DAVEGAN: Food for Thought

A carefully curated collection of healthy, delicious recipes (that happen to be vegan). Lives in Kansas and pulls from all over the world.

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So you’re Vegan on Thanksgiving

Let’s face it, Thanksgiving can be a bittersweet holiday for vegetarians and vegans. I’ve always liked the idea of celebrating the harvest season, conjuring up images in my mind of golden wheat fields, mountains of potatoes, and brightly colored squash. On top of that, it’s a relaxing time where family and friends come together and engage with each other in a world where we often barely have time for a 5 minute phone call.

On the other hand, it has increasingly become a holiday that is defined by turkeys, hams, and butter-laden vegetables. It’s one of the few times each year where your diet and lifestyle is singled out in front of everyone and sometimes, met with ridicule or at least intense questioning for everyone’s amusement. I think this is one of the main reasons that the holidays can be hard to navigate; it can become isolating at a time when we are supposed to come together!

It doesn’t have to be this way, though, and I just wanted to offer a few thoughts up as we enter into the holiday season.

When I first became vegan over a decade ago, I was really nervous about how it would all play out on Thanksgiving. I wanted to make sure my views were understood, but didn’t want to come across as a burden on anyone kind enough to plan and make the meal. However, my fears were largely exaggerated and with a little planning up front, everyone was happy to meet in the middle and we had a wonderful meal that we were all OK with. I still struggle with convincing people to go turkey-free, but I think the awareness that I bring to the table has an important impact.

Here are just a few ideas on how to approach a holiday meal and still keep the peace!

  1. Plan ahead. We all know that veganism isn’t a lazy-person’s endeavor! You can’t really expect to show up to Grandma’s house and have a fully vegan meal waiting for you. Talk to the host up front and help plan the meal, offering to bring side dishes or even take care of the main dish. Or, if you’re really insistent on a fully vegan meal, offer to host or cook it yourself. It’s a great chance to show everyone how great a vegan meal can be! Sure, it’s a lot of work, but you’re used to that by now, right?
  2. Keep your cool. I am in agreement with the “it’s me or the turkey” sentiment and the issue is hugely emotional for all of us. BUT, I think the quickest way to a miserable holiday is to come out swinging. Showing up and talking trash on the meal, pointing fingers and throwing fits is just not classy and is likely counter-productive in getting your beliefs across. It’s just one meal, so compromise is key, in my opinion. The jokes can get mean, I know, and that really sucks, but getting worked up is really just fuel on the fire, believe me. I’ve found that after just a couple of years, people really begin to accept it as a part of you and it’ll calm down.
  3. Arm yourself. OK, so that said, don’t go in unprepared! I’ve found that more often than not, veganism sparks more questions and interest than it does criticism. People really admire the dedication and when you’re able to speak intelligently about it, they really will listen. So, think through some of the potential questions you might get asked and have answers! Regardless of why you made the decision, it’s good to be able to answer “Why did you start?” and “So, what do you eat, then?”. Having a few facts in your pockets wouldn’t hurt either, but don’t use them to shame people. We’re better than that!
  4. Live by example. I’m a big fan of this approach in my life and I know it runs counter to those who are more in your face about it. I totally respect their path, but for me, it’s been really effective to serve as a living, breathing example of how it can be done. I don’t really talk about it much unless people ask me, but I make it very clear through my actions that it’s how I live my life and that it’s completely possible. Take this holiday as a chance to show everyone how they could be living and see if you have any takers. If people are on the fence about it, give them a nudge to try it out. You’d be surprised.

I hope these ideas help calm some Thanksgiving nerves and I’d be interested to hear of any other tips out there. If you’re looking for recipes, Google will hook you up! You might also try here, here, here, and here to get started.  I hope you all have a wonderful, drama-free Thanksgiving holiday!

Any other holiday tips?

Update: Wow! Thanks for the great comments everyone!

  1. ssugogreen reblogged this from davegan
  2. mrs-andy reblogged this from davegan
  3. edbuziak answered: Carnivore’s diets are boring. There are far more varieties of and recipies for vegetables and grains… enough said!
  4. j-roo reblogged this from davegan
  5. dianamcqueen reblogged this from therationalist
  6. thevegancheese answered: Share your food! Show your family that vegan food isn’t bland and tasteless! Pry open their minds a little; have them try something new!
  7. therationalist reblogged this from davegan
  8. veganbrontomerus reblogged this from davegan
  9. a-bottomlesspit answered: oo
  10. veganfiction reblogged this from davegan
  11. na-ta-li-a answered: Be patient! My family loves to make fun of my veganism. Just remember: Thanksgiving is really about reflecting on what you’re thankful for.
  12. dnross13 answered: I actually have a further question. I totally agree with your tips, however I kind of struggle as I’m the youngest in the family. Any tips?
  13. almostvegetarian reblogged this from davegan
  14. shadowmagnet-brennan reblogged this from davegan
  15. vegpocalypsenow reblogged this from davegan
  16. jacquiology answered: VSB - thank you for linking to my holiday tag, Dave! Everyone enjoy being with your families and try to keep the peace.
  17. bornonjupiter answered: Celebrating the celebration of the colonization of the lands of our Natives, just happens to not be my thing.
  18. greedyvegan answered: fast. lol
  19. trulymadlyme reblogged this from davegan
  20. davegan posted this