The

VeggieVision
Essential Guide
to Surviving and
Loving Your
Vegetarian
Christmas.
VeggieVision.TV has put together this
fun guide to enjoying a compassionate
and healthy veggie Christmas to help new
vegetarians with their first veggie
Christmas, to share tips and advice if you
have vegetarian and vegan family
members and maybe provide some new
suggestions for the seasoned vegetarian
too.

As you can see with combined experience

of about a million years our
knowledgeable vegetarians from all over
the planet have felt compelled to listen to
our requests for expert advice and share
their experiences with you. For this we are
very grateful.

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I also feel very grateful that you are
reading this and thanks also for tuning
into to VeggieVision.TV too. So let’s kick
off with a bit about VeggieVision….

You may have noticed our super new look

combined with VeggieVisionDating.com
and VeggieVisionCashback.com – and
much more on our links page too.

When Karin Ridgers was told a vegetarian

and vegan TV programme was "too ahead
of its time" and “too niche”, Karin decided
to produce her own internet TV station
and VeggieVision.TV was born.

The pilot was a great success with viewers

tuning in and also filming for VeggieVision
from all over the world. This was before
You Tube and before much video content
online. Despite having to wait for
technology to catch up with her idea
VeggieVision TV is now really moving
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forward with our new look launched with
the wonderful support of Ket from Sprit
Quest, Paul from Packetship and Adrian
from 9 Design. Thanks guys :O)

Passionate about healthy eating,

compassion to animals and low carbon
footprints VeggieVision is now looking for
new presenters as well as people who
would like to send in their own video
content.

How does this sound? Fancy sharing your

inspiring message with likeminded viewers
all over the world?

We look forward to hearing from you

soon!

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“Going vegetarian for me was the most
wonderful thing I have ever done - not
only was I taking notice of what I ate and
knowing that my plate was guilt free - I
felt spiritually happier and more confident
too.

The more I grew and learnt about eating a

vegetarian diet the natural progression for
me was going vegan and a few years later
I took the next step and have now been
vegan for about 10 years.

I love being vegan and I am passionate

about promoting it in a fun and positive
way. It is very exciting to know that we
5
are helping animals and paving the way
for an easier life for vegans of the future.

Please do enjoy our fun guide and I look

forward to adding your suggestions next
year!

From myself and the VeggieVision team, I

wish you a wonderful compassionate
veggie Christmas and a New Year of
contribution and growth.”

Karin Ridgers - Founder of VeggieVision

and MAD Promotions

6
Surviving and Loving
Your Vegetarian
Christmas

7
But why a veggie
Crimbo anyway?

8
Christmas is the time of goodwill to
all - but why doesn’t that include
turkeys? As more and more people
turn to a healthier and more
compassionate lifestyle more people
are taking up the veggie option at
Christmas and there are plenty of
reasons why…

• It’s a proven fact that vegetarians and

vegans suffer less heart disease, certain
cancers and strokes and an animal free
diet can be used to help to reduce
disease too.

• Concerned about cholesterol? Your body

makes its own and doesn’t want or need
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 anymore. All animal products contain
cholesterol which is a primary cause of
heart disease. A vegan diet naturally
doesn’t contain cholesterol.

• A vegan diet could feed the world. 750

million people go hungry
everyday whilst one third of the worlds
grain is fed to animals that are bred just
to feed us. Wouldn’t you rather feed the
Developing World rather than a cow that’s
going to be slaughtered for burgers?

• Many people do not realise that a cow is

like a woman, she can only produce milk
after giving birth. Therefore cows are
repeatedly made pregnant and the milk
is taken away for human consumption –
not even the little calf can have his
share. Often the calf is destroyed
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 immediately or taken away for veal. And
who wants to have the milk of another
animal anyway, would you have cat or
dog milk – yuk!!? Why not try soya, rice,
almond or hemp milk for a change.

• Are you into good tasty food? Great! The

vegans I have met throughout the world
love their food and feel happier that no
animal has had to suffer or die for their
plate.

• Some say vegans make better lovers

too!

Maybe the question should be why do you

eat meat rather than why not?

It’s embarrassingly easy to go vegetarian

and vegan. Instead of picking up the dead
animal burger, go for the veggie burgers,
11
instead of cow juice go for soya or rice
milk.

Nowadays there are kinder, healthier

alternatives for everything; fishless
fingers, tuna pate, sausages, burgers,
bacon, dairy free cheese, ice-cream and
chocolate.

There are many different varieties from

supermarkets and health shops. As well as
the meat and fish alternatives there are all
of the amazing fruits, vegetables, rice’s,
pastas, nuts, together with Mexican,
Indian, Chinese, Italian and Caribbean
food – and more!

So to sum up:

There is no need to kill animals for food.

It’s bad for you.

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The Developing World is going hungry.

The planet can not sustain itself on a

meat-based diet.

And animals are suffering.

So, why not check out the cruelty free

options that are around - and remember
knowledge is worthless without action - If
you know this stuff then let’s tell the
world!

Kicking us off is a super easy Christmas

recipe from The Healthy Vegan DVD – You
can see the video clip on VeggieVision TV
too.

Christmas recipe from THE HEALTHY

VEGAN DVD

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Available from
www.thehealthyvegandvd.com
37 recipes with Rose Elliot, Tony Bishop-
Weston and John Bayley. Produced by
WDF Productions.

CHESTNUT PATE EN CROUTE

By Rose Elliot

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 celery sticks, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 x 240g cans vacuum-packed whole
chestnuts
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
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A few breadcrumbs, optional, see recipe
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
350g packet ready-rolled frozen puff
pastry

Preheat the oven to 200oC (Fan 180oC),

400o F, Gas 6.

Heat the oil and fry the onions, celery and

garlic gently for about 10 minutes, until
soft.

Remove from the heat. Add the chestnuts,

mashing them with a potato masher to
make a mixture that will hold together. (If
it is a bit sloppy -- because the onions and
celery produced some liquid when frying
-- add a few breadcrumbs to firm it up as
necessary).

Add the soy sauce and lemon juice and

salt and pepper to taste. Leave to cool.

Lay the pastry out on a flat baking sheet.

Spoon the chestnut mixture onto the
centre, heaping it up into a loaf shape.
Wrap the pastry around it to completely
15
encase it. Arrange on the baking sheet
with the seam side underneath. Press the
edges together and trim off excess pastry.
Cut leaves or decorations from spare
pastry, brush with cold water and place on
top of the pastry. Make 3 steam-holes on
the top.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden

brown, crisp and flaky. Serve at once,
with vegan gravy, red currant jelly and
horseradish sauce.

Rose Elliot MBE is Britain’s foremost

vegetarian cookery writer and her
books have won her popular acclaim
all over the world. She has written
over 60 books, including Vegan
Feasts, and is a frequent contributor
to national magazines, radio and TV
as well as giving cookery
demonstrations throughout the UK.
For more about Rose, her books and
recipes, see her website,
www.roseelliot.com
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17
Tips and Advice from
some amazing
experts…..

18
From Vegan Coach –
Corrina Gordon-Barnes

My most memorable uncomfortable

situation was a big family meal. I'd been
vegan for 8 years, my partner for 4. Just
as the restaurant went quiet, as is always
the case, my deaf Granny shouted across
the table: "Are you still virgins then?" We
quietly informed her that although the
words were very similar, they had
somewhat different meanings.
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On a more serious note, how do you stay
confident when your beliefs are
continually getting challenged?

Here are 5 tips for a happy, confident

Christmas...

- Set the tone. If you show your veganism

to be an empowered choice, rather than a
restriction or an inconvenience, it'll be
received with curiosity and interest rather
than resentment. Make your enthusiasm
contagious.

- Be proactive. If you're eating in

someone's home, offer to cook at least
part of the meal. Stun them with your nut
roast, extra crispy potatoes or soya bread
sauce. If you're eating out, offer to take
responsibility for liaising with the
restaurant. This conveys your veganism
as a contribution, rather than a hindrance.
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- Listen to understand. If your mother-in-
law starts complaining that your diet will
make you weak, take a deep breath and
really listen to her concerns. What is
underneath what she's saying? Chances
are it's a sign that she genuinely cares
about your health. Listen through the way
people express their feelings to hear what
they're saying - and focus on the fact that
it probably means people care about you.

- Respect others' choices. Give to others

the respect you'd like for yourself. With
older generations who've had meat and
two veg for their entire life, it can be very
challenging to hear that there's another
way of eating. Ask them about their
favourite dishes and gently point out for
them the vegan elements. Find your
commonalities, rather than your
differences.

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- Ask yourself: What's most important? If
you get given a leather purse from an
unthinking relative, ask yourself: What
was the intention behind it? If a gift is
given in kindness, respond with that same
kindness. Next year, send them a link to
your favourite vegan catalogue!

