A Gift To Touch The Heart

There are many gifts I've given and received. Yet as time progresses it's the intangibles that stand out. For me, in a season amidst dinners and goodies, this is the time the true thoughtfullness of family and friends comes to the forefront.

It is always appreciated when the response I get after telling someone my diet, to hear, "Tell me more." I feel that they are genuinely interested in the friendship between the two of us and want to deepen it by digging deeper and showing interest. Yet, I am deeply touched when not only does that someone remember my needs, but fills them.

Many vegans attend dinners by either eating prior to or taking their own food. I attended a party this Christmas where the hostess, bless her, had a spread of mostly vegan food. Her response, "well we can all eat your food but you can't eat all of ours, so we catered to you." She does the same for her celiac friends. True gracious hostess, true friend, truely felt.

There are simple adjustments easily made, with a little research. This hostess researched and found the consensus on Tofutti cream cheese, yes, it's as good as the real stuff. I'll add a few more hints to veganizing a dish. Veganaise is awesome, better than the real stuff. Earth Balance is a simple butter substiute, found for less at the biggest of big box retailers.  A simple google search can yield plenty of options for egg substitute (who doesn't have vinegar, water, and baking powder in their cupboard?). And lastly, keep a shelf stable box of non-dairy milk around. It's easily swapped out for the cow milk in recipes.

Thank you to friends and family that not only invited me to your functions, but also provided me sustance that I didn't have to make myself. It was truely a treat that fed hunger in both my stomach and heart.

My First Thanksgiving - Vegan

I had high hopes for Thanksgiving. Then morning sickness set in and that was the end. I bombed out. We attended a dinner with extended family. I didn't follow the one rule I've heard vegan's have: eat before going out to eat. I know the hostess was aware of my diet and hoped for the best. Well, she remembered the no meat thing, but it stopped there. I stuck with stuffing and mashed potatoes (vegetables were a little scarce considering the number of attendees), but my homemade vegan pumpkin pie was a little too flavorful and the option to tone it down was Cool Whip. I wanted to be courteous and try a bite (and I mean only a spoonful) of marshmallow Jello salad a cousin made, which of course was yummy but had sour cream and Cool Whip. It all added up to a terrible 24 hour tummy trauma. Not the best for someone who wants to go home, nap for 2 hours, then get back up and hit Black Friday at the stroke of midnight. Alas, it happened. I did learn one lesson. There is no way on earth I can blow it again on Christmas Eve at my mother-in-law's. I can't be doubled over in pain on Christmas Day!

The silliest thing is I purchased a tofurky roast to cook and eat before hand. As of today, that roast is still in the freezer...Guess it will be a New Year's Sunday dinner. I should be about over nausea by then.