Vegetarian/Vegan Thanksgiving Plans
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I'm pretty sure there is not one vegan dish at my family's thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Even the vegetables are covered in animal fat.0
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=========================================We have served vegetarians for years, and what our circle does is just NOT PUT MEAT IN THE SIDES. So big whompin' turkey, yes. Turkey gravy, yes. Also:
Veg gravy
Mashed potatoes
Green beans
Stuffing
Sweet Potatoes
Brussel Sprouts
Desserts
Whatever else you want, just don't put bacon, or chicken broth, into things that could otherwise BE deliciously vegetarian so freaking easily.
We are not as good at accommodating vegans. We just do not hide meat in things, we leave it in the turkey and turkey gravy, and maybe oyster dressing, but not in anything that can reasonably be vegetarian.
Why wouldn't you want to make a meal out of sides? Thanksgiving is almost entirely made up of side dishes, the ONLY thing you aren't eating is the turkey. That never bothered me and does not bother any of our vegetarians. It's the same thing I've always done at celebrations where there is ham as a main dish because ham is disgusting to me. Just eat everything else.
THIS is what my wife and our friends do exactly.......they sorta put up with me.
I am basically an "unethical selfish vegan with some infrequent pescetarian cheating" and when out in "the wild" (traveling and at other people's homes and not in my home jungle) I need to adapt and improvise and sometime break rank from my 99% of the time course of veggies and no animal stuff. ;-)
Our neighbors for Thanksgiving at our house are vegetarian and she is Korean and violently against the dog exploitation and killings in Korea and here in the USA, etc. This does not have anything to do with my eating direction and mantra - i am selfish - its about my health and not about the 3 billion animals killed in the USA for food or the dogs in there as well........okay I feel good that maybe 1 or 2 may not get killed but not sure my diet has much of an impact.
I don't do dairy or cheese not because it exploits animals, but because its gross and as my wife prefers to call it "titty juice" (her name because I called it critter secretions and she thinks that is worse as she LOVES cheese and "that is all she has to say about that") with blood platelets, antibiotics, fecal matter, and had GMO matter and roundup in the producing cattle's meat and bloodstream, etc. However pasteurized make it all go away as not a worry on the US shelves? NOT. http://www.naturalnews.com/035039_raw_milk_pasteurized_CDC.html
Medically if you must, cow urine (unless the cow has a bladder infection which is unlikely because 85% of the US antibiotics goes to our livestock because of the production/living environment) would be much better since it is sterile. There is a visual???
Same with honey, if its in something I am fine, not worried about the bees, I am watching total sugar intake with all the HFCS, and hidden sugars amping up our hormones and addicting us and making us hungry, etc.
So in the end. We will have three "buckets" of feed for the humans at most meals and Thanksgiving/holidays.
1) SAD: affluent, std American diet, metabolic syndrome Western Dietary Pattern - full on. https://draxe.com/charts-american-diet/
2) VEGGIE: vegetarian sides with egg and dairy products and dressings,
3) VEGAN: vegan entree/stuff, and/or vegan sides
If a side of butter sneaks into the green beans, I'm good. no therapy session needed. I might go for the out of bird stuffing but since I am supposed to avoid gluten (not Celiac but ALCAT etc tested 'sensitive" and 3 hospital stays for diverticulitis '08 '09 '10 so I have chopped it way down as well.)
Vegan is NOT a philosophy for me and so I prefer to instead say I am on the gorilla diet. no dairy, unlikely honey, no animal products or meats but when traveling I might have sashimi or something just the gorilla's who eat termites and larvae if nothing else is available/offered.
OK, full nut-burger mode now off! Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!!!
~ Thomas ~
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I see that all the time too. I think it's gross and I eat meat almost every day. I want my vegetables to taste like vegetables haha.littlechiaseed wrote: »
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Hey, here is my menu plan. I'm vegetarian, but my family (2) are not, and only 1 other guest is- everyone else loves their meat. To be honest the menu is mostly based on "what I can I use that I already have a lot of?" (almonds, cranberries, juniper berries etc). Maybe nobody will notice that the turkey is the only real meat!
