Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

The funniest thing happened over the weekend at the party we went to. As I explained on Saturday, we were bringing our best vegan dishes to share at our friends 50th birthday party/pig roast. We wanted to make sure we had enough to eat because we were partying all day at a meaty affair and spending the night. We also wanted to engage in our favorite brand of accidental activism, by sharing amazing vegan food stuffs sans the tirade and activist rage. Just offer the goods and let the food do the talking.

There were a myriad of food options to choose from. The first thing to go were my Dark Chocolate, Pecan and Sea Salt cookies. Sandy had to appropriate a few and hide them. There were dozens of non vegan cookies and brownies to choose from, but they could taste the lovin with their eyes.

The next thing to go were Sandy’s Vegan Cowgirl BBQ Baked Beans. Even though there was a titanic size pan of richly prepared baked beans available, the vegan ones with the  Daiya cheese all melty and gooey on them were vaporized. The vegan cole slaw was also devoured before the  traditional  slaw.

As I was walking away from the grill with my vegan Italian Sausage (remember it was a pig roast) a party goer asked me where the Italian Sausages were. I explained that they were not on the menu, but were brought by Sandy and myself because they were vegan.  She said, “Oh, those look wonderful, I would have loved one of those.” I swear, this was the meatiest crowd of people that have ever been assembled outside Texas and they were begging for the vegan fare.

The next morning they consumed all of the soy creamer even though there were perfectly fine dairy products available. It was so wonderful. As we drank our coffee,  they let us talk their ears off about veganism and our experiences. One man listened intently then said…”You really have a point there.” When we were leaving he went on to say,”Thank you for the anti-dairy milk conversation. I really learned alot.” How fantastic is that?

On the way home all giddy from our, “We are totally vegan activists experience,” we stopped in the country at a road side stand and secured some of the most enticing peaches.

Photo By: S. Duquet

Sandy brushed them lightly with Canola oil, grilled them and then caramelized them with a drizzle of Fig Balsamic vinegar. I topped them with lemon sorbet. Yum, oh my yum. It was the most glorious expression of Summer.

It really is working. Share your  passion through the food. It speaks for itself.  Then when they have their mouths full of your scintillating vegan food you can inundate them with your beliefs. Just kidding. The soft sell of sharing our food really has been the best ambassador for change.

Have a delicious day and change your world one meal at a time.

Tags: buy local, compassionate eating, compassionate products, dairy free, dairy free cheese, fig balsamic vinegar, going veg, local produce, meat free, meat free italian sausage, peaches, produce, soy creamer, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan cookies, vegan experience, vegan party food