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Navigating Thanksgiving Vegan

Monday, October 07, 2024

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Navigating Thanksgiving as a Vegan

Did You Know that over 790 MILLION People World Wide are Vegan!

Veganism is becoming a Movement and is becoming Mainstream, as More and More People are Embracing Healthier Meat-Free Choices.

Thanksgiving is a Time for Family and Friends, Gathering in Kitchens and at Dining Tables to Feast on Home-Cooked Foods.

When our LIFEstyle doesn't match up to the Traditional Holiday Fare, it means we need to Navigate these Holidays in a Different Way.

Staying True to our FUELstyle while also Enjoying the Company of Loved Ones, is what Thanksgiving as a Vegan is all about. 

This Blog is about Navigating Thanksgiving as a Vegan, Not Changing Anyone, Keeping the Peace, and perhaps even Inspiring others to a Vegan Way of Celebrating Thanksgiving! 

Communicate

One of the First Things to Keep in Mind, is that People may not Fully Understand what a Vegan or RAW Vegan FUELstyle (Diet) entails.

Check out our Blog on RAW Vegan, Vegan, Vegetarian Differences

The Concept of being RAW Vegan during a time of Thanksgiving, when Everything is Cooked, may sound a little Foreign, or even Outlandish to some.

Vegan allows for Cooked Food, excluding Animal (All Creatures) or, Animal By-Products (Milk, Eggs, Cheese, Honey etc).

Check out our Blog on Cooked vs. RAW

Because of the Different Levels of Veganism, it is Helpful to Communicate our Dietary Needs BEFORE a Holiday Gathering, especially since most Revolve around Cooked Foods, and Animals being the Featured Foods. 

Many Animal By-Products are used in Dishes that could be made Vegan such as, Mashed Potatoes.  Traditionally Cow Butter and Cream is used.  Vegans use Plant Based Butters and Creams instead.

Conversation is always best Started by Kindly Explaining Why we Follow a RAW Vegan, or Vegan FUELstyle.

Pointing out the RAWmazing Health Reasons, Results and Benefits, is a Great way to appeal to the Host and to People attending Thanksgiving.

It's Best to not get into anything Graphic about ​Animals, and do not engage in any Heavy Debates, or to try and Change or Convert anyone.

Sharing our Personal Journey helps others Understand our Choices.

Make sure the Host / Hostess is aware of what we will be bringing to help out (and that we can eat if all else fails)!

B. O. O. F.

Let our FUELstyle and LIFEstyle Speak for itself not only in our Dishes, and also in our own Energy and Vibrancy!

Offer to B.O.O.F. (Bring Our Own Fuel).

Bring a Dish that's so RAWlicious, Colourful and Beautifully Presented, that it will Spark Curiosity and Conversation!

And, bringing items to make Mocktails is always a hit!

Here are just a few examples of what to Bring (Vegan / RAW Vegan):

  • Create a Vibrant Platter:  Prepare a Fruit, Nut and Seed Platter with a Creamy Dip.
  • Inventive Appetizer Platter:  Create RAW Appetizers like Stuffed Mushrooms, Veggie Sushi Rolls (with Cauliflower Rice) with a Non-Soya Sauce,  Zucchini or Cucumber Cups filled with Savory Dip, and/or a Cheeze and Cracker Platter.
  •  Colourful Mocktail: Prepare Refreshing Beverages like Fruit-infused Waters, Cold-Pressed Juices, Smoothies and Mocktails using Fresh Herbs, Fruits, and Sparkling Water.  Add Fruit as Garnish and put into Fancy Glasses.
  • Indulgent Dessert: Surprise everyone with decadent RAW Desserts such as a Cheesecake, Energy Balls or Bars, or Chocolate Bark.
  • Salad: Can't go wrong with a Salad, make sure to make a Salad that we will love to eat.  Classic Caesar, Kale and Berries, Beet and Carrots, Rainbow Veggie, or a Spiralized Zucchini Salad.

Focus on Connection, Not the Food

The True Meaning of Thanksgiving centers around Gratitude and Togetherness.

It is a Harvest Celebration that Reflects on Blessings, Appreciation and Sharing in the Abundance of Life.

