Thanksgiving with two vegan guests; please help me plan!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

You sound kind. I recommend you talk to them before finalizing your plans and make sure what you’re planning to do will actually be something that works for them and is appreciated. I was assigned to bring desserts one year, and my husband’s side of the family includes one gluten free person and one gluten free/dairy free person. I thought I was doing a nice thing by special ordering very beautiful expensive gf/df personal apple pies from a local bakery that is fully gf (no cross contamination). It was an inconvenient place for me to go while simultaneously trying to bake regular desserts and pack my family to travel. Both people I bought the desserts for didn’t eat them or even taste them to be polite! The gf/df person packed her own fruit for dessert and the gf person just ate vanilla ice cream I had brought to serve with the pies. Lesson learned was that sometimes people with dietary restrictions are actually even more complex and disordered/picky about food than their restriction category indicates, so you may want to check if they even like mushrooms or potatoes or whatever so you don’t go to the trouble unless it will be eaten/appreciated.

Not liking pumpkin pie is not "disordered" or picky -- most people don't like it. Literally every single year I wonder why we serve it at Thanksgiving. But they were probably used to having such serious diarrhea after eating food brought by well intentioned relatives that they've learned the hard way not to eat it.

NP. In that case, they should not even make their dietary restrictions or choices known to other people. If you are going to share that kind of information—which is helpful to most hosts—you should be prepared to graciously eat what is offered, like a guest. Knowing that holiday meals often include contributions from others, you should be prepared for the fact that other people will likely have gone literally out of their way for you. If you have “learned the hard way” not to eat this or that when people are just trying to be helpful and welcoming, bring your own food or be prepared to eat before or after. Honestly, there is no pleasing or accommodating picky, particular, difficult people who honestly CHOOSE to be ridiculous.

I am not a picky eater. I eat everything. I'm simply saying that the extreme negative reactions to people's dietary restrictions are weird -- weirder then the dietary restrictions. It is not "disordered" to not like pumpkin pie. It also would not be reasonable for a guest allergic to gluten and dairy to say, "Sorry, no, I've had too much diarrhea. This time I'll pass." The normal thing would just be to not eat it. Sounds like the host delegated pies to the PP and told her about the two guests with dietary restrictions. I doubt the guests with restrictions asked that PP directly. Just guessing tho.

It was apple pies, not a pumpkin pie (which I agree is gross and I am not picky and have no dietary restrictions). Both guests eat and enjoy apples, have eaten things of this type in the past, and weren’t too full for dessert (as I mentioned, one ate ice cream, the other pulled out a big fruit salad she packed for herself). They were being rude, picky and disordered by refusing the pies, which were beautiful and appetizing-looking. I am not saying they needed to eat the pies if they would prefer to eat something else. I’m just saying that *sometimes* other wacky food issues accompany people who choose to follow restrictive diets in the first place. And even when you go out of your way to make a nice meal for these people in spite of the extra work, they may actually not appreciate any of your efforts or actually prefer fruit and salad. The only way to know is to ask.

You're the one with the wacky issues. You got your feelings hurt because you went out of your way to get the special pies and and instead of the praise you expected, no one ate them. That is a totally understandable reaction. It's not understandable to label the people who didn't want them "disordered". I made a delicious dish for a swim team banquet one year and hardly anyone touched it. I was hurt. But I didn't call the entire swim team and their parents, wacky, picky and disordered. Such is life.

And BTW people who are gf and df do not CHOOSE to follow restrictive diets. They get severe diarrhea if they eat gluten or dairy. How can anyone not know this in 2022?

NP. A lot of people with eating disorders do, in fact, self-diagnose food allergies as a way to disguise their disorder. This is a well-known fact. I challenge you to do research. Another way that people with eating disorders hide their disorder is extreme training like for a marathon. That way, it’s always “oh sorry I can’t, I’m training for the marathon” rather than “I can’t enjoy foods like that because I am afraid of them and have to feel in control.” Of course some people do have real allergies or really are lactose intolerant, etc. But a lot of people use that kind of thing as an excuse to hide the disorder. This includes veganism. I’m not saying all vegans have eating disorders; I am saying that many people with eating disorders use a vegan diet (or gluten free, etc.) as a shield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

You sound kind. I recommend you talk to them before finalizing your plans and make sure what you’re planning to do will actually be something that works for them and is appreciated. I was assigned to bring desserts one year, and my husband’s side of the family includes one gluten free person and one gluten free/dairy free person. I thought I was doing a nice thing by special ordering very beautiful expensive gf/df personal apple pies from a local bakery that is fully gf (no cross contamination). It was an inconvenient place for me to go while simultaneously trying to bake regular desserts and pack my family to travel. Both people I bought the desserts for didn’t eat them or even taste them to be polite! The gf/df person packed her own fruit for dessert and the gf person just ate vanilla ice cream I had brought to serve with the pies. Lesson learned was that sometimes people with dietary restrictions are actually even more complex and disordered/picky about food than their restriction category indicates, so you may want to check if they even like mushrooms or potatoes or whatever so you don’t go to the trouble unless it will be eaten/appreciated.

