Thanksgiving is a holiday close to the hearts of many, and does theoretically represent values we should all embody. However, our celebration is based upon inaccurate history. We celebrate events that didn’t happen and eat foods that weren’t even eaten at the first Thanksgiving. The traditions we take part in are founded in fiction, and it’s only natural how defensive we’ve become of them. The mention of change at the dinner table almost always stirs up a storm. My whole life, Thanksgiving has been filled with tradition. A huge tradition in many homes is the inclusion of the turkey as the main part of the meal; with even the discussion of omitting this entree, many get offended. I’m here to explain why that’s understandable, but also to point out why it’s still not justifiable.
One of the ways in which we can do this is through bringing a plant-based dish to this year’s meal. Just because a meal is without meat, the possibility for tastiness is not squandered- rest assured you can prepare something that people will be asking for seconds (and maybe even thirds) of! There are truly countless recipe options all over the web, and you can even amend one of your families tried and true recipes.
Even if not everyone tries it, you’ll be getting a message out there and making your family members and friends think about something they might not have previously. Who knows, someone might even love your dish! There’s always room for a little change here and there, and the little steps toward sustainability always add up.
