thanksgiving at my house & some of what i'm thankful for
A little over a year after the launch of The Kind Life, I'm incredibly grateful for each person on this site, and for all of you who have shared the site and my book with your friends and family. I'm especially thankful for those of you who are trying a kinder way of life out for the first time. I must give a special shout out to the flirts! I'm so glad you're here!!!
I would love to hear from more of you flirts so I can answer your questions and help you along as you experiment with this new way of life! How are you feeling? Do you feel like you're getting the support you need on The Kind Life? If not, how can I help? I want to make sure you all feel welcome and comfy here. I appreciate each and every one of you, and I love that people who never thought about a plant-based diet are discovering it and asking lots of questions as they journey toward greater health and well-being. I want to make sure you know how thankful I am that you are here!
Our Thanksgiving
I had a really lovely Thanksgiving at my house this year, with my husband and both of our families! Both Christopher's sets of parents and mine, plus uncles, brothers, and a few friends came to celebrate with us. Everyone seemed to love the food, which of course is sooo important to me! My cider went over very well, and all of the moms were so helpful in preparing everything!
Christopher's step mom Carol helped a ton and so did his mom Candy and my mom too – it was very sweet and special to have 3 moms and me in the kitchen together. Never happened before! My dad came too, which was wonderful, because he hasn't been to my house in years - the stairs are too much for him. Christopher's dad was super cute – Christopher's dad and his step dad all got along really well. Basically, it couldn't have gone better!
How was your Thanksgiving?
23 comments
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I cant have more than 12 grams of sugar at a time....alot of the natural sugars have a lot more...what can I do??
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Thank you for all your posts. I always feel very inspired with each one. I suppose I'm one of those flirts you speak of.
Actually I try to be vegan as best I can right now. Not eating meat is not an issue at all for me...It's the dairy. I never really thought of myself as someone who like dairy. I've never like milk unless it was in cereal and even then I always like soy better. The problem is milk and cheese are in everything. I've been trying to make all our meals myself but that doesn't always happen. We have 4 year old twins and I'm trying to incorporate what I'm learning into their diet as well. It's been hard to find all the right ingredients where I live. I found vegan mayo and sour cream at a grocery store an hour away from me but forget being able to find those cool ingredients you find at Asian markets. I'm still trying to fine yeast and wheat gluetn to try seitan. I live in kind of a rural area and if Wal Mart doesn't sell we don't have it. I've been looking online and I may have to order some of those things this way.
So most days I do eat a vegan diet. I've been eating alot of raw veggeis and wraps, beans, and rice. I just made awesome vegan gingerbreadmen with cream cheese icing from Alicia Simpson. My mom bought that cookbook because at she thought it was you! So I'm still trying...and trying not to flirt so much. Can we rally for a vegan cooking show please?
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Thank you for posting about your day. Everyone looks so happy! I am thrilled that your Dad was able to manage your stairs and be a part of your day!! With older parents and the fact that we have stairs to get into and inside our house, I understand how thrilled you were to have him IN your home!
We had a Blessed Thanksgiving as well. My husband is a fireman and works on Thanksgiving. We hauled our feast to the station and fed his firefighter too! His family couldn't join us but he is a part of our family so he wasn't alone either!
Totally off-topic but I LOVE your dining table and chairs. WHERE did you find them?! My husband, daughter and I live in the mountains near Yosemite and LOVE the old lodge/cabin look. I have been looking for a BIG dining table for years now and just haven't found one that I truly love and am willing to pay for! [Boy tables can get expensive!] Always on the hunt for websites or catalogs that have interesting furniture.
Anyway, thank you again for sharing a part of your life with us!!
A Blessed Christmas to you and your family.
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If I do "coat, hat, and drink duty" can I go to your house next year!?? I promise I won't drink too much! :) lol Totally Kidding..... I would not look forward to the stairs!
BUT, my story is very different and I really wish I had a Vegan Thanksgiving..... I will share that I told my dad that I was bringing my own stuffing, vegetarian style.....he looked at me like I was crazy! I DID it anyway and proudly sat it next to my plate to prove that I was NOT going to budge off of my vegitarian diet!
I AM Thankfull that I am becoming more and more vegetarian thanks to you Alicia!! It's my starting point anyhow. Sometimes, I do flirt the opposite way, and eat a meat, pending on circumstances or company.......truth is, it REALLY does not feel good in my digestive system and I can tell that my body doesn't really enjoy it anymore! So, it's not really even a choice, it's a fact that not eating meats really is the best for me.
My family is still adjusting to it, as they all eat meat. Of course, even with Christmas holiday coming up my dad, again, fixing up a roast.... I said, "Well, I'm bringing something for myself!" Maybe a nice warm soup!
Thank YOU Alicia for making something good come out of this year!! Wishing you and your family all the best during the holiday season :)
~Monique
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time! thanks for sharing! I made a veg dinner! though some dairy was involved. I made wild mushroom tamales, as well as a cheese and potato tamales. but used vegan marshmallows on the sweet potatoes! (Dandies marshmallows!) I had my friend come over and she really enjoyed the dinner ~ I wish I could have all my family over for a vegan meal! some day maybe! and there is something really special about a Turkey Free thanksgiving! yea for everyone on this!