Not liking pumpkin pie is not "disordered" or picky -- most people don't like it. Literally every single year I wonder why we serve it at Thanksgiving. But they were probably used to having such serious diarrhea after eating food brought by well intentioned relatives that they've learned the hard way not to eat it.

NP. In that case, they should not even make their dietary restrictions or choices known to other people. If you are going to share that kind of information—which is helpful to most hosts—you should be prepared to graciously eat what is offered, like a guest. Knowing that holiday meals often include contributions from others, you should be prepared for the fact that other people will likely have gone literally out of their way for you. If you have “learned the hard way” not to eat this or that when people are just trying to be helpful and welcoming, bring your own food or be prepared to eat before or after. Honestly, there is no pleasing or accommodating picky, particular, difficult people who honestly CHOOSE to be ridiculous.

I am not a picky eater. I eat everything. I'm simply saying that the extreme negative reactions to people's dietary restrictions are weird -- weirder then the dietary restrictions. It is not "disordered" to not like pumpkin pie. It also would not be reasonable for a guest allergic to gluten and dairy to say, "Sorry, no, I've had too much diarrhea. This time I'll pass." The normal thing would just be to not eat it. Sounds like the host delegated pies to the PP and told her about the two guests with dietary restrictions. I doubt the guests with restrictions asked that PP directly. Just guessing tho.

It was apple pies, not a pumpkin pie (which I agree is gross and I am not picky and have no dietary restrictions). Both guests eat and enjoy apples, have eaten things of this type in the past, and weren’t too full for dessert (as I mentioned, one ate ice cream, the other pulled out a big fruit salad she packed for herself). They were being rude, picky and disordered by refusing the pies, which were beautiful and appetizing-looking. I am not saying they needed to eat the pies if they would prefer to eat something else. I’m just saying that *sometimes* other wacky food issues accompany people who choose to follow restrictive diets in the first place. And even when you go out of your way to make a nice meal for these people in spite of the extra work, they may actually not appreciate any of your efforts or actually prefer fruit and salad. The only way to know is to ask.

You're the one with the wacky issues. You got your feelings hurt because you went out of your way to get the special pies and and instead of the praise you expected, no one ate them. That is a totally understandable reaction. It's not understandable to label the people who didn't want them "disordered". I made a delicious dish for a swim team banquet one year and hardly anyone touched it. I was hurt. But I didn't call the entire swim team and their parents, wacky, picky and disordered. Such is life.

And BTW people who are gf and df do not CHOOSE to follow restrictive diets. They get severe diarrhea if they eat gluten or dairy. How can anyone not know this in 2022?

NP. A lot of people with eating disorders do, in fact, self-diagnose food allergies as a way to disguise their disorder. This is a well-known fact. I challenge you to do research. Another way that people with eating disorders hide their disorder is extreme training like for a marathon. That way, it’s always “oh sorry I can’t, I’m training for the marathon” rather than “I can’t enjoy foods like that because I am afraid of them and have to feel in control.” Of course some people do have real allergies or really are lactose intolerant, etc. But a lot of people use that kind of thing as an excuse to hide the disorder. This includes veganism. I’m not saying all vegans have eating disorders; I am saying that many people with eating disorders use a vegan diet (or gluten free, etc.) as a shield.

This sounds like an exhausting way to go through life -- assuming people are actually hiding a disorder. Oh brother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think what you’ve outlined is just fine. You could add a vegan “ice cream” like tofuti to the apple pie filling if you want to dress it up. For the dishes you’re altering, vegan butter works well and tastes pretty good.

What brand of vegan butter can you recommend?

Miyokos is a tasty vegan butter. Their regular one is cashew based but they also make an oat milk one. Be sure to read the label jic. Earth Balance is another solid option. Both are usually available at regular grocery stores and definitely at Whole Foods, sometimes Trader Joe’s, Target.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems awfully early for the suck it vegans posters to be out.

Nope, vegans suck 24/7/365

I'd much rather be vegan than hateful.

