Wellness
Blogger-Approved Winter Dinner Party Ideas
Recipes that impress, for your most delicious feast yet.
Last night I had a crazy dream. It was the holidays and I was watching a friend prep a family dinner in the kitchen. She had a black and white puppy. Totally adorable. She was rubbing oil on his fur as he gazed at her trustingly. Then she put a large silver pot on the stove, and gently placed the puppy in the pot. After a few seconds I realized that she meant to cook the puppy for dinner. That’s when I reached into the pot and pulled the puppy into my arms. As I did, he transformed into an equally adorable baby cow, and started licking my face. That’s when I woke up to my cat, Calie, licking my cheek.
Or… maybe my dream wasn’t all that crazy. In Asia, people actually do this (eat dogs and cats). So what’s the difference, really, between us eating a turkey or rabbit and them eating a dog or a cat? Nothing, that’s what. All animals are the same, really. They all have thoughts, feelings, fears, desires, autonomy, etc. Just like humans do. Killing them and cutting them up to eat is quite simply an unnecessary cruelty.
In fact, filling your plate with plants and grains has been proven time and time again to be the healthier option — not just for your own personal longevity and appearance, but for the planet. Even Arnold agrees. So please — join me this holiday in celebrating the cruelty-free way: with a delicious vegan dinner!
Here are a few fantastic meal plans from chef bloggers I really admire:
Amelie Phillips
I don’t eat meat vegan is the only way to go we need to stop killing animals.I think it is so barbaric the idea of eating another living things flesh makes me sick. I hope with this recipes, more people will start switching to vegan for the holidays.
Ellie Stevens
I love the dishes here! Some of it even looks like it has meat in it, but it doesn’t. I’m glad I came across this post. Our menu needs more.
Ava Boyle
Vegan diets can be extremely economical. Many vegans center their diet around grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds, all of which can be purchased cheaply in bulk. Buying in-season veggies and fruits is quite easy on your wallet. Honestly, being vegan is a little pricey.
Nicole Atkinson
Jamie Oliver is an idol of mine for vegetarian dishes. I love watching him in lifestyle cooking shows too.
Diana Manasir
His dishes were controversial but I beg to disagree. They all taste good I bet.
Ella Gardiner
The dishes listed in this article makes me want to go vegan. I’m going to show this to my friends, maybe we could come up with some of this for Christmas eve.
Tegan Pugh
Eating clean is the best choice I have ever made, and now my family is joining in. Get yourself educated!!! Read the China Study, or better yet, watch Food INC, Forks Over Knives, and Food Matters. You will get the facts that are so often hidden, and then you decide what is right for you.
Glenda Winslow
This list is so great you want to go vegan! I have a tip for you. First of all, make lists of all animal products you currently use. Then go to the store and find replacements for these products when you cook a meal. Slowly but surely you won’t buy animal products anymore. Also, try too cook vegan once or twice a week first and do it more often. Online you can find amazing recipes. But also nonvegan recipes – including your favorites – can easily be ‘veganized’. This is what I did back then. I started slowly until I stopped feeling like I was starving myself from animal products. Sometimes, things like this are mind over matter. By looking at the brighter side, it truly is healthier and it tastes good too.
Georgina Thomas
Reduction in dairy, meat, and eggs is often tied to the alleviation of allergy symptoms. Many vegans report much fewer runny noses and congestion problems. I had been experiencing this half of my life until I switched to being vegan.
Grace Fry
I’m very particular with my skin which is why I switched to vegan. The nuts and vitamins A and E from vegetables play a big role in healthy skin, so vegans will usually have good skin health. Many people who switch to a vegan diet will notice a remarkable reduction in blemishes as well. I used to have cystic acne and large pores. But for some reason, when I switched to being vegan, my pores have gotten smaller and my acne has cleared. Maybe our mothers didn’t lie when she sad something about fruits and vegetables aiding the youthful glow in our skin.
Nicole Andrews
The dishes here are simply WOW. I would definitely not mind going vegan this holiday if those were the dishes I’ll be eating.