Looking to have a more eco-friendly Thanksgiving? Start with the menu

From eu.delawareonline.com

For many Delawareans who celebrate Thanksgiving, sitting down to a home-cooked meal surrounded by family and friends is a staple holiday tradition.

Many enjoy traditional dishes such as mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and turkey – the most recognizable of the season.

But, for the roughly 1% of residents in the United States who identify as vegan – and the nearly 4% identifying as vegetarian – navigating a dinner table full of meat and dairy-related products can be quite a predicament.

Luckily, for those who follow a strict plant-based diet, here’s how you can still enjoy a meal on Turkey Day – or, more accurately, Tofurky Day.

For appetizers

Suppose you’re looking to upgrade your finger food to be more plant-friendly. In that case, Minimalist Baker recommends including a wide range of seasonal dips, such as white bean and pumpkin or roasted beet hummus, or going all out with a roasted and fresh vegetable tray served with a side of vegan cheese.

Additional easy-to-make vegan hors d’oeuvre can also include plant-based stuffed mushrooms, "bacon"-wrapped dates and cranberry salsa.

The main course

The culinary reason for the season, turkey, is a mainstay in many American households this time of year.

Between 45 million and 46 million turkeys are killed every year for the holiday, according to estimates from the National Turkey Federation.

As an alternative, many recommend using meat-free substitutes such as tofu or cauliflower.

A stuffed turkey for Thanksgiving with vegetables and other ingredients  

GMVozd, Getty Images, GMVozd, Getty Images

Several plant-based food companies, such as Gardein and Field Roast, also offer alternatives to this dish, including vegan roasts and cutlets.

If your holiday tradition involves eating soup or salad before the main course, The Kitchn recommends starting with a bowl of vegan roasted broccoli or butternut squash soup or a salad full of Brussels sprouts and lentils.

To accompany your turkey substitute of choice, Delish also suggests making vegan green bean casserole, roasted sweet potatoes and plant-based stuffing to top off your meal – along with vegetarian gravy, of course.

But if you’re still craving mashed potatoes and mac ’n’ cheese this holiday, have no fear: plenty of plant-based alternatives taste just as good as the real thing!

Related: When is Thanksgiving 2024? Why we celebrate the holiday

Many other classics, including cranberry sauce, are also usually naturally vegan-friendly.

Room for dessert

For those of us with a sweet tooth, rest assured, there are plenty of vegan-friendly options for the final course.

Many classic staples, including apple and pumpkin pie, already have several plant-based alternatives.

But for hosts or guests looking to switch it up this season, Minimalist Baker recommends giving dishes like vegan cheesecake, pumpkin roll or chocolate zucchini bread a go.

Many vegans can still enjoy traditional Thanksgiving desserts, such as apple pie, as there are several plant-based recipes available.  

Jennifer Corbett, The News Journal

Are you looking to pack an extra punch this holiday? Food52 also suggests trying out vegan coconut tres leches cake with strawberry sauce or a mocha whiskey mousse tart with a pretzel crust.

'Tis the sustainable season

If you’re also looking for new, eco-friendly ways to accompany your vegan menu, here are a few suggestions to make this Thanksgiving more sustainable.

If you’re hosting this year, Green Business Benchmark recommends you communicate with your guests in advance to talk through who’s coming and who’s bringing what dish – that way, you can not only help minimize food waste but also make sure there is enough for everyone.

Once you’ve narrowed down your menu, head to your local farmer’s market or grocery store to bulk up on seasonal fruits and vegetables like cranberries, apples, carrots and potatoes.

When making your plate, be sure not to get too carried away by the intoxicating smells of your favourite dishes. Instead, only take what you know you’ll eat.

If you’re itching for a little something extra, Earth 911 has a few ideas on how you can decorate for the holiday. This includes upcycling Halloween décor or repurposing items from your own home, from putting on a fresh coat of paint on folding chairs for your guests to stuffing small twinkle lights into gently used wine bottles to add a little ambiance at the dinner table.

Green Business Benchmark recommends using natural materials – including fall leaves, sticks and pinecones – and creating your DIY, Pinterest-inspired décor.

Navigating a non-vegan holiday

If you’re vegan and plan to spend Turkey Day with loved ones who serve a traditional, animal-based menu, Treehugger has a few suggestions for how to enjoy the holiday without compromising your veggie-only values.

For vegans trying to survive an animal-based food menu, it is recommended guests offer to bring their own plant-based dish for the big day.  

Rawpixel Ltd, Getty Images/iStockphoto

This can include contacting the host ahead of time to let them know your plant-based preferences and offering to bring a vegan dish to the table.