NP

That’s a real Sophie’s choice, there…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my cousin and her new husband are vegan. They live far away, so they can’t bring anything for Thanksgiving. I’m hosting 16 total, and I’d say the other 14 guests (this count includes my family) are very traditional eaters. The only other factor is nut allergies, but that’s my kids so I naturally work that into the menu. I think the other guests are pretty traditional and expect the usual fare. I’m happy to do some extra work, but I’d love to pinch-hit with vegan store-bought items from Wegmans, if anyone happens to know of anything good.

Appetizers could be:
Veggies/chips with homemade French onion dip and hummus as the vegan option
Maybe shot glasses of vegan vichyssoise?

Dinner of:
Turkey, gravy
Mashed potatoes

Could make vegan versions of:
Mashed potatoes (small side dish that I would keep by and then add butter and cream/milk to the majority of the pot)
Burgundy mushrooms (I usually make with butter but I think I can easily make these vegan)
Dressing (easy enough to use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, but I might get dinged by the majority for this as I think it wont’ t taste as good)
Cranberry sauce
Roasted vegetables
Maybe some type of roll? Does anyone know of a good vegan bread mix or cornbread mix or some such?

Dessert:
Traditional versions of pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan pie
I could make apple pie filling for vegans and just have that warm in a crock pot?
Maybe add some kind of vegan brownie? Need help with dessert ideas

Is the above enough food for the vegans? They can make a plate of that, right?

make pumpkin pie vegan with canned coconut cream https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-pumpkin-pie/
WF actually has some awesome vegan desserts and any vegan bakery will have vegan treats around the holidays. If you are in VA/MD, Elizabeths counter in Alexandria may have thanksgiving related items and their donuts are AWESSSSSSOOOMMEEE

Vegan mashed potatoes are easy- use veggie stock and vegan butter. miyokos is great. You can make cornbread vegan. Bakeries sell vegan rolls.

-non vegan whose son was DF for 4 years, which meant basically vegan bakeries were our go-tos

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

You sound kind. I recommend you talk to them before finalizing your plans and make sure what you’re planning to do will actually be something that works for them and is appreciated. I was assigned to bring desserts one year, and my husband’s side of the family includes one gluten free person and one gluten free/dairy free person. I thought I was doing a nice thing by special ordering very beautiful expensive gf/df personal apple pies from a local bakery that is fully gf (no cross contamination). It was an inconvenient place for me to go while simultaneously trying to bake regular desserts and pack my family to travel. Both people I bought the desserts for didn’t eat them or even taste them to be polite! The gf/df person packed her own fruit for dessert and the gf person just ate vanilla ice cream I had brought to serve with the pies. Lesson learned was that sometimes people with dietary restrictions are actually even more complex and disordered/picky about food than their restriction category indicates, so you may want to check if they even like mushrooms or potatoes or whatever so you don’t go to the trouble unless it will be eaten/appreciated.

Not liking pumpkin pie is not "disordered" or picky -- most people don't like it. Literally every single year I wonder why we serve it at Thanksgiving. But they were probably used to having such serious diarrhea after eating food brought by well intentioned relatives that they've learned the hard way not to eat it.

NP. In that case, they should not even make their dietary restrictions or choices known to other people. If you are going to share that kind of information—which is helpful to most hosts—you should be prepared to graciously eat what is offered, like a guest. Knowing that holiday meals often include contributions from others, you should be prepared for the fact that other people will likely have gone literally out of their way for you. If you have “learned the hard way” not to eat this or that when people are just trying to be helpful and welcoming, bring your own food or be prepared to eat before or after. Honestly, there is no pleasing or accommodating picky, particular, difficult people who honestly CHOOSE to be ridiculous.

I am not a picky eater. I eat everything. I'm simply saying that the extreme negative reactions to people's dietary restrictions are weird -- weirder then the dietary restrictions. It is not "disordered" to not like pumpkin pie. It also would not be reasonable for a guest allergic to gluten and dairy to say, "Sorry, no, I've had too much diarrhea. This time I'll pass." The normal thing would just be to not eat it. Sounds like the host delegated pies to the PP and told her about the two guests with dietary restrictions. I doubt the guests with restrictions asked that PP directly. Just guessing tho.

It was apple pies, not a pumpkin pie (which I agree is gross and I am not picky and have no dietary restrictions). Both guests eat and enjoy apples, have eaten things of this type in the past, and weren’t too full for dessert (as I mentioned, one ate ice cream, the other pulled out a big fruit salad she packed for herself). They were being rude, picky and disordered by refusing the pies, which were beautiful and appetizing-looking. I am not saying they needed to eat the pies if they would prefer to eat something else. I’m just saying that *sometimes* other wacky food issues accompany people who choose to follow restrictive diets in the first place. And even when you go out of your way to make a nice meal for these people in spite of the extra work, they may actually not appreciate any of your efforts or actually prefer fruit and salad. The only way to know is to ask.

