*Uncle Swanson wants to know why there is kale on your plate! The audacity!
We are probably picking on Aunt Mildred too much these days. She means well, she just wants you to be happy and she just wants you to EAT. Goodness, is that so bad? It’s the holidays, you should treat yourself, you should eat until Santa looks thin standing next to you, right?! That is what Aunt Mildred thinks anyway.
So what do you do when that inevitable moment comes, when a relative or friend discovers that you are not diving into the cream cheese smothered bacon wrapped turkey? It can feel like time stands still, all of a sudden, you are going along just fine, happily eating delicious plant-strong sides you brought along and all the veggies on the veggie tray and then, out of nowhere Uncle Ron Swanson looks at you with disgust. “Son, where is the meat on your plate?” Suddenly the entire table is looking at you, Aunt Mildred has dropped her ladle right in the bacon grease gravy! And you look up and try to say something, all at the same time thinking things like “I can’t seem like I think I’m better than everyone else” or “I can’t offend Aunt Mildred” or “I could fake pass out!”.
Fear not! While these situations can be awkward and sometimes hard, you can survive them!
Option 1: Make a joke. “I was abducted by vegetarian aliens, and I must eat strange food.”
Option 2: Tell the truth. “My health was in pretty bad shape and I changed my eating habits, I’m trying to be good during the holidays so I don’t slip back into old habits.”
Option 3: From our favorite psychologist, Doug Lisle – use the “seem strategy”. “It all looks good, but I stay away from certain foods, it seems to be working for me.” The seem strategy seems to diffuse a lot of situations.
Option 4: Stay home. This might not always be an option, but if there are situations in which your health will be potentially jeopardized or you will be made to feel terrible about your health decisions, it might be best stay home, or leave early – before the meal starts or even get to gathering after everyone has had their big meal.
Option 5: Host a plant-strong holiday potluck! And if you live in Austin, be sure to come to our potluck this Thursday! https://www.facebook.com/events/330434836967827/
Remember that no matter where you are, we are here for you! Get on your smart phone and post on our facebook or twitter pages! We’ll be around throughout the holidays to help you out or to just listen!
Special note for those of you on twitter: Join us tonight for a twitter party! https://www.facebook.com/events/194093660680707/
It will be a great night to ask questions, hang out, chat, and win prizes!