But, if all else fails, you can also sneak in a quick vegan snack before the main course, and focus on aspects of the holiday that aren’t food-related, such as spending time with family and friends and, of course, giving thanks. 

https://eu.delawareonline.com/story/life/food/2024/11/10/vegan-sustainable-thanksgiving-vegetarian-tofurky-vegetarian/75806381007/

I Planned the Perfect Vegan Holiday; Here’s How

From greenqueen.com.hk

Veteran traveller Rebecca Gade Sawicki is the founder of vegan travel planning blog Veggies Abroad. She shares her expert tips on how to plan the perfect vegan holiday itinerary.

“What in the world did you eat?” 

“Did you bring all of your own food?”

“Were you always hungry?”

Those were only a few of the many questions I used to get asked when people would find out that a long-time vegan was leaving the comforts of home to explore the world. For a long time, travelling as a vegan wasn’t the culinary affair it is today. The thought of finding delicate crepes filled with mouth-puckering lemon curd or anything covered in creamy cheese was out of the question. 

Luckily, times have changed.

In some cities, veganism is ubiquitous; in others, well, let’s say it requires a bit more effort, and that’s where I thrive. As an avid vegan traveller, blogger, and advisor, I’m a bit monomaniacal about finding all the best vegan things, from over-the-top desserts to feather-free pillows where I can rest my head and everything in between. So, if you haven’t mastered the art of vegan vacay planning, I’ll let you in on my secrets — here’s how I plan the most epic vegan adventures that will make even meat-eaters jealous. 

How to Plan a Perfect Vegan Holiday Itinerary

1) Head to Google first

So you’ve found an airfare deal, or you’re finally taking the leap and heading to your dream destination; now what? Fire up Google and start searching!

I will spend at least a few hours looking for restaurants, shops, and markets — I consider those my vegan big three. From there, I’ll investigate if the destination is well-known for specific food or drinks — more often than not, you can find vegan versions of those famous culinary pursuits. For instance, if you’re heading to Portland, get ready for a vegan donut sugar high, or in Paris, you’ll be able to eat your body weight in buttery golden vegan pastries (I wouldn’t recommend it, but you could)!

If you were worried about missing out, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised that more likely than not, you’ll find plenty of things to savour.

2) Vegan & eco-friendly accommodations exist 

You don’t have to settle for a hotel whose only vegan option is a banana! Around the world, you’ll find vegan and eco-friendly accommodations, along with fully vegan B&Bs and hotels — how amazing would it be to wake up to a vegan breakfast feast? 

Even if you can’t find a fully vegan spot, finding one conscious of having plant-based options on its menus and taking steps to support Mother Nature is a great place to go! You can usually find options by looking through a hotel’s website, but if you’re not finding anything, send them a note and ask. If they hear from visitors that options affect their choice to stay, it incentivizes them to change — after all, many companies aren’t going to make these changes unless they know there is consumer demand.  

3) Lookout for ethical & cruelty-free tours or activities 

From vegan street food tours in Italy to ethical wildlife viewing, plenty of options exist to explore the world cruelty-free! 

Vegan food tours are a little easier to find in larger cities (sometimes regular tours will have vegan options, just read the fine print), but if you cannot find one, make your own! Remember all that Googling we did? Use that to plan out your own mini food tour — you can go at your own pace and check out other sights along the way. 

When it comes to wildlife, this can get tricky, as it’s not always clear if the company is acting in the animals’ best interest. A few red flags include experiences where you can hold the animal (think baby tigers), baiting fish or sharks while snorkelling, animal riding, or anything that provides a 100% guarantee that you will see a specific animal. It’s critical to choose companies and tour operators that prioritise the animal’s welfare and the animal can remain in its natural habit, undisturbed by humans. 

When searching for activities, look for ones in partnership with major conservation organizations, also sanctuaries can be a good option — but not all sanctuaries are created equal. Make sure you check them out before you go (look for those red flags here too). If you’re ever in doubt, trust your gut. 

4) Be chatty!

Don’t be shy when you’re checking out vegan shops and restaurants; talk to locals! These folks can be your best vegan travel guides and share info you might not find on Google, like new restaurant openings or spots that aren’t worth a visit. Based on the recommendations of locals, I’ve adjusted countless itineraries, and it’s always been worth it!  

5) Make Google Maps your travel buddy

Now that you have a laundry list of things you want to eat, see, and do, you need to turn to Google Maps to keep it all organized. I pin all of the restaurants, bakeries, ice cream spots, stores, etc., on Google Maps to help plan my daily itinerary, and it’s also helpful if you get hungry while you’re out and about — you can just open up the map and see what’s near you!
Make sure to download the map while you’re on wifi, in case your cell service isn’t great.