P.S. At our holidays guests typically will bring items, too, normally someone brings chicken casserole, another brings green bean casserole, another brings salad, another brings sparkling juice, another brings cheesecake, etc. So, nobody has ever complained about the food choices
P.P.S. I've bought the holiday loaf from Whole Foods before....it's was pretty disappointing, way too rubbery.
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I'm only a part timer so I will be having turkey as usual but all of my sides are vegetarian and I'm also making a lentil shepherds pie as a "main" for one of my vegetarian friends who is coming over.1
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Also, I think a lot of people don't realize how many animal products make their way into things like boxed stuffing.0
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Mary_Anastasia wrote: »Also, I think a lot of people don't realize how many animal products make their way into things like boxed stuffing.
If you're using boxed stuffing, you're doing it wrong...very wrong.2 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Mary_Anastasia wrote: »Also, I think a lot of people don't realize how many animal products make their way into things like boxed stuffing.
If you're using boxed stuffing, you're doing it wrong...very wrong.
I don't use boxed stuffing (see above, where I outlined a very nice stuffing recipe in my menu), but many people do and I don't judge them for it - some people have busy lives and if you want to use boxed stuffing go for it; in fact, my mom prefers boxed stuffing, I made a giant homemade baked apple walnut sage stuffing once and she brought over 4 boxes of stovetop for herself. Different strokes for different folks. I was just saying not everyone realizes that most of them are not vegetarian.0 -
I usually do a Field Roast Celebration roast, a bunch of mashed potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, homemade cranberry relish, and a pie. But this year I've got to travel for work the day after Thanksgiving so I won't be able to eat the leftovers over the next few days, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I will probably skip the roast and just do something like a mashed potato bowl with roasted brussels spouts and a dessert that makes a small amount.0
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Mary_Anastasia wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »Mary_Anastasia wrote: »Also, I think a lot of people don't realize how many animal products make their way into things like boxed stuffing.
If you're using boxed stuffing, you're doing it wrong...very wrong.
I don't use boxed stuffing (see above, where I outlined a very nice stuffing recipe in my menu), but many people do and I don't judge them for it - some people have busy lives and if you want to use boxed stuffing go for it; in fact, my mom prefers boxed stuffing, I made a giant homemade one and she brought over 4 boxes of stovetop for herself. Different strokes for different folks. I was just saying not everyone realizes that most of them are not vegetarian.
I was using the royal "you"...not specifically you personally. I just don't know how people actually eat that *kitten*...or instant mashed potatoes...or canned cranberry gelatin whatever that thing is...or marshmallows in sweet potatoes...
I readily admit that I'm a total food snob though, which is probably one of the reasons I rock the kitchen...
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I can never judge stuffing because most people, at least at meals I've been to here, put chicken stock and sometimes bits of chicken or turkey into their stuffing. Then some people put in egg. IDK.0
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This will be my first year to eat Vegan for Thanksgiving...I'm just starting this past week! I am interested in finding a Tofurkey and making Vegan dishes and gravy!0
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I'm in the UK, so no Thanksgiving here......Happy Thanksgiving though!
This is my first Christmas as a Vegan and I'm visiting my brother and sister in law for five days, we usually have a big traditional (turkey, ham, pigs in blankets etc) and all the veg done in goose fat and butter
. I don't know what to do about food, shall I just call and say? I can't decide which is ruder expecting them to cater for me or offering to bring my own stuff.
I usually love going there, but I'm kind of dreading it this year, anyone had a similar situation?1 -
littlechiaseed wrote: »AprilDrezlin wrote: »I always think Thanksgiving is easy as a vegetarian -- there are some many dishes, and only one of them is turkey! Trying to not think of them as "sides" but as simply delicious foods to eat, and maybe that will help?
That's what I would have thought. But OP has digestive issues with dairy and eggs, so that eliminates a bunch of common sides. Pretty much everything we serve for Thanksgiving has at least a good dose of butter. Most has butter and eggs or milk/cream.
At my family's Thanksgiving, poor OP would be stuck with just a side salad, cranberry sauce, and rolls!
Oh, and apple pie if we make one that year.
Butter is okay with me but it's like the straight up milk/cream or really soft cheese that cause issues.
I decided to do some things with butternut squash or acorn squash, those are in season now and wouldn't really clash with other dishes. Just hope I don't mess it up.
