Veggie Teens

How do vegetarians handle Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving can be awkward for vegetarians - especially when you're the only one at the table. Our daughter Elyse, 14, is the only vegetarian in our entire extended family—she'll share a meal with 30 carnivores again this Thanksgiving.

Here are 10 tips for dealing gracefully with this potentially uncomfortable situation:

1. Remember, Thanksgiving is really not about turkey anyway! Focus on family and friends, not just food - good advice for all of us.
   

2. Depending on the age of the child or teenager, the parent may want to call ahead and politely ask about the menu. (Elyse's grandmother brought stuffing for Elyse. I love the sign: "Do you know what turkeys are thankful for at Thanksgiving? Vegetarians!"
   

3. Don't expect the hostess to cook a separate meal but be sure to ask if it's ok if you bring your own entrée. There are great tofu turkey substitutes available now. Don't forget veggie gravy!
   

4. It can be kind of hectic right before the meal so come prepared with your vegetarian entrée already in a small baking dish, ready to pop in the oven with no fuss.
   

5. Consider starting a new tradition of having a protein-rich soup or stew made with beans (there are several ideas in Veggie Teens). Serve it in a hollowed out pumpkin, squash or bread bowl.
   

6. You may want to offer to bring the stuffing so you can make it without chicken broth or sausage.
   

7. Select from the side dishes but ask whether turkey broth, bacon, lard or other hidden animal products were used.
   

8. You can also volunteer to bring a great side dish like Lemony Green Beans with Almonds, Glazed Carrots or another vegetarian recipe from Veggie Teens that you know you'll love.

9. If someone is being pushy about eating the turkey or asking rude questions about your choice, politely say something like, "I am responsible for what I put into my body."

10. The most important thing is to treat others with respect and they'll usually do the same.
    
    Being vegetarian in a mostly non-vegetarian culture is really a year-round issue. Give your teenager responsibility for what they eat and use it as an opportunity to learn how to handle challenging social situations.
    

Michelle (mom of a veggieteen)
Michelle May, M.D.

Thanksgiving Favorites: Glazed Carrots

This simple family favorite is loaded with beta carotene. From Veggie Teens: A Cookbook and Guide for Vegetarian Teenagers.

 

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 pound baby carrots

1 teaspoon sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1½ teaspoons butter

2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon of dried)

 

 

 

 

Directions:

1.   Put carrots in a saucepan and add just enough water to cover.

2.   Add sugar and butter.

3.   Cook on medium high heat until the water is almost gone and the carrots are tender. Add more water if necessary to prevent burning.

4.   Remove from heat and toss with parsley.

 

From Veggie Teens: A Cookbook and Guide for Teenage Vegetarians (available at www.VeggieTeensCookbook.com)

Thanksgiving Favorites: Lemony Green Beans with Almonds

This is a simple variation of a great traditional Thanksgiving dish. The lemon is a flavor brightener and the almonds add a delicious crunch. From Veggie Teens: A Cookbook and Guide for Vegetarian Teenagers.

 

Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 pound of fresh green beans
1 tablespoon of butter
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons of slivered almonds
½ teaspoon of salt

Directions:

1.   Trim the ends off the green beans and “string” them by pulling the tough string from edge of each bean.  

2.   Put green beans and 1 cup of water in a large pot. Cook on medium high for 10-15 minutes until beans are bight green and tender crisp.

3.   While green beans are cooking, toast the almonds. Place them in a dry nonstick pan. Shake or stir frequently until they start to turn golden. Remove from hot pan immediately to cool.

4.   Drain off any remaining water and add butter, stirring to melt and coat the beans. Sprinkle with lemon juice, salt, and toasted almonds.

 

Veggie Teens Table of Contents

Click on this link to download the Table of Contents for Veggie Teens: A Cookbook and Guide for Teenage Vegetarians: Download veggie_teens_table_of_contents.pdf

What to do when your kid says, "I don't eat meat anymore."

At some point, many of us will hear our preteen or teenager say, "I don't eat meat anymore." When Elyse first made the announcement to Owen and me, we asked a lot of open-ended questions, like:

• Why do you want to be a vegetarian?

• Are any of your friends vegetarians? Why?

• Have you done any research yet about being a vegetarian? What have you learned so far?

• What do vegetarians eat?

• What don’t vegetarians eat?

• How is that different from being vegan?

• Do you know what to eat to be sure you’re getting all of your nutrients?

• Does this decision have anything to do with wanting to lose weight?

• Are you concerned about what you will eat at school and when you’re with your friends?

• Will we need to buy or prepare special foods?

• How will you help us with that?

It was clear from her answers that she had really been thinking about it and was serious. As a physician, I wasn't particularly concerned about the health issues because I knew that with a little education and planning it was possible to get the necessary nutrients from a vegetarian diet.

However, to be completely honest, we were a little concerned about the inconvenience. Although we probably ate fewer animal products and more plant-based foods than many families, none of the rest of us are vegetarian. We also knew it would be a challenge for her, and frankly, we thought it would probably pass.

Owen and I discussed it privately and decided that since we are a family made up of unique individuals, each of us has a right to choose what is best for them as long as it is safe and healthy. Therefore we made the conscious decision to support her fully while giving her the responsibility for learning more about what it really meant to be a vegetarian. We also made it clear that she would have to help us with the practical side of things, including cooking, especially when the rest of us weren’t having a vegetarian meal.

Two years later she is as committed as ever and we are very proud of her. I believe her decision will have a positive affect on other aspects of her life. Although she sometimes makes difficult sacrifices, I believe she feels empowered by her ability to take responsibility for what she puts in her body.

Michelle (mom of a veggieteen)

Michelle May, M.D.