You're the one with the wacky issues. You got your feelings hurt because you went out of your way to get the special pies and and instead of the praise you expected, no one ate them. That is a totally understandable reaction. It's not understandable to label the people who didn't want them "disordered". I made a delicious dish for a swim team banquet one year and hardly anyone touched it. I was hurt. But I didn't call the entire swim team and their parents, wacky, picky and disordered. Such is life.

And BTW people who are gf and df do not CHOOSE to follow restrictive diets. They get severe diarrhea if they eat gluten or dairy. How can anyone not know this in 2022?

NP. A lot of people with eating disorders do, in fact, self-diagnose food allergies as a way to disguise their disorder. This is a well-known fact. I challenge you to do research. Another way that people with eating disorders hide their disorder is extreme training like for a marathon. That way, it’s always “oh sorry I can’t, I’m training for the marathon” rather than “I can’t enjoy foods like that because I am afraid of them and have to feel in control.” Of course some people do have real allergies or really are lactose intolerant, etc. But a lot of people use that kind of thing as an excuse to hide the disorder. This includes veganism. I’m not saying all vegans have eating disorders; I am saying that many people with eating disorders use a vegan diet (or gluten free, etc.) as a shield.

This sounds like an exhausting way to go through life -- assuming people are actually hiding a disorder. Oh brother.

NP. She's not wrong.

Acknowledging that many people do this is not "assuming people are actually hiding a disorder." It's just noting that this is something some people do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

You sound kind. I recommend you talk to them before finalizing your plans and make sure what you’re planning to do will actually be something that works for them and is appreciated. I was assigned to bring desserts one year, and my husband’s side of the family includes one gluten free person and one gluten free/dairy free person. I thought I was doing a nice thing by special ordering very beautiful expensive gf/df personal apple pies from a local bakery that is fully gf (no cross contamination). It was an inconvenient place for me to go while simultaneously trying to bake regular desserts and pack my family to travel. Both people I bought the desserts for didn’t eat them or even taste them to be polite! The gf/df person packed her own fruit for dessert and the gf person just ate vanilla ice cream I had brought to serve with the pies. Lesson learned was that sometimes people with dietary restrictions are actually even more complex and disordered/picky about food than their restriction category indicates, so you may want to check if they even like mushrooms or potatoes or whatever so you don’t go to the trouble unless it will be eaten/appreciated.

Not liking pumpkin pie is not "disordered" or picky -- most people don't like it. Literally every single year I wonder why we serve it at Thanksgiving. But they were probably used to having such serious diarrhea after eating food brought by well intentioned relatives that they've learned the hard way not to eat it.

NP. In that case, they should not even make their dietary restrictions or choices known to other people. If you are going to share that kind of information—which is helpful to most hosts—you should be prepared to graciously eat what is offered, like a guest. Knowing that holiday meals often include contributions from others, you should be prepared for the fact that other people will likely have gone literally out of their way for you. If you have “learned the hard way” not to eat this or that when people are just trying to be helpful and welcoming, bring your own food or be prepared to eat before or after. Honestly, there is no pleasing or accommodating picky, particular, difficult people who honestly CHOOSE to be ridiculous.

I am not a picky eater. I eat everything. I'm simply saying that the extreme negative reactions to people's dietary restrictions are weird -- weirder then the dietary restrictions. It is not "disordered" to not like pumpkin pie. It also would not be reasonable for a guest allergic to gluten and dairy to say, "Sorry, no, I've had too much diarrhea. This time I'll pass." The normal thing would just be to not eat it. Sounds like the host delegated pies to the PP and told her about the two guests with dietary restrictions. I doubt the guests with restrictions asked that PP directly. Just guessing tho.

It was apple pies, not a pumpkin pie (which I agree is gross and I am not picky and have no dietary restrictions). Both guests eat and enjoy apples, have eaten things of this type in the past, and weren’t too full for dessert (as I mentioned, one ate ice cream, the other pulled out a big fruit salad she packed for herself). They were being rude, picky and disordered by refusing the pies, which were beautiful and appetizing-looking. I am not saying they needed to eat the pies if they would prefer to eat something else. I’m just saying that *sometimes* other wacky food issues accompany people who choose to follow restrictive diets in the first place. And even when you go out of your way to make a nice meal for these people in spite of the extra work, they may actually not appreciate any of your efforts or actually prefer fruit and salad. The only way to know is to ask.

