Happy Sunday!

I’m writing this post early considering the Thanksgiving holiday this week and the fact that many of us are preparing the menu for this day of over-eating and elastic waistbands.

Surprisingly, Thanksgiving is one of the best days for the veggie-inclined eaters like me. I did not realize until I stopped eating Turkey nearly 30 years ago that this holiday is so much less about the turkey and all about the kick a$s vegetables, e.g. mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, peas, glazed carrots, candied yams, stuffing, pumpkin pie, good wine etc. etc. etc. None of that stuff needs to contain any animal parts whatsoever and will be EXACTLY as you remember. Yes, I wrote that- exactly. I get that while tofurky is not exactly like the real thing (but still pretty darn delicious), the sides taste literally the same – or better – than the traditional versions. Butter, milk and eggs are simply not necessary in recreating the Thanksgiving experience – veg-style.

Below you will find links to some of my all time favorite recipes from the past year which will work perfectly for your Thanksgiving feast. There is never a shortage of good, veg recipes online so do your own quick search if you don’t find what you want in this post. Also, it’s never too late to order Isa Chandra Moscowitz’s utterly fantastic cookbook – Vegan Holiday Cookbook. She is the goddess of all vegan goddesses. I do not know what I would do without her.

As always, my recipes (some of them from Isa’s book!) are 100% free of animal products. You can easily substitute or omit milk, butter and eggs to make something healthier, kinder and in my opinion, tastier. I do it all the time. Once you start playing around, it will be easy for you to make things animal-friendly as well without sacrificing any flavor.

So maybe you have been thinking about this for a while… Going a little more veg… I’ve been getting more comments on my posts from people who are trying to tip the scales to more of a plant-based existence. That said, consider a partially, mostly or ALL-IN plant-based Thanksgiving this year. If you can’t go all in, maybe strive for a little more plants and a little less animal parts and up the ratio next year. The turkey and all the animals will thank you. While I have yet to hug a turkey (my sister at least petted one- see left), I have hugged a chicken (see bottom right) at Leilani Farm Sanctuary in Maui. I know first hand that these beings have loving, unique personalities and deserve to live and roam free. You can live a beautiful, satisfying life without eating/harming animals. It takes time so be gentle with yourself and remember knowledge is power. If you are on Instagram or Facebook and follow farm sanctuaries, you will get your fill of pics and videos of turkey hugs. It’s a thing – for reals.

Leilani is a particularly wonderful place for rescued farm animals. Click here or on the pictures for more info on the Leilani Farm Sanctuary website. That place is magical. Owner/Founder Lauralee Blanchard is an angel (she’s holding the turkey in the pic with my sis). To have a farm sanctuary in Maui or anywhere… Imagine? My dream… Ok I digressed. Right. The recipes… You’ve got to get planning and cooking.

APPETIZERS

Toasted Baguette with Herbed Cashew Ricotta, Olives & Cherry Tomatoes
Click here or on above photo for recipe.

Next Level Vegan Cashew Cheese (worth the time and effort)Click here or on above photo for recipe.

Herbed Stuffed PeppersClick here or on above photo for recipe.

Pickled Fig, Pistachio and Cashew ‘Ricotta’ Canapes Click here or on above photo for recipe.

Soups

Leek and Potato SoupClick here or on above photo for recipe.

Clam-ish ChowderClick here or above photo for recipe.

sides

Twice Baked Potatoes with Cashew Sour Cream Click here or on above photo for recipe.

Roasted Sweet VegetablesClick here or on above photo for recipe.

Simply Delicious Mashed PotatoesClick here or on above photo for recipes.

Main dishes

This may be next level but this dish is really, really good if you are up to the challenge.

Seitan – Animal Friendly ‘Meat’ Made From Wheat Click here or on above photo for recipe.

Sizzling Korean BBQ Portobello BurgersClick here or on above photo for recipe.

Mushroom and Leek RisottoClick here or on above photo for recipe.

desserts

Chocolate Coffee CupcakesClick here or on above photo for recipe.

Chocolate Cake with Hazelnuts and Raspberry Coulis(from chef Karin)Click here or on above photo for recipe.

Gingerbread CookiesClick here or on above photo for recipe.

That should do it. Happy Cooking and Happy Thanksgiving all. xo Susie

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