In the Beginning
When I first started eating a plant-based diet, I was so excited, so enthusiastic, and so annoying to my family! 🙄 I didn’t mean to be annoying, but it was like I had discovered the Fountain of Youth or something. This new way of eating was very colorful, delicious, and satisfying. I was learning about all sorts of new foods I had never heard of or tried before. I felt energetic and healthy and I just couldn’t help sharing it — hoping like heck my family would all jump on board. My family was (and still are) very supportive, but they also let me know they weren’t necessarily interested in jumping into this lifestyle with me.
There is definitely some truth to that saying. 😉 But I have learned to stop being so preachy. I’m telling you this so maybe you’ll learn from my mistakes and won’t let your enthusiasm ruin the holidays. You can let people know of your dietary choices without talking their ears off about it.
Be Prepared in Advance
When you eat a plant-based diet and are invited to someone’s home for a holiday meal, it’s a good idea be up front and communicate with your host about your food choices. However, I never expect my host to prepare special foods just for me. When I get an invitation, I always offer to bring a plant-based dish or two. I think my host appreciates it so they don’t have to worry about what to feed me. Plus, you might not know what’s on the menu or what ingredients are being used. Bringing a few items yourself will assure there will be foods you can eat. When I cook a dish or two to take along, I always bring plenty on the chance others would like to try some of my foods. I have to admit, it pleases me when a strict carnivore enjoys some of my “weird plant food”.
If you are traveling and don’t have a way to prepare some plant-based dishes, you could always pop into Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Natural Grocer or other similar stores to get something plant-based from their deli. Be sure to read the labels for hidden ingredients that you might not want to ingest. It’s pretty easy to find prepared veggies and good-looking vegetable and fruit trays at regular grocery stores too. Grab some fresh produce, a loaf of bread and a big tub of hummus to take with you. Or if worse comes to worse, you could buy one of those Tofurky Dinners. I have never tried one and highly doubt I ever will (no doubt actually….I’ll never buy one), but it is an option. 😉
It’s always a bonus and so appreciated when my host makes some plant-based foods just because I’m there. 🥦🧡🥔💚🥕
Have a Good Sense of Humor
The first time you go to your host’s home for dinner, be ready for jokes and lots questions. The top things I always hear:
- “There is no way they could ever be vegan or eat just plants” (while they are looking at you like you’re completely crazy)
- “Where do you get your protein?”
- “I could never stop eating cheese!”
- “You do still eat fish, right?”
- “What DO you eat???”
Sometimes it’s difficult not to be preachy when people are asking questions and giving you their input and opinions. When people ask questions about my dietary choices, I’m happy to tell them more about it. But these days, I just smile and try hard not to make the entire dinner discussion about what everyone chooses to eat or not. And believe it or not, I am not judging their food choices. I’m not even paying attention to what is on their plate. I’m just interested in all the delicious, plant-based goodies on my plate! 😍
What foods will you find on the table at our house for Thanksgiving?
For Thanksgiving each year, we actually still cook a turkey (unstuffed, I cook the stuffing in a crockpot) and then a whole bunch of plant-based dishes to go along with it. My husband and I forego the turkey and fill our plates with all the glorious side-dishes. My kids always bring dishes to share and are so sweet to make sure there are plenty of options with no animal products in them. 💗💕 Truthfully, Thanksgiving is one of the easiest holidays for plant-based eaters!
Someone who is Vegan (Plant-Based Diet versus Veganism) most likely won’t want any meat cooked in their home, but I’m okay with it. When my gang all comes over for dinner, I usually serve plant-based foods, but I am also respectful of their choices and will include meat and cheese if they desire it.
Final Words
When you are passionate about something, you want to talk about it — it’s hard not to! When the whole food plant-based diet thing is new to you, it’s especially difficult not to gab your head off . I promise, it will get easier. If someone is truly interested in learning more about your choices, you can sit down another time and fill them in. Thanksgiving is about feeling grateful and appreciative for what you have in this life. Enjoy your friends and family and don’t stress about the food. 💕
Good luck and enjoy eating those nuts, berries and twigs! 😉🤣😂 (just kiddin’)
Looking for some delicious Thanksgiving Recipes? Check out my plant-based Thanksgiving Dinner Cookbook!