You're the one with the wacky issues. You got your feelings hurt because you went out of your way to get the special pies and and instead of the praise you expected, no one ate them. That is a totally understandable reaction. It's not understandable to label the people who didn't want them "disordered". I made a delicious dish for a swim team banquet one year and hardly anyone touched it. I was hurt. But I didn't call the entire swim team and their parents, wacky, picky and disordered. Such is life.

And BTW people who are gf and df do not CHOOSE to follow restrictive diets. They get severe diarrhea if they eat gluten or dairy. How can anyone not know this in 2022?

How do you not know that lots of people who are GF and DF are so by choice, not because they get sick? There are plenty of primadonnas with disordered eating out there too.

--NP

[Anonymous]

Here is what I would do and what I have done for my vegan family member:

-The tofurkey/gravy already mentioned
-Make the stuffing for everyone vegan with Earth Balance and vegetable stock. I swear it’s just as delicious and generally I don’t like things that are “substitutes”
-Make vegan mashed potatoes (small side dish) with vegetable stock and Earth Balance (or even vegan cream cheese/sour cream)
-Roasted veggies made with olive oil (part of regular dinner)
-Cranberry sauce (part of regular dinner)

Otherwise, make whatever you are going to make. I still make mashed potatoes with plenty of dairy, mac and cheese, etc. for everyone else. Buy a vegan pie. Don’t overcomplicate it and go wild with the vegan stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my cousin and her new husband are vegan. They live far away, so they can’t bring anything for Thanksgiving. I’m hosting 16 total, and I’d say the other 14 guests (this count includes my family) are very traditional eaters. The only other factor is nut allergies, but that’s my kids so I naturally work that into the menu. I think the other guests are pretty traditional and expect the usual fare. I’m happy to do some extra work, but I’d love to pinch-hit with vegan store-bought items from Wegmans, if anyone happens to know of anything good.

Appetizers could be:
Veggies/chips with homemade French onion dip and hummus as the vegan option
Maybe shot glasses of vegan vichyssoise?

Dinner of:
Turkey, gravy
Mashed potatoes

Could make vegan versions of:
Mashed potatoes (small side dish that I would keep by and then add butter and cream/milk to the majority of the pot)
Burgundy mushrooms (I usually make with butter but I think I can easily make these vegan)
Dressing (easy enough to use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, but I might get dinged by the majority for this as I think it wont’ t taste as good)
Cranberry sauce
Roasted vegetables
Maybe some type of roll? Does anyone know of a good vegan bread mix or cornbread mix or some such?

Dessert:
Traditional versions of pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan pie
I could make apple pie filling for vegans and just have that warm in a crock pot?
Maybe add some kind of vegan brownie? Need help with dessert ideas

Is the above enough food for the vegans? They can make a plate of that, right?

make pumpkin pie vegan with canned coconut cream https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-pumpkin-pie/
WF actually has some awesome vegan desserts and any vegan bakery will have vegan treats around the holidays. If you are in VA/MD, Elizabeths counter in Alexandria may have thanksgiving related items and their donuts are AWESSSSSSOOOMMEEE

Vegan mashed potatoes are easy- use veggie stock and vegan butter. miyokos is great. You can make cornbread vegan. Bakeries sell vegan rolls.

-non vegan whose son was DF for 4 years, which meant basically vegan bakeries were our go-tos

No, OP is doing enough cooking and baking and does not need to make an entire vegan pumpkin pie for two people. She’s already making apple, so making more of the filling and omitting butter and setting it aside in a crock pot is only a little bit of extra work. If the vegans are concerned they can order a vegan dessert and ship it to OP’s house; living far away is no excuse not to contribute to a meal, especially when you are the difficult one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my cousin and her new husband are vegan. They live far away, so they can’t bring anything for Thanksgiving. I’m hosting 16 total, and I’d say the other 14 guests (this count includes my family) are very traditional eaters. The only other factor is nut allergies, but that’s my kids so I naturally work that into the menu. I think the other guests are pretty traditional and expect the usual fare. I’m happy to do some extra work, but I’d love to pinch-hit with vegan store-bought items from Wegmans, if anyone happens to know of anything good.

Appetizers could be:
Veggies/chips with homemade French onion dip and hummus as the vegan option
Maybe shot glasses of vegan vichyssoise?

