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“A Turkey Free Thanksgiving Dinner”

The ReadyWriter

I was asked by many of you to post a write-up I did last year regarding my meal as a vegetarian on Thanksgiving day. Well as promised here it is, photo above and all.

This is my 10th year celebrating a Thanksgiving meal as a vegetarian and I might add, some people who “love me” have decided to give up their Turkey on tomorrow as well. LOