More Humane Thanksgiving Ideas

These days, I rarely subject myself to the numerous videos detailing animal cruelty/mistreatment/etc. I have seen enough to last a lifetime (namely, mine). I choose to focus most of the time on positive ways to make an impact, such as cooking and eating vegan, supporting animal welfare organizations, shopping with companies whose values I trust, and even just caring very much for the animals (and people!) in my own house.

That being said, I would really suggest watching this Compassion Over Killing video on the turkey "industry." It's graphic, but purposefully so. It reminds me why I choose to live the way I do, and why I will never put another animal or animal product in my mouth. It may sound cliche', but those little turkeys wiggling around and blinking their eyes look the same way to me that my dog does, or my cats for that matter, and I would never eat them!

Here are a couple of recipes from Compassion Over Killing's holiday archives. I have tried lots of COK recipes and haven't been let down yet. Enjoy!!

Savory Stuffing

Serves 6 to 8
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup diced onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
4 cups soft bread cubes
1 cup chopped apple
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup cranberries
1 cup vegetable broth
salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet, heat the oil and then sauté the onion and celery until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Pour the sautéed vegetables into a casserole dish. Add the remaining ingredients, bread cubes through seasonings. Toss well, making sure all of the bread cubes are soaked in the vegetable broth. Bake for 45 minutes.

Chicken-Free Gravy

Makes 4 servings
3 tablespoons soy margarine
1 cup flour
1 cup nutritional yeast*
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning**
1 teaspoon onion salt
dash of pepper
2 cups vegetarian broth or 1 vegetarian bouillon cube dissolved in 2 cups boiling water
Melt the soy margarine in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, nutritional yeast, and seasonings, stirring quickly with a whisk.
Add the broth, stirring until blended. Continue cooking and stirring for 5 minutes, or until thick.
* Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast rich in vitamins and minerals, with a wonderful cheesy flavor that can be found in most natural foods grocery stores. It can be easily added to soups, stews, casseroles, or in place of cheese to make any dish creamier.
** Poultry seasoning—a mixture of sage, thyme, marjoram, and other herbs—can be found in nearly every grocery store.

Happy Un-Turkey Day right around the corner!!