Vegetarian Thanksgiving Stuffed with Meaning (Not Turkey)

See that picture of a gorgeous turkey? Does it remind you of Thanksgiving? Here's a wonderful story written by a Pulitzer nominee about a  Thanksgiving Stuffed with Meaning

If estimates that the U.S. population includes 13% who don't eat meat (according to a recent Gallup poll,) and won't be tempted when the turkey hits the plate on Thanksgiving, over 41 million Americans simply aren't eating turkey, ham, hamburgers or chicken this Thanksgiving. In California close to five million people are not chomping into a bird or beast this Thanksgiving either. Vegetarians often feel alone, like outcasts or anti-social, pains-in-the-rump roast during food holidays, partially because expectations to eat meat are so ingrained in our culture. Having plenty of meat on the table after the Depression ended and WWII was over was the sign that the economy was strengthening and people could be optimistic about the future. Just 25 years after the second world war less than 1% of the American population was vegetarian in 1970.

Today, many fine restaurants and even budget restaurants offer non-meat options for Thanksgiving. As a guest at someone's Thanksgiving dinner vegetarians can eat potatoes, yams, steamed vegetables, salads and pumpkin pie–just leave the turkey off the plate. There are restaurants and stores that sell a tofu turkey, as well.

For those who scoff at the vegetarian lifestyle, you don't have to go "cold turkey" to reduce meat consumption. Eating less meat is worth a try when you suffer indigestion, heartburn, high cholesterol, etc. I have gone without meat for up to a year and when I begin eating it again (usually in a social setting–like those who are social drinkers,) my body feels like it has to do extra work to digest the food. Don't get me wrong–meat tastes good and there's nothing like the smell of BBQ ribs over a grill or roast turkey out of the oven. However, there's also nothing quite as satisfying and fresh as the taste of greens, mushrooms, onions and beans. Don't feel sorry for vegetarians because the more you eat without meat, the better the vegetables and fruits taste.

About Thanksgiving: Our U.S. Thanksgiving dates back nearly 400 years to the early 1600s when settlers celebrated the harvest of the year. Thanksgiving Day was declared to be the fourth Thursday in November by federal legislation in 1941, though its existence was assured by presidential proclamation in 1863.

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