6) Ask for expert help when you get stuck or don’t have the time

Travel planning isn’t for everyone, and sometimes it can be a lot of work, especially if you want to create a unique experience; in that case, turn to a vegan travel planning expert, me! Whether you want to book a short vegan-friendly getaway in the UK or marvel at elephants on a carbon-neutral safari, I can help!

Travel can enlighten our perspective, and it can support local communities and businesses that are working to protect our environment. As an advisor, it is my goal to use travel as a tool for good. Let me plan your dream getaway (and no, you don’t have to be vegan)!

Rebecca Gade-Sawicki is the founder of Veggies Abroad, a popular vegan travel blog and travel agency. It's a one-stop shop for vegan and veg-curious travellers, whether they want to use the blog's free resources to plan their trip or hire an expert to curate the perfect vegan-friendly and sustainable itinerary.

https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/how-to-plan-the-perfect-vegan-holiday/ 

Vegan travel is officially now a thing and this is how to do it

From metro.co.uk

We all know about eating vegan, but what about vegan holidays?

There are now opportunities to travel all over the world without exploiting animals.

There are specially curated vegan menus at luxury hotel chains, vegan adventure holiday operators, and even relaxing cruelty-free resorts.

So whether you’re doing Veganuary, or you’ve been plant-based for a while, these are where you should be booking this year.

Greece’s vegan resorts

MOD Santorini boasts cruelty-free bedding and yummy plant-based food (Picture: MOD Santorini)

Feta-making Greece has become an unlikely hotbed for all-vegan hotels.

A stylish example debuted recently on Santorini, known for its starkly whitewashed buildings.

In a seaside village close to the capital Fira, MOD Santorini delivers sea views from private hot-tub balconies, cruelty-free bedding and vegan nosh ranging from home-made jams to mezze boards.

There are four romantic, earthy-toned suites (from £185pn, B&B).

Koukoumi has a gorgeous vegan spa (Picture: Koukoumi)

Equally plant-based is Koukoumi, whose 14 rooms arrived last year in the quiet interior of another Cycladic island, Mykonos.

Everything here is vegan, from the spa to the food (from £250pn, B&B).

Vegan holiday operators

Vegan Cruises has voyages next year to Iceland, the south of France and the Galapagos Islands.

You could see gorillas in the wild with World Vegan Travel (Picture: World Vegan Travel)

If you’d rather be land-based, consider two group-tour providers: the luxe World Vegan Travel has gorilla-trekking and Tuscan options, while Vegan Travel Asia covers Everest Base Camp treks, Bhutan, Borneo’s orangutans and Cambodia’s temples amid its 27 adventures to ten Asian nations.

Last year it became the first ever vegan tour company to be nominated for a World Travel Award – and it won a regional responsible-tourism gong.

Intrepid Travel tailor-makes vegan itineraries to many countries around the world (Picture: Intrepid)

For those who like a private trip, Intrepid Travel delivers vegan itineraries and this month flight-free travel firm Byway launches a vegan holiday planner to help carbon-conscious consumers enjoy 100% plant-based holidays by train, boat and bus.

Vegan retreats

Hawaii is now home to a luxurious eco retreat (Picture: Volcano Eco Retreat)

Many vegan hotels now dot the world.

Newly launched along the waterfall-dotted Hamakua Coast on Hawaii’s Big Island, the luxurious Volcano Eco Retreat has eliminated single-use plastic across facilities including an outdoor spa (from £214pn, B&B).

There’s a saltwater pool and rooftop yoga at Costa Rica’s high-end Mother Earth Vegan, whose position in the Pacific Coast town of Tamarindo puts it near surf beaches and turtle-nesting sites (from £203pn room-only).

Head to Costa Rica to relax at Mother Earth Vegan hotel (Picture: Javier Mereb)

Over in Japan, near Kyoto’s tranquil temples and shrines, the Aussie-owned Vegan Minshuku Sanbiki Neko fuses traditional, tatami-style rooms with Western-style dining (from £62pn, B&B).

And don’t forget central Scotland’s ultra-ethical Saorsa 1875, occupying
a 19th-century house in Pitlochry. From £150, B&B, saorsahotel.com.

Luxury hotels

Luxury hotel chain Four Seasons has a new vegan menu curated by a celebrity chef (Picture: Four Seasons)

Belatedly, various luxury or lifestyle hotels are making concessions to vegans.

Within restaurants at its Los Angeles, Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait outposts, the Four Seasons chain is expanding plant-based menus curated by US celebrity chef Matthew Kenney.

