234 Part V: Living Vegan in the Real World You may not find organic, whole-grain, seasonal foods in every school cafeteria, but you can still often put together a healthy meal Here are a few ideas: ✓ Pasta primavera with no cheese ✓ Tortilla chips, salsa, and guacamole ✓ Veggie sandwich without the cheese ✓ Green salads ✓ Bean salads ✓ Rice with vegetables mixed in ✓ Couscous with pita bread and hummus Eating vegan at your workplace Eating at work is often easier on the wallet (and on the vegan) if you bring your own lunch instead of heading to the cafeteria That’s not always an option, however, and it can be nice to have someone else take care of lunch once in a while If your cafeteria currently offers no vegan dishes, talk with the chef about ideas and recipes she can incorporate into the menu Many vegan dishes would even be appealing to nonvegan employees, including stirfried Chinese vegetables and tofu, vegan soups, and an expanded salad bar Consider organizing a potluck lunch with your co-workers Every person can bring in a different dish to share, and you can ask that some people try their hand at vegan cooking This easy activity can encourage camaraderie and can open others up to eating more veggie-based meals Incredible Ideas for Eating Anywhere Even fast-food joints can offer vegans a snack or small meal In general, these eateries aren’t the best option for vegans who care about how corporations treat animals, but sometimes we have to break the rules — especially when driving across the country or when stuck in vegetable-hostile territory In this section, I provide you tips and ideas on how to find vegan meals and snacks in national chains, sandwich shops, and fast-food joints Be sure to ask for exact ingredients from these establishments, because the servers may have limited knowledge of what goes into the food Chapter 18: Dining Out Fast-food chains Veggie burgers at national fast-food chains are often vegan, but make sure to ask about the ingredients first The patties may include cheese, caseinate (a protein found in cow’s milk), or eggs Many outlets serve potato products like fries, baked potatoes, and hash brown patties that, while fried and greasy, are usually vegan Salads with a vinaigrette dressing are increasingly available on many menus, but be sure to choose one without grilled meat or added cheese Many chains offer chili in the colder months, but opt for the veggie chili without dairy Ice cream parlors often offer dairy- and gelatinfree ices and sorbets, but be sure to specifically ask about the ingredients before purchasing Sandwich shops Sandwich shops and fast-casual chains offer every kind of animal product imaginable to stuff between two slices of bread However, you can get by in most places by requesting a veggie-only grinder or hoagie Some locations may have protein-rich hummus, creamy avocado slices, or guacamole to slather on your sandwich Just be sure to skip the mayo and cheese You also can snack on pickles, salads, potato chips, and fruit to fill your belly at these spots You also could run down to the health food store and grab a container of fake meat deli slices to bulk up that fast-food sandwich! If a diner has grilled portabellas or other mushrooms on the menu, ask for extra veggies and a couple of slices of toast to make your own mushroom burger Pizza parlors and Mexican joints Many pizza parlors can make a veggie pizza without cheese and load it with extra mushrooms, olives, and peppers Bread sticks or garlic knots made with olive oil instead of butter can be dipped in vegan marinara sauce for a yummy, filling snack Ask whether the chef can offer you a side of vegetable toppings like zucchini, mushrooms, or broccoli Mexican joints often have rice, tortillas, salsa, and fresh vegetables to create a vegan taco salad Other options would be to make a taco salad with a fried tortilla as the bowl, beans (for added protein), rice, and diced avocado 235 236 Part V: Living Vegan in the Real World Beware of These Hidden Animal Ingredients Unless you cook all your own meals and work or go to school next door to a vegan diner, eating according to your values can be difficult in this day and age Some animal products are used for flavoring foods, and others are used to filter impurities from some alcoholic beverages Other insect-derived products, such as honey or carmine, are used to sweeten and color foods To ensure that you avoid the myriad of animal-derived ingredients used in foods, beverages, and health and beauty products, get familiar with the common additives used But remember to take it easy on yourself if you find out later that something you ate contained an animal product Living vegan isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the effort The good people at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), have put together a comprehensive list of animal