Five Tips For A Happy Vegan Holiday Season
By Kristen Kelley (find me on Instagram @mrskelley0308)
With fall upon us and holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve right around the corner, this can be a tricky time of year for a vegan holiday season. You’ll have plenty of parties to go to for work, pleasure and family which always means fielding questions from people about why you don’t eat meat and where you get your protein.
You also will be trying to figure out whether or not your mother forgot to leave the butter off of her veggies so you can at least have a side dish to keep you from starving.
Another tricky area can be Halloween costumes and candy, as many people don’t even consider makeup and treats as items that might not be vegan friendly. You’ll find these tips quite helpful in navigating and surviving the holidays as a new (or experienced) vegan.
Five Tips For A Happy Vegan Holiday Season – Let’s begin.
- Bring your own food!
While I’m sure you reminded your mother not to put butter in the mashed potatoes or on her veggies, don’t count on her memory. Your boss may know that you’re vegan, but that doesn’t mean that he will buy anything more than a raw vegetable tray for the office party.
The Halloween party may have some great candy, but most mainstream chocolate contains dairy (even dark chocolate!) and chances are, nobody will remember the vegan when they pick up cookies from the store. Always keep a vegan protein bar, chips, or another favorite snack in your bag, desk, or car.
Parties and get together’s are also wonderful opportunities to show people that vegans don’t eat dirt and grass. Offer to bring dessert, an appetizer, a side dish, or even a vegan main dish to a party or family dinner. Pick up some vegan cupcakes or cookies at your local vegan bakery or Whole Foods if you’re not confident in your kitchen skills.
There are also plenty of vegan options for desserts, salads, side and main dishes in your regular grocery store. Don’t feel awkward about bringing Tofurkey’s full holiday meal to a family dinner! You deserve to have a full holiday meal with all the trimmings too. It comes with a tofurkey (stuffing inside), gravy, and a small tray of vegan brownies. YUM!