| This time of year always makes me uneasy. You | | | | c he or she doesn't' know what to serve to |
| know that feeling in your stomach that is a mix | | | | accommodate your vegetarian needs. I never |
| of excitement and nervousness? The holiday | | | | want to make anyone else feel badly because of |
| season is filled with family laughing, children playing, | | | | my nutritional decisions. But, I can usually see it in |
| rejoicing, offering thanks, singing, opening gifts, | | | | someone's face during the holiday dinner...."oh, crap. |
| tasty morsels of vegetarian delicacies, seeing | | | | a vegetarian is coming for dinner." |
| childhood friends, scents of peppermint and spice | | | | What is the solution to this vegetarian holiday |
| and... meat! UGH. | | | | dilemma? Well, I am not sure. But, for the first |
| Each year, I so look forward to getting together | | | | time, this year, I have declined on the family |
| with family and spending time with those that I | | | | invitation to dinner and am going to stay home to |
| love; yet, at the same time, I anxiously dread the | | | | make a smorgasbord of vegetarian dishes |
| celebratory dinner meal. Being vegetarian during | | | | including a vegetable wellington, cranberry/apple |
| this time is very difficult. And, it isn't just me; my | | | | stuffing, green beans, butternut squash casserole, |
| lifestyle seems to make others a bit uneasy too. | | | | cranberry sauce and lots of other dishes. |
| The big bird or round roast on the table makes | | | | Then, I will go to the family celebration for |
| me so uncomfortable along with the distinct odor | | | | dessert, where I will bring a vegan delicacy that |
| it sends soaring into the air. | | | | will knock the socks off of everyone! This way, |
| Then there is the questioning, and the looks that | | | | we can have all the fun of laughing together, |
| make you feel like such an outsider. "Why are | | | | opening gifts and being grateful for our life's' |
| you vegetarian?" "You won't even eat chicken?" | | | | blessings without having to be uncomfortable |
| "Do you know what you are missing?" Now, no | | | | because of culinary preferences. Now, I don't |
| one tries to make me feel bad, but it is just | | | | know if avoidance is the right solution, but I |
| natural to feel uncomfortable when it is so clear | | | | certainly am thankful this year that I can give it a |
| that you are the odd (wo)man out. But the worst | | | | try! |
| part is that you know that the host is nervous b | | | | |