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That looks so lovely! I cooked the dinner for the first time ever this year! It was me and my boyfriend and my parents at thier house. My mom, my boyfreind and I are all vegan ( to varying degrees) and my dad is pretty close to a carnivore. But he joined in and helped cook and seemed to love the food. I made a big Seitan roast with chesnut/wild rice stuff) and gravy and mashed potatoes and roasted fall veggies, etc. and 2 pies! (an apple and a pumpkin). Even I was suprised at how good the food was, since it was a first time for nearly every dish. I hope this becomes a tradition that more people join every year. There's something really special about a cruelty-free thanksgiving.
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We had our fifth vegan Thanksgiving, but it was somehow more special for two reasons: 1. It was my first vegan Thanksgiving feast being actually vegan (in years past I was a vegetarian, a "flirt," I guess) and, 2. it was our first year in our new house that we bought last spring. So we invited a bunch of friends and cooked a feast, including what be the world's first vegan turducken. My husband cooked it, even though I told him it sounded like a gluten-overloaded soy mess. But he went ahead, and it turned out beautifully. I couldn't eat it because I'm allergic to soy, but everyone else loved it. You can see photos of the "Tofurducken" at my blog:http://sassysoyfreevegetarian.blogspot.com/2010/11/vegan-food-orgy.html
It was fun to celebrate the decliciousness that can be had without animal products!
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Dear Alicia,
I started out as a really good vegan shortly after your book came out. As I've learned the wonderful world of vegan baking, my eating - although still vegan - contains too much sugar. I need a sugar detox. I know you've talked about it in the past, but if you have any more tips, I could sure use them! After the holidays, I'd like to be more superhero than I am right now...
I'm glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I'm very thankful for your book and blog, as it has completely changed my life!
Kristin x
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This was our 3rd vegan Thanksgiving at my home, and it went beautifully! I always make a big vegan dinner for just my little family (my husband and our 3 little boys) the weekend before T-day, and then we go to my hubby's grandpa's house on actual T-day. Usually we bring a few things to eat, and they make sure to have some vegan sides/appetizers. This year, my awesome grandpa in law went out of his way and made us a Field Roast Celebration Loaf! It was sooo sweet of them, and it was delicious! They also got us our own mushroom gravy from the deli at our local healthfood store.
I love that our family is supportive, and takes our diet into consideration when preparing meals.... I especially love the fact that it makes them realize how delicious vegan food can be! Everyone had to get a little taste of the Field Roast, and there were NO complaints.
Thank you for this amazing site Alicia! I just got my book 2 days ago, and I love all the info.
xoxox!
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This was my first vegetarian Thanksgiving and I think it went really well. I'm still flirting with the whole vegan thing, but love that there is a site like this one that keeps me up to date on yummy food and support. I love the stories from kind lifers who have made the transition fully from omnivore to vegan, but wish there were more stories from flirts and those still on the journey.
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Alicia - thank you for sharing - I always look forward to getting you posts - looks like a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration at your home with some wonderful vegan treats!
I have been a vegan/macrobiotic for about 6 months now - It was your book that really did it for me! after spending 2 months in Mexico over the summer and seeing all of those cute little animals running around all over the place was also when I decided that I didn't want to eat animals or animal products anymore - then I came home, read (devoured) your book and changed my life! I love to cook and since I am retired and am very familiar with macrobiotic cooking (in the 80's I took cooking classes in N.Y) I decided to start my own little cooking business - actually what happened was that I started to cook for myself (my husband is not interested in changeing his diet - alas for him!) and I ended up with so much food .... I found a client to cook for ( just one turns out to be fine!) and I am as happy as can be!!!... pays for my food plus I have total freedom to cook him whatever I want so I get to try all of the wonderful recipes from your cookbook and others!! So last night I went to a non-vegan's house for a family celebration - I made something for me (and others) to eat - Eggplant Caponata Crostini - which I was so happy I brought because everything else was cheese/meat based pretty much.... what surprised me was that I so did NOT want to eat any of that other butter-laden rich food - I just automatically gravitated to the olives and fruit selections available plus my own yummy dish - the desserts were made from boxed mixes - chocolate brownies with ice cream! When I got home I had one of my Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups from the freezer and was in total heaven! What amazed ME was that I so didn't want any of that food and how much I just LOVE all of the foods I am eating - how great I feel and how wonderful I am looking!! I no longer have to "diet" and life just seems so easy and effortless .....with no deprivation!!! So a BIG thank you! For Christmas we are invited back for more festivites and I have already made a big pan of vegan Eggplant Parmesan that is in the freezer! ..... Love and kisses to you, Alicia Silverstone!!!
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Alicia,
Thanks so much for your book and this site! I have been "flirting" for over a year and trying to use "superhero" recipes and ingredients as much as possible. I am going vegan for the new year and I don't think I could do it without all the resources you provide. I now feel I will be satisfied with what I'm eating in complexity of flavor, substance, and ingredients. Also as a longtime tea afficionado, I had never heard of kukicha tea! I'm excited to start drinking such a beneficial tea regularly.
