Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in order for me to consider it a meal. " So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, but we don't pay for it.) I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't opposed to pasta and vegetables!! Tonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 We've been doing BBQ's and I'm of the mind that anyone can bring something to toss on the grill. If we had a dinner party, we usually bring a dish we can eat, and I'd suggest they would do the same (though all of our friends are omin's and willing to try whatever we make/have/etc). We also just went to a BBQ at a relatives house and made/brought seitan ribz to throw on the grill.There was another person who was invited who was vegan, too, but everyone else was not. We brought enough to share, even though nothing else on the grill would have been something we could have. (they, again, were all vegan friendly folk). The only stipulation I have is that we will not accept anything with cow milk/cheese/etc because of the allergy issues with our son. I always bring something we can have if we are invited, or I ask ahead of time about bringing something. Everyone knows about the allergy, so they accommodate for that. I think they otherwise make stuff we can have and have whatever else on the side for them (we were invited over a friend's for some home made cold borcht, and the way they made it, had egg, but they cut it up and had it on the side, not in the soup, as folks could make it as they liked. We also were told to bring yogurt and/or sour cream for it if we had it, as they didnt' have any other kind than cow milk. We were happy to oblige and brought for us, and offered them some to try. It's always some kind of thing similar to this when we have friends over, or if they have us over. There's always something we do for each other that can be easily modified to our likings, and it's not a big deal, as we even have plans to do cooking together for like a 'family' meal once a week or so. I think it might also help that one set of our friends has realized they need to cut out dairy from their daughter's diet, and they find it a bit daunting, but are glad I/we're here to help and give pointers and such. It's funny, as this is my friend who got me interested in being a vegetarian when we were teens, and now I'm vegan, and she's back to being an omni (for many years now). I think in general that if you bring stuff with you when you go to their house, and they can bring a dish for at your house (I prefer this kind of dinner, unless we're trying to impress folks with the whole " here's the awesoem food we eat " . We have to alter it slightly as both my mom and my husband's mom can't have soy because of medical conditions -but it's not a big deal, and we're ok with them bringing stuff into our house if they take it back out again LOL). MIssie On 7/22/07, vegton <vegton wrote: > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, > but we don't pay for it.) > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > Tonia > > > -- http://mszzzi.zoomshare.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/mszzzi/ ~~~~~(m-.-)m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 , " vegton " <vegton wrote: > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, > but we don't pay for it.) > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > Tonia > I agree with you 100% No one ever died from eating string beans. I always think bean burritos with all the fixings are also a great safe way to go. I say stick to your guns, if they do not like the menu then they can eat dessert! heheheh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 If they would honestly not eat food with you unless it had meat in it, something is seriously wrong with them!! If you're a vegetarian for ethical reasons, it's a 100% different thing than if they have something you can eat when you go to their place. It'd be like if you expected them to cook you a dog when you went to their house. If you're the one cooking, you pick. If they don't like it... invite them over for a game of cards or something after you've all eaten in your own homes. I wouldn't cook or serve (or allow in my house!) any type of meat either!! If your friends were true carnivores and did not consume plants for ethical reasons, then maybe they'd have a case. But they're obviously not morally opposed to eating plants, so your ethical beliefs take precedence. It sounds to me like they would like to put their desire to feel like big American meat-eaters over your beliefs... I certainly wouldn't have people like that over either!!! vegton <vegton wrote: How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in order for me to consider it a meal. " So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, but we don't pay for it.) I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't opposed to pasta and vegetables!! Tonia Kadee Sedtal " When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmmm, boy. " -Jack Handey Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 <<We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in order for me to consider it a meal. " >> There's a statement, huh? Unless you plan on serving every single type of food available every time you have guests, you are not likely to serve everyone's favourite every time, no matter what. Big friggin' deal. Every single host -- omnivore or vegetarian -- comes up with a menu and serves those few items to their guests. If an omnivore host serves dead cow to an omnivore guest whose favourite meal is a dead pig, does that mean the guest will complain? No, of course not. They were fed something they could eat. That's what matters. And that's the difference: you're not serving food they CAN'T eat (allergies, religious or philosophical beliefs, medical issues). You're simply serving food that isn't their first choice for a meal. My mother is the same way. I am a bad guest for not eating everything that is put out to eat by a host, and I am a bad host for not serving dead animals to guests in my home. No understanding that maybe someone is a bad host if they don't bother to take into account their guests' dietary needs, or a bad guest for insisting on eating only exactly what they want (sounds like a spoiled brat to me!). Think of it this way....would you insist that an observant Jew or Muslim serve pork in their home simply because their guests were Christian? Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > order for me to consider it a meal. Hmm, what about chocolate-covered grasshoppers?? };-> Yoghurt and sourdough bread causes the death of billions of organisms with each meal. Will that be enough death? Or, what if you made the best mock-meat recipe you know - like a vegetarian meatloaf or something - serve it to them, but don't eat it yourself. Let them think it's meat. During dessert you can tell them, if you wish, or not. The BBQ suggestion is good. There's these cool things called hot rocks, anyone hear of those before? It's like a BBQ only instead of a grill, there are these slabs that you heat in an oven, then everyone sits around like for fondue, cooking their own bite-sized portions on the slabs.Or you could do homemade pizzas, everyone making their own - you provide a variety of toppings but if they want meat on theirs, let them know they can bring their own. If it isn't too offensive to you. > Think of it this way....would you insist that an observant Jew or > Muslim serve pork in their home simply because their guests were > Christian? That's absolutely the best way of putting it. I used to go out with a group of friends, about 10 or 12 of us, every week. One was allergic to shellfish. When we'd go to a restaurant where you share dishes like Chinese or pizza, this person wanted there to be NO shellfish on any of the dishes. I didn't think that was fair - as long as she could eat most of the dishes. With so many people, there's no way everyone would be able to eat a