Above all, see everyone as being on the

same side. It's not us and them. We never
convince anyone that our way is better by
shouting them down or coming across as
ungrateful, rude or awkward. Christmas at
best is about people coming together to
share, love and be happy. Let's be model
vegan examples of that.

(c) Corrina Gordon-Barnes, 2008.

Corrina is a coach, workshop facilitator,
speaker and writer; she helps women to
develop inspirational ventures.
www.doingthingsdifferently.blogspot.com
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Be Proud of being a
Vegetarian
Dr Rohan
Weerasinghe
Personal Development Coach and
Professional Speaker

23
My fiancé and I have been vegetarians for
over six years now and during that time
we have faced numerous questions about
“why we don’t eat meat?” Interestingly
enough some of the most negative people
that I have encountered, have over time
made dramatic shifts in their diet as a
result of our deep and passionate believe
about leading a health and vital life.

Remember, your choices for eating what

you eat are simply that – “your choice”
and to that end you should never feel
obligated to justify your diet to anyone.
That said, questions do arise and as a
coach and a public speaker on the subject
I have put together some basic tools and
responses that you can use, should you
wish to.

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1. I always recommend to clients to
read up on the subject of
vegetarianism and it benefits.
Understand the positive impact it has
so that you are more knowledgeable
should people decide to ask more
questions.

2. Take 5 minutes a day of quiet time

to visualise all the wonderful benefits
to you, your body and the world that
result from you being a vegetarian.
Thank the universe for your ability to
choose. Do this consistently and you
will find that over time your belief and
ability to explain to people who ask
becomes stronger and more relaxed.

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3. If faced with a situation as I was a few
years back in the States when a friend
cooked me a full-on roast, you have to
true to yourself and explain that you
don’t eat meat. In my case they had
simply forgotten (it helps to call and
remind people!). Say that in no way
do you mean to offend them by not
eating what they have cooked but
would it be possible to eat the
vegetables and not the meat items. If
they know and love you, this should
never be an issue.

4. Remind yourself passionately why

you have made your choice not to eat
meat. This creates a deep sense of
unapologetic certainty in you which
when conveyed to others leaves no
doubt that you not only believe in
what you eat and why you eat, but
also, the benefits it has to you and the
world in general. That may sound a
26
 little profound, but to me it is that
important.

5. Whenever people ask me why I am

vegetarian (friends or professional) I
am very clear. “Two reasons” I say.
Firstly because everything I have read
and studied on diet leads me to a very
clear conclusion that what I eat
impacts massively my short term and
long term health. And my findings
were that meat and dairy generally
have a negative effect on the body.
Secondly, for me personally, I could
not justify the cruelty and killing of an
animal to provide me with food.

6. Remember also that we attract what

we focus on. The Law of Attraction
applies in everything we do and think.
If you are concerned about “what
people might think” or “upsetting
people”, your beliefs, emotions and
the vibration energy that you put out
as a human being will attract exactly
27
 that which you are worrying about. So
the simple approach is to regularly
visualize what

YOU WANT TO ATTRACT. Things such as

attracting positive reactions to you being
vegetarian, positive questions, friends
asking for advice on diet, more new
restaurant showing up in your life that
serve great food. Write down what it is
you want to attract, think about it
regularly and picture it everyday. You
will be pleasantly surprised what
changed take place.

Rohan Weerasinghe is a professional

speaker who passionately inspires
audiences to make positive changes to
their lives and their diets. He is available
for talk to groups, companies and
conferences.

28
Top tips on how to
survive a veggie
Christmas by super
Peter Bernard – The
Vegetarian Life
Coach.

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1. Don’t get sucked in

The first key message on surviving a

veggie Christmas is not to get sucked into
the usual Christmas hysteria. By taking a
step back from the hype, you will have a
chance of enjoying the Christmas you
want to have.

To do this you need to be clear on exactly

what that Christmas looks like – what are
you able/prepared to spend on presents,
who do you really want to (and have to!)
see and what would you really like to do
at Christmas? Know the answers to these
questions and you have a good foundation
for actually enjoying Christmas!

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2. Presents

This is a tricky area but with a little

foresight, buying and receiving Christmas
presents can actually be enjoyable!

When buying gifts, remember to buy from

the vegetarian charities and companies
you like, and that shopping online can be
so much quicker and easier! Also, when
buying gifts I try to give items that I
would like to receive myself – at the very
least you will give a great gift and also
raise awareness of vegetarianism at the
same time!

Remember, it’s never too early to tell

people what you would like to receive as a
Christmas present!

In doing so, you can stop people wasting

their money on unsuitable presents, get
what you want and also be a model for
them as an ethical consumer.
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So be courageous and ask for what you
want – you’re actually doing your friends a
favour, as they won’t need to worry about
what to buy for you!

3. Food

This can often be the hardest area for

veggies at Christmas, particularly when
you get an invite from family members
that simply don't get being vegetarian.
The best starting point is to make it clear
in a polite but firm way that you are a
vegetarian and that this means you do not
eat animals or their by-products such as
suet, lard or gelatine.

Unfortunately, what often happens is that

this throws the host into a panic because
they are unable to think what you will eat;
so your next step is to educate your host
about what you do eat.

32
It’s best to start by mentioning all the
food you can eat from what might
normally be made at Christmas, such as
fruit, nuts and vegetables (as long as they
haven’t been cooked in animal fat!).

You can then suggest a simple veggie

main course that could be made by the
host, point them towards a Vegetarian
Society approved ready meal or even take
one along for yourself. After all, despite
what some food manufacturers would like
to tell us, vegetarians love food too!

Everyone’s Fav Pirate – Tony Bishop

Western tells it like it is….
Is Christmas a challenge for vegetarians
and vegans?
33
It needn't be. Even if you are spending
Christmas with family who belligerently
insist on celebrating a time of peace and
goodwill with death, destruction of the
planet and a strain on the blood pressure
you can make your own little TV dinner
and wrap it up in foil so it can sit in the
oven by the side of the traditional
sacrificial fowl.

Christmas is a challenge for most

domestic chefs and one more thing to
worry about can often push them over the
edge - offering to self cater will often be
welcomed.
If you have been veggie for ages you may
have it all under control by now!
My favourite is to get lots of seasonal
ingredients - nuts, cranberries, dried fruit,
chestnuts , mushrooms, curly kale and
chop it all up and encase it in puff or filo
pastry. You can make little individual
crackers if you are feeling really artistic.
Or you can mess with people's heads a la
Heston Blumenthal and do a savoury
Christmas pudding with a creamy mustard
34
sauce for main course - serve alight with
flaming brandy

Most of the rest is vegan anyway -

sprouts, cabbage, carrots, broccoli,
cauliflower, roast potatoes - it's easy to
make stuffing with sosmix instead of
sausage meat and even Bisto is vegan!

We would love to hear your tips and

advice on dealing with partners? Friends?
The Office Xmas party?

Take your own mince pies, Stollen,

German biscuits, marzipan and chocolates
to work - a great opportunity to prove you
are "normal" and get your colleagues
switched on to ethical, healthier, more
environmentally friendly alternatives.

How would you deal with a non veggie

Xmas pressie or pressure from well
meaning relatives who ‘tempt’ you with
dead birds for Crimbo dinner??

Say " D'ya know it's funny - I always

35
thought it would be difficult, but after a
while of being kinder to animals, the
planet and my health your body starts to
recover and get back to normal and the
idea of eating roasted flesh just seems a
bit perverted, a bit like dogs licking each
others arses, I mean they obviously enjoy
it, it's just not something I want to do.
Like cheese made with human beast milk,
I'm sure it's delicious, way more natural
for humans than milk made from a totally
different species (incidentally also fond of
licking things covered in pooh) it's just
not for me."

36
 Building confidence
about being a
vegetarian wih
Arvind Devalia

Being a vegetarian can be quite a

challenging around Xmas time with all
these parties with meaty snacks and of
course there is the Xmas meal with
Turkey.

37
Having been a “born again” vegetarian for
many years now, I literally cannot
stomach the thought of eating animals.
When I first gave up years ago, I was
however challenged to eat meat again by
many people who thought I was just going
through a passing fad.

But I learnt to stand up for myself and

explained that it was a life decision. What
helped me was that I was clear about why
I had given up – moral, ethical and of
course health reasons.

So for me, that is the first step. Be clear

in yourself why you have chosen the
vegetarian route. If it helps, rehearse
mentally what you would say to someone
if they were being particularly pushy
about you eating or not eating meat.

38
What I find also helps is sharing my own
learnings about being a vegetarian and
how healthy I have been since giving up
meat. Of course looking and feeling
healthy would really help!