ingredients to avoid when shopping You can peruse the list at www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display asp?id=72 Chapter 19 Navigating Tricky Social Situations In This Chapter ▶ Planning wonderful vegan gatherings ▶ Dining as a guest at nonvegan parties and events ▶ Handling dating as a vegan ▶ Keeping your veganism on the down low at work V egans venture out just as often as “normal” folks, heading to events, gatherings, meals, and celebrations The danger of ending up hungry during social situations is more common for herbivores, however You can’t count on people to know your dietary preference, but you can take precautions to ensure the best possible outcome for your outing Thinking ahead is an important skill for every vegan to hone Get familiar with the ins and outs of party planning to understand what your options for eating can include If you’re planning a party with a mixed guest list, think about the comfort of everyone you invite Also accept invitations to events and consider the party plan before you go Asking for what you want is something you must from time to time, and the way you interact with the people you’re asking a favor of can mean everything This chapter explains the different social situations you may find yourself in and how to best navigate them Considering the lay of the land for large, catered celebrations versus smaller, more intimate gatherings helps you choose the best options whether attending someone’s party or planning your next shindig Creating new celebrations and traditions also is part of being vegan in this culture In this chapter, I share ideas and resources to help you create a truly luscious life and enjoy the company of others, regardless of everyone’s diet 238 Part V: Living Vegan in the Real World Hosting Parties, Traditional Meals, and Celebrations Just because you’re a vegan now doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the same historic family gatherings you did in years gone by You’ll still be hearing the same old stories about your brother squirting milk out of his nose when Uncle Paul told a funny joke, or the time (50 years ago!) that the same Uncle Paul purposefully scratched your mom’s Yellow Rose of Texas record You’ll just be laughing along with a glass of soy nog or a plate full of Tofurky instead As a vegan, hosting parties and traditional meals can be tricky (but by no means impossible) After all, you’ll likely be inviting some nonvegan family members or friends to your fete The main decision you need to make is whether you’re willing to allow nonvegan food at your party If not, you need to make sure your vegan dishes will be appealing to everyone’s tastes (or at least as much as possible) This section provides you with tips and advice on choosing occasions to celebrate, setting your menu, and more Planning your event Planning a vegan party really is the same as planning any nonvegan event In both instances, you have certain tasks to tend to depending on how many and what types of guests are coming, how formal it is, and how elaborate the celebration and scheduling becomes If your event is casual and you’ll be doing most of the cooking, the plan will be as easy as vegan pie: Create a menu, invite the guests, buy your supplies, and get to work More formal events require more thought about the scope and size of a menu as well as what it takes to host a more diverse crowd Here are some things to remember for the different types of parties you may have: ✓ Kid parties: Planning parties for children and teenagers requires a few extra steps Make sure the kids or teens have a say in how the party will look, what music will be played, what the entertainment will be, and what the menu will entail Buffets are generally the easiest method of feeding a group of kids, so make sure the food isn’t too messy Offer plenty of ways for the kids to have fun while also making sure they know the rules ✓ Mixed-age gatherings: These parties need a few extra safety plans For instance, make sure that any alcohol that’s served is in plain sight at all times Don’t allow curious kids the chance to sneak into a bar area Offering snacks and some kind of games or activities for little people can help them feel like treasured guests ... to create a vegan taco salad Other options would be to make a taco salad with a fried tortilla as the bowl, beans (for added protein), rice, and diced avocado 235 236 Part V: Living Vegan in the... that something you ate contained an animal product Living vegan isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the effort The good people at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), have put together... Situations In This Chapter ▶ Planning wonderful vegan gatherings ▶ Dining as a guest at nonvegan parties and events ▶ Handling dating as a vegan ▶ Keeping your veganism on the down low at work V egans