As UUs prepare menus for the Thanksgiving holiday, the upcoming Harvest the Power Justice Convergence & Teach-In offers a variety of nourishment for these times. UU ministers were instrumental in creating the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and the “Pilgrims and the Indians” pageant tradition that roots the holiday in a historically inaccurate and harmful colonial narrative. Now is the time to gather and reflect together, and to celebrate differently, given that usual travels and traditions for the Thanksgiving holiday are ostensibly canceled. On the 400th Observance of the Plymouth Landing to be marked this year, rethinking what’s on the plate is one way to shift relationships.
One of the featured programs during the Harvest the Power Justice Convergence & Teach-In is a film about Indigenous food sovereignty, which includes hunting (Gather). This convergence program is meant to center Indigenous struggles and perspectives while also being a convergence point of many UU justice ministries. This is why UU Ministry for Earth and UU Animal Ministry invites you to a Community Plant-Based Meal on November 25th at 5pm PT/ 6pm MT/ 7pm CT/ 8pm ET as a way to include animal rights and plant based food activism into the dialogue. This meal and conversation will begin with a chalice lighting and blessing, and will be facilitated by The Reverends John and Sarah Gibb Millspaugh. Register HERE!
Industrial animal agriculture is a major contributor to the climate crisis. “The carbon footprint of a 16-pound turkey creates a total of 34.2 pounds of CO2 — the same amount produced by turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, roasted Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, rolled biscuits and apple pie combined” (Huffpost). Finding alternatives with a smaller carbon footprint contributes to a collective environmental impact.
Cook one of the suggested recipes below or your own plant-based dish and enjoy your food in good company and discussion:
15 Minute Gluten Free & Vegan Gravy
Rich, creamy, earthy, versatile & customizable. Perfect to put on top of mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and so much more.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Perfectly tender, packed with flavor, easy to make, super versatile & so delicious. Make this cauliflower as the main dish or an appetizer for dinner.
Comforting Kale Pesto Pasta Casserole
This dish is filling, delicious, and so easy to make! It has an especially savory, umami twist thanks to the addition of sun-dried tomatoes and olives.
Hearty, satisfying, so flavorful, comforting, simple to make & Incredibly delicious. This would make the perfect entrée or side for the holidays!
Sweet, perfectly spiced, loaded with apples, and pumpkin-infused crust.
A perfect dessert on its own or with coconut whip (or dairy-free ice cream).
If none of these pique your interest here are three great websites with a myriad of plant-based recipes for you to try: A DefaultVeg Thanksgiving, One Green Planet, and Oh She Glows.
Sign up HERE for the Harvest the Power Justice Convergence & Teach and help SPREAD THE WORD!