Sometimes I get told that humans need

meat – and in response, I ask if they
know what the biggest land living
mammal is and what it eats?! Of course
no one has ever seen an elephants
feasting on other animals so that’s the
end of their argument.

Finally there is the taste and texture

argument – that vegetarian food is bland
and boring. On this point I am very
confident that I have cooked and tasted
some of the best vegetarian food. If you
are up for it, invite them around for a
healthy vegetarian feast. If not them,
then invite me at least!

39
Of course it is not about converting
anyone to vegetarianism – it has to come
from them and people only ever convert
when they are really ready. You can
simply remain cool, calm and confident
knowing that you have chosen the
vegetarian path and lifestyle choice that is
just right for you. And long may that
continue, no matter what others say.

Arvind Devalia
www.getthelifeyoulove.com

40
41
HOW to ease the
stress of Christmas -
and everyday life in
6 easy steps:
Busy people often juggle life, careers,
children and miss out on some time for
ourselves. There are many time saving
ideas that you could benefit from - time
perhaps where you can take stock and
have a breather - invest the time into
looking into ways of improving your diet -
and perhaps how to put something back
to the universe too.

42
1. Good morning. What’s your
morning routine? If need be you will
be surprised how easy it is to change.
Watch TV? Why not do your ironing at
the same time? Or switch off the TV
and wake yourself up with some, not
too painful chores such as dusting or
washing up. A morning of housework
is not as painful as it sounds and could
give you valuable evening and
weekend time instead.

2. Wakey Wakey! Not enough time

in the morning? It can be easier to get
up earlier! Set your alarm clock half an
hour earlier and get out of bed. Try it;
it can make a world of difference.
Often people feel more energetic for
the rest of the day too.

43
3. Travel Time. How do you get to
work? Train? Time to study or read.
Travel by car? What about a talking
book? From classics to self help and
motivational tapes and CD’s – don’t
waste this time! Tony Robbins is a
great guy to listen to.

4. Hot Lunch. Have a lunch break?

Do you have a break at work? Just
chat? Carry on working? Don’t break
any employee rules but maybe the
could be time could be used to sort out
your bank statements, write that
letter, go shopping or have some you
time - a trip to the hairdressers or
even get your nails done if you fancy
spoiling yourself!

5. Turn off TV (and go and do

something less boring instead) Never
have an evening free? Many people
say this although they have time to
crash out and watch TV.
44
 Make the change; invite over some
friends or family or visit them, join a
gym or go for a walk, run or bike ride
and maybe take the kids or partner.
Have a relaxing bath and self pamper
evening, cook a romantic meal and
talk to your partner. There are also
plenty of veggie groups and animal
sanctuaries that would love extra
support as well. Avoid just slobbing
out!

6. Many Hands. If you can afford it

maybe think of hiring a cleaner, maybe
someone you know, someone a friend
or neighbour recommends or there are
many companies now your can go to.
For a minimal fee you could get half of
your weekend back which could be
quality time and time to make a
difference.

45
Real Vegetarians
Real Answers
I love Christmas and usually have about
30 people round. I decorate the house and
everyone wakes up to find a huge sack of
goodies outside their bedroom door. I love
making a huge roast dinner for everyone
including roast sweet potatoes, parsnips -
lots of veggies that are home grown and
lashings of vegan gravy to go with our
meatless turkey.

Be yourself and be confident at Christmas

as well as all year round. Know what you
are doing is right and a vegan celebration
is the only way to party!

Have a wonderful Christmas and an

exciting 2010.

Heather
46
Heather Mills www.HeatherMills.Org

Heathers Charity jump 2009.

We always have the same thing on

47
Christmas Day because my family won't
let me make anything else. I do my new
and experimental dishes at other times
during the Christmas holidays.

So we have a white nut roast with a layer

of green parsley and herb stuffing in the
centre, with veggie gravy, bread sauce
and cranberry sauce, lots of crunchy
golden roast potatoes, Brussel Sprouts
and carrots.

They love it so much that sometimes we

have it again on Boxing day, but, in any
case, I always try to make enough so that
we can have it cold with salads and
chutneys for one meal.

I will be cooking for 13 this Christmas...

luckily all my children and their husbands,
boyfriends and children are vegetarian! I
got the nut roasts into the freezer last
weekend, ready to cook on the day.
48
Rose Elliot

www.roseelliot.com

49
I just love roast veg so I have a huge
plate of all the works including veggie
stuffing and fresh cranberry sauce - just
leave out the meat ! If I was more of a
domestic goddess I'd make a spinach and
pine nut 'jalousie' (layers of puff pastry
with spinach, nuts, cream and cheese) but
with 4 kids under 10 it ain't gonna happen
!

Janey Lee Grace

Janey is a presenter on Radio 2 and is the

author of Imperfectly Natural Woman

www.janeyleegrace.com

50
My guide to surviving a veggie
Christmas...

Try as hard as you possibly can not to sit

down to a festive meal with meat eaters -
these people tend to grown horns and
forked tails around this time and will stop
at nothing to try and lure you over to the
dark side. Drooling at the mouth and with
the obligatory gravy dribbling down their
chins they will vie with each other about
who has biggest bird stashed in their
freezer - mine's a ten pounder, mine's a
twelve pounder, well, mine's the size of
a baby T-Rex!

If you try to explain impart some

knowledge about the shocking rearing
practices of such turkeys you will be
immediately ridiculed and looked at as if
you have just landed on earth from Planet
Zob. As an afterthought some bright spark
will assure you that they only buy organic
meat... when they can be arsed.

51
It helps on these occasions to have a
stack of leaflets in your bag which
graphically show the horrors of turkey
farms. Distribute them around the table
and see if you can spot any faces turning
green.

Seriously though, get some ready rolled

pastry and a big hunk of Redwood's mock
turkey and make yourself a festive pie -
delicious!

When you've enjoyed that and washed it

all down with some Christmas bubbly why
not curl up on a chair and read my book,
The End of Emily West.
Order it before the big day from
Authorhouse or Amazon or from a high
street book shop. Then tell all your veggie
pals how good it is and get them to buy it
too.

Remember, goodwill to all men - apart

from those who eat animals!!!

Love Wendy xxxxx

52
Wendy's novel, The End of Emily West, is
available from
www.authorhouse.co.uk and
www.amazon.co.uk with 50% of the
royalties going to the domestic violence
charity REFUGE. Visit
www.TheEndOfEmilyWest.webeden.co.uk
for more information.

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-End-of-Emily-West/144956055280

FOLLOW ON TWITTER!!
@turnerwebster

53
Q. Is Christmas a challenge for
vegetarians and vegans?
As a life-long vegetarian Christmas
doesn't offer any particular challenges. As
turkey has never been part of my
Christmas tradition, or whatever bird it is
people like to eat at Yuletide, I have no
need to dream up a "suitable
replacement". How can you replace
something you never had in the first
place?

54
Christmas lunch is about conjuring up a
special occasion and continuing a
tradition. For me that has always meant
Cashew and Parsnip bake, along with a
bunch of other special dishes that vary
from year to year – but always the
Cashew and Parsnip bake.

The very taste of it means Christmas to

me, in the same way turkey might for
other people, or mince pies, Christmas
cake or whatever.
Q. We would love to hear your tips and
advice on dealing with partners? Friends?
The Office Xmas party?
This has never been a problem. My
vegetarianism is too deep rooted for me
to feel bad about it. It’s part of who I am.
I’m always careful, however, not to get
preachy about it, as that can just turn it
into an issue. But people often seem to
want to talk about it, and that’s fine. If
they ask me, I’ll tell them what I think.
My partner is vegetarian, too, so that
solves that one.
55
Q. How would you deal with pressure from
well meaning relatives who ‘tempt’ you
with dead birds for Crimbo dinner?
I just find it funny when people try to do
that, and I tell them so. People have tried
to describe meat in all its juicy, succulent
glory, thinking I might crack, but it’s a bit
like describing a beautiful woman to a gay
man, it just isn’t going to tempt me.
Adharanand Finn – Writer

I love being vegan at Christmas. I love

being vegan full stop. Is there an
alternative? I don't think there is. I am
more into my raw foods and juicing

56
although I do love some roast potatoes
and dairy free chocolate on Xmas day too!

Be confident without ramming anything

down peoples throats - even though you
may feel like doing so!! Plan ahead and
tell people about what you chose to eat
and what you chose not to. Take foods
with you if you go out - we even take food
with us if we go to a restaurant - dairy
free cheese and soya milk. The more we
bring awareness the better - take soya
milk for instance it’s available is so many
places now which is great.

