What DO you eat?

[urbpan]

Thanksgiving time is upon us again and for most of us United Statesians that means an orgy of overeating above and beyond our normal gluttony. For those who have chosen not to eat animal products it means a horribly awkward time in which a beloved family ritual is transformed into an exercise in walking on eggshells--sorry! I know you don't eat eggs, I just--

Fortunately there's a handy guide on how to host a mixed vegan/non-vegan Thanksgiving. You should definitely read it, but here's what it boils down to:

1. Everyone should treat everyone else like adults. No need to feel ashamed for wherever we fall in the diversity of choices of how we eat, and no need to be a dick about it, on either side.

2. Don't be insulted that the vegans refuse your delicious food. Butter, honey, and gelatin all count, as do animal ingredients like wine clarifiers and confectioners' glaze.

3. It's not impossible to make some foods vegan, if you want everyone to have a chance to eat. You don't even have to bend over backwards.

4. Even vegans don't like Tofurkey. Don't buy that shit.

5. It's really hard to make a good tasting vegan pumpkin pie.

6. Don't choose this special time to argue the pros and cons of veganism. I would extend this to all mealtimes. The least interesting and most awkward dinner conversation possible begins "So why don't you eat meat?" (or "animal products," or "pork," or "any food not blessed by a Rabbi") There's no easier way to ruin a meal, or a conversation. You ruined Christmas last year, leave Thanksgiving alone!

Comments

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

I can't agree more about the pot luck. I grew up on wild-gathered foods, such as candied crabapples and roasted cattail stems (better known as "Cossack asparagus"), and half of the fun of trying something like this is being able to share. I have two very dedicated vegan friends who love mushrooms and a linden tree stump next to my house that's loaded with fresh oyster mushrooms after a good rain, and I think they need to meet.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

and triffids are edible too ;)

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[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

Not mine, sadly. However, they have their various medicinal purposes, especially in using unopened Nepenthes pitchers for pain relief after bad burns.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

ah yes :)

the ones in the original story were - ground triffid mulch. rich in oils, and fibers, and oh so yummy ;)

i wonder what the ethics of eating [semi] intelligent plants would come in?

some of the newish large pitchers they found recently are very cool.

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