A Recipe For a Family Fight

Thank GOD for this article!! I was incredibly pleased to find out that the number of Vegetarians have actually doubled!! So apparently, the fact that Vegetarians have been attempting to spread the word, has actually been making progress! This is spectacular news! I have to consistently go through the crap of actually being belittled and made fun of because of the fact that I'm Vegetarian. There are just too many *** that believe that people SHOULD eat meat!! Therefore, I have to constantly explain the reasons why people should NOT be eating meat!!
--Thank goodness for this article!!!

I agree!!! These crazy, cruel, and evil things you rarely hear about happen EVERY single day!!! The people that do this crap deserve to be punished to the highest degree. Animals should not be treated as property in the Judicial system but as, beings, living and breathing beings. These men who do these things are most likely rapists and child molesters.

Thank you for covering this topic. I am happy to have it out in the open. Actually, I too believe the Turkey should be the guest of honor, seated at the table, not on it.
I have shed the self-consciousness about being one of the 'sole' vegetarians at many events. As a result, I am finding myself next to outgoing personalities who are vegetarians - and that strengthens my own position. I have learned to enjoy the company I am with. By being relaxed, I find that others begin to ask about this lifestyle and cuisine.
So keep on spreading the word - by example. Enjoying what we enjoy, and not even making it an issue. This quiet leadership will gather more who will venture into this place of health and satisfaction.

Happy Thanksgiving. JLBT of Greensboro.

not particularly,
thats a rather close minded statement. a lot of vegetarians chose that life style due to politics. if you want to better understand the mistreatment of animals and the lack of ethics of the USDA, read:
Diet For A New America or Fast Food Nation

I'm a bit irritated that only women were interviewed for this article. I've found that in my community of friends, there is an equal demographic of male and female vegetarians/vegans. With the stigma of, "the more meat on your plate, the more masculine you are", I find it crucial to point out that male vegetarianism doesn't nessisarily mean that you're effeminate.

making something good out of thansgiving: my friends and i have a vegan thanksgiving dinner the day after thanksgiving together, so everyone can eat. i have to say that it completely turned my view of thanksgiving into something positive, instead of the teeth clenching stress foreshadowing passing up your grandma's turkey.

grace, 20, colorado springs, CO

I decide to avoid the discussions, and just take a slice when it's offered. I mean it's twice a year, and they worked so hard on it. I think i can handle twice a year (thanksgiving and christmas) to accomadate. They lleave out some for me at alot of other dinners, before continueing adding the meat for themselves...so i think a lil give and take is in order.

Thanksgiving is a holiday strongly associated with tradition. It is not that the omnivores and carnivores are trying to make the vegetarians & vegans feel uncomfortable. We are not. It is just that the menu goes back generations. The choices of turkey and ham as the meats go all the way back to the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims had guns and were able to use the guns to kill wild turkey and boar for the meal.
Gravy was made from parts of the meat that was to good to give to animals but not good enough to be served any other way.
Other items such as the potatoes vs. stuffing, corn vs. green beens and the after dinner items also go back many generations usually.
What I would suggest would be some compromise. The hosts make a traditional turkey or ham with gravy for the main course. You don't have to eat it if you don't want to. The vegetarian or vegan brings either a side dish or salad. Make this something that most people will enjoy. The third person brings either potatoes or stuffing made without meat.
Prior to the big day discuss the importance of tradition vs. what are the dietary restrictions a vegetarian or vegan faces. You will find a way to meet in the middle.

lol I think if all you have to worry about dureing Thanksgiving dinner is eating turkey or not. If you step out of the norm your going to get asked. Yeah its your family so your going to getting joked about it. If you can't handle the guestions or being made fun of a lil bit. Then do you really feel that strongly about not eating meat?

Thanksgiving is NOT about the food. It is about being THANKFUL. Put your silly grade school attitude aside and Grow up. Pass on the Turkey, accept and be thankful you are with family that loves you and you have a place to go, and not in a shelter or homeless. How spoiled are you anyway? You should be ashamed. It's Not about YOU.

Is it really that big of a deal? If you a vegetarian, just let it be known. Once it's known that you don't eat meat on ANY OCCASION there shouldn't be much room for heckling or awkwardness.

-Itoro

It's not a big deal unless you make it a big deal. If you load up your plate with the green beans, mashed potatoes etc...no one is going to care if you skip the turkey. Don't announce it to the whole family how you don't eat meat or start preaching how inhumane and unhealthy meat it. Just graciously say "no thanks" to the meat and "give thanks" for what you are about to eat.

Oh for goodness sakes people get a life. If some chose not to eat meat, so be it. If it doesn't affect you in any way, then leave it!