It's a Time to Reflect and Reach out to Loved Ones, Showing and Sharing our Generosity.

Thanksgiving is about Connection.  Connecting with Friends, Family and Loved Ones.  

Whether we're gathered around a Table Topped with a Turkey or a Tofurky, the Food is Secondary to the Relationships and Memories being made.

Focusing on what matters most:  the TIME spent with Family and Friends, SHARing Laughter and Stories, and FEELing Gratitude and Love for all we have in our Lives.

Navigating Thanksgiving as a Vegan or RAW Vegan doesn't have to be Stressful.

By Leading with Love, Staying True to our Values, Focusing on Connection rather than Confrontation, we can ALL get along, and Enjoy a Thanksgiving Meal, without Stress.

Those of us that have Adopted a RAW Vegan or Vegan FUELstyle and LIFEstyle, can Enjoy Thanksgiving and Every Holiday Gathering while Staying Committed to our Values, Health, and Wellness LIFEstyle.

J. I. C.

It's always best to ask the Host / Hostess what is on the Menu and what is Vegan or not.

It's better to know what our Options are ahead of time and be Prepared, rather than arrive Hungry with no Healthy Options for us to eat.

And, J. I. C. (Just in Case), if we know that there will be little to no Options for us at the Thanksgiving Table, we can be prepared in two ways!

Number One:  Bring a Dish, Salad and/or Dessert (or all three).

Number Two: Eat a Healthy Meal, Smoothie or Green Drink before we go, as this will fill us up on our own FUEL.

By showing up Full, we can always say we just ate and we're not that Hungry!

These J.I.C. Strategies will set us up for a Successful Thanksgiving!

Curious Questions

When people notice we are Eating Differently to them, they may ask a few Questions.

Here are some common Questions we might be asked and some Suggested Answers:

What do you mean you don’t eat cooked food? (Astonished)

"I wanted more Energy, a Vibrant and Healthier Life, to Release some Weight and to Look Younger!
I’ve accomplished all of those things through a RAW Plant Based FUELsyle.
Would you be interested in knowing more?"

If you don't eat cooked Food, What the heck do you eat? (Bewildered)

"Did you know, I can eat as much as I want and never gain a pound!
You’d be surprised just what you can make from Nuts and Seeds along with Fruits, Veggies and Superfoods.
By they way have you heard of Nice Cream?
All you need is Ice, Frozen RAW Bananas, a Date and a Blender and you can make Nice Cream.
You'd love it!"

No Dairy? At All? (Shocked)

"I make my Mylks, Yogurts and Cheezes out of RAW Plant Based FUEL such as Nuts, Fruits and Irish Moss.
Ever tried Almond Mylk?
It’s RAWlicious and so Easy to make. 
Only 3 Ingredients. 
Imagine that!"

Why aren’t you eating anything? (Disbelief)

"Oh, I had something to eat before I came, so now, I can just enjoy everyone’s company – like I’m enjoying yours right now."

If they push, then continue with:
"I only eat RAW Uncooked Foods and really don’t want to sway from the Healthy commitment I made to myself.
And besides, there aren’t any choices here for me to make, unless you’ve seen a Salad somewhere?"

Where do you get your Protein from if you don’t eat meat? (Puzzled)

"Did you know that Plants have Protein. 
Well actually, they have Amino Acids which turns into Protein in our Bodies."

If they press you, you could offer this information:
"Where do you think the largest land Animals on the Planet get their Protein from?
Plants!
Yup!  Elephants, Gorillas, Panda Bears, Rhinos all get their muscles by chewing the Plants, which breaks open the Amino Acids in the Plant and after it's swallowed, eventually turns into Protein in the body.
I use a High Speed Blender to do the chewing for me.
Ever tried a GREEN Energy Drink?
I bet you would love it!"

What's that?
"In a High Speed Blender, add a little Kale, Spinach, Celery, Cucumber, Blueberries and some Coconut Water, and you've got yourself a Quick and Easy Protein Packed GREEN Energy Drink!"