Maybe do something for others less

fortunate this Christmas. Like me - buy
my album for all your friends. Ha ha - only
joking (not really it is an album made
from my heart and I would love for you to
get a copy!)

Have a super compassionate Christmas

and remember is you are not part of the
solution you ain't making things better for
the animals or the planet.

57
DRIVER.

http://www.myspace.com/drivermusicuk

www.bgguitar.com

58
I don’t find it a challenge personally, I
love nut roast with all the trimmings so
Christmas is a perfect time to indulge! If I
am visiting friends and they are concerned
about what to give me I usually offer to
bring a main course to show them just
how good veggie food can be.

Although personally I am a strict

vegetarian and have no desire to eat any
meat (I just can’t imagine eating an
animal now – it’s horrible!) I’d advise
anyone thinking about becoming veggie or
vegan to take it slowly. If you really can’t
live without a bacon sandwich occasionally
– then have one. If it’s only now and
again then you’re already making a
massive difference to your health and the
health of the planet.

My guess is that after a while you’ll want

less and less meat anyway.

But I’d definitely say it doesn’t have to be

“all or nothing” – do a day at a time, be
veggie 90% of the time and have the
occasional piece of meat if that’s what you
59
really want. Do it in a way that works for
you and doesn’t put you under stress or
makes you feel bad.

When it comes to Christmas parties and

events with clients I always make sure I
tell them in advance that I am vegetarian.
The biggest problem is canapes – usually
only one is vegetarian and you end up
really hungry. I was at an event recently
which said it was going to be veggie and
in fact it was lots of seafood! So
sometimes it can be a problem – but you
can always go for a yummy vegetable
curry afterwards to make up for it!
I’ve been vegetarian for so long and am
quite vocal about it too, so no one ever
tries to “tempt” me! They know I can’t be
tempted.
I don’t see being vegetarian as missing
out on something, I see it as eating a
delicious healthy diet, I don’t want to eat
meat so its not as though I am somehow
“missing out” – it would be like trying to
tempt me to eat a lump of sewerage, I
don’t want to.
60
 Chantal Cooke
Passion for the planet - health and
environment focused radio and TV
www.passionfortheplanet.com

Brussel Sprouts, Roast Squash, Onion,

Potatoes, Parsnips ,Sweet Potatoes ,
Carrots , Mushroom Gravy, Nut Roast,
Cheatin' Celebration Roast, Vegan Bread
Sauce, Stuffing Cranberry Sauce.
Home Made Christmas Pudding, Mince
Pies, Soy Cream.

Most veg will be from a vegan organic

food producer - organic veg delivery in our
local area.
That’s our menu for Xmas . I think some
61
vegan red wine and probably some bottles
of becks beer might be on the menu. I will
try and get some cannabis beer if I go
through London (Planet Organic).
Ketan Majmudar Spiritquest and
VeggieVision Web Manager
www.spiritquest.co.uk

In a perfect world I will start with a freshly

squeezed vegetable juice and a slice of
wheat free toast with dairy free
margarine, with sips of Supergreens
during the afternoon and then have a
small tasty roast dinner.

And.

Knowing my husband it will be a huge

naughty fry up, scoffing Troody chocolates
throughout the day, having a big starter of
breaded mushrooms and a huge roast
dinner followed by fresh mince pies
topped with Tofutti dairy free cheese,
washed down with a good organic red.

62
Karin Ridgers – VeggieVision.TV

And here are more

replies from real
veggies all over the
UK - the summary of the answers is
that it’s not difficult going vegetarian,
there is a wonderful array of traditional
style and unusual healthy tasty animal
63
free foods to enjoy with a wealth of ethical
gifts to buy.

• I just love thick slices of tempeh

marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar
and soy sauce baked in the oven for
about 15 mins and served with all the
trimmings.

Not very exciting, but very tasty!

Sara Teiger PR

• I'm a veggie, and oddly last year my

Mum just made me a Curry!

Usually it's just meat substitutes with

regular Christmas like veg!

64
 Cheers,

Tom Brumpton
Freelance PR & Copywriter

• Christmas day is tough, as in my pre-

vegetarian days I loved *piggys in
blankets and actually do like meat but
don't like the fact that we have to farm
animals to get it, not in this modern
day.

This year I will be enjoying a nut roast,

potatoes, veg, veggie gravy and Yorkshire
puds, served with mint sauce and
cranberry jelly.

Ooooh is it wrong to want to eat that at

9.20am!

Lucy Bridgewater

* There are animal friendly pigs in

blankets from Redwoods :O)

65
Is Christmas a challenge for vegetarians
and vegans?

No, we just live off wine and spring rolls!

If you have been veggie for ages you may
have it all under control by now!
A life of spring rolls is beginning to take
it's toll....
How would you deal with a non veggie
Xmas pressie or pressure from well
meaning relatives who ‘tempt’ you with
dead birds for Crimbo dinner??
Having just finished working in a
slaughterhouse that produces meat for
Tescos, Waitrose, Somerfield, Morrisons,
and Asda I shall be giving pre dinner
speeches of my experience. Non veggie
presents go straight to the charity shop.
If people haven't got the hint by now I
have no qualms about "offending" them....
after all, they have offended me, by not
buying me Booja Booja food.

When I first became a vegetarian the only

veggie food available was freeze dried
TVP, so shut up and stop moaning.
66
Hannah – Undercover Reporter!

Tim Barford – Off the Hoof and Yaoh!

I stopped eating turkey for Xmas since

way back before the Falklands War in ’82,
it’s a complete no no for any animal
products in any circumstances.

There’s been a few episodes over the

years but the one that stands out is my
beloved Irish side of the family, who
hosted a stupendous Boxing Day bash a
year or two back, to which I was most
privileged to be invited.

The whole family was there and the hosts

made a massive special effort to get a
vegan option on the menu for the day,
and chose a very expensive and exotic nut
roast especially for me. But on checking
the ingredients it was clear that there was
egg in it, so politely I turned it down.

67
Got to be honest too, the roast spuds
looked a bit suspect cos they were in the
same dish and oven as the turkey, so that
was a pass too. And the gravy, well, you
know, I didn’t even ask, didn’t want to
offend.

So it looked a bit half empty, to say the

least. Fortunately their was two saving
graces, loads of sprouts and an most
excellent bottle of Jameson’s 18 year old,
so it was easy.’

‘A big plate of sprouts and tumbler full of

yer finest whisky, and I’ll be a happy
man…’ I said.

And that was more than enough to make

sure the glass was way more than half
full, quite literally speaking, and we all got
tucked in together, me with a plate of
sprouts and a tumbler and everyone else
with a plate loaded with turkeys and stuff.

Was I bovvered? No chance. So grateful.

So enjoyed it. So life affirming. I love my
family, all of them, without exception, and
68
they love me. What a privilege. The
whisky helped, mind.

www.Offthehoof.co.uk

• Is it difficult being a vegan/veggie at

Christmas? Not at all!
We enjoy - Nut loaf, salads of different
varieties, and what I have during the
rest of the year. We have been veggie
since 1997.

• No it is not difficult being a vegan at

Christmas. I eat a nut roast and all the
vegetables. I buy a vegan Christmas
pudding which I have with soya cream
69
 and my mum makes me a vegan cake
which is delicious- I have to stop
everyone eating it!!!! I became a
vegetarian 32 years ago and converted
to veganism about 12 years ago Being a
vegan gets easier every year as more
products come onto the market. I do not
eat many substitutes as I find the taste
of vegetables beans etc perfectly
satisfying.

• This is my first Christmas being vegan at

Christmas and I am looking forward to
it! I have already arranged my food. I
have been veggie for 18 years and so I
am used to not having turkey and have
a variety of different, delicious main
courses including nut cutlets , veggie
sausages and veggie roasts. This year I
will probably start with a full vegan
breakfast followed by Christmas dinner
with a nut roast- and its really great
70
 cause there is always enough Brussel
sprouts for seconds!

• Roast Veggies; potatoes (with lemon

juice), parsnips, butternut squash,
sweet potatoes.
Roast veg, Mediterranean style; sun dried
tomatoes, courgette, Aubergine, onions,
tomatoes, Fresh veg; carrots, broccoli,
peas. Vegan sausages. Home made mince
pies. Home baked bread.Home baked
cakes. Too much, in fact!!

• Nutroast if at parents / fried peppers if

at sister, veggie buffet at ours. We have
been veggie for 9 years vegan for 3 1/2
years.

• On the contrary I think that I can now

go through the Christmas festivities with
a clear conscious. The availability of
alternative food is endless and the limit
is the extent of ones imagination in the
kitchen. Since I became a Vegan I have
71
 enjoyed the food at this time of year
100% more and eat even more that I
used to because of the sheer range
available.

