to two young children, easy I restart the video and show it to them. Let them hear the information, let them soak in the images and words and ask them at the end what they thought? Plain and simple, both state it is unfair, question what we eat with palm oil in and that we cannot buy anything with it in anymore!

Our eldest has been a vegan for about a year and a half now and is very strict when it comes to ensuring she is not consuming animal products and even checks hand washes when we are out so she can avoid any animal products. I admire her passion, she wants to change the world and I am with her all the way! Now both girls love Linda McCartney sausages for Saturday breakfast and our eldest recently began having the country pies as her Friday night chip treat tea. This week whilst shopping we sadly discovered both contain palm oil in, now  many would say it is hard to avoid it all the time and pop them into the basket because after all they are your favourite right? That doesn't happen in our house, our eldest said 'Well we wont have those anymore' plain and simple no complaints we just sourced a different treat tea and who needs sausages for weekend breakfast, waffles and beans are plenty. Our youngest said well done to her sister and that she was glad we weren't having them if they have that stuff in and they took off down the freezer isle with their heads held high!

Now what if more families, individuals of all ages were taught about what was in their food? Would the consumer demand dramatically change? Well I do believe so! As a vegan adult I hear all the time how nice the taste of meat is, how it is easier and quicker when out and how it is what we've done for years because it seems the taste, convenience and culture are clearly worth more than other animals lives to so many. Now this can change because I also hear as a parent how many children aren't keen when they discover what meat actually is. We have friends who call chickens hens if they see them out else their son will not eat his roast chicken! Come on guys, listen to the children they can see we are being unfair whether directly by eating the animal or my destroying the homes of beautiful animals leaving them to slowly die.

Education is the key to this, I was discussing dairy with my step father the other month who asked why vegans do not eat dairy products, when I explained the cruelty in separating a calf from its mother to have the milk intended for the calf and not us he told me that doesn't happen, humans only have the excess! This man is in his 60's and has no idea how the milk in his fridge has got there. This has to change! Lets educate ourselves, no matter our age. The children really are our future - it is time we listen and follow in their footsteps.

Now if after watching the video you feel inspired to help stop this awful industry please scroll down the page and under the video you will be able to sign the petition, spread the word!

Updated 2020 - As a family we were delighted to see our favourites now labelled as 'New Palm Oil Free recipe.' Fantastic to see more companies heading either palm oil free or using only sustainable palm oil!