My 2020 Thanksgiving Menu
I want to let you in on a little secret. The first few years we ate plant-based, I focused on eating well day in and day out at home, then I gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted at various holiday gatherings. Sometimes I wasn’t all that interested in whatever was being served, other times I really wanted to try new foods! So I did!
I still remember going to a Christmas party not too long after we switched. It was full of yummy treats and appetizers, and I gladly sampled many of them. But it wasn’t long before I felt awful. I remember feeling so disappointed–I hadn’t really switched to plant-based eating with the intention of giving anything up 100% forever! I still wanted to eat all of those fun foods!
But as time went by, I found it so much more fun and rewarding to make healthy versions of food I enjoyed. I really don’t miss or crave foods. I love how these foods make me feel, I love the way they taste. And it’s possible to make a healthier version of just about everything!
When it came to Thanksgiving, I started experimenting with just a couple of things per year. First I found a pie and mashed potatoes that we loved and every year it’s gradually had a higher ratio of whole plant foods to everything else.
For Thanksgiving this year we’ll have a small group, and from what I am preparing it will be almost completely whole plant foods. I found some new favorites preparing the November and December member meal plans but many of these are already here on the blog.
Thanksgiving Lentil Loaf (Member Meal Plans)
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts (Member Meal Plans)
Kale (omit quinoa for side salad) or Thanksgiving Salad
Rolls – we have a recipe that seems promising but yet to be made 😋
Pumpkin Pie from Dreena Burton–turned out great last year!
I LOVE using Plan to Eat to organize my menus, especially when I have a lot to keep track of for a big meal like this. I renew my membership at half price every year during their Black Friday sale. You can grab a free trial and see if it’s a good fit for you–read all the ways it helps me here.
As the effects of the pandemic appear to be impacting our holiday festivities more than we may like, may it be an opportunity to see all the good that unexpected change can and has brought us. I have no doubt that difficulties leave us better people when we lean into them, allow them to teach us and have an eye for the good that they bring. Cheering you on!