• I think that it is even easier than being a

meat eater as I can remember trying to
clean all that animal fat and grease from
baking trays/tins. The oven would also
be caked in this stuff so it was a major
operation to clean up the kitchen after
the dead animals had been cooked up.

Over Christmas I tend to eat stuff like:

Nut roast (sometimes in pastry) with

roast parsnips, Brussels and Chestnuts,
mashed carrots and swede with soya
cream and pepper, veggie bacon wrapped
round veggie sausages, mint peas, roast
potatoes in garlic and rosemary, grilled
tomatoes and basil etc.

Other food includes: Baked pasta dishes.

Steamed Puddings. Curries. Home made
72
apples sauces and brandy butter (Soya
spread). Stuffed veg. such as Courgettes,
peppers and mushrooms.Homemade sage
and onion stuffing balls. Cheatin, turkey
roll or the beef version (Redwoods).
Sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie.
Meatless balls in a tomato gravy with all
the veg.Mince pies. Christmas pudding
Soya cream and ice cream.

This is just some of the things that I have

had over the last few Christmas seasons
and as I have said that it is endless as you
are only limited to what your imagination
can do in the kitchen.

• I love Christmas, even more so now it

doesn't involve a turkey carcass! This
year I will be having vegan 'turkey',
vegan 'pigs in blankets', roast potatoes
73
 and lots of trimmings. Then I'll top it
off with a vegan cake - yum!"

Alexia Weeks, Writer.

• It is easy to be veggie or vegan in our

household at Xmas. We're Jewish and
we don't do Xmas, though we send
cards and I buy vegan Xmas pudding
and vegan mince pies because I like
them!

We eat what we always eat, but a few

more treats like chocolates and cake. I
make something like veggie mince
(Realeat) with onions, tomatoes,
mushrooms, peppers, pasta, etc.

We'll have doughnuts because it's

Chanukah around that time. And of course
lots of fruit. I might do a rice thing, and
bread in my bread machine, and salads
and jacket potatoes.
74
I might do a curry, or something with
pastry. Or I might heat up something
from the freezer, like Fry's schnitzels and
nuggets.

My husband Ian and I gave up meat 22 or

23 years ago, and went completely
vegetarian about 17 years ago. Our older
children, David and Rainbow, went vegan
about 12 years ago, and our youngest,
Matthew, who's nearly 18, has been
veggie from birth.

• Being a vegan requires forward-planning

and organisation - you certainly can't
just assume you'll find what you need
when out and about or invited
somewhere. Christmas is no different
but no worse. Carnivores eat the same
old thing every year, whereas with
vegans the world is our oyster
(companion not edible)

• I make a boozy pie at Xmas. Puff pastry

top with a filling of chestnuts,
75
 mushrooms, shallots, parsnip, garlic and
red wine. The smell is divine let alone
the taste ! I'm a teacher, have been
veggie for 12 years, vegan for 3 and
suffer far fewer illnesses than my
colleagues - particularly the
sickness/diarrhoea variety ! I micro-
wave leftovers in the staff room at
lunchtime and make my colleagues
drool!

We are probably going to buy a vegan

'turkey' from Fresh and Wild, so everyone
can enjoy the same cruelty free meal for a
change! :)

In previous years I've had a Cheatin'

Roast plus all the usual trimmings and my
partner and his mum and family have had
a dead bird! This year is going to be
cruelty free!

76
Sanya

Puff pastry with roasted squash, peppers

and pine nuts on top with home grown
roasted potatoes and leeks on the side.

Jonathan Barker

My Vegetarian Lasagne Recipe is always a

HUGE HIT at the holiday parties. It is
Vegan and has mushrooms, onions,
sundried tomatoes, jalepeno olives, tofu,
soy crumbles, soy cheese. Anyone I make
it for LOVES it and wants to recipes. Also
my CABBAGE soup recipe is great for New
Years. Everyone is ready to LOSE
WEIGHT. I have a great Mon thru Fri RAW
program that is easy and fast to make
with weekends being Vegan.

I am a celebrity make-up artist, product

developer, screenwriter (my movie has a
77
Vegetarian Theme, kind of Legally BLonde
meets Fast Food Nation and is called MB
York Survival of the Prettiest) and organic
lifestyle expert.
Mary Beth York
www.mbyork.com

Christmas Tips –
Family, friends and
Christmas Events!
78
I don't get nearly the amount of hassle
now as i did 25 years ago! Things have
certainly changed!
I do find it difficult when people give
sweets to my son who's 10 and has
always been veggie but I have now got

over my embarrassment and just say 'I’m

afraid he can't eat those' and then make
noises about how it's awful that in this day
and age lots of sweets still use gelatine.

79
As for Xmas I have no problems as my
mum cooks us a Christmas meal and is
happy to make a nut roast.

Helen pope

My dad is terrible for this - he rang me up

once and told me about some sausages
he'd found in a local shop and advised me
to get some. I reminded him again that I
don't eat meat and he replied "Oh, I know
- but you'd like THESE sausages!"

It transpired that he thought I am a

veggie because I don't like the taste of
meat. Last year, all through November, he
had forgotten our conversation and was
emailing and calling with turkey price
updates.

So last year, when we went to his house

for Boxing Day lunch, I wore my "Meat is
Murder" badge. He told me that it made
him feel very uncomfortable as he had
80
made turkey salad for everyone. I told
him that was exactly the point - I was
uncomfortable with him keep trying to get
me to eat meat. He cancelled plans for the
turkey salad and we each had a
Ploughman's instead.

It worked. He phoned me last month and

said "Remember how you used to love
tomato sausages when you were little?"
Mentally preparing myself for another
battle, I replied that I did and with a note
of excitement in his voice, he told me that
he had "discovered" Linda McCartney
made tomato sausages and should he
bring me some back?

I had two packs in the freezer already, but

gratefully accepted.

It's a long road, training people to think

veggie, but it CAN be done!

Beverley Kerry

81
My mum is a vegan and I know that in the
past (a very long time ago) she maybe
was tempted once. She was quite a sick
person before she became vegan always
suffering from headaches bad chest
infections etc.

I think that the way my mum looks at it

now is that she can either keep her health
and see her grandchildren growing up or
eat meat along with all the chemicals that
are pumped into these creatures and do
herself a wealth of damage. She is more
than happy eating good quality vegan /
organic food as she feels like she has tons
of energy after she has eaten good quality
food!

Hope this helps!

Sylvia Henthorn

I'm naturally petite and slim built and

when ever I venture home for Christmas,
or indeed Sunday roast, my Mum always
82
comments on how I am too slim (I have a
very healthy BMI thank you Mother!).
This, she has decided, must be down to
my vegetarianism, therefore I must eat
the beef/turkey/chicken on the table at
once!

I always decline but make sure that I

have double helpings of pudding, (To her
credit my mum makes amazing organic,
egg free brownies) just so she can be sure
that my figure isn't a direct result of my
vegetarian diet!

So my top tip for surviving non-veggie

relatives at Christmas – Eat lots of
pudding!

Alula Cheery

I give my friends & relatives a written

wish list. They can't go wrong & I have
modest expectations. I always receive
appropriate gifts & they appreciate my

83
forethought. Very easily done, no muss,
no fuss & everyone is happy.

Mary Preston

I have been veggie now since I was 12

(and hey, that's over 30 years!).

My biggest tip is 'don't stint on the

extras!' Just because you aren't eating
turkey doesn’t mean that bread sauce and
cranberry sauce are off limits.

Experiment too with some stuffing balls...

they don't have to have been stuffed in a
defenseless bird, just pop them in the
oven on some foil!

Happy Christmas!
Anna McQueen

I like to make some of my own raw vegan

recipes to bring along, to wow them with!
I also send them a copy of my e-book
ahead of time, as a little gift that might
84
inspire them to make vegan recipes for
their gathering.

I find them surprisingly receptive!

Happy holidays to you!

Judy Pokras

The Little e-Book of Raw Holiday Recipes

www.rawfoodsnewsmagazine.com

Always warn/remind the host well in

advance that you are vegetarian or vegan.

85
 If it is someone you know well then offer
to bring an alternative to the meat for
yourself (or indeed a complete plate of
food which can be reheated by the host, in
which case prepare a really attractive
meal and be ready for the amazement
that it is vegetarian!).

Before the event work out in your own

mind several responses to the "Why?"
question. Depending on who is asking
then polite responses can include a jokey
"Why not?", or explaining that this really
isn't the time or place to explain in detail
but you hope since you are not bothered
by them eating meat they will grant you
the same courtesy.

If you are served something you are

dubious about then simply leave it without
comment - remember everyone has things
86
they don't like for different reasons, it is
acceptable not to clear your plate.