portion from every dish anyway, that's just too much food! Do you insist that every dish they serve when you are a guest, conform to your diet? Why should every dish conform to their diet when you host them? Are they opposed to vegetables? Maybe they are like my kids! Ok, then serve some fruit and bread also. As long as there's some food they can eat, why should it be everything they would want to eat? I've never heard of non-vegetarians expecting their vegetarian friends to serve them meat. Some friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Well stated. We are vegan, and as takeout or whatever, have allowed friends to bring meat into our home for themselves. We keep the kitchen " kosher. " (it is the best way to describe it to them.) We have a few seperate pieces of silverware for them, their meat to BBQ never touches our grill, & we use paper plates. We have only ever had one person get offended by this rule, and she is bypolar & was having a manic day. After her husband talked to her, she understood & has been back several times since. Bottom line is that your friends should respect your beliefs while they are in your home. That being said, even the most avid hunter type has agreed that our BBQ seitan tasted great! ERB <bakwin wrote: <<We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in order for me to consider it a meal. " >> There's a statement, huh? Unless you plan on serving every single type of food available every time you have guests, you are not likely to serve everyone's favourite every time, no matter what. Big friggin' deal. Every single host -- omnivore or vegetarian -- comes up with a menu and serves those few items to their guests. If an omnivore host serves dead cow to an omnivore guest whose favourite meal is a dead pig, does that mean the guest will complain? No, of course not. They were fed something they could eat. That's what matters. And that's the difference: you're not serving food they CAN'T eat (allergies, religious or philosophical beliefs, medical issues). You're simply serving food that isn't their first choice for a meal. My mother is the same way. I am a bad guest for not eating everything that is put out to eat by a host, and I am a bad host for not serving dead animals to guests in my home. No understanding that maybe someone is a bad host if they don't bother to take into account their guests' dietary needs, or a bad guest for insisting on eating only exactly what they want (sounds like a spoiled brat to me!). Think of it this way....would you insist that an observant Jew or Muslim serve pork in their home simply because their guests were Christian? Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 I have non-vegetarian dinner guests at my house. However, they know that I will not be preparing any type of meat for them, whatsoever. It's out of the question. I always fix them a vegetarian meal and it's never been a problem or issue. It's one meal. If they can't go one meal without eating animals there's something wrong. If people complained because it's a vegetarian mean then I wouldn't have those people over again. But I wouldn't stop having people over for dinner. But no - I wouldn't serve up some meat to please them. I would, however, make a great meal that everyone can enjoy and provide good company and a nice atmosphere. It's their loss if they choose to not attend because of a lack of meat. Also, I have kids that I'm raising vegetarian. If I were to tell them it's wrong to eat animals and then I personally cook and serve some up to guests in my house it would send a very confusing message to them. (Not to mention that there's no way I could actually touch or prepare meat, it would make me sick!). Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 If you have friends with food allergies, you make accomodations for them. If you had a kosher home, you would not serve pork to non-kosher friends. Meat eaters don't eat or expect meat at every meal. The point of having friends for dinner is to enjoy each other's company. When I entertain, I keep it simple (something along the lines of lasagne, ceasar salad and garlic bread) so I can enjoy my guests. No one will care what you serve, as long as it tastes good, there's enough for everyone, and you don't spend the evening in the kitchen. If your spouse is saying that your meat eating friends won't eat a meal without meat, then I think that his perception of their eating habits may be skewed. vegton <vegton wrote: How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in order for me to consider it a meal. " So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, but we don't pay for it.) I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't opposed to pasta and vegetables!! Tonia Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Hello, My house is always vegetarian. In fact, when we are cooking, it's always vegan. When having friends and extended family over, I think about their pallets and try to prepare foods they will like. However, that's as far as I will go. Most of my guests enjoy their food. Some don't and don't eat so much. Either way, it's just one meal. People can eat whatever they want before they come, or after they leave. Or, if it really bothers them, they can decline my invitations. For kids, I will often offer them a peanut butter sandwich if they don't seem to be eating. For grown-ups, I don't spend my efforts worrying about it. Lot's of times, I have little to eat when I go to a party or to a friend's for dinner. I adjust. So can they. When I became a vegan, I had some thought that this would promote worldwide veganism; once everyone experienced all the heathy, tasty vegan food they were sure to abandon their unhealthy, wasteful and murderous meaty ways. I soon learned that not everybody is so thrilled by a vegan cuisine. With two kids and a full-time job my goals are less lofty now. Sadly, the gourmet vegan meals have gone by the wayside. I am happy just feeding family and occasionally hosting some friends with healthy foods that are relatively quick to prepare. Still, I think it is important for everyone to see that there are meat-free ways of living, even if they don't choose to embrace those ways as their own. -Sharon At 11:07 PM +0000 7/22/07, vegton wrote: >How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband >and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal >should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve >meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we >have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. >We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in >order for me to consider it a meal. " > >So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food >or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, >but we don't pay for it.) > >I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something >to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently >they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't >opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > >Tonia > > > >For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG >website at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful >for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion >list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical >advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. > >edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified >health professional. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 We have a vegan house, period. No one brings non-vegan food to our parties (and we have a dinner party several times a month and a larger party - 100 or so guests - every couple months) and no one expects us to serve any non-vegan foods. We know a lot of people with allergies and always have something for them to eat. I've never had any complaints and I'm pretty sure if someone didn't want to be friends with us because we didn't serve them meat that they were not the kind of people we wanted to have as friends anyway. All of our friends are great about having something vegan for us when we go to their houses too. We live in east central Illinois so not the center of veg living, but it still works well for us. Good luck finding what works for your family! Linda http://triballife.net/ A Marketplace for a Better World ______________________________\ ____ Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games. http://get.games./proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 That's an idea! You could serve a real nice veggie lasagna with salad and such.. Then they would likely never know. Our veggie experience is too new at this point to have had this problem. But I can not see being the guest and dictating that a family completely change their believes. If I visited a person who had food allergies, I would not expect them to prepare a meal with the allergen in it. Same with if I visited a Muslim, or Jewish family.. or even a Catholic on Fridays. While I would suggest in the Ethnic or allergy or Religious situation that if your preparing a meal for them as guests to go by their guidelines. I would not invite a Jewish family over for pork chops.. KWIM. But in this situation.. I would think if the guest can't sit through a veggie meal.. then.. tough noogies for them. I mean it's a friendly dinner, its not like your taking a " sacred cow " like the thanksgiving turkey away! I would not make it an issue.. I would just serve what you would eat. Grilled veggies, or like Robin suggested the Veggie Lasagna - flavor, variety, enough food.. good friends. Show them vegetarian is not about being abnormal or " deprived " . Steph " We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. " C.S. Lewis On Behalf Of robin koloms Monday, July 23, 2007 6:52 AM Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests If you have friends with food allergies, you make accomodations for them. If you had a kosher home, you would not serve pork to non-kosher friends. Meat eaters don't eat or expect meat at every meal. The point of having friends for dinner is to enjoy each other's company. When I entertain, I keep it simple (something along the lines of lasagne, ceasar salad and garlic bread) so I can enjoy my guests. No one will care what you serve, as long as it tastes good, there's enough for everyone, and you don't spend the evening in the kitchen. If your spouse is saying that your meat eating friends won't eat a meal without meat, then I think that his perception of their eating habits may be skewed. vegton <vegton (AT) (DOT) <vegton%40> com> wrote: How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in order for me to consider it a meal. " So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, but we don't pay for it.) I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't opposed to pasta and vegetables!! Tonia Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 We don't allow dead animals into our home. Our home is our refuge from the insanity. I've only had one person get up and leave because of it - my own brother. And he has since eaten here. Amazing though, since I've sat through meals munching on a piece of bread. Jill Sharon Strauss <sstrauss wrote: Hello, My house is always vegetarian. In fact, when we are cooking, it's always vegan. When having friends and extended family over, I think about their pallets and try to prepare foods they will like. However, that's as far as I will go. Most of my guests enjoy their food. Some don't and don't eat so much. Either way, it's just one meal. People can eat whatever they want before they come, or after they leave. Or, if it really bothers them, they can decline my invitations. For kids, I will often offer them a peanut butter sandwich if they don't seem to be eating. For grown-ups, I don't spend my efforts worrying about it. Lot's of times, I have little to eat when I go to a party or to a friend's for dinner. I adjust. So can they. When I became a vegan, I had some thought that this would promote worldwide veganism; once everyone experienced all the heathy, tasty vegan food they were sure to abandon their unhealthy, wasteful and murderous meaty ways. I soon learned that not everybody is so thrilled by a vegan cuisine. With two kids and a full-time job my goals are less lofty now. Sadly, the gourmet vegan meals have gone by the wayside. I am happy just feeding family and occasionally hosting some friends with healthy foods that are relatively quick to prepare. Still, I think it is important for everyone to see that there are meat-free ways of living, even if they don't choose to embrace those ways as their own. -Sharon At 11:07 PM +0000 7/22/07, vegton wrote: >How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband >and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal >should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve >meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we >have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. >We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in >order for me to consider it a meal. " > >So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food >or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, >but we don't pay for it.) > >I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something >to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently >they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't >opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > >Tonia > > > >For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG >website at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful >for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion >list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical >advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. > >edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified >health professional. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 I find it amazing that I actually know people whose only vegetable is green beans and potatoes. That's it. I honestly.. even when I was a total omnivore .. do not know how their body continues to work. My granny was raised in the south ( early 1900's) on a lot of free range chicken and wild game.. but they always had their greens with dinner, corn all and all that. A meal just was not a meal with out some veggies.. least two. I can not envision a day with out two or three veggies.. even when I was a meat eater. I am not even talking about the Atkins craze either.. just people who eat nothing but cold cereal out of a box, bologna sandwich and chips for lunch and then some sort of fast food or other take out for dinner. Someone told me that tomato sauce on pizza and or ketchup and a lettuce slice on a cheese burger counted as a vegetable serving. My eyes rolled back in my head and I glazed over at that point. Cause they were dead serious. Steph " We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. " C.S. Lewis On Behalf Of ben wenzel Monday, July 23, 2007 12:21 PM Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests We don't allow dead animals into our home. Our home is our refuge from the insanity. I've only had one person get up and leave because of it - my own brother. And he has since eaten here. Amazing though, since I've sat through meals munching on a piece of bread. Jill Sharon Strauss <sstrauss (AT) haverford (DOT) <sstrauss%40haverford.edu> edu> wrote: Hello, My house is always vegetarian. In fact, when we are cooking, it's always vegan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Steak, ketchup, and green beans. That was a meal in my parents' house. I agree with you, I don't know how their bodies keep working. Breakfast was a huge mound of eggs with bacon and sausage and maybe a few bits of peppers or onions mixed in with the eggs. I just don't get it. RnScarlson <scarlson1 wrote: I find it amazing that I actually know people whose only vegetable is green beans and potatoes. That's it. I honestly.. even when