So, I'm all about kindness--to people, to animals, and to the planet. So, as I face my first holiday season since embarking on my vegan journey, I'm curious about navigating the holidays vegan-style. I thought this would be reserved for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but already well-meaning office friends drop little Halloween chocolates in my box so it's got me thinking--what is the best way to deal with such situations?
I certainly want to be respectful and appreciative of my friends' kindness, but as the holidays approach (a key time for giving food as gifts!) I don't want them spending their money on something I am not going to use/enjoy (and, in the process, supporting an industry I am trying not to support!) But at the same time it's not very easy to slip my new vegan journey into everyday conversation. As of now, simply passing along the goodies to my non-vegan family members seems like the kindest and least awkward/embarrassing way to go...
What about holiday parties--especially dinner parties? Do I simply mention, with the RSVP, that I do not eat any animal products so no need to factor me in for turkey portions, buttery mashed potatoes, etc. And offer to bring along a vegan side-dish to share with everyone?
Bottom line: I'm not going to freak-out if I happen to eat a potato chip at a party, only to find it is a sour-cream flavored one! I've eaten animal products all these years years, if I inadvertently eat something with butter or milk in it I don't feel like I'm ruining my body or going against my principles so long as I'm trying to be mindful and choose vegan foods. The main thing is that I want to avoid awkward situations (and wasted food and money) especially at formal dinners as opposed to buffets.
If any of you wish to share your strategies, I'd be most grateful!
Coming from someone who entertains a lot I would personally love to get an RSVP about some one's food preferences/aversions. In fact because of my husband's work we've hosted some of his employees from India who are vegetarians. I *always* want to know before hand as it's more embarrassing for *me* not to have anything suitable on hand for them. Now, the food gifts are a little trickier. The other issue is that a lot of people may not even fully understand what vegan truly means and think that giving you chocolate is still perfectly acceptable. Hopefully, one of your vegan buddies can weigh in on this! Best of luck! And I promise - no chocolates from me this year ;-)
ReplyDelete:-) Thank you, Chandra! I really appreciate your insights as a thoughtful and gracious hostess. It's funny because, as a guest, I never want to be a burden to people or seem demanding--yet as a hostess, I, too, would like to know what I should have on hand for people so they feel comfortable and welcomed in my home! So, maybe I am just over-thinking/over-worrying about things (not hard for me to do, haha!) Thanks for the support!!!
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ReplyDeleteYou can send me her chocolates! :)
ReplyDeleteBut, seriously, you just need to tell people and offer to bring your own dish(es). I'm not vegan, so it is a lot easier for me, but I have been bringing my own tofurkey and fixings to my sister's house for years now. I don't know how to handle formal dinners hosted by people you don't know well. Most places are preparing at least one vegetarian dish, but they usually don't understand about vegan. Even the veggies can have butter. At my nephews wedding they had bbq, so I had a baked bean sandwich and a piece of cakes. The beans were meat-free. yum.
Thanks, Jeannette! As you and Chandra both pointed out, I think it's challenging for non-vegans to figure out what exactly is vegan and what not (vegetarian is much easier). And with holidays, hosts/hostesses already have so much on their plate, I think I'll just make obvious things like meat and cheese my "no, thanks" at these types of gatherings and if I end up eating some veggies with butter on them or a cookie that has egg in it, I'm not going to sweat it ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou really do want to enjoy the company and the celebration. Do offer to bring something you know you can eat and that other people might enjoy, if only a dessert.
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