Invite people round to your home - and

impress them with what is possible!

Hazel Rea

Bits of the following can be adapted for

each situation. My message to everyone
is:

Just ask them,

Can you really enjoy Christmas, which is a

time of love and celebration by taking life
needlessly. There is another way.

Point out that the end of the year is a

good time for people to set their
intentions for the coming year, and ask
87
what their heart really tells them about
the direction in health, happiness and
prosperity.

Further, many people labour under the

illusion after Christmas there are a lot of
"bugs" going round. This could not be
further from the truth, because the cold
weather helps to reduce infection. The
real reason why people get colds and flu
after Christmas is because of over eating
too much cooked food and meat, which
lowers the immune system, increases
acidity in the body.

Milk products are particularly bad as they

have many micro organisms that live in
the blood. Once healthy blood cells start
to adapt to their now toxic environment
they recycle themselves!

Raw vegetables and juices on the other

hand, are full of bio-field energy which
keeps us alive, along with all the enzyme
88
rich nutrients that would be denatured by
heating live food over 40º C. This raw
vegan approach to eating, boosts the
immune system, keeps healthy red blood
cells from clumping together, thus
increasing oxygen capacity, and supports
the normal life span of healthy cells.

So we can either decide now if we

accelerate the ageing process, or slow it
down, or even reverse the process.

No better time than now to start setting

intentions, before the holiday period
determines what sort of Christmas, and
year ahead we want in our lives.

What sort of a world do we really want to

live in, and leave for future generations?

89
All have a wonderful, truly happy
Christmas.

Dr Leom Woodal D.C

London Chiropractors

I think preparation is the key to a Happy

Veggie Christmas, especially if you're

90
staying with family/ friends that don't
know much about being vegetarian.

I always make sure that I tell people that

I'm a veggie well in advance to give them
time to get used to the idea and think
about what food they'll serve.

It's always a good idea to remind meat-

eaters about things like: regular gravy
won't be vegetarian; you won't want to
eat things that have been cooked in goose
fat, etc.....
It may even be a good idea to take along
some kind of veggie main dish as a staple
in case it all goes horribly wrong!
As for people trying to "tempt"
vegetarians with meat, infuriating as it is,
I guess the only thing you can do is try
and rise above it and remind yourself that
Christmas is only for one day!

Melanie Daniels

91
I have been veggie since I was a little girl
and am in my fifties now.

Years ago I was treated as if I were

demented because I did not eat meat,
poultry, fish or sea food, and it was
difficult to eat out.

Attitudes (and menus) have changed

considerably and most people respect the
choice of being a veggie today, but if
pressured I tell a little white lie and simply
say I have developed an intolerance. This
works like a charm. I do not tell them the
intolerance is to people who try to push
their views on to me!

Jo Jones

92
I think that ordering some leaflets (which
are often free) and leaving them around
the home/office on issues such as the
misery caused to over 10 million turkeys
every year for our enjoyment is a good
way to grabs people attention.

It is a good way to start talking about why

you are vegetarian/vegan and your
reasons for not eating meat. This then
establishes that you will not be tempted
by the meaty goodness (urgh) at the
dinner table and also hopefully makes
people think about what they are actually
putting in their mouths.

If you are not the one responsible for

cooking Xmas lunch, obviously you need
to have a word with the chef and let them
know!

93
You could either bring your own delicious,
pain free offering such as a classic nut
roast. There are loads of options out there
to choose from and I would advise having
a look in your local health food shop for
some ideas.

My favourite is a nut roast with veggie

sausages and veggie bacon to act as ‘pigs
in blankets’.

For the office Xmas party, if you are going

out for a set meal there is usually always
a veggie option but if it is bring your own
then I always use this as an opportunity
to make a nice vegan treat.

Puddings always go down well and you

can make a lovely cheesecake from tofu.
This shows people that you don’t have to
live on ‘rabbit food’ to be meat free.

94
I have been a vegetarian for 15 years and
a vegan for 1 and I have never had any
trouble at Xmas. I think it is really all
about communication, I always initiate a
conversation on being veggie. The more
people that are aware of the suffering an
animal endures before it ends up on your
plate the better! My family and friends
know about my opinions by now.

Yes Christmas can be daunting

sometimes. Here's some advice for new
veggies and vegans.

Dealing with partners - convert your

partner! They can't suggest you eat
turkey if they are veggie or vegan too!

95
Even if they really love meat just showing
them Peta's meet your meat video and
information leaflets from charities such as
Viva and any undercover films of animals
suffering on farms will have them thinking
twice.

Don't preach and don't demand. It may

take a while for the message to sink in
and it must be their choice to convert - it
won't work if they do it just for you, they
must do it for the animals.

If you watch the videos together it is very

powerful if they see you getting upset as
it will show them the cruelty involved in
animal products.

You could also make a point of asking

them nicely to clean their teeth before
they kiss you if they have eaten meat,
dairy or eggs if you find that you don't like
the smell of those "foods" on their breath.

It can be a real passion killer if after a

meal you go for a romantic walk only for
96
them to find they can't kiss you because
they have eaten a dead animal and there
is nowhere handy to clean their teeth!

If they don't convert then respect them

for their decision and insist that they
respect yours. Then make sure that you
take it in turns to go to restaurants you
both want to eat in and don't feel you
have to eat meat if you go out with your
partner. If the menu is not suitable for
you find somewhere else that will cater for
you.

Dealing with friends - be confident in

politely telling your friends that you don't
want to eat dead animals and head to
restaurants that have veggie/vegan
options if they don't want to head to a
veggie place for you. Show them by your
choice of food that veggie and vegan food
can be great. Don't preach but if they
"tease" simply reply that you can tell them
lots of information that can put them off
their meat dinner!

97
You may find that they become more
aware of animal suffering by your going
veggie but don't expect to convert them
all overnight! Some will never convert and
pestering them will ruin your friendship.
Don't let them tease you into eating
animal products that you don't want to
eat. Real friends won't upset you if they
know how much eating meat/eggs/dairy
upsets you.

Office party - let whoever is organising it

know that you are veggie/vegan and ask
them to provide a veggie/vegan option for
you. Do this in plenty of time so they have
a chance to make arrangements for you.

Be polite when making your request and

just state your food preferences - whoever
is organising it will not want to hear all
your reasons for being veggie or vegan -
all they need to know is what special diets
they have to cater for.

If the party comes around and there is no

food for you then it won't be you that will
98
be embarrassed if you have already asked
for something that you can eat.

Do not take the opportunity at the

Christmas office party to try to convert
your workmates or your boss! You have
all your working hours to show them the
right way by example. Prepare in advance
a polite but short answer to the question
"so why are you veggie/vegan then" as
someone will probably ask and they don't
want a sermon!

If the party is a bring your own food affair

then bring in some fab veggie/vegan food
to tempt your workmates into a more
compassionate lifestyle.

Rebecca Fellingham.

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I have a hard time at Xmas due to three
sets of parents between the two of us
veggies we have three meals to attend in
three days all of high importance the
families concerned.

As my mum stresses out about the meal, I

offer to bring our dish myself, but have
not time to cook (London life!). So last
year I scoured Borough Market for over an
hour, looking for a festive dish that would
do us. Sadly my local market is a fine
meat specialists market, so between the
ostrich eggs and unskinned rabbits I was
lucky to find a vegetarian haggis! Boil to
prepare!

The dish was delicious, perfect easy to

transport, and is available on order!
Search the internet for a supplier near
you, or take the trip to London Bridge for
a present buying trip and a quick buy to
save you time and effort this Xmas.

Fari

100
A few years ago my mum gave me a
present in a parcel to open on Christmas
day. When I opened it I put it to one side
and concentrated on other things as I did
not know how to respond to it.
Later I gave the leather Skirt and
waistcoat back to my mum and said
"I appreciate your good wishes and
thoughts but as it is leather I will not wear
it as it is no good me giving up eating
dead animals if I wear them". She gave it
to her hairdresser.

Amber

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Well, what I do for the office party (or any
party for that matter) is to suggest that
everyone brings along something to eat
and drink. This gives the opportunity to
make some tasty vegan nibbles. At worse
you’ll at least have something to eat...but
what usually happens is everyone ends up
enjoying what you’ve brought, and
therefore rethinking their image of vegan
food.

If the party is a more formal affair, where

catering is provided, or everyone is going
out for a meal, then it is easy to ask if the
caterers/restaurant could provide a vegan
option.

Most will make the effort if they’re asked

nicely - and if the concept is new to them,
it’s also a good opportunity to give them a
copy of the booklet produced for
professional caterers by the Vegan
society, ‘Vegan Catering for All’, as a
Christmas present.