In the Maldives, the new, opulent Patina resort’s main eating spot, Roots, is vegan and offers confit butternut-squash steaks (from £1,123pn, B&B).

Offering a cool take on hostels, the fast-growing Selina chain’s first London property in Camden comes with an all-vegan restaurant, Powerplant (from £119pn, B&B) featuring Berber jackfruit.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/01/10/vegan-travel-is-officially-now-a-thing-and-this-is-how-to-do-it-15883528/ 

Five of the best healthy vegan holidays

From leaderlive.co.uk

In an attempt to shake off Christmas excess, more than 250,000 people are expected to be taking part in Veganuary, according to the Vegan Society. A large number will likely stick with the healthy eating regime, joining Britain's growing army of 600,000 vegans.

In the past, even being veggie was a nightmare on holiday, but growing tolerance, education and increased international awareness means many resorts and tours can now cater for different needs. In fact, some countries, such as Ethiopia, have been subconsciously supporting vegan diets for thousands of years.

Demand is also creating a need for new services. Responsible Travel has seen bookings for vegan holidays more than double over three years, rising by 126%. "Collectively - vegan or not - we're becoming far more conscious of what we consume, both for our own health, and also the planet," says customer director, Tim Williamson.

"Eating less meat while away - and opting for locally-sourced, organic produce in locally-run establishments - is one of the most significant ways to lower your carbon footprint on holiday, while also contributing to the local economy."

Taking a grand culinary tour of the continent

Gone are the days of 18-35-year-olds boozing and bathing on a beach holiday; increasingly, younger people have an appetite for healthier holidays, where eating well is key. Youth operator Contiki has picked up on the trend with a new escorted vegan tour of Europe, hosted by influencers The Little London Vegan and Laura Fruit Fairy. Stops in Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest will include cooking classes, dining experiences and immersive food tours.

How: Contiki (contiki.com) offer the eight-day Vegan Food Europe Explorer tour from £1,579pp. Flights extra. Starts in Berlin on August 16 and ends in Budapest on August 23.

Planting the seeds of a new diet in Essex

The UK's first purpose-built spa, detox and weight loss centre also bills itself as an all-vegan retreat. Guests at Glass House - who can visit for the day or longer breaks - dine from plant-based menus, and will also be taught how to recreate similar dishes at home. Combating preconceptions that vegan food is dull, the choice of ingredients is colourful and varied. A great way to kick-start a diet plan for 2020.

How: Day rates start from £85 per person. Visit glasshouseretreat.co.uk.

Hitting a healthy high on the French slopes

Despite the amount of exertion involved, it's easy to fall off the healthy food wagon on a ski holiday; apres ski, raclette and even more apres ski are usually to blame. Throughout January, ski chalet company Ski Beat is offering vegan menus in its 59 chalets, in a bid to help skiers exercise as much control in the kitchen as they do on the pistes.

How: Ski Beat's (skibeat.co.uk) Veganuary ski holidays depart throughout January with seven-night breaks to French ski resorts La Plagne, Les Arcs, Meribel, La Tania, Val d'Isere and la Rosiere from £499pp (save up to 30%). Price includes vegan meals, flights and transfers.

Reviving ancient grains in Ethiopia

Ethiopia's cuisine naturally lends itself to a vegan diet; staple flatbread injera is made from supergrain teff and is both gluten-free and vegan. Learn how to make the pancake-like sourdough, along with taking part in a traditional coffee ceremony on a tour which visits the northern sector of the country, famous for the 12th century rock churches of Lalibela.

How: Responsible Travel (responsibletravel.com) offer the tailor-made 10-day Ethiopian Vegan tour from £1,695. Flights extra.

Living la dolce vegan in Italy
Pioneering travel company Intrepid launched vegan versions of their tours some time ago. Their newest escorted trip visits Italy, a country they applaud for its variety of flexible food experiences. Travelling from Venice to Rome, it features a cooking class in Bologna, gelato tasting in San Gimignano and a farm-to-table vegan feast in Tuscany.

How: The eight-day Italy Vegan Food Adventure costs from £1,516pp. Flights extra. Departs October 16. Visit intrepidtravel.com or call 0808 274 5111.

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/18147839.five-best-healthy-vegan-holidays/

Plant-based holiday entertaining is easier than you think

From eu.usatoday.com

It won’t surprise food lovers to hear that healthier fare is having a moment. In fact, a report from food delivery service Grubhub showed that plant-based eating is a top trend in America; even fast food chains are jumping on the meat-free train, with Carl’s Jr. partnering with Beyond Meat and Burger King adding a Whopper version of the Impossible Burger to the fast-food giant’s menu (currently at select U.S. locations).