By Arming ourselves with Answers to Typical Questions, we set out Enjoying what’s Really Important on Thanksgiving – Friends, Family and Loved Ones.

Give Grace

There are Temptations Everywhere, and if we Slip and Slide Down that Slippery Slope, we must Give Ourselves some Grace!  

Let's just pick ourselves up, and Grab that Celery Stick and Eat it!

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2 Ways to SHIFT your MINDset:

1. Do it yourself with FREE MINDset Mantras - below.

​2. Hire a MINDset SHIFTer and Get Coached - below that.

FREE MINDset Mantras

Keeping in a Positive MINDset is Work. Most of us were not taught How to Keep a Positive MINDset.

​​As a MINDset Shifter, I help Guide people to Shift their MINDset towards Positive, Productive and Powerful Thoughts. This can be achieved on our own with the aid of MINDset Mantras, which can be downloaded for Free Below.

MINDset SHIFTing can be accomplished Faster with one-on-one Coaching.

Having a MINDset Shifter as our Personal Coach can expedite our end Results, whatever we want them to be.

We can Live a Happier and more Joyous Life filled with Peace of Mind by going to MINDset School which is a priceless investment in ourselves.

We can Learn How to Think, and How to Create the Lives we want to live, just by Thinking certain Thoughts.

This concept is that easy! The hard part is doing the work.

Let's take being Fit as an example. We must do Physical Activity on a Consistent Basis and put in the necessary work in order to get the Results we want.

However, we must know what we are doing. And if we want to get to our Optimum Shape correctly, we hire a Personal Trainer or Coach, to show us the proper way how to do our Workout so we can attain our Goal more Efficiently.

In order to Create the Lives we want, we must Exercise our MIND regularly by Monitoring, Creating, Directing and Controlling the Thoughts we want to Think.

This is attained in an Efficient and Effective manner by hiring a MINDset Shifter to Coach us to SHIFT our MINDset properly.

MINDset + FUELstyle + LIFEstyle = GAME Changer

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2 Ways to SHIFT your MINDset:

1. Do it yourself with FREE MINDset Mantras - below.

​2. Hire a MINDset SHIFTer and Get Coached - below that.

FREE MINDset Mantras

Keeping in a Positive MINDset is Work. Most of us were not taught How to Keep a Positive MINDset.

​​As a MINDset Shifter, I help Guide people to Shift their MINDset towards Positive, Productive and Powerful Thoughts. This can be achieved on our own with the aid of MINDset Mantras, which can be downloaded for free below.

MINDset SHIFTing can be accomplished Faster with one-on-one Coaching.

Having a MINDset Shifter as our Personal Coach can expedite our end Results, whatever we want them to be.

We can Live a Happier and more Joyous Life filled with Peace of Mind by going to MINDset School which is a priceless investment in ourselves.

We can Learn How to Think, and How to Create the Lives we want to live, just by Thinking certain Thoughts.

This concept is that easy! The hard part is doing the work.

Let's take being Fit as an example. We must do Physical Activity on a Consistent Basis and put in the necessary work in order to get the Results we want.

However, we must know what we are doing. And if we want to get to our Optimum Shape correctly, we hire a Personal Trainer or Coach, to show us the proper way how to do our Workout so we can attain our Goal more Efficiently.

In order to Create the Lives we want, we must Exercise our MIND regularly by Monitoring, Creating, Directing and Controlling the Thoughts we want to Think.

This is attained in an Efficient and Effective manner by hiring a MINDset Shifter to Coach us to SHIFT our MINDset properly.

Living a Life guided by Positivity, Purpose and Possibility is Rewarding Beyond Measure.

MINDset + FUELstyle + LIFEstyle = GAME Changer

Hi, I'm VeRAWonica

I'm a GAME Changer
MINDset Mentor,
FUELstyle Queen,
LIFEstyle Coach, and
RAW Plant Based Expert. 

I've created these Blogs to help you Learn more about how MINDset and FUEL can influence your LIFEstyle and your Health. 

Developing a Positive, Productive and Powerful MINDset along with Consuming a mostly
RAW Plant Based FUELstyle, helps you Create your RAWmazing Health, Wellness and the LIFEstyle you want.


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