Lorraine Haines.

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No challenge for me :o)

Because my work doesn't want to be done

for discrimination (and possibly because I
gob on about animal rights regularly but
not in a dictatorship manner) we will be
having our work "do" at a Vegan
restaurant. HAZAAAAA!

Family functions.... I refuse to go if they

will be eating animals and because I am
constantly filling family and friends up
with loads of lovely Vegan goodies they
now love them so much they don't seem
to mind having a Vegan get together - in
fact many of them prefer it. As one said at
a party in February:

"I love being able to bite into a sausage

and not worry that I will bite into
something hard and not know what it is".
(She was referring to the fact there are
herbs in veggie sausages and you may
find a piece, but you know that is not a
piece of bone or tumour!)

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As for getting an inappropriate gift, I
thank them but explain that I cannot
accept it and why.
Usually they are very embarrassed so I
take a softly-softly approach. I find that
being "in your face" about your beliefs
(something I had to learn...) only seems
to alienate people and make them more
stubborn.
Nobody likes to be wrong and are even
more reluctant to admit it. Something we
(as veggies/Vegans) had to do when we
stopped eating meat on realising what we
were doing. Not an easy thing to do,
admitting you are wrong.

And as for relatives trying to tempt me

with the flesh of dead animals... they
come off quite badly and it hasn't
happened for close on a decade now. All
that does is give me a platform and boy
do I use it!

Not sure if this is of ANY use but thought I

would try to do my bit.

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Also want to mention (may be useful),
that although I attended the ceremony for
my brothers wedding (who I am VERY
close to, he is my best friend in the
world), I refused to go to the reception
because they were serving dead animals.

That got so many family members

thinking as they know how much I love
my brother and loads wrote to me asking
why I did it. Numerous have now gone
Veggie because they know how hard it
was for me to stay away and realised that
it would have to be for a DAMN good
reason!

Okey that’s it from me :o)

Kerry Duggan

105
I solved our crimbo dinner dilemma by
inviting everyone to ours - its only
afterwards when told the delicious meal
they've raved over is vegan!!!
Extra work - but worth it - if only for the
turkeys x

Suzanne Elliot

I do a number of things anytime I am

going to a non-vegetarian home for a
dinner. First, I tell the host that I am a
vegetarian. This way they understand
when you pass on the meat food.
Very often, they then make sure to have a
few veggie options for you. Most people
are pretty supportive, but if anyone tries
to challenge you, remember that it is not
you - it is a reflection of there own
issues.

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Don't call attention to your vegetarianism
because that will draw everyone’s focus to
you and people may start trying to get
you to eat animals saying things
like .."come on, it's a holiday.. " etc.....
just discuss other things and if anyone
asks, be proud of your
vegetarianism/veganism- and simply say
that this is the choice you have
made...and change the subject - talk
about Obama being the president elect!!

Wow!! And most people will get the hint

and respect your decision.

The other thing you should do is bring

some delicious vegetarian foods!! Bring
one or two dishes to share, something
that you really love to eat so that you too
have things that you are looking forward
to eating. This way it feels festive for you
too.

Debra Voulgaris

107
I know it can be tricky for new veggies but
after a while things do become easier.
One way to help yourself in the short and
long term, while helping family and
friends, is just be open about your
preferences. Being compassionate is
something to be proud of, not worried
about.

Most people need help in choosing

presents for their family and friends so
drop some hints; "there is a great shop or
website that sells these wonderful such
and such", sort of thing. I think many
people would appreciate the help!

There are 1000s of veggie recipes so

making your own fare is much easier than
it was 25 years ago (crikey, where has the
time gone?).

Also, there is so much choice in the high

street or from online shops for food and
drink.

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The Co-Op, amongst others, label their
own brands if suitable for Vegan or
vegetarian. And they sell Fair Trade wines
as well :-)

If visiting, take something that is suitable

for you as a gift and talk about what
makes it different from "normal" food or
wine or whatever it is.

Happy Christmas!!

Glen Hickman

109
Vegan Pressies -
What to buy for
your veggie friends.

Personally I prefer quality time with

family and friends and as Tony
Robbins says making ‘magic
moments’ that you will remember (for
good reasons!) for ever. But even so
it is nice to buy and receive presents
that do not compromise our cruelty
free way of living.

A good idea is to ‘adopt’ an animal at

a local sanctuary and join someone to
one of the national veggie groups
such as Viva!, The Vegan Society, The
Vgetarian Society, PETA or Animal
Aid.

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Its wonderful to give something back
and find out about painting one of the
homeless shelters before Christmas
and donating vegan foods to a hostile
or shelter.

The Essential Good Charities Guide

(book), The Unlock The Labs, silver lock-
badge. A hand beaded Fair Trade choker,
Australian Organics soap & body wash,
Green & Blacks chocolate & 3 different
flavours of carob.

I got lots of vegan things from lush; bath

ballistics, soap etc. Heaps of vegan fair-
trade chocolate from Green & Blacks. I
also got a really useful vegan cookery
book.

111
I didn't get anything that wasn't suitable
for vegans which was nice! And I used all
Xmas money towards my new boots from
vegetarian shoes :D Altogether a v.
successful Xmas for me!! ;)
Dairy free chocolate

I send stuff from Dr Hadwen, Natural

collection, Viva and the Vegan Society,
usually chocs, esp Booja Booja as
everyone loves them.
I received loads of chocs, and a vegan
xmas pud, plus carefully chosen clothes
and other gifts.

I send bath products, makeup collection

boxes and vegan choccies from Dr
Hadwen Trust. I never send leather items
- only plastic e.g. handbags, purses. I
also send Xmas cards from Animal/Vegan
charities.

I receive mostly Vegan/ethical gifts from

112
friends & family who mostly buy from the
internet. ( food hampers/shoes/belts &
Booja Booja truffles!!!!) I always try my
best to support vegan/animal rights &
human rights issues. I only buy cards that
support Peta, Amnesty international,
Donkey sanctuaries etc.

I received vegan goodies from Lush!

I got a vegan hamper from my daughter.

She spent a great deal of time going
around the shops finding a variety of
things from sweets and crisps to tins of
spaghetti. She then filled a large
cardboard box!

I got two large bars of Green and Blacks

speciality cherry chocolate and there was
a rather nice bottle of whisky!

A number of ethical charity cards were

sent.

My daughter sometimes demands ethical

113
gear from the Viva catalogue, which I am
happy to get for her.

A bit more inspiration could be used in

creating a range of desirable ethical fun
gifts for young children?

I gave copies of Plant Based Nutrition &

Health.
I bought myself a scarf, a diary & a
teapot, all made in 3rd-world.

This year I was so incensed with the greed

of me, me, me. Not me exactly but I
really think we should use the occasion of
Xmas to putting a bit in towards others.
Anyway after my little ramblings - I asked
anyone who was going to get me anything
to get something that had to with a
charity - they all know it has to be vegan.

And /or to give me some money that they

114
would have spent on me instead, I do not
NEED anything. I managed to collect
£170 for the local hospice. I will do this in
future, it also helps others to think!

I sent a card I made myself from junk

packaging and pictures cut out of
magazines etc

I got 6 huge different bars of vegan

chocolate! All completely different in make
or flavour! Also a fantastic vegan belt that
looks so funky!

Non-animal fleece, jewellery, Elizabeth

Shaw mint-crisps, Moby C.D
And a subscription to "Ethical Consumer"
from my mum.

Got the wonderful "Raising Vegetarian

Children" book for Christmas
email Christmas card a couple of animal
sponsorships

I 'adopted' animals at Hopefield Animal

115
Sanctuary for several people for Christmas
and I intend to do the same thing for
birthdays during the year. We received a
soya milk maker which we tried out for
the first time this morning.

I gave and bought vegan wines and

champagne from the Coop. I don't buy
non-vegan things - I don't buy animal-
derived things for anyone no matter how
much they might think they like them !

So no leather jackets or footwear for my

children or even woollen garments and
definitely no animal related foodstuffs.
I sent a couple of boxes of Viva
chocolates, a couple of boxes of viva
fudges and a few other miscellaneous
goodies bought from the wonderful
Veganstore.

Yes, lots of vegan choccies from Dr

Hadwen Trust and Viva.

I got some fluffy chunky boots for Xmas

116
which were from Veganstore. They are
cream suede type with brown and cream
fluff on!!!

I gave lots of vegan goodies particularly

food - xmas pud, mince pies, chocolate
santa, hemp pesto and pasta, hemp
walking socks, vegan cooking book and so
on.... I got most of things from stores in
Brighton including Infinity Foods; the
Hemp store (not all stuff is vegan as they
use some wool); Montezuma (amazing
chocolate shop!) and recipe book from
veganstore.