I was a total omnivore .. do not know how their body continues to work. My granny was raised in the south ( early 1900's) on a lot of free range chicken and wild game.. but they always had their greens with dinner, corn all and all that. A meal just was not a meal with out some veggies.. least two. I can not envision a day with out two or three veggies.. even when I was a meat eater. I am not even talking about the Atkins craze either.. just people who eat nothing but cold cereal out of a box, bologna sandwich and chips for lunch and then some sort of fast food or other take out for dinner. Someone told me that tomato sauce on pizza and or ketchup and a lettuce slice on a cheese burger counted as a vegetable serving. My eyes rolled back in my head and I glazed over at that point. Cause they were dead serious. Steph " We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. " C.S. Lewis On Behalf Of ben wenzel Monday, July 23, 2007 12:21 PM Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests We don't allow dead animals into our home. Our home is our refuge from the insanity. I've only had one person get up and leave because of it - my own brother. And he has since eaten here. Amazing though, since I've sat through meals munching on a piece of bread. Jill Sharon Strauss <sstrauss (AT) haverford (DOT) <sstrauss%40haverford.edu> edu> wrote: Hello, My house is always vegetarian. In fact, when we are cooking, it's always vegan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2007 Report Share Posted July 29, 2007 Tonia, I am a little backlogged on email can you tell? But I wanted to respond. In our home right now we are vegan and do not bring meat or dairy into the house. For houseguests we make sure our friends are aware of this, but we try to make it fun and unconventional when they come over so our friends don't compare it to other dinners. We always do a tapas or appetizer event. So we call our friends and let them pick the theme: Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Lebanese, Spanish, etc. then we research vegan dishes and make appetizer portions of tons of different foods. It is fun for me and my son to cook together (we usually do this while my husband works nights).. Then when our guests come over we have music to go with the theme that we have downloaded usually off iTunes. We have candles and drinks that fit the food. It lets our friends experience something new and us too. It also is great because our friends don't feel pressure to eat a whole portion of something they don't like not to offend us. They can take a little bit of each item and then go back for what they like, leave off what they don't and feel good about the whole experience. We often think of things from our perspective because we are the minority, but my friends have said it can be tense if you think the food tastes really bad but you don't want to offend a veggie friend.. this takes off some of the pressure of a big dish. It also makes it fun and different for all of us. I really encourage you to try it, our friends try and get us to host the dinners most often because they like it so much. and now when we go out to their houses, for example, July 4 our friends had a bbq. Everyone brought a dish we could eat.. there was so much there I could not believe it.. our making it fun for our friends has opened their eyes and their pallets and they are much more aware and considerate when we are out at their houses. I no longer even have to bring food we can eat.. there are ALWAYS vegan dishes at our friends events, it is so nice! Paige _____ On Behalf Of littlemomma0104 Sunday, July 22, 2007 7:39 PM Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests @gro <%40> ups.com, " vegton " <vegton wrote: > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, > but we don't pay for it.) > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > Tonia > I agree with you 100% No one ever died from eating string beans. I always think bean burritos with all the fixings are also a great safe way to go. I say stick to your guns, if they do not like the menu then they can eat dessert! heheheh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2007 Report Share Posted July 29, 2007 Hey, the appetizer thing is a really cool idea! Next time we have people over I may try that. Paige <gosstucker wrote: Tonia, I am a little backlogged on email can you tell? But I wanted to respond. In our home right now we are vegan and do not bring meat or dairy into the house. For houseguests we make sure our friends are aware of this, but we try to make it fun and unconventional when they come over so our friends don't compare it to other dinners. We always do a tapas or appetizer event. So we call our friends and let them pick the theme: Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Lebanese, Spanish, etc. then we research vegan dishes and make appetizer portions of tons of different foods. It is fun for me and my son to cook together (we usually do this while my husband works nights).. Then when our guests come over we have music to go with the theme that we have downloaded usually off iTunes. We have candles and drinks that fit the food. It lets our friends experience something new and us too. It also is great because our friends don't feel pressure to eat a whole portion of something they don't like not to offend us. They can take a little bit of each item and then go back for what they like, leave off what they don't and feel good about the whole experience. We often think of things from our perspective because we are the minority, but my friends have said it can be tense if you think the food tastes really bad but you don't want to offend a veggie friend.. this takes off some of the pressure of a big dish. It also makes it fun and different for all of us. I really encourage you to try it, our friends try and get us to host the dinners most often because they like it so much. and now when we go out to their houses, for example, July 4 our friends had a bbq. Everyone brought a dish we could eat.. there was so much there I could not believe it.. our making it fun for our friends has opened their eyes and their pallets and they are much more aware and considerate when we are out at their houses. I no longer even have to bring food we can eat.. there are ALWAYS vegan dishes at our friends events, it is so nice! Paige _____ On Behalf Of littlemomma0104 Sunday, July 22, 2007 7:39 PM Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests @gro <%40> ups.com, " vegton " <vegton wrote: > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My husband > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the meal > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't serve > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure we > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to eat. > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for food > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our house, > but we don't pay for it.) > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have something > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They aren't > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > Tonia > I agree with you 100% No one ever died from eating string beans. I always think bean burritos with all the fixings are also a great safe way to go. I say stick to your guns, if they do not like the menu then they can eat dessert! heheheh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2007 Report Share Posted July 29, 2007 Paige, This sounds like a really fun idea. We may have to have a party just to do something like this. It's nifty,and everyone gets to do something new - it's fabulous! Missie On 7/28/07, Paige <gosstucker wrote: > > Tonia, > > I am a little backlogged on email can you tell? But I wanted to > respond. In our home right now we are vegan and do not bring meat or dairy > into the house. For houseguests we make sure our friends are aware of > this, > but we try to make it fun and