What DO you eat?
Nov. 16th, 2009 04:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
urbpanThanksgiving 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!
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!
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no subject
Date: 2009-11-17 06:02 pm (UTC)I forget why I wrote that, but probably it stems from my relationship with Tito (pictured above), an intelligent and affectionate domestic turkey who served as an educational animal and unofficial mascot for Drumlin Farm for 6 or 7 years. She eventually died, but was not eaten.
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Date: 2009-11-17 06:15 pm (UTC)It makes me wonder about the Asians who can have some dogs as pets, and others are food. I can't grok the dichotomy.
I can eat meat as long as it doesn't have a face looking at me. As long as it's chopped up beforehand into units of nutrition. (No way am I ever watching Peta's Meet Your Meat vid. Yes, I'm a hypocrite and a coward.) And as long as I get it from the local CSA (which promises a good life and a painless/stress-free slaughter). Can't eat delicious veal because of associations with veal crates (even if the veal comes from "free range" farms); can't eat lamb because I don't like the gamey taste.
But I've said it before, I do believe that vegans/vegetarians are more evolved than most of us. Surely more evolved than I. And that's not some sarcastic put down.