117
Being veggie and vegan can seem like a
task, but actually there are lots of ways
around it. If you are the only vegan (or
veggie) in your family (like me!) there are
lots of things you can do.

My Mum makes the biggest turkey ever

for Christmas dinner, but there is a lovely
nut roast mix available at Holland and
Barrett stores in a sachet - called Cashew
nut roast.

I add a few extra chopped nuts and it can

be cooked in a small tin and only needs
about 30mins - so it goes in just after the
potatoes do.

If you're lazy, like me, there's lots of

veggie friendly gravy, or bisto instant
(beef) actually has no animal products in
(last time I checked) so it can be used for
everyone without complaints.

118
There are lots of Vegan Xmas puds
available - though I’d recommend
steaming rather than microwaving it as it
can get quite dry other wise. Surprisingly
lots of 'normal' mince pies are veggie, and
even vegan as a lot of supermarkets use
vegetable fat rather than butter in their
pastry as it's cheaper - and these pies are
half the price of 'free from' mince pies.

A WORD OF WARNING - a lot of free from

store ranges will say 'dairy free' but still
contain eggs, so my advice if shopping for
a vegan Xmas cake is check the
ingredients first.

Alternatively there are lots of great

recipes for vegan sweet treats - try
veganfamily.co.uk for some home cooked
ideas.

119
Office parties can be trouble, so I usually
eat before I go and take a bottle of veggie
friendly wine with me. Nuts and plain
crisps like kettle chips are a safe bet, but
many 'formed' crisps like pringles can
have milk in them, and lots of flavourings
contain whey powder, from milk.

Turning up with vegan friendly cakes and

biscuits makes you everyone's best friend
- they never need to know they are vegan
and it means you can indulge like
everyone else.

If anyone ever tries to 'tempt me' with

meat I simply explain that I don't like it.
Many people can't accept that vegetarians
don't want to be eating meat, but if I
explain that I don't like the taste at all
anyway they find it easier to accept.

120
To be fair most people are very
accommodating when I tell them I'm
veggie. If you know you will be visiting a
friend or family member for dinner I’d
recommend calling at least a week before
to a) remind them that you're vegan /
veggie and b) offer to bring an alternative
(meat wise) on the day.

A lot of my friends have no idea where to

start to feed me, so I usually say that I'd
be very grateful if they could do me some
potatoes and veggies, and I’ll sort the
rest: you get what you need without
causing fuss for anyone else.

A lot of people have that 'pity' look for me

at Christmas, as if I’m missing out.

If they had ever eaten Booja booja

chocolate truffles, had homemade
marzipan fruits, or dates and apricots
dipped in extra dark (milk free) chocolate,
they wouldn't pity me - they'd probably
want some themselves!

121
One thing to watch out for, that I never
even though about when I turned vegan
18 months ago, is wine. Not all wine is
vegan, and about half of wine isn't even
vegetarian as it can be sieved through
animal skins or stomach linings etc.
Some stores (like Tesco) show on the
label if a wine is vegetarian, but doesn't
go so far as to say if it is vegan. There
are a few vegan wine shops on the
internet that pick out nice animal free
wines.

I hope that is useful

Happy crimbo - animal lovers!

Kathryn :)

122
FAB Books - and Life
Changing Christmas
Pressie Ideas:
Unlimited Power – Anthony Robins
The New Why You Don’t Need Meat –
Peter Cox
How to win friends & influence people –
Dale Carnegie
Feel the fear & do it anyway –
Susan Jeffers
Flirt Coach – Peta Heskell
Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
The Secret - Rhonda Byrne

123
Well there you have it - some
information about what other veggies eat,
buy for each other, why a Veggie
Christmas is the only way to celebrate and
a few tips on combating stress!

Plan ahead - call the restaurant where the

Christmas party is being held and explain
what you will eat, talk to your friends and
family and explain in an assertive way
why you have chosen to ditch the turkey
and tell them of the healthier and
compassionate ‘alternatives’ – that taste
great! Take food with you if this will help
when eating round a family members
house - you will probably find they all
want some!
124
Think about what to do for others and how
to get the veggie message out there in a
fun and positive way - and remember you
are representing all veggies and vegans so
aim not to get too aggressive – be the
best example you can be!!

MANY thanks to everyone who has

contributed to our guide - and next time I
look forward to hearing from you!

Vegan wishes

Karin
Karin Ridgers and the VeggieVision team!

* Veggie Internet TV station -

cookery, celebs, info – 24/7*
www.veggievision.TV

125
PS - To finish we have some cool quotes
from some top vegans……

"Veganism is the future; a low fat, high-

fibre plant-based diet is good for one's
health, it doesn't require animals to be
bred, reared and slaughtered for food
which in turn reduces pollution and the
wasteful use of the world's resources.
Consumers, not wanting to eat
themselves, animals or the world into an
early grave, are demanding more animal-
free foods.

The Vegan Society

126
"Veganism could be the greatest growth
area of the millennium. The mintel report
on Food Intolerance and Allergies
estimates that total retail sales of 'Free
From' foods shot up by 165% between
2000 and 2002. The consumer is king and
finally getting products that they would
prefer - foods and services kinder to
people, animals and the environment.

Tony Bishop Weston - Author & Foods

For Life

Going vegetarian has never been easier.

The explosion of vegetarian foods means
that you can pop everything from bean
burgers to veggie 'sausages' into the
microwave and finish the meal with frozen
non dairy 'ice cream'.

127
You can order a latte with soya milk in the
neighbourhood coffee shop, enjoy a
veggie burger straight from the barbecue
and stock your kitchen with wonderful
products we could only dream of 20 years
ago: flavoured rice mixes; a whole host of
microwavable ready-made meals; soya-
based 'cheeses', 'cream', 'mayonnaise'
and 'milk'; and imitation meat products
that can be used on their own or in your
favourite recipes.

Sean Gifford - Former Director,

European Campaigns
People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals, Europe

More people are interested in going veggie

than ever before. There's a growth in
awareness that factory farming is
obscenely cruel; that it's damaging the
world and is bad for our health with
128
animals routinely pumped with drugs and
kept in dirty, overcrowded conditions.

Others change because they want to help

their heart or reduce their risk of getting
cancer. Reflecting this is the growth rate
of vegetarian foods - increasing more
rapidly than any other food sector.

-Juliet Gellatley - Founder and

Director of Viva!
Vegetarians International Voice for
Animals

Animals are my friends... and I don't eat

my friends. George Bernard Shaw

We don't need to eat anyone who would

run, swim, or fly away if he could.

James Cromwell

Heart attacks... God's revenge for eating

his little animal friends. Author Unknown

129
If you're not vegan, you're not vegetarian.

V.L. Allineare

Nothing will benefit human health and

increase chances for survival of life on
Earth as much as the evolution to a
vegetarian diet.

Albert Einstein

If you're not part of the solution, you're

part of the problem, but the perpetual
human predicament is that the answer
soon poses its own problems.

Sydney J. Harris

More about Karin Ridgers.

Karin is the founder of VeggieVision.TV –

the internet TV station that promotes
everything positive about veggie living.
She is also a radio presenter and now
130
presents the UK’s first Veggie radio show
– coming soon to VeggieVision TV.

Karin launched the UK’s first Veggie

newspaper as a pilot and it was a huge
success with celebrities, journalists and
people subscribing from all over the UK –
250,000 copies were distributed.

As an event organiser Karin has organised

popular vegan events including gala balls,
festivals, comedy nights and more.

Karin now runs a PR business and works

with people who are Making A Difference -
raising the profile of great products,
people and businesses in the media.

To contact Karin please email

info@veggievision.co.uk

And finally Christmas is a time of goodwill

to all things – and that includes turkeys –
so let’s have a turkey saying the last
131
words on our fun guide – We hope that
you enjoyed it.

Cool stuff

www.VeggieVisionDating.Com

www.VeggieVisionCashback.Com

www.MAD-Promotions.Com

Please join our:

Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, MySpace

Via www.VeggieVision.TV

132
133
The ideal gift for Christmas!
134
The Healthy Vegan DVD is for vegans,
vegetarians, and those on dairy-free diets.
With 2 hours of recipes by top vegan
chefs, Rose Elliot, Tony Bishop-Weston
and John Bayley, your meals have never
been this tasty & fun!

From delicious Blueberry Pancakes and

Smoked Tofu Pate to tasty raw food
alternatives such as Cashew Nut Ice
Cream. These healthy and mouth watering
selections are a nutritious and rewarding
option for any diet. Bonus material
includes advice on nutrition, a 52 page
booklet and more!

Please visit www.thehealthyvegandvd.com

for more information.

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