Acorn squash and butternut squash will be fantastic choices. Delicata squash with lots of cumin and salt and pepper is amazing! You could also try homemade pesto (basil, walnuts, olive oil, and vegetable stock) with spaghetti squash and sundried tomatoes. It's very filling and a hit at parties. Others could add their own parmesan if they like cheese in their pasta. I can't do milk or cheese either.0 -
VeganValour wrote: »I'm in the UK, so no Thanksgiving here......Happy Thanksgiving though!
This is my first Christmas as a Vegan and I'm visiting my brother and sister in law for five days, we usually have a big traditional (turkey, ham, pigs in blankets etc) and all the veg done in goose fat and butter . I don't know what to do about food, shall I just call and say? I can't decide which is ruder expecting them to cater for me or offering to bring my own stuff.
I usually love going there, but I'm kind of dreading it this year, anyone had a similar situation?
When I am invited someplace for the holidays, I offer to bring something. I always pick something that will serve as a nice main dish for me and usually a dessert. That way I can be pleasantly surprised but whatever else there is for me to eat, but I know that there will be at least something for me in the worst case scenario.1 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Mary_Anastasia wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »Mary_Anastasia wrote: »Also, I think a lot of people don't realize how many animal products make their way into things like boxed stuffing.
If you're using boxed stuffing, you're doing it wrong...very wrong.
I don't use boxed stuffing (see above, where I outlined a very nice stuffing recipe in my menu), but many people do and I don't judge them for it - some people have busy lives and if you want to use boxed stuffing go for it; in fact, my mom prefers boxed stuffing, I made a giant homemade one and she brought over 4 boxes of stovetop for herself. Different strokes for different folks. I was just saying not everyone realizes that most of them are not vegetarian.
I was using the royal "you"...not specifically you personally. I just don't know how people actually eat that *kitten*...or instant mashed potatoes...or canned cranberry gelatin whatever that thing is...or marshmallows in sweet potatoes...
I readily admit that I'm a total food snob though, which is probably one of the reasons I rock the kitchen...
That's my mom, she prefers it. She prefers the cranberry jelly log, the stove top stuffing, AND she likes instant mashed potatoes. I think her generation just never explored better food options, so these things remind them of happy times....on a similar vein, she said she would make a broccoli 2 nights ago. I came home (I'm living there temp) and she wasn't home, I found it in a pot on the stove. Boiled and disgraced......poor broccoli. I turned some of it into a stirfry with onion, mushroom, sweet potato, tempeh, and brown sugar, and baked the rest with butternut squash, carrot and onion in hazelnut oil with rosemary. She was blown away when she tried them, these things just don't occur to her
I'm good with a low-stress meal or menu, but I also want to enjoy what I'm eating, and never associate healthy foods with limp boiled yuckiness. 0 -
littlechiaseed wrote: »I can never judge stuffing because most people, at least at meals I've been to here, put chicken stock and sometimes bits of chicken or turkey into their stuffing. Then some people put in egg. IDK.
I do put egg in mine, but I'm not vegan...I always have vegetarian friends over so I use vegetable stock in my stuffing and make a batch in the oven and stuff another batch into the bird0 -
Native Foods has a delicious Native Wellington, completely vegan. A little pricey, but definitely worth it.0
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VeganValour wrote: »I'm in the UK, so no Thanksgiving here......Happy Thanksgiving though!
This is my first Christmas as a Vegan and I'm visiting my brother and sister in law for five days, we usually have a big traditional (turkey, ham, pigs in blankets etc) and all the veg done in goose fat and butter . I don't know what to do about food, shall I just call and say? I can't decide which is ruder expecting them to cater for me or offering to bring my own stuff.
I usually love going there, but I'm kind of dreading it this year, anyone had a similar situation?
It's family, I'm sure you won't upset them. Do they know you're vegan? I wouldn't bring it up prior to going, then they might go shopping and -think- they've got you covered when really they don't. Maybe when you get there, you can ask them if there will be any vegan options for you: bread, sauces, vegetables cooked in a nice oil like peanut or hazelnut, a cornbread stuffing casserole or yeast rolls etc. One of my vegan friends has had to bring her own meals to potlucks and even out to restaurants, so you're not alone in it. Anyway, I wouldn't be shy about it, if there's literally nothing for you to eat in the end, it says more about them than you- but again, it's family, I'm sure they'll be fine accommodating you.0 -
There are some great ideas for vegan Thanksgiving here: http://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/thanksgiving-menu-2016/1
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Your mom is cool. I prefer box cake to home made cake most of the time.Mary_Anastasia wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »Mary_Anastasia wrote: »Also, I think a lot of people don't realize how many animal products make their way into things like boxed stuffing.
