My List Of Thanks On This Vegan Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost here. As the holiday approaches, I have become quite busy preparing a menu and shopping for my family’s vegan feast. Luckily, I’ve been able to find some peaceful moments in the midst of the hustle and bustle. During these times, I find myself reflecting upon the changes which have occurred in my life since I decided to become vegan about 3 years ago. Unfortunately, some of these changes have not been so great. For example, I often find it difficult to dine out with friends since there are no vegan restaurants where I live. Although I could usually put together a vegan meal from any menu, I often worry that butter, eggs or other animal products are slipped into my food. Additionally, as some of you may already know, it is not fun having to endlessly answer the inevitable question “where do you get your protein?” The truth is that life could be bumpy when you are a lone vegan in a non-vegan community. However, the positives of becoming vegan have clearly outweighed the negatives, and I have so much to be thankful for since I adopted my vegan lifestyle.

Having given this topic much thought, I decided to create a list (in no particular order) of the things in my life which I am presently most thankful for. Here it goes!

I AM THANKFUL THAT…

– my family and friends are happy and healthy;

– I am happy and healthy;

-my non-vegan friends (which are all of them) read my blog, accompany me to New York City to try vegan restaurants, surprise me with vegan gifts such as Rescue Chocolate and Matt & Nat accessories, and give me vouchers for vegan cooking classes for my birthday (hey, wonderful friends, you know who you are);

-the fibroid tumor which was being closely watched by my gynecologist for a long period of time magically disappeared six months after I started my vegan diet;

-I now have power and light in my home after being without it for two weeks as a result of Hurricane Sandy;

-my home was not destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Sandy;

-I found a new passion in blogging about my vegan lifestyle;

-I enjoy exercise;

-I have a natural love of lentils and beans;

-my brother Matt (who was a vegetarian for over 30 years) recently made the leap to veganism making him a much healthier, happier and thinner brother;

-my husband Jeff enjoys my vegan cooking and loves to tell me which of my recipes are blogworthy;

-I live within a reasonable distance from a Whole Foods Market, Fairways and Trader Joe’s.

I AM ALSO THANKFUL FOR…

-my Ford Fusion Hybrid which gets awesome gas mileage and enabled me to leave Long Island after Hurricane Sandy when gas was scarce;

-the unconditional love of my adorable cat who is currently nipping at my leg because I am not giving him enough attention;

–Tarte Cosmetics and Korres Cherry Lip Gloss in Pale Pink #23;

–Vegan Divas and Vegan Treats Bakeries;

–Sweet & Sara Marshmallows;

-Daiya Cheese;

-Big Buddha boots;

-Stella McCartney who creates gorgeous vegan handbags and shoes for me to drool over;

–Cornelia Guest who has created gorgeous vegan handbags which I can afford;

-the anticipated I Pad (4th Generation) which I may be getting for the holidays;

-the amazing vegan restaurants in the metropolitan area such as Candle 79, Blossom and Franchia;

-the dedicated physicians, including Drs. Neal Barnard, Caldwell Esselstyn, Dean Ornish and Joel Fuhrman, who understand that good health comes from more than ingesting pharmaceuticals;

-the outspoken celebrities, such as Ellen DeGeneris, Alicia Silverstone, Russell Simmons and Kim Kardashian (only kidding!), who use their celebrity status to do good things in the world;

-accomplished authors, like Jonathan Safran Foer and Kathy Freston, who use their literary talents to write important books such as “Eating Animals” and “Veganist”;

-the amazing food websites which consistently provide me with delicious vegan recipes including VegWeb, VegKitchen, Plant-Powered Kitchen, Oh She Glows and Bittersweet Blog;

-all of you who took the time to visit my site!

MY DREAMS FOR NEXT THANKSGIVING ARE THAT…

-my two teenage sons adopt a plant-based diet;

-my husband suddenly becomes an awesome vegan chef;

-an all-vegan restaurant opens up on Long Island;

-homes are restored to those who have lost them in Hurricane Sandy;

-our country heals and the economy grows;

-veganism becomes mainstream;

-more ethical companies will manufacture gorgeous vegan shoes;

-animal cruelty ends;

-wearing fur becomes illegal;

-global warming is halted;

-rainforests are saved;

-world hunger, racism, and wars end;

-a great vegan cooking show comes to the Food Network!

I told you…the list was in no particular order.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace and Love,

Debby