vegan Thanksgiving meal — Vegan Living

The holiday season is fast approaching, with Thanksgiving kicking it off tomorrow. Last year, my main concern was how I was going to get through a Thanksgiving meal as a new vegan. What was I going to eat? Would I be able to resist the foods everyone else was eating?

This year, the sadness and struggle are different. They stem from something much deeper … and more depressing. In the past year, I’ve seen so many forms of animal abuse that were once unimaginable to me (well, many still are).

My level of awareness was heightened, and so was my sensitivity and empathy for the billions of innocent animals who are mercilessly abused, mistreated, exploited and violently killed every second of every day.

And so, in the past year since I first celebrated Thanksgiving as a new vegan, I’ve changed.

If you’re like me in this stage of veganism, how do you cope with the emotions of being around non-vegan loved ones during the holidays?

Thanksgiving with my family this year is going to be pretty interesting now that I’m vegan. It was challenging enough last year when I was limited to salad, mashed potatoes, veggie sides and desserts (well, the desserts part wasn’t bad).

This Thanksgiving will be the first time I’ll have to bring my own food since I won’t be able to eat anything my family brings or makes.

Since I don’t have time to cook a complete Thanksgiving meal for myself, I ordered food from Veggie Grill yesterday to bring with me today. Sad? Kind of. But here's what I got, and I have to say, my first vegan Thanksgiving meal is going to be pretty darn delicious:

My First Vegan Thanksgiving Meal from Veggie Grill

Tempura Green Bean Stack with a grilled lemon and an onion-garlic ranch dipping sauce
Golden Beet Salad with vegan ricotta cheese, dates, almonds, basil and orange vinaigrette
2 Cauli-Mashed Potatoes with porcini mushroom gravy
BTLA spinach wrap (with smokey tempeh bacon, cilantro-pesto arugula, avocado, tomatoes and aioli mayo)

My Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

And just so I don’t feel left out when it gets to the dessert portion of the meal, I also ordered Veggie Grill’s vegan carrot cake. I had to break it to my mom that I will no longer be able to enjoy her delicious blueberry cheesecake and carrot cake. Telling her that was almost as hard as knowing that I will never be able to enjoy her specialty desserts again. I also got a couple cupcakes from Native Foods Cafe yesterday since I went there for lunch. I got their peppermint chocolate cupcake (with frosting that had real chopped peppermint!) and carrot cupcake.

Key Tip to Surviving Your First Vegan Thanksgiving with Non-Vegans

So if this is your first Thanksgiving as a new vegan like me, the key to celebrating it with non-vegans is to come prepared. Make sure to have your own delicious spread of food, from sides and entrees to desserts. This way you won't feel left out because you'll still be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, the vegan way.

To all you veteran vegans, what are some of your tips to celebrating Thanksgiving with your non-vegan friends and family?

Dealing with the Emotional Side of Being Vegan During the Holidays

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving with Non-Vegans

My First Vegan Thanksgiving Meal from Veggie Grill

My Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

Key Tip to Surviving Your First Vegan Thanksgiving with Non-Vegans