If you're using boxed stuffing, you're doing it wrong...very wrong.
I don't use boxed stuffing (see above, where I outlined a very nice stuffing recipe in my menu), but many people do and I don't judge them for it - some people have busy lives and if you want to use boxed stuffing go for it; in fact, my mom prefers boxed stuffing, I made a giant homemade baked apple walnut sage stuffing once and she brought over 4 boxes of stovetop for herself. Different strokes for different folks. I was just saying not everyone realizes that most of them are not vegetarian.
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ClareMillsRoberts wrote: »I made this last Christmas and it was so good - even my husband's very traditional meat-and-two-veg-eating uncle liked it and took a piece home: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/mushroom-and-squash-vegetarian-wellington/
that looks super freaken good!0 -
If it wasn't for my 10 year old daughter insisting on a traditional dinner (just us three, no family for 2000 miles), I'd be eating a huge bowl of chana masala with some naan. Or some kind of tomato, basil, and goat cheese salad with fresh grilled pita bread.
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I like to keep it simple I make a gardien holiday roast some vegan stuffing organic and I'll cut up some tofurky sausage and throw that into the stuffing I use organic low sodium vegetable brooth to make the stuffing and I'll make some potatoes and some veggies and for dessert I'll make vegan brownies with some icing I never tried the tofurky roast this is my secound thanksgiving as a vegan lol0
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Broth*^0
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My mom does our Christmas dinner entirely vegan so it's usually either tofurky roast or gardien holiday roast with mashed potatoes and the stuffing she has made my whole life easily was veganized ,plus gravy and some kind of vegetable ,buns and cranberry sauce
Various chips will be out for snacks throughout the day as well
For dessert I make caramel apple crisp . I also this year am getting a chocolate cake from the grocery store thAt is from a vegan bakery you can buy at any grocery store here in Ontario which is lucky..plus ice cream
For my one other Christmas meal with family they have learned how to make certain sides vegan for me so I can eat those while there and I just skip dessert I'll eat my dessert at my Christmas dinner with mom . Other years before they learned how to veganize stuff I just brought my own food to this dinner
We had thanksgiving here in October but I have not celebrated it in four or so years so it's not a thing for me anymore0 -
I had a time were I wasn't vegetarian and was gluten free upon a doctor's suggestion which turned out was for no reasons since I didn't have celiac disease or a wheat allergy or whatever but I am having a hard time telling people including family that it's okay that I don't need gluten free. I just tried to tell my mom again yesterday. Totally didn't get through.0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »Mary_Anastasia wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »Mary_Anastasia wrote: »Also, I think a lot of people don't realize how many animal products make their way into things like boxed stuffing.
If you're using boxed stuffing, you're doing it wrong...very wrong.
I don't use boxed stuffing (see above, where I outlined a very nice stuffing recipe in my menu), but many people do and I don't judge them for it - some people have busy lives and if you want to use boxed stuffing go for it; in fact, my mom prefers boxed stuffing, I made a giant homemade one and she brought over 4 boxes of stovetop for herself. Different strokes for different folks. I was just saying not everyone realizes that most of them are not vegetarian.
I was using the royal "you"...not specifically you personally. I just don't know how people actually eat that *kitten*...or instant mashed potatoes...or canned cranberry gelatin whatever that thing is...or marshmallows in sweet potatoes...
I readily admit that I'm a total food snob though, which is probably one of the reasons I rock the kitchen...
oh maaan i love marshmallows on sweet potatoes. I mash sweet potatoes then make a brown sugar whiskey sauce and pour it over the sweet potatos and pecans and top with marshmallows ugh its one of my faves.0 -
i am transitioning back into vegetarianism so i will be eating everything but the turkey and im making a vegetarian stuffing (i dont stuff the bird) and gravy. I make so much stuff and this year will be cooking for 10-12 people. Its so fun for me since im not a chef anymore.0
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