The thing I am most worried about in going vegan is missing cheese. It's quite possible that I'm addicted! But, thanks to you sharing your experience, I hope that after a few weeks, I won't miss it all.
Love and light, thanks so much.
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Thanks for asking and I have to say this is the first year as a Flirt for Thanksgiving and I just made it easy on my self and went to Avanti Cafe in Costa Mesa and ordered some items I could eat, Then I refused to make any animal courses so my Dad made the turkey. I was a good girl and made no comments to anyone about my heart being sad for our turkey friend:(.....Christmas is also at my house this year and I am making Pasta,veggies and salad!!!! YEAHHHHHHHH
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Alicia,
That's wonderful that you can have Steps in the same home it's rare and that is a beautiful thing.
I had a wonderful time with a dear long time friend of mine. she had family and friends I've been going to her house for almost 20 years, although they are not vegan I've been baking cupcakes vegan and they love them.
My next step is to take a dinner ot have them try. I doubt they will convert but it doesn't hurt to try.
Have a wonderful Christmas and safe New Year.
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Hi Alicia,
I cant believe it's been a year since you launched your wonderful blog! I really appreciate all the wonderful posts, and in fact, yours is the first one I tap into because your down to earth style and there is always something interesting to learn. Thanks again, and continued good luck health & happiness in the new year!!
Christy
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Dear Alicia -
I think its so great that you have this wonderful family. That is definitely something to be thankful for. Your pictures are delightful. I am trying very hard to become a vegan. Its been challenging. I have alot of questions. I don't have much to say right now. Or questions to ask. But I am sure I will in the future. I didn't know you wrote a book. I am going to have to go buy it. I do love how you love animals and how you care about the world and everything in it. I want to have a plant based diet. Its important to me. Thank you for educating people and speaking up. Your an inspiration. Much love.
Carrie
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Alicia,
Thanks for sharing all you do on the site. I guess you would label me as a "flirt." I have played with becoming a vegetarian for many years on and off. It was always for health, but after a great deal of research this year, it became an act of love. On occasion, I want to grab something quick and I will admit that meat has an emotional connection, a biofeedback that comforts - because it's all I knew for so long. However, the tempation is met with love, and it dissolves - I can't do it.
So although I think I have changed my life drastically, (and everyone in my world seems to think so!), by the Kind Life standards I am just a flirt! :-) Not a bad category - sounds fun and full of adventure. :-)
I am about 85-90% vegan, but that next step is much more difficult for me. I am working 2.5 jobs right now, and finding what I need on the go is really tough. I do my best to cook and pack up the food, but frankly it's super challenging. So instead of being down on myself for the cheese I eat (although I am keenly aware of the industry I am supporting and that's why most of the time I decide to either go without eating, or miss protein) I try to remind myself that love is gentle on me and others.
Lastly, cooking to get all the nutrients I need without using animal products is a true education. I would appreciate as much information as you can offer on transitions, foods to pack for on the go, (especially winter - warm and nourishing for on the go), and that you continue with your generous kindness to all. I have found that this lifestyle - even without saying a word - elicits some onerous responses, and have found that some of the websites for veggies are just as onerous. What makes your work so special to me, is that your approach to all, those who agree or do not agree, is kind. That is the spirit I want to define my life.
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This post inspires me to create such a special meal for Christmas this year. We started with the Kind way of life just over a year ago and have gotten lazy about some of the food choices we are making. This week I will recommit to this way of life - particularly getting off of sugars! I am greatful for the edcation you have given me Alicia. I gave this book as gifts this year and am excited for the impact it will have on my families health in 2011.
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What a great Thanksgiving you had! We didn't do much with family this year, but had a vegan Thanskgiving with friends the weekend after. We wanted to show friends that a traditional Thanksgiving meal could be completely cruelty free and just as tasty. It was a big hit, and a few of our friends haven't had much, if any, meat since! My husband and I went vegetarian last year, and just went vegan in the last 6 months. It's been a rough journey, especially for me with my Southern background, but we feel great and are proud of what we put into our bodies.
I just started reading The Kind Diet from the library a couple weeks ago. I am in love with the book and hope to buy it after Christmas. You did an amazing job. Thank you for all you do!
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Good morning! I've been able to find Kabocha squash in asian markets pretty successfully. Not sure where you live, but many of the ingredients listed in the kind diet are available for good prices in asian markets and Whole Foods- although Whole Foods is significantly more expensive...hope this helps! Stef.
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Thanks for sharing, Alicia. Your home looked very warm and inviting on Thanksgiving and I love how 'kind' everything looks, with lots of different plates and glasses! I've been a vegetarian for 25 years and I've cooked so many things from your book. We love everything I've made, especially the Black Soy Bean and Kobacha Stew! I've never been able to find Kabocha though, so I've used butternut squash everytime. Tastes so good on a cold day! Any hints on where I could find Kabocha Squash? Thank you for helping animals....and the world! :)
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