Dinner of:
Turkey, gravy
Mashed potatoes

Could make vegan versions of:
Mashed potatoes (small side dish that I would keep by and then add butter and cream/milk to the majority of the pot)
Burgundy mushrooms (I usually make with butter but I think I can easily make these vegan)
Dressing (easy enough to use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, but I might get dinged by the majority for this as I think it wont’ t taste as good)
Cranberry sauce
Roasted vegetables
Maybe some type of roll? Does anyone know of a good vegan bread mix or cornbread mix or some such?

Dessert:
Traditional versions of pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan pie
I could make apple pie filling for vegans and just have that warm in a crock pot?
Maybe add some kind of vegan brownie? Need help with dessert ideas

Is the above enough food for the vegans? They can make a plate of that, right?

make pumpkin pie vegan with canned coconut cream https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-pumpkin-pie/
WF actually has some awesome vegan desserts and any vegan bakery will have vegan treats around the holidays. If you are in VA/MD, Elizabeths counter in Alexandria may have thanksgiving related items and their donuts are AWESSSSSSOOOMMEEE

Vegan mashed potatoes are easy- use veggie stock and vegan butter. miyokos is great. You can make cornbread vegan. Bakeries sell vegan rolls.

-non vegan whose son was DF for 4 years, which meant basically vegan bakeries were our go-tos

No, OP is doing enough cooking and baking and does not need to make an entire vegan pumpkin pie for two people. She’s already making apple, so making more of the filling and omitting butter and setting it aside in a crock pot is only a little bit of extra work. If the vegans are concerned they can order a vegan dessert and ship it to OP’s house; living far away is no excuse not to contribute to a meal, especially when you are the difficult one.

it wouldnt be separate nitwit. everything can be made vegan using substitutes. everything using butter can use vegan butter. anything use chix stock can use veggie stock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hand them a gift card to a nice restaurant near your home.
Vegans can be super irritating to cook for, especially the recent converts.

Yes, or a doordash one, they can order in any of their vegan favorites!
Personally I would just send the links to restaurants where they can order what they like but if you want to be a generous host…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my cousin and her new husband are vegan. They live far away, so they can’t bring anything for Thanksgiving. I’m hosting 16 total, and I’d say the other 14 guests (this count includes my family) are very traditional eaters. The only other factor is nut allergies, but that’s my kids so I naturally work that into the menu. I think the other guests are pretty traditional and expect the usual fare. I’m happy to do some extra work, but I’d love to pinch-hit with vegan store-bought items from Wegmans, if anyone happens to know of anything good.

Appetizers could be:
Veggies/chips with homemade French onion dip and hummus as the vegan option
Maybe shot glasses of vegan vichyssoise?

Dinner of:
Turkey, gravy
Mashed potatoes

Could make vegan versions of:
Mashed potatoes (small side dish that I would keep by and then add butter and cream/milk to the majority of the pot)
Burgundy mushrooms (I usually make with butter but I think I can easily make these vegan)
Dressing (easy enough to use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, but I might get dinged by the majority for this as I think it wont’ t taste as good)
Cranberry sauce
Roasted vegetables
Maybe some type of roll? Does anyone know of a good vegan bread mix or cornbread mix or some such?

Dessert:
Traditional versions of pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan pie
I could make apple pie filling for vegans and just have that warm in a crock pot?
Maybe add some kind of vegan brownie? Need help with dessert ideas

Is the above enough food for the vegans? They can make a plate of that, right?

make pumpkin pie vegan with canned coconut cream https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-pumpkin-pie/
WF actually has some awesome vegan desserts and any vegan bakery will have vegan treats around the holidays. If you are in VA/MD, Elizabeths counter in Alexandria may have thanksgiving related items and their donuts are AWESSSSSSOOOMMEEE

Vegan mashed potatoes are easy- use veggie stock and vegan butter. miyokos is great. You can make cornbread vegan. Bakeries sell vegan rolls.

-non vegan whose son was DF for 4 years, which meant basically vegan bakeries were our go-tos

No, OP is doing enough cooking and baking and does not need to make an entire vegan pumpkin pie for two people. She’s already making apple, so making more of the filling and omitting butter and setting it aside in a crock pot is only a little bit of extra work. If the vegans are concerned they can order a vegan dessert and ship it to OP’s house; living far away is no excuse not to contribute to a meal, especially when you are the difficult one.

it wouldnt be separate nitwit. everything can be made vegan using substitutes. everything using butter can use vegan butter. anything use chix stock can use veggie stock.

