4 Vegan Soul Food Dishes for A Guiltless Thanksgiving
If going vegan is hard, then multiply that times 10 when you're a vegan sitting at a table filled with comfort foods while you watch your carnivore cousins tear into animal flesh.
I know. Yuck.
But hey, it doesn't have to all be bad. The great thing about Thanksgiving is that nobody will shoot you the side-eye if you bring your dish. Now I'll admit that I'm not a true vegan, but I did go vegan for a few months before I gave backslid into eating bacon. However, I still love a good clean meal every now and then that's still tasty and doesn't leave me in a coma. So for those looking to switch up the menu, here are a few of my favorite vegan "soul food" meals that are easy to whip up, and satisfy your inner green eater. (And guess what, you don't even have to tell people it's vegan. Trust me, they'll love you for it.)
**click the titles for the recipe**
1. Brown Vegan's Red Beans and Rice
Brown Vegan
This was one of my first vegan recipes, and it's good and very easy to make. To make it taste very southern, substitute the vegetable broth for water, nix the celery, throw in a little sautéed Tofurkey Kielbasa, and a pinch of Slap Ya Mama seasoning. Yum!
2. By Any Greens Necessary's Cornbread
I made a recipe several years ago, only I forgot to add the sea salt. It turned out so yummy, and my picky-eating son didn't notice one difference between my vegan and non-vegan cornbread. Score!
3. The Sweetest Vegan's Sweet Potato Pie
This is definitely going on my dinner table for Thanksgiving. I think the only thing I would do to enhance the flavor a little is to add a bit of agave nectar, if my banana isn't as sweet as I thought it would be. I may also add a little cold (as in almost frozen) vegan butter with the nuts to give the crust a buttery taste like Patti's famous sweet potato pie.
4. The Southern Vegan's Beef Pot Pie
Everything on that damn website is good! EVERYTHING. If you have dinner guests who are vegan, this is the perfect meal to make for them. What I love about this is that you can make several of them in soufflé dishes, and you can even make enough for them to take home. You just can't go wrong with this recipe.
If you can't find the beefless tips, vegan riblets are a tasty substitute for this dish. Serve it with a side of vegan red beans and rice, fried okra (if you make it right, it's delicious), and black eyed peas, and you'll have yourself some very happy guests.
BONUS RECIPE: Joy's Mashed Cauliflower
Everyone can't or won't eat white potatoes. But here is how you can substitute mashed potatoes at the dinner table, and not even notice a difference (if you do it right).
1 medium head of cauliflower
1 clove of roasted garlic or 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of chives
Salt and Pepper to taste
- Steam your cauliflower in a large saucepan for 6-8 minutes until tender
- Drain the cauliflower, and then place the contents in a food processor.
- Add your seasonings, chives, and garlic, and process to your desired amount.
- If you need extra liquid, add plain almond milk. To give it a buttery taste (my son loves it this way), add a little vegan butter. To give it some “Lawd have mercy" kick, add a very little bit of Tony Cachere's Creole Seasoning, and get ready to dance.
What dishes are you serving on your vegan dinner table?
Featured image via The Sweetest Vegan
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images