My story with being vegan at Christmas.

Many years ago, I let go of family Christmases, as it just seemed easier for everyone if I was not around, and I thought it was going to be easy for me too, not to be around all the meat that is always cooked.

But I missed Christmas gatherings. I missed being with my family.  

Over the years I have done all sorts of things; 

pretended it didn’t exist (didn’t do a good job at that),

worked,

held my own gatherings,

cried when I knew I hadn’t been invited to gatherings because I was seen as awkward and vegan

hung out with Mak and enjoyed his company, 

visited a friend in hospital,

felt lonely, 

felt relieved. 

I thought about, in the past, going and doing volunteer work for the homeless, but knew I would be required to give out meat and couldn’t bring myself to do that.

And then in the last 4 years I have been invited to Christmas eve where we are all vegan, and I have finally been able to relax, feel comfortable, accepted, and not feel like a pain in the behind. I have felt like I belong and have felt included. I feel so grateful, as I know it is not like this for a lot of people at Christmas time and other festivities.

Last year, I hosted Christmas with other vegan friends on Christmas day, and this year I will hang out with them at their home.

A few years ago, my parents came for Christmas and they were very gracious to eat the vegan food I made, and they loved it, but I know they missed what they have eaten every year at Christmas for the last 8 decades, so they have not mentioned coming back for Christmas again.

We all have our stories at Christmas.

It is not an easy time at Christmas for so many people, and adding vegan into the mix makes it also super challenging.

From a vegan perspective it is almost heart breaking when you see the people you love the most in the world eating meat. As there is a deep understanding that in order to have meat on the plate,  harm to a sentient has occurred.  The person eating it may not understand that, or if they do understand that, are not affected by it, but people who choose to eat vegan food are more often than not deeply affected by seeing someone they love eating meat. We have seen the footage and heard the screams of the animals and can no longer eat them in the name of food.

Of course everyone has a choice to eat as they please, so it is about finding a way to navigate this as a vegan or someone who is hosting a vegan at festive times.

To have an all vegan Christmas meal would be the ultimate, and many families and friend circles are adopting this, as it is the most inclusive way to eat. Everyone can eat vegan food. The other way around, it means there is always someone missing out.

And over the Christmas period, there are other days and opportunities to have meat at all the other meals, so replacing one meat meal is not all that challenging for many.

If this is really not an option, here are some suggestions I have thought of over the years.

Have a buffet instead of a banquet, and let people sit where they wish.

Have an area on the buffet that has the vegan options, and is well away from the meat options. Last night I went out and all the vegan options were gobbled up by the meat eaters, and when I and another vegan got to the table we were left with the ham options. Meat eaters love vegan too, and often take that first. Luckily, last night the host had something he could make us.

If you are providing the food still, make the majority of the food vegan. That means there is variety for the vegans.

If you are asking people to contribute, ask some of your friends or family if they can make some vegan options too.

If you are vegan and bringing food along, make food that is so delicious everyone will want to try it. You should have seen my Mexican beans disappear fast at a recent gathering – it was the only vegan thing there but all the non-vegans certainly enjoyed it. 

Make your loved ones feel included. Avoid mentioning or questioning them about why they are not eating the meat and if other family members or friends start asking them, divert the conversation, change the conversation, especially if it is feeling awkward.  

It is often exhausting for people who are vegan to be constantly asked about their choices, and it is hurtful when they are ridiculed for their choices, and the thing I hate the most is when someone comes up to me thinking it is funny to offer me a plate of chicken. I don’t see the humour in this at all, and it is always awkward as I never know how to handle it. I usually say it's not funny and walk off and then both of us feel hurt.

Be OK if your loved one decides they need to go for a walk when everyone is eating, or sit somewhere differently. If it is a big gathering, it is nice to have separate eating areas for people to choose.

Some years back, I was at my bestie’s family's gathering, and there were vegan dishes and meat dishes, but the meat was kept separate from the vegan offerings, and as my friend and family know that I am sensitive to eating around people who are eating meat, they had all the vegetarians sitting near me when we ate. It was super perfect, and there was no big deal around it made. It was really lovely.

In fact, today, I am going to a business networking lunch and the host told me she is sitting me next to the other vegan that's going. That feels such a lovely gesture. I feel very supported.

Change up the Christmas menu 

For example, rather than going for the traditional Christmas, have a different theme

Themes that lend well to vegan food 

Salads (for us in the hot climes)

Indian – great vegan and veg options. Our Christmas eve gathering is usually Indian.

Mexican – lots of vegan options here. I'm sharing with you this week, the Mexican bean and jackfruit recipe that I made at the recent gathering I went to  – yum 

For something more random for longer gatherings – when family and friends come for a few days.

My bro asks his family each what their fave meal is, and over the 3 days they celebrate Christmas, he cooks those meals. I like this idea – it seems like a whole lot of fun, and keeps Christmas light, and accommodates different cuisines

I really hope you do have a joyful Christmas and I hope some of these ideas are helpful as it is really a time to come together with loved ones and spread kindness.

Would love to hear what you are cooking this Christmas.

And if you want to take the guesswork out of what to cook at Christmas, come along to my online Christmas cooking class, on the 24th of December, when we will cook food for Christmas, so you don’t have to cook on the 25th – all you need to do, is heat it what we cooked the day before, and enjoy the day relaxing.

The online cooking class will be a whole lot of Christmas fun and only costs $120.

email me to book into the class 

info@veets.com.au 

Recipe

Mexican beans 

240g dried beans soaked then cooked 

1 can jackfruit pulled 

1 onion diced 

Salt 

1 chilli 

½ tsp cayenne

3 cloves garlic minced 

1 can tomatoes 

2 tbsp chocolate 

2 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh 

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika 

2 tbsp lemon or lime juice 

1 cinamon quill 

1 piece of orange peel

1. Cook the beans following my bean cooking method. If you don’t have the bean cooking fact sheet sign up for it here.

2. Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil and add a big pinch of salt until translucent.

3. Add the oregano, smoked paprika, chilli, cayenne, cumin, cinnamon, 1 tsp salt and orange peel and cook for a minute, then add the tomatoes, jackfruit and cooked beans. Cook for 15 minutes on a simmer. You can add water if it needs more juice.

4. Add the chocolate and lemon juice and simmer for a further 5 minutes.

5. Serve with the queso 

Queso 

½ cup soaked cashews 

¼ cup water or jalapeno brine 

¼ cup nutritional yeast 

¼ cup jalapenos

1 to 2 tbsp lemon juice

Pop everything in the blender and blend until smooth.

FCT

Freeze portions of beans – cook more than you need, then freeze them.

Have a wonderful day and a fabulous Christmas. 

Love Veet