DP bit no thanks, I am not eating your vegan “delicacies” thanks but no thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my cousin and her new husband are vegan. They live far away, so they can’t bring anything for Thanksgiving. I’m hosting 16 total, and I’d say the other 14 guests (this count includes my family) are very traditional eaters. The only other factor is nut allergies, but that’s my kids so I naturally work that into the menu. I think the other guests are pretty traditional and expect the usual fare. I’m happy to do some extra work, but I’d love to pinch-hit with vegan store-bought items from Wegmans, if anyone happens to know of anything good.

Appetizers could be:
Veggies/chips with homemade French onion dip and hummus as the vegan option
Maybe shot glasses of vegan vichyssoise?

Dinner of:
Turkey, gravy
Mashed potatoes

Could make vegan versions of:
Mashed potatoes (small side dish that I would keep by and then add butter and cream/milk to the majority of the pot)
Burgundy mushrooms (I usually make with butter but I think I can easily make these vegan)
Dressing (easy enough to use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, but I might get dinged by the majority for this as I think it wont’ t taste as good)
Cranberry sauce
Roasted vegetables
Maybe some type of roll? Does anyone know of a good vegan bread mix or cornbread mix or some such?

Dessert:
Traditional versions of pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan pie
I could make apple pie filling for vegans and just have that warm in a crock pot?
Maybe add some kind of vegan brownie? Need help with dessert ideas

Is the above enough food for the vegans? They can make a plate of that, right?

make pumpkin pie vegan with canned coconut cream https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-pumpkin-pie/
WF actually has some awesome vegan desserts and any vegan bakery will have vegan treats around the holidays. If you are in VA/MD, Elizabeths counter in Alexandria may have thanksgiving related items and their donuts are AWESSSSSSOOOMMEEE

Vegan mashed potatoes are easy- use veggie stock and vegan butter. miyokos is great. You can make cornbread vegan. Bakeries sell vegan rolls.

-non vegan whose son was DF for 4 years, which meant basically vegan bakeries were our go-tos

No, OP is doing enough cooking and baking and does not need to make an entire vegan pumpkin pie for two people. She’s already making apple, so making more of the filling and omitting butter and setting it aside in a crock pot is only a little bit of extra work. If the vegans are concerned they can order a vegan dessert and ship it to OP’s house; living far away is no excuse not to contribute to a meal, especially when you are the difficult one.

it wouldnt be separate nitwit. everything can be made vegan using substitutes. everything using butter can use vegan butter. anything use chix stock can use veggie stock.

Nobody wants “vegan substitutes” that irritate the bowels on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is for traditional, indulgent food with real ingredients. It’s one special day of the year with pies front and center, and that shouldn’t be messed with just because two people choose to follow an absurd diet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my cousin and her new husband are vegan. They live far away, so they can’t bring anything for Thanksgiving. I’m hosting 16 total, and I’d say the other 14 guests (this count includes my family) are very traditional eaters. The only other factor is nut allergies, but that’s my kids so I naturally work that into the menu. I think the other guests are pretty traditional and expect the usual fare. I’m happy to do some extra work, but I’d love to pinch-hit with vegan store-bought items from Wegmans, if anyone happens to know of anything good.

Appetizers could be:
Veggies/chips with homemade French onion dip and hummus as the vegan option
Maybe shot glasses of vegan vichyssoise?

Dinner of:
Turkey, gravy
Mashed potatoes

Could make vegan versions of:
Mashed potatoes (small side dish that I would keep by and then add butter and cream/milk to the majority of the pot)
Burgundy mushrooms (I usually make with butter but I think I can easily make these vegan)
Dressing (easy enough to use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, but I might get dinged by the majority for this as I think it wont’ t taste as good)
Cranberry sauce
Roasted vegetables
Maybe some type of roll? Does anyone know of a good vegan bread mix or cornbread mix or some such?

Dessert:
Traditional versions of pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan pie
I could make apple pie filling for vegans and just have that warm in a crock pot?
Maybe add some kind of vegan brownie? Need help with dessert ideas

Is the above enough food for the vegans? They can make a plate of that, right?

make pumpkin pie vegan with canned coconut cream https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-pumpkin-pie/
WF actually has some awesome vegan desserts and any vegan bakery will have vegan treats around the holidays. If you are in VA/MD, Elizabeths counter in Alexandria may have thanksgiving related items and their donuts are AWESSSSSSOOOMMEEE

Vegan mashed potatoes are easy- use veggie stock and vegan butter. miyokos is great. You can make cornbread vegan. Bakeries sell vegan rolls.

