My First Vegan "Thanksgiving"

Greetings Family,

Sorry I have been so MIA, but between starting a new job and traveling each weekend, I have been extremely busy. Anyway, Happy belated "Thanksgiving" "Natives Day" whatever you call it. I hope it was filled with love, family, and good food! I waited until the day before to finalize my menu, but it all came together. My go to sources were my favorite vegan vlogger Sweetpotatosoul, Pinterest, and the Black Vegan Eats Facebook group. These seasoned vegans gave me so many options that I was overwhelmed. I decided to go with the most traditional soul food thanksgiving items "veganized". Next, we went to what felt like a million stores and t took four hours to find everything. Once I finally made it back, it was time to get to work. In addition to my vegan menu, my mother and I were responsible for various other items for the "meat-eaters". All together we made: Greens (vegan), Yams (vegan), Macaroni and Cheese (vegan), Dressing (vegan), Cranberry sauce (vegan), Corn casserole (vegan), Lentil "meatloaf" (vegan), Ham (meat-eater), Chicken Tetrazzini (meat-eater), Tetrazzini with no chicken (vegetarian), Mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy (vegan), Rolls (vegan), Peach cobbler (vegan), and Chocolate cake (non-vegan). I decided to put together the dressing, "meatloaf", ham, both tetrazzinis and cranberry sauce the first night in order to let it marinate. My mother and I were up until 2am cooking and back up at 8am to finish up the last few items. We finished around 1 pm and rushed to my grandmother's house since we were late (although we were the ones who did most of the cooking, so there was not much they could really say to us). When we arrived, I was surprised by how many of my "meat-eaters" for life family members actually tried out vegan food (whether they knew it or not). We had positive reviews from all the food they tried. Those who ate the greens, yams, mac and cheese, rolls and corn casserole could not even taste a difference. By the end of the night, they were trying the peach cobbler and "didn't care if it was vegan because it was good". I was so overjoyed to not only have been accepted for my choice of refraining from the consumption of animal products, but even their open-mindedness to try some of it. Never settle for less when it comes to your beliefs, but do not force it on others either. If you just show them through your own walk that what you have decided to do is not so "insane", they will be more willing to accept it. Since we made so many items, I am reluctant to write up every single one of the recipes at this time, but you are more than welcome to contact me. Give me some feedback and I will write up whichever ones you want to see. Here's a picture of my plate!

Peace and Love,

DeidreVee