unconventional when they come over so our > friends don't compare it to other dinners. We always do a tapas or > appetizer event. So we call our friends and let them pick the theme: > Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Lebanese, Spanish, etc. then we > research vegan dishes and make appetizer portions of tons of different > foods. It is fun for me and my son to cook together (we usually do this > while my husband works nights).. Then when our guests come over we have > music to go with the theme that we have downloaded usually off iTunes. We > have candles and drinks that fit the food. > > It lets our friends experience something new and us too. It > also is great because our friends don't feel pressure to eat a whole > portion > of something they don't like not to offend us. They can take a little bit > of each item and then go back for what they like, leave off what they > don't > and feel good about the whole experience. We often think of things from > our > perspective because we are the minority, but my friends have said it can > be > tense if you think the food tastes really bad but you don't want to offend > a > veggie friend.. this takes off some of the pressure of a big dish. It also > makes it fun and different for all of us. I really encourage you to try > it, > our friends try and get us to host the dinners most often because they > like > it so much. and now when we go out to their houses, for example, July 4 > our > friends had a bbq. Everyone brought a dish we could eat.. there was so > much > there I could not believe it.. our making it fun for our friends has > opened > their eyes and their pallets and they are much more aware and considerate > when we are out at their houses. I no longer even have to bring food we > can > eat.. there are ALWAYS vegan dishes at our friends events, it is so nice! > > Paige > > _____ > > <%40> [ > <%40>] On > Behalf Of littlemomma0104 > Sunday, July 22, 2007 7:39 PM > <%40> > Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests > > @gro <% <%25> > 40> ups.com, > > " vegton " <vegton wrote: > > > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My > husband > > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the > meal > > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't > serve > > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure > we > > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to > eat. > > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for > food > > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our > house, > > but we don't pay for it.) > > > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have > something > > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They > aren't > > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > > > Tonia > > > I agree with you 100% No one ever died from eating string beans. I > always think bean burritos with all the fixings are also a great safe > way to go. I say stick to your guns, if they do not like the menu > then they can eat dessert! heheheh. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Paige, Missie and all, I've also had success with exposing our friends to good vegan food--my friend's son loved a vegan cake I had made, and when his birthday rolled around, I offered to make the cake (which of course meant it would be a party where my boys would be able to eat the cake!). Even knowing they'd have only about 20 guests, I made a cake to feed an army, so everyone could just eat as much as they wanted. It was a huge success, lots of people asked for the recipe, and the other day my friend brought over vegan cake for our children! Even the parents who inicially didn't ask for the recipe have had to learn how to make it, because their kids bugged them so much to have it at home. (And it's loaded with good stuff--ground flaxseeds, wheat germ, carrots, tofu, soymilk...) But as far as the kids could see, it was just a vanilla cake with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting. And there were no vegetarians of any kind in the group, all omnivores. Real friends, in our experience, have always reacted well to our being vegan, and in Brazil, we are in an even tinier minority than you lucky US vegans... Lynnea Missie Ward <mszzzi wrote: Paige, This sounds like a really fun idea. We may have to have a party just to do something like this. It's nifty,and everyone gets to do something new - it's fabulous! Missie On 7/28/07, Paige <gosstucker wrote: > > Tonia, > > I am a little backlogged on email can you tell? But I wanted to > respond. In our home right now we are vegan and do not bring meat or dairy > into the house. For houseguests we make sure our friends are aware of > this, > but we try to make it fun and unconventional when they come over so our > friends don't compare it to other dinners. We always do a tapas or > appetizer event. So we call our friends and let them pick the theme: > Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Lebanese, Spanish, etc. then we > research vegan dishes and make appetizer portions of tons of different > foods. It is fun for me and my son to cook together (we usually do this > while my husband works nights).. Then when our guests come over we have > music to go with the theme that we have downloaded usually off iTunes. We > have candles and drinks that fit the food. > > It lets our friends experience something new and us too. It > also is great because our friends don't feel pressure to eat a whole > portion > of something they don't like not to offend us. They can take a little bit > of each item and then go back for what they like, leave off what they > don't > and feel good about the whole experience. We often think of things from > our > perspective because we are the minority, but my friends have said it can > be > tense if you think the food tastes really bad but you don't want to offend > a > veggie friend.. this takes off some of the pressure of a big dish. It also > makes it fun and different for all of us. I really encourage you to try > it, > our friends try and get us to host the dinners most often because they > like > it so much. and now when we go out to their houses, for example, July 4 > our > friends had a bbq. Everyone brought a dish we could eat.. there was so > much > there I could not believe it.. our making it fun for our friends has > opened > their eyes and their pallets and they are much more aware and considerate > when we are out at their houses. I no longer even have to bring food we > can > eat.. there are ALWAYS vegan dishes at our friends events, it is so nice! > > Paige > > _____ > > <%40> [ > <%40>] On > Behalf Of littlemomma0104 > Sunday, July 22, 2007 7:39 PM > <%40> > Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests > > @gro <% <%25> > 40> ups.com, > > " vegton " <vegton wrote: > > > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My > husband > > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the > meal > > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't > serve > > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure > we > > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to > eat. > > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for > food > > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our > house, > > but we don't pay for it.) > > > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have > something > > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They > aren't > > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > > > Tonia > > > I agree with you 100% No one ever died from eating string beans. I > always think bean burritos with all the fixings are also a great safe > way to go. I say stick to your guns, if they do not like the menu > then they can eat dessert! heheheh. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Lynnea, My brother-in-law typically does not like vegan food (I think he means restaurant seitan and such), though he has always been amazed/impressed with everything we've ever made here (bbq seitan, seitan roasts, and other stuff that was not seitan). He generally doesn't like seitan and he is always surprised when he likes mine so much. He would try it, but not keep eating if he didn't like it. He always seems confused when he tries the stuff I make because it's so good. A friend of mine's daughter just had a birthday and she was going to make lemon squares (by her daughter's request). I offered to make them and I found the recipe at the ppk.com and everyone raved about them. We made a double batch, and they were just amazing. There were actually several people and kids (not counting us) that were very happy that they could eat them - on had a peanut allergy (to the extent they can't have storebought cakes/etc because they might have peanut oil), another was a vegetarian family, one little girl was vegetarian (but not her family) and then there was also us(vegan). Everyone else just thought they were really very good. One lady asked for the recipe. I have brought stuff for us to my IL's when there's been b'day stuff - and they at least make an effort and get a slice of vegan cake for our son, at least now they do. And only for him, not us. LOL. I don't care as we share between the 3 of us whatever it is, or I bring something. I haven't asked to make any for them yet. I know we did make cake and stuff for my Husband's birthday over there, but I don't know what else. It's like it only recently occured to me to offer. After the reception of the lemon squares, I may just do this for my b'day (the one that is next on the list LOL). Thanks for the great suggestions! We do need to have more dinner parties and such over here, and I guess if I really want to maybe do catering, then I should start offering and what not. Missie On 7/30/07, Lynnea Hansen Nascimento <lynnea_hansen wrote: > > Paige, Missie and all, > I've also had success with exposing our friends to good vegan food--my > friend's son loved a vegan cake I had made, and when his birthday rolled > around, I offered to make the cake (which of course meant it would be a > party where my boys would be able to eat the cake!). Even knowing they'd > have only about 20 guests, I made a cake to feed an army, so everyone could > just eat as much as they wanted. It was a huge success, lots of people asked > for the recipe, and the other day my friend brought over vegan cake for our > children! Even the parents who inicially didn't ask for the recipe have had > to learn how to make it, because their kids bugged them so much to have it > at home. > (And it's loaded with good stuff--ground flaxseeds, wheat germ, carrots, > tofu, soymilk...) But as far as the kids could see, it was just a vanilla > cake with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting. > And there were no vegetarians of any kind in the group, all omnivores. > Real friends, in our experience, have always reacted well to our being > vegan, and in Brazil, we are in an even tinier minority than you lucky US > vegans... > Lynnea > > Missie Ward <mszzzi <mszzzi%40gmail.com>> wrote: Paige, > > This sounds like a really fun idea. We may have to have a party just to do > something like this. It's nifty,and everyone gets to do something new - > it's fabulous! > > Missie > > On 7/28/07, Paige <gosstucker <gosstucker%40roadrunner.com>> > wrote: > > > > Tonia, > > > > I am a little backlogged on email can you tell? But I wanted to > > respond. In our home right now we are vegan and do not bring meat or > dairy > > into the house. For houseguests we make sure our friends are aware of > > this, > > but we try to make it fun and unconventional when they come over so our > > friends don't compare it to other dinners. We always do a tapas or > > appetizer event. So we call our friends and let them pick the theme: > > Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Lebanese, Spanish, etc. then we > > research vegan dishes and make appetizer portions of tons of different > > foods. It is fun for me and my son to cook together (we usually do this > > while my husband works nights).. Then when our guests come over we have > > music to go with the theme that we have downloaded usually off iTunes. > We > > have candles and drinks that fit the food. > > > > It lets our friends experience something new and us too. It > > also is great because our friends don't feel pressure to eat a whole > > portion > > of something they don't like not to offend us. They can take a little > bit > > of each item and then go back for what they like, leave off what they > > don't > > and feel good about the whole experience. We often think of things from > > our > > perspective because we are the minority, but my friends have said it can > > be > > tense if you think the food tastes really bad but you don't want to > offend > > a > > veggie friend.. this takes off some of the pressure of a big dish. It > also > > makes it fun and different for all of us. I really encourage you to try > > it, > > our friends try and get us to host the dinners most often because they > > like > > it so much. and now when we go out to their houses, for example, July 4 > > our > > friends had a bbq. Everyone brought a dish we could eat.. there was so > > much > > there I could not believe it.. our making it fun for our friends has > > opened > > their eyes and their pallets and they are much more aware and > considerate > > when we are out at their houses. I no longer even have to bring food we > > can > > eat.. there are ALWAYS vegan dishes at our friends events, it is so > nice! > > > > Paige > > > > _____ > > > > <%40><%40> [ > > <%40><%40>] On > > Behalf Of littlemomma0104 > > Sunday, July 22, 2007 7:39 PM > > <%40><%40> > > Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests > > > > @gro <% <%25><%25> > > 40> ups.com, > > > > " vegton " <vegton wrote: > > > > > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My > > husband > > > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the > > meal > > > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't > > serve > > > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure > > we > > > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to > > eat. > > > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > > > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > > > > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for > > food > > > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our > > house, > > > but we don't pay for it.) > > > > > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have > > something > > > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > > > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They > > aren't > > > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > > > > > Tonia > > > > > I agree with you 100% No one ever died from eating string beans. I > > always think bean burritos with all the fixings are also a great safe > > way to go. I say stick to your guns, if they do not like the menu > > then they can eat dessert! heheheh. