eBusiness Weekly
It is that time of year again — Christmas decor filling store shelves, and mass amounts of turkey and ham packaged for holiday dinners.
For many, the holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness, a time of tradition and giving. It can also be a period of the year with added stress.
For vegans, the holidays can be especially challenging.
There are also those probing questions from family and friends, sorrow for the animals sacrificed in the name of tradition, and the awkward social gatherings in which you decline people’s cooking.
Here are top tips to help you enjoy and relax this festive season:
Stock up on plant-based pantry essentials
No one wants to stand in a long queue over the holiday season, where chaos is expected to ensue as scores of shoppers have left their gift shopping for the last moment.
With careful planning, creativity, and patience, you cannot only survive, but thrive during the holiday season as a vegan.
So make sure your pantry is stocked up with all your favourite snacks and ingredients to ensure you can whip up a plant-based dish if you have to.
Include a selection of nuts, which can be used for dairy substitutes, seeds, which are good for snacking, garnishes and egg substitutes, vegetable stock, coconut milk, coconut oil, vinegars, grains, and legumes.
Naturally, a nice selection of fruit and vegetables is always welcome, whether you are vegan or not.
Bring a dish everyone will enjoy
Cooking vegan food can be challenging for someone who is not used to preparing food that way. Do not expect the host to make everything vegan.
Try to bring a hearty dish that everyone is welcome to eat, and if all else fails, you will be able to eat all of it on its own and still feel satisfied.
With careful planning, creativity, and patience, you cannot only survive, but thrive during the holiday season as a vegan.
If you feel like putting in the extra effort, bring a dessert as well. Desserts often are not vegan by default, but trust me, show up with easy vegan pumpkin pie or gingerbread cupcakes and no one will have a problem swallowing those down.
If being around meat is too upsetting, or if your host is struggling to feed you, even with your offers of help, it is fine to accept an invitation to visit after their meal has been eaten.
Cook yourself up a tasty meal at home, then pack up your gifts, crackers, and Christmas cheer, and join your loved ones for the rest of the day. — IOL Food
