Being vegan can be difficult on vacation. Christmas celebrations in the UK, Canada, Asia, Australia, and especially the United States do not necessarily lead to a vegan, or even vegetarian lifestyle. However, you can survive without falling prey to the tasty animal foods and desserts that seem to be everywhere. Remember these 7 smart vacation tips for vegans, and you may even convert a few friends or family to your lifestyle.
1 Host Your Own Holiday Celebration – The best way to ensure that you adhere to your vegan beliefs is to host your own holiday party at your home. You probably have a lot of friends and family who would love to let you do all the cleaning, cooking, and lodging. This gives you the opportunity to fool some carnivores with Tofurky, and you also benefit from not having to drive a long distance after a glut.
2 BYOV: you can always bring your own vegan. That’s right, why not cook up some main dishes and side dishes that you would enjoy eating and bring to your holiday gathering? What host wouldn’t appreciate you doing some of the cooking, after all?
3 Dine Out – There’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a holiday meal at your favorite vegan restaurant. You won’t have to deal with a messy cleanup afterward, and some of your friends may surprise you by wanting to join them and try something vegan.
4 Throw Down the Gauntlet – Do you have friends and family who are very competitive by nature? Give them a vegan challenge. Even meat eaters know the risks of a predominantly meat-based diet. Challenge your competitive friends and family to a meatless vacation. The result could simply be helping someone who loves to live a much healthier lifestyle.
5 Get Creative – Get connected and start looking for creative vegan alternatives to holiday favorites. Suddenly the eggnog turns into “nogg veg” and you can find filling recipes that are just as delicious as traditional varieties. You will even find that you can prepare delicious dishes like mashed potatoes and gravy that strictly adhere to your vegan mindset.
6 Be considerate: Vacations are a time to spend with your loved ones. You can stick to your personal vegan beliefs without putting others down or making them feel like a stranger by hosting a vegan Christmas celebration.
7 Add Calorie Counts – Why not include a Nutritional Value poster, chart, or label on any vegan dish that contributes to a holiday celebration? Meat lovers are just as concerned about their calorie count as vegetarians and vegans. When they try your delicious vegan dishes and see how healthy they are, they may start to see the light.