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 will you please post the recipe? Lynnea Hansen Nascimento <lynnea_hansen wrote: Paige, Missie and all, I've also had success with exposing our friends to good vegan food--my friend's son loved a vegan cake I had made, and when his birthday rolled around, I offered to make the cake (which of course meant it would be a party where my boys would be able to eat the cake!). Even knowing they'd have only about 20 guests, I made a cake to feed an army, so everyone could just eat as much as they wanted. It was a huge success, lots of people asked for the recipe, and the other day my friend brought over vegan cake for our children! Even the parents who inicially didn't ask for the recipe have had to learn how to make it, because their kids bugged them so much to have it at home. (And it's loaded with good stuff--ground flaxseeds, wheat germ, carrots, tofu, soymilk...) But as far as the kids could see, it was just a vanilla cake with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting. And there were no vegetarians of any kind in the group, all omnivores. Real friends, in our experience, have always reacted well to our being vegan, and in Brazil, we are in an even tinier minority than you lucky US vegans... Lynnea Missie Ward <mszzzi wrote: Paige, This sounds like a really fun idea. We may have to have a party just to do something like this. It's nifty,and everyone gets to do something new - it's fabulous! Missie On 7/28/07, Paige <gosstucker wrote: > > Tonia, > > I am a little backlogged on email can you tell? But I wanted to > respond. In our home right now we are vegan and do not bring meat or dairy > into the house. For houseguests we make sure our friends are aware of > this, > but we try to make it fun and unconventional when they come over so our > friends don't compare it to other dinners. We always do a tapas or > appetizer event. So we call our friends and let them pick the theme: > Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Lebanese, Spanish, etc. then we > research vegan dishes and make appetizer portions of tons of different > foods. It is fun for me and my son to cook together (we usually do this > while my husband works nights).. Then when our guests come over we have > music to go with the theme that we have downloaded usually off iTunes. We > have candles and drinks that fit the food. > > It lets our friends experience something new and us too. It > also is great because our friends don't feel pressure to eat a whole > portion > of something they don't like not to offend us. They can take a little bit > of each item and then go back for what they like, leave off what they > don't > and feel good about the whole experience. We often think of things from > our > perspective because we are the minority, but my friends have said it can > be > tense if you think the food tastes really bad but you don't want to offend > a > veggie friend.. this takes off some of the pressure of a big dish. It also > makes it fun and different for all of us. I really encourage you to try > it, > our friends try and get us to host the dinners most often because they > like > it so much. and now when we go out to their houses, for example, July 4 > our > friends had a bbq. Everyone brought a dish we could eat.. there was so > much > there I could not believe it.. our making it fun for our friends has > opened > their eyes and their pallets and they are much more aware and considerate > when we are out at their houses. I no longer even have to bring food we > can > eat.. there are ALWAYS vegan dishes at our friends events, it is so nice! > > Paige > > _____ > > <%40> [ > <%40>] On > Behalf Of littlemomma0104 > Sunday, July 22, 2007 7:39 PM > <%40> > Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests > > @gro <% <%25> > 40> ups.com, > > " vegton " <vegton wrote: > > > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My > husband > > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the > meal > > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't > serve > > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure > we > > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to > eat. > > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for > food > > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our > house, > > but we don't pay for it.) > > > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have > something > > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They > aren't > > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > > > Tonia > > > I agree with you 100% No one ever died from eating string beans. I > always think bean burritos with all the fixings are also a great safe > way to go. I say stick to your guns, if they do not like the menu > then they can eat dessert! heheheh. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 My husband, in-laws and almost everyone I know eats meat. When they come over, he buys the meat and cooks it and keeps it in a separate refrigerator (reserved for carnage). I then take the challenge to make the most delicious main course type meal to supplement the meat that I can think of, not to mention a wonderful appetizer and dessert. Usually people are so full from going back for vegetarian seconds, there is little room for the usually healthy dessert. I love doing this. One or two times we have been caught short with someone staying at the last minute. Then I just fix whatever I was going to fix, I have had several guests comment that they forgot about not eating meat or wondering if something vegetarian I made really had meat in it (this has happened with chili and burritos). I love it when my husband gets too lazy and just says...well they can eat whatever you are fixing. Then we do not discuss it, just eat vegetarian! I have never had a friend not return because of it and if they stayed away we probably are not good friends anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Lynnea, Would you be willing to share your recipe? I can't seem to find a good vanilla cake - yours sounds wonderful! Thanks! Paige, Missie and all, I've also had success with exposing our friends to good vegan food--my friend's son loved a vegan cake I had made, and when his birthday rolled around, I offered to make the cake (which of course meant it would be a party where my boys would be able to eat the cake!). Even knowing they'd have only about 20 guests, I made a cake to feed an army, so everyone could just eat as much as they wanted. It was a huge success, lots of people asked for the recipe, and the other day my friend brought over vegan cake for our children! Even the parents who inicially didn't ask for the recipe have had to learn how to make it, because their kids bugged them so much to have it at home. (And it's loaded with good stuff--ground flaxseeds, wheat germ, carrots, tofu, soymilk...) But as far as the kids could see, it was just a vanilla cake with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting. And there were no vegetarians of any kind in the group, all omnivores. Real friends, in our experience, have always reacted well to our being vegan, and in Brazil, we are in an even tinier minority than you lucky US vegans... Lynnea _____ On Behalf Of Lynnea Hansen Nascimento Monday, July 30, 2007 6:41 AM Re: Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests Recent Activity * 1 New </members;_ylc=X3oDMTJmajVkdHRuBF9TA zk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIwNzQ4NjkEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDQyMDU0BHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZtY nJzBHN0aW1lAzExODU4MDUyMzg-> Members Visit <;_ylc=X3oDMTJlYmVrM3NrBF9TAzk3MzU5N zE0BGdycElkAzIwNzQ4NjkEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDQyMDU0BHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZnaHAEc3Rpb WUDMTE4NTgwNTIzOA--> Your Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 I LOVE lemon squares and would love a recipe without eggs... Missie Ward <mszzzi wrote: Lynnea, My brother-in-law typically does not like vegan food (I think he means restaurant seitan and such), though he has always been amazed/impressed with everything we've ever made here (bbq seitan, seitan roasts, and other stuff that was not seitan). He generally doesn't like seitan and he is always surprised when he likes mine so much. He would try it, but not keep eating if he didn't like it. He always seems confused when he tries the stuff I make because it's so good. A friend of mine's daughter just had a birthday and she was going to make lemon squares (by her daughter's request). I offered to make them and I found the recipe at the ppk.com and everyone raved about them. We made a double batch, and they were just amazing. There were actually several people and kids (not counting us) that were very happy that they could eat them - on had a peanut allergy (to the extent they can't have storebought cakes/etc because they might have peanut oil), another was