And there are plenty of good reasons to veer toward veggies. A plant-based diet (which emphasizes minimally processed foods made from plants, sometimes including small amounts of seafood, poultry and dairy, but usually little or no red meat) has loads of benefits: reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer, along with increased brain health. It’s also a solid choice for those who want to score points with Mother Nature, since cutting back on our meat consumption reduces our environmental footprint and helps combat climate change.

                        Make your party plant-based and inclusive with simple tips and swaps.

                                        Foxys_forest_manufacture, Getty Images/iStockphoto

If you find yourself hosting a holiday gathering with some vegetarian or vegan guests and have never cooked a vegan dish in your life, don’t worry — plenty of other people have, like Whitney English Tabaie, a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian, nutritionist and founder of WhitneyERD.com, as well as the paediatric nutrition platform Plant-Based Juniors. She’s made her vegan lentil loaf for the past three Thanksgivings. “Everyone, meat eaters included, loved it!” she says. But if that’s not quite what you’re looking for, the world is your (vegan) oyster, says Tabaie. “If you’re stumped on what to make, just Google ‘vegan’ before any classic holiday dish, and you’ll find tons of animal-friendly options.” And even if you have an absolutely incredible vegan dish as your main dish, she suggests having more than just that one veg-friendly item on your table.

Kathryne Taylor, author of the vegetarian cookbook Love Real Food and creator of the popular vegetarian cooking blog Cookie + Kate (cookieandkate.com), agrees. “To be honest, I’m content eating side dishes at holiday dinners,” she says. “Turkey is boring, and I don’t have any interest in a vegan meatloaf, since I didn’t like meatloaf to begin with.”

However, Taylor has plenty of crowd-pleasing suggestions. “You could make a hearty vegetable lasagne with vegetarians in mind, for example, and everyone could enjoy it. I also love layered platters with whole grains and beans, roasted vegetables and a fresh sauce or herbs,” like the roasted carrots with farro, chickpeas and herbed crème fraiche recipe on her website. “Technically, they’re composed of a couple of side dishes, but the combination looks purposeful and beautiful,” she says.

Once you’ve gone to the effort to offer a veg-friendly dish, Tabaie has one more recommendation. “Make sure to let your plant-based guests know which dishes contain animal products, so they don’t have to ask you about every dish before they take a bite. That can get annoying for everyone.”

If you find yourself feeling a little veg-curious this holiday season, go ahead and get creative in your kitchen. “Vegetarian cooking can be completely satisfying,” says Taylor. “They can also be more exciting (and colourful) than conventional diets. Eating a variety of whole foods is key, and you can get plenty of protein from beans, eggs, tofu and dairy.”

And even though it may seem exciting to go all in on plant-based eating once you realize just how good it can be, Tabaie urges people to take it slow. “Try easing in with a Meatless Monday or even a one-meal-a-day option where you go plant-based for a specific period of time,” she says. “Good health is not all or nothing.”

Recipe Ruiners & Simple Swaps
There’s little more frustrating than making a dish specifically to accommodate a guest, only to learn that you’ve used an ingredient they don’t eat. So, before you say, “Soup’s on!” make sure you know some of the common ingredients that make dishes nonveg-friendly — and get the scoop on some swaps you can make instead. Just be sure to read up on how to adjust measurements when swapping out one ingredient for another, as it’s not always a 1:1 ratio.

Avoid: Meat
Use: “Lentils and walnuts combined in a food processor can be a great substitute for ground beef,” says Tabaie. “And mushrooms have a meaty texture, so they’re an awesome replacement for beef in many recipes.” You may also find that beans work well as a substitute, adds cookbook author Kathryne Taylor, who likes to use black or pinto beans in recipes with a Mexican flair, opting for chickpeas in Mediterranean recipes.

Avoid: Eggs
Use: Vegan “eggs” can be made using a tablespoon of ground flax seeds or chia seeds with 2-3 tablespoons of warm water, suggests Tabaie.

Avoid: Dairy
Use: It depends on what type of dairy you’re trying to replace, but there are countless vegan milks, plant-based yogurts and dairy-free cheese options on the market. Just make sure to pay attention to whether it’s flavoured or not.

Avoid: Chicken stock
Use: “Substituting vegetable stock for chicken or beef is a great option in soups, stews and risottos,” says Taylor.

Avoid: Butter
Use: Applesauce or mashed banana in baked goods, or a vegan butter substitute for spreading on rolls and such.

Avoid: Honey
Use: Agave nectar or maple syrup.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/2019/11/30/recipe-holiday-vegan-diet-hosting/4307586002/