Nine Tips for a Vegan Thanksgiving season.
Are you vegan and feel haunted by Thanksgiving? When you have food choices that are led by compassion, your health and the health of the planet, they are not always respected by the people that you know and love. It can be difficult to be at a family gathering and have to explain yourself to people.They might ask: "Why do you have to make this so difficult?", or "One day won't hurt you."Here are 10 ideas to make this Thanksgiving season more enjoyable and potentially make a vegan Thanksgiving special for you and all those around you.
1. Host Thanksgiving at your house this year.
(If no one would come because of tradition then host it the day before or after.) Create a full and decadent meal that shows people what a meal of compassion can look like. When people leave feeling satiated, having the creamy mouth full of Thanksgiving and haven't had to do any of the work (LOL), they are often wowed and surprised.Let's get more people excited about food. Quality and delicious food that just happens to be vegan. Next year they will be banging down your door.
2. Bring food for everyone.
Being with family is important. We need to nurture the precious gift of family that we are being given. When we go to someone else's house, they may not understand your "dietary needs" as they may most likely say, being a gracious guest is as important as being a gracious host. Bringing food for everyone can break the ice and be an amazing conversation starter. Bring an amazing and colorful salad that makes everyone say wow, or a creamy soup that has people drooling; or a dessert so rich and amazing, they ask for the recipe. Bring in your heart the secret grin that says I told you so. (Just leave it in.) I believe in food being the center of conversation, especially for obstinate people. A beautiful dish is a beautiful dish and usually people have to try it. Don't call it a vegan blah blah blah, call it something enticing and make sure it is spectacular.
3. Go to a Thank the Turkey event.
We are going to be creating food this year at Animal Place in honor of the Turkeys. Find an event near you. Bring a friend or family member with you so they can meet a turkey. The turkeys can give a little love which can help reignite the compassion that is in a person. Although they may not change overnight, it will get them thinking about their food choices.Location: Animal Place, 17314 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949Menu: Appetizers: Sun Dried Tomato Pest on a Polenta circle, Carrot pate with a Flax Cracker, Entrees: Portabella Rockerfeller, Delicata Squash stuffed with White bean Cassoulet, Sides: Harvest Salad: Mixed baby lettuces, apples, dried cranberries, toasted pumpkin seeds tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette, Garlicky Brussels Sprouts, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Dessert: Chocolate parfaits in compostable cups
4. Adopt a Turkey.
The Adopt a turkey program helps fund sanctuary's who are rescuing and caring for animals including turkeys. For a one-time donation gift of just $30, anyone can sponsor a turkey. As a turkey sponsor, you will receive a special Adopt a Turkey certificate with a color photo of and fun details about your new friend. It will be a conversation piece. You can also gift it to your friends and families.
5. Thanksgiving is not the day to get into a debate with your entire family.
The holidays are notorious for fighting, people drinking too much, and for scenes to happen. Many people feel some type of anxiety getting together with everyone and we may not realize what their internal drama is, so to divert their drama, they may try to move the focus or attention on you. IGNORE. Also, bring food.
6. Bring vegan meals to the homeless. or to those in need.
Feed people. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for all that we have. Make sure to give back. Make sure that others are able to be thankful. It will make your day truly filled with thanks. Check in with your local soup kitchen and see if you can sign up to provide a meal.
7. Don't talk about Thanksgiving as a time of deprivation, talk about it as a time of abundance.
An abundance of joy and celebration for your family and all that you are thankful for. Abundance of the compassion that you have spread this year. An abundance of the impact you have made in the world with our without your knowledge. A time to be thankful for the abundance of produce and choices that we have to make healthy and compassionate choices every time that we go to the grocery store.
8. Veganize some of your favorite recipes for Thanksgiving.
That will wow your guests!
9. Get a prix-fixed meal at one of your favorite vegan restaurants or from a vegan caterer.
We are hosting a vegan Prixed meal.Monday, November 24, 2014Sanctuary Bistro Thanksgiving Community CelebrationReservations available from 5:30 pm-9 pm5-course prix fixe menu plus Amuse$55.00 per person or with Wine Pairing +35/person (excluding tax/gratuity)Make your reservation today at 510.558.3381Menu:
- Soup: Potato leek soup garnished with shiitake "bacon"
- Salad: Persimmon and pomegranate salad tossed with greens, in a creamy pumpkin ranch dressing
- Appetizer: Shaved garlic brussels sprouts with a stone ground mustard sauce and toasted almonds
- Entree: Cranberry and pumpkin rice stuffed acorn squash, lentil stuffing, and country gravy and greens
- Dessert: Pumpkin parfait topped with whipped topping
You can also join:
Photo Credit: Carl Neufelder via Compfight cc