-non vegan whose son was DF for 4 years, which meant basically vegan bakeries were our go-tos

Haha I just had a flashback on how my vegan friend always tries to tell me how her vegan stuff is soooo yummy. Please OP don’t go for this advice! Even my 12 yo would know something’s wrong with this year’s menu lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

You sound kind. I recommend you talk to them before finalizing your plans and make sure what you’re planning to do will actually be something that works for them and is appreciated. I was assigned to bring desserts one year, and my husband’s side of the family includes one gluten free person and one gluten free/dairy free person. I thought I was doing a nice thing by special ordering very beautiful expensive gf/df personal apple pies from a local bakery that is fully gf (no cross contamination). It was an inconvenient place for me to go while simultaneously trying to bake regular desserts and pack my family to travel. Both people I bought the desserts for didn’t eat them or even taste them to be polite! The gf/df person packed her own fruit for dessert and the gf person just ate vanilla ice cream I had brought to serve with the pies. Lesson learned was that sometimes people with dietary restrictions are actually even more complex and disordered/picky about food than their restriction category indicates, so you may want to check if they even like mushrooms or potatoes or whatever so you don’t go to the trouble unless it will be eaten/appreciated.

Not liking pumpkin pie is not "disordered" or picky -- most people don't like it. Literally every single year I wonder why we serve it at Thanksgiving. But they were probably used to having such serious diarrhea after eating food brought by well intentioned relatives that they've learned the hard way not to eat it.

NP. In that case, they should not even make their dietary restrictions or choices known to other people. If you are going to share that kind of information—which is helpful to most hosts—you should be prepared to graciously eat what is offered, like a guest. Knowing that holiday meals often include contributions from others, you should be prepared for the fact that other people will likely have gone literally out of their way for you. If you have “learned the hard way” not to eat this or that when people are just trying to be helpful and welcoming, bring your own food or be prepared to eat before or after. Honestly, there is no pleasing or accommodating picky, particular, difficult people who honestly CHOOSE to be ridiculous.

I am not a picky eater. I eat everything. I'm simply saying that the extreme negative reactions to people's dietary restrictions are weird -- weirder then the dietary restrictions. It is not "disordered" to not like pumpkin pie. It also would not be reasonable for a guest allergic to gluten and dairy to say, "Sorry, no, I've had too much diarrhea. This time I'll pass." The normal thing would just be to not eat it. Sounds like the host delegated pies to the PP and told her about the two guests with dietary restrictions. I doubt the guests with restrictions asked that PP directly. Just guessing tho.

It was apple pies, not a pumpkin pie (which I agree is gross and I am not picky and have no dietary restrictions). Both guests eat and enjoy apples, have eaten things of this type in the past, and weren’t too full for dessert (as I mentioned, one ate ice cream, the other pulled out a big fruit salad she packed for herself). They were being rude, picky and disordered by refusing the pies, which were beautiful and appetizing-looking. I am not saying they needed to eat the pies if they would prefer to eat something else. I’m just saying that *sometimes* other wacky food issues accompany people who choose to follow restrictive diets in the first place. And even when you go out of your way to make a nice meal for these people in spite of the extra work, they may actually not appreciate any of your efforts or actually prefer fruit and salad. The only way to know is to ask.

You're the one with the wacky issues. You got your feelings hurt because you went out of your way to get the special pies and and instead of the praise you expected, no one ate them. That is a totally understandable reaction. It's not understandable to label the people who didn't want them "disordered". I made a delicious dish for a swim team banquet one year and hardly anyone touched it. I was hurt. But I didn't call the entire swim team and their parents, wacky, picky and disordered. Such is life.

And BTW people who are gf and df do not CHOOSE to follow restrictive diets. They get severe diarrhea if they eat gluten or dairy. How can anyone not know this in 2022?

NP. A lot of people with eating disorders do, in fact, self-diagnose food allergies as a way to disguise their disorder. This is a well-known fact. I challenge you to do research. Another way that people with eating disorders hide their disorder is extreme training like for a marathon. That way, it’s always “oh sorry I can’t, I’m training for the marathon” rather than “I can’t enjoy foods like that because I am afraid of them and have to feel in control.” Of course some people do have real allergies or really are lactose intolerant, etc. But a lot of people use that kind of thing as an excuse to hide the disorder. This includes veganism. I’m not saying all vegans have eating disorders; I am saying that many people with eating disorders use a vegan diet (or gluten free, etc.) as a shield.

This sounds like an exhausting way to go through life -- assuming people are actually hiding a disorder. Oh brother.

DP. But it’s a fact. There’s research. I actually feel bad for these people. Society makes it hard to admit the disorder and therefore get treatment.