Vegan Thanksgiving

I've always said that Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, if not my most favorite (Passover is also up there, so maybe I just like holidays centered around feasts...).  Anyways, being vegetarian and then vegan did not change this.  Luckily at my family's Thanksgiving, we have always had tons of different vegetables to go along side the standard turkey and mashed potatoes.  Each year I try to find a new veg-friendly recipe, at least one sweet and one savory, to bring into the mix.  Generally, I have been very successful in convincing my family that vegetarian and vegan food does not have to be plain or unfulfilling, and that it does have a place at the Thanksgiving table.  While I'm not sure what I will whip up this year, here are a few recipes that have caught my eye over the past few weeks:

Main Dishes:
- Farro with Leeks and Balsamic Roasted Brussels

- Walnut Encrusted Tempeh

- Smoky Butternut Squash Sauce with Pasta and Greens and Butternut Squash Mac and Cheeze
- Butternut Leek and Toasted Hazelnut Risotto
- Seitan Mushroom Roast  

Salads and Sides:

- Grilled Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

- Quinoa Salad with Pears, Spinach, and Chickpeas

- Roasted Root Vegetable Mash

- Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels with Nutmeg and Sage

- Apple Cider Glazed Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Biscuits

Desserts:
- Raw, Vegan Pecan Pie
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
- You Won't Believe It's Vegan Pumpkin Pie

- Raw, Deep Dish Chocolate PB Ice Cream Cake 

- Vegan Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Drinks:

- Perfect Fall Sangria

- Butterscotch Maca Mug

In addition to being a favorite time of year, Thanksgiving is also pretty significant to me as it was 3 years ago on Thanksgiving that I ate meat for the last time.  This year, in addition to passing on the turkey, I am turning this day into one of giving: giving a turkey a life that is!  One of my favorite teachers at my yoga studio in DC is holding a donation based class Thanksgiving morning.  All donations go to Farm Sanctuary's Adopt a Turkey program.  Which means my one time donation of $30 will sponsor and support a turkey living at one of Farm Sanctuary's shelters, for the rest of his or her life!  I encourage you to check out the program, or better yet, if you will be in the DC area this Thanksgiving, join me in taking Courtney's class at The Studio DC.