Surviving Turkey Day as a vegan

By Giselle Wedemire

Photo by Giselle Wedemire

Picky Bitch Giselle offers up two Thanksgiving options that are easily veganized: pumpkin pie and  green bean casserole (click the links to access these rad recipes).

The holidays can be stressful enough wth the many celebrations that are packed into one general timeframe. Adding food to this mix can be even more stressful when you add a Picky Bitch into the equation.

Though her plans are still up in the air, novice vegan Yashica Anandani will be facing the challenge of her first animal-friendly Thanksgiving this year, regardless of what her plans turn out to be. Anandani suspects that she will be the sole vegan at any of her possible soirees, and will likely be surrounded by turkey gobblers and vegetarians alike.

To combat this, Anandani plans on bringing some vegan delectables that will both ease the host’s workload and weigh down her own dinner plate. “It comes down to common courtesy to bring something along,” she said.

“Plus, you’ll be killing two birds with one stone – you’re saving your host the embarrassment of not having something for you to eat, and you get to show people how great vegan food can taste.”

The idea of bringing a dish along was echoed by Michael Alvarez-Toye, a vegan of five years who regularly hosts veggie-friendly Thanksgiving celebrations. However, he stressed that if you choose to bring a little something along, remember to follow the rules of pre-school and “bring enough to share with everyone.”

“Holidays are a time of acceptance and embracing loved ones…and the food we eat at these celebrations is incidental,” he said. “Make this day as pleasant and peaceful as you can. You can always get into a war of words later at the bar, if you want.”

In an effort to stave off any undue violence around the dinner table, Picky Bitchez has rounded up some life-saving tips for how vegans can survive a day that is usually reserved for turkey gobbling:

Bring your own main dish

As was stated earlier, make sure to bring along a main dish for yourself – but ensure that there’s enough to go around (just in case others are curious, or in case this is your only option for sustenance. At least you’ll be prepared!). If you’re in need of some scrumptious ideas for vegan Thanksgiving mains, check out the Post Punk Kitchen's offerings.

Indulge in side dishes

Many side dishes are easily veganized if plant-based milks and vegan margarines are used in lieu of their traditional counterparts. This can easily be arranged if you inform your host of your dietary restrictions beforehand, which leads us to our next tip.

Inform your host/hostess of your dietary choices beforehand. 

This may seem like a no-brainer, but a little common courtesy will go a long way, Anandani said. Your host will then know that you’re not being rude by abstaining from the turkey, and they may even offer to cook up a vegan side dish for your benefit.

Don’t be a party pooper

Instead of feeling bad for yourself when at an omni celebration for any occasion, wear your proverbial vegan badge with pride! Remember that you'll be there to celebrate and spend time with your family, and that means that there is no room for gloom and self-pity. On that note, it's also worth mentioning that vegan diners should avoid being preachy at all costs because self-righteousness can leave a bitter taste in guests' mouths that cannot be easily washed down with the cheap wine that Uncle Fred brought along.