a vegetarian family, one little girl was vegetarian (but not her family) and then there was also us(vegan). Everyone else just thought they were really very good. One lady asked for the recipe. I have brought stuff for us to my IL's when there's been b'day stuff - and they at least make an effort and get a slice of vegan cake for our son, at least now they do. And only for him, not us. LOL. I don't care as we share between the 3 of us whatever it is, or I bring something. I haven't asked to make any for them yet. I know we did make cake and stuff for my Husband's birthday over there, but I don't know what else. It's like it only recently occured to me to offer. After the reception of the lemon squares, I may just do this for my b'day (the one that is next on the list LOL). Thanks for the great suggestions! We do need to have more dinner parties and such over here, and I guess if I really want to maybe do catering, then I should start offering and what not. Missie On 7/30/07, Lynnea Hansen Nascimento <lynnea_hansen wrote: > > Paige, Missie and all, > I've also had success with exposing our friends to good vegan food--my > friend's son loved a vegan cake I had made, and when his birthday rolled > around, I offered to make the cake (which of course meant it would be a > party where my boys would be able to eat the cake!). Even knowing they'd > have only about 20 guests, I made a cake to feed an army, so everyone could > just eat as much as they wanted. It was a huge success, lots of people asked > for the recipe, and the other day my friend brought over vegan cake for our > children! Even the parents who inicially didn't ask for the recipe have had > to learn how to make it, because their kids bugged them so much to have it > at home. > (And it's loaded with good stuff--ground flaxseeds, wheat germ, carrots, > tofu, soymilk...) But as far as the kids could see, it was just a vanilla > cake with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting. > And there were no vegetarians of any kind in the group, all omnivores. > Real friends, in our experience, have always reacted well to our being > vegan, and in Brazil, we are in an even tinier minority than you lucky US > vegans... > Lynnea > > Missie Ward <mszzzi <mszzzi%40gmail.com>> wrote: Paige, > > This sounds like a really fun idea. We may have to have a party just to do > something like this. It's nifty,and everyone gets to do something new - > it's fabulous! > > Missie > > On 7/28/07, Paige <gosstucker <gosstucker%40roadrunner.com>> > wrote: > > > > Tonia, > > > > I am a little backlogged on email can you tell? But I wanted to > > respond. In our home right now we are vegan and do not bring meat or > dairy > > into the house. For houseguests we make sure our friends are aware of > > this, > > but we try to make it fun and unconventional when they come over so our > > friends don't compare it to other dinners. We always do a tapas or > > appetizer event. So we call our friends and let them pick the theme: > > Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Lebanese, Spanish, etc. then we > > research vegan dishes and make appetizer portions of tons of different > > foods. It is fun for me and my son to cook together (we usually do this > > while my husband works nights).. Then when our guests come over we have > > music to go with the theme that we have downloaded usually off iTunes. > We > > have candles and drinks that fit the food. > > > > It lets our friends experience something new and us too. It > > also is great because our friends don't feel pressure to eat a whole > > portion > > of something they don't like not to offend us. They can take a little > bit > > of each item and then go back for what they like, leave off what they > > don't > > and feel good about the whole experience. We often think of things from > > our > > perspective because we are the minority, but my friends have said it can > > be > > tense if you think the food tastes really bad but you don't want to > offend > > a > > veggie friend.. this takes off some of the pressure of a big dish. It > also > > makes it fun and different for all of us. I really encourage you to try > > it, > > our friends try and get us to host the dinners most often because they > > like > > it so much. and now when we go out to their houses, for example, July 4 > > our > > friends had a bbq. Everyone brought a dish we could eat.. there was so > > much > > there I could not believe it.. our making it fun for our friends has > > opened > > their eyes and their pallets and they are much more aware and > considerate > > when we are out at their houses. I no longer even have to bring food we > > can > > eat.. there are ALWAYS vegan dishes at our friends events, it is so > nice! > > > > Paige > > > > _____ > > > > <%40><%40> [ > > <%40><%40>] On > > Behalf Of littlemomma0104 > > Sunday, July 22, 2007 7:39 PM > > <%40><%40> > > Re: non-vegetarian dinner guests > > > > @gro <% <%25><%25> > > 40> ups.com, > > > > " vegton " <vegton wrote: > > > > > > How do you all handle your non-vegetarian dinner guests? My > > husband > > > and I avoid having dinner guests because we disagree on how the > > meal > > > should be handled. I say, since we're vegetarians we shouldn't > > serve > > > meat, but he says that since most of our friends always make sure > > we > > > have something to eat we should make sure they have something to > > eat. > > > We have friends that have flat out told us " something has to die in > > > order for me to consider it a meal. " > > > > > > So, since we disagree on this we just don't have people over for > > food > > > or when we do we order out (I still don't like meat being in our > > house, > > > but we don't pay for it.) > > > > > > I think it's totally different from them making sure we have > > something > > > to eat and us making sure they have something to eat (apparently > > > they'll starve if there's no meat) because of our beliefs. They > > aren't > > > opposed to pasta and vegetables!! > > > > > > Tonia > > > > > I agree with you 100% No one ever died from eating string beans. I > > always think bean burritos with all the fixings are also a great safe > > way to go. I say stick to your guns, if they do not like the menu > > then they can eat dessert! heheheh. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Yes, Diana! Even for meat eaters, the veg alternative often looks better! When I was at boarding school (Putney School, in Vermont), you had to register as a vegetarian at the beginning of the year, and at each meal go to a special line for the veg main course--they had to keep the list of registered vegs on hand at the front of the line, because there were always omnivores trying to get the veg food! Lynnea " diana.platt " <diana.platt wrote: My husband, in-laws and almost everyone I know eats meat. When they come over, he buys the meat and cooks it and keeps it in a separate refrigerator (reserved for carnage). I then take the challenge to make the most delicious main course type meal to supplement the meat that I can think of, not to mention a wonderful appetizer and dessert. Usually people are so full from going back for vegetarian seconds, there is little room for the usually healthy dessert. I love doing this. One or two times we have been caught short with someone staying at the last minute. Then I just fix whatever I was going to fix, I have had several guests comment that they forgot about not eating meat or wondering if something vegetarian I made really had meat in it (this has happened with chili and burritos). I love it when my husband gets too lazy and just says...well they can eat whatever you are fixing. Then we do not discuss it, just eat vegetarian! I have never had a friend not return because of it and if they stayed away we probably are not good friends anyway! Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Autos new Car Finder tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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