Thanksgiving Survival Guide

November 6, 4:04 PMLouisville Vegan ExaminerCarrie Klaus

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Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday for many vegetarians and vegans. Most traditional Thanksgiving food is not vegan. Not to mention, for many vegans it can be extremely difficult to see the carcass of a dead bird proudly displayed in the center of your families feast of Thanks. It's nearly impossible to sit comfortably at a table knowing the pain and suffering involved in bringing that bird to the table.

So, how can a vegan survive family meals during the holiday season? Below are a few tips to get you through the holiday successfully,

1. Explain to your family that as a vegan it makes you uncomfortable to celebrate with a dead bird as the centerpiece of the table. Ask them politely if they will keep the bird in a separate room from the dining room. Or better yet, ask them if you can have a turkey free Thanksgiving. Tofurky and Five Star Foodies Harvest Roasts are both great alternatives to the traditional turkey.
2. Plan to have the family feast at your house this year. By volunteering to be the host you can control what is served at the meal. Instead of asking each guest to bring a dish, instead ask them to donate money so that you can purchase food for everyone. Be prepared to work a little, but know that a little extra work is worth it for a cruelty free Thanksgiving.
3. Bring a few dishes. You'll need vegan side dishes that can serve as your meal, and a dessert or two as well. You can even bring your own Tofurky or Harvest Roast. Make sure you've provided vegan replacements for the dishes you will miss the most (stuffing, pumpkin pie, green bean casserole) Lindsay, author of the blog Cooking for a Vegan Lover provides dairy alternatives and Earth Balance for the host to use in mashed potatoes.
4. Be prepared to answer questions. Understand that you will have your lifestyle choices questioned by your family, especially if veganism is new to you. It can be both upsetting and frustrating to answer so many questions. Keep stress out of you meal by being prepared to answer questions about your new lifestyle. Try to have your facts together so you don't become frustrated, and keep your emotions at bay as much as possible. Remember that your change of diet can be threatening and confusing for your friends and family, so be compassionate and understanding as you answer their questions and help them understand your decisions.
5. Be joyous. Show everyone that a vegan lifestyle is in no way a lifestyle of deprivation. Let your pride as a vegan be known.

With these simple tips it's possible to have an enjoyable Holiday Season with your friends and family. For some great Thanksgiving recipe inspiration check out Nava Atlas's new e-cookbook A Bountiful Vegan Thanksgiving. At just $8.95 this collection of recipes is sure to keep you sane through the Holiday season. As a bonus, all proceeds go to support charity.  You can also check out Pudge Free Holiday's by Happy Herbivore for some delicious fat free and low fat variations of all of your holiday favorites.