Thanksgiving. The sweet smell of roasted turkey, canned cranberry, garlic mashed potatoes and can’t forgot the sweet pumpkin pie. All those smells are typical for any American family to have occupying their dining room table on the last Thursday in November; however, over the years diets have been changing. Turkey is not allowed on some tables anymore unless it’s alive, and not being put into an oven.
Here is going to be some Thanksgiving food options for those of you who would much rather keep their animals outside alive, and not dead on their kitchen counter. Also included will be some meal suggestions to spice up the Holiday that are completely animal free!
Vegetarian Meal Options
Who needs turkey? It’s dry and tasteless, unless you put gravy on it – which makes it worse in my opinion. Why not mix it up then? Try a new medley of roasted mushrooms and roasted vegetables. Visit, Jo Cooks, a whole blog post telling you have to make the yummiest Italian Roasted Mushrooms and Veggies.
Image curtsey of Jo Cooks blog
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore and look forward to seeing white fluffy mashed potatoes on the dinning room table every Thanksgiving meal. Although, who wouldn’t want to indulge in some delicious cinnamon roasted sweet potatoes. And to top it all off, why not add some cranberries? Two traditional Thanksgiving plates thrown into one. Check out Lil Bits of Real Food Recipes to learn how.
Image Curtsey of lilbitsof.com
Ugh – broccoli is such a bore. Just a green veggie that looks like a shrunken tree taking up the majority of your plate, and why you ask? Because my mom told me I had to eat it. Common line, am I right? Budget Bites has an amazing blog post showing you how to switch up the broccoli game, and to make broccoli cheddar mashed potatoes. How can say no to that?
Vegan Meal Options
Being Vegan around the holidays is very tricky, considering your whole family might not always abide by the “no animal products” rule. However, what they (and a lot of people), do not know is that not having animal products in courses and desserts may make it yummier! Almond milk is a popular favorite and adds some sweetness, while “fake” butter still carries the goodness regular butter has.
Fat Free Vegan is a wonderful blog sharing over 50 vegan Thanksgiving recipes from appetizers to desserts. Who wouldn’t want to dive into pumpkin walnut muffins, or try a Thanksgiving meatless loaf!
Lastly, a lot of recipes make it simple to substitute out the milk, butter and eggs and add in vegan options. The world is at you finger tips, (on the internet that is).
Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans, and happy November 24th to everyone else!