Surviving the holidays with the family

As a new vegan, I struggled when I went home for the holidays. Firstly the folks don’t understand why I don’t eat meat. Secondly the smells can set you back by reminding you of non-vegan foods you used to enjoy. 

Here’s a few things I do to help me cope. 

Know your why  

It sounds cliche, but it’s true. Knowing why you’re doing something is the best defense you can have. It maybe for health reasons that you decided to follow a vegan lifestyle. Or it may be for ethical reasons. But whatever it is, remind yourself of why you started every time you face temptation.  Let it me a mantra you recite to yourself. Go ahead and get it tattooed on your arm if that helps. Carry your own supplies          

Understand that not everyone will go out of their way to accommodate your lifestyle. Your omnivore family is not going to stop buying or cooking animal products just because you’re vegan. And to expect them to do so is unfair and unrealistic. When I started I would meal prep at least three different dishes before I go home. I made sure that these could be combined in different meals, just to keep things interesting. This helped me avoid being tempted.  Make your favorite meals so you’re not exposed to experiencing cravings that you can’t satisfy. I find chickpea curry, a stir fry using textured vegetable protein does the trick. I can have this with any starch thats prepared at home. For snacks, pack your favorite nuts and seeds. This can give your family an insight into what you eat so they won’t worry that “you’re not eating enough food”.

Take on the cooking

A lot of people don’t realize that you can have a fully nutritious meal without meat. Take on the responsibility to cook the veggies for each meal. Make them in such a way that you can enjoy them so you still eat the same food as the rest of the family, just without the meat or gravy.  Make a chickpea or bean salad. The family will enjoy it as a side to their main meal. While you enjoy it as your main meal, just make sure you serve yourself A decent portion. 

Be kind, always

When people lack understanding, they can seem judgmental  mental. Be assured that they’ll judge your choice to become vegan.  They will see it as an inditement to their own lifestyle choices.  Remember that you were not born vegan and that this has been a transformation for you. You don’t always have to respond to the comments. But if you do respond, always do it with the intent to educate rather than defend.  You can achieve so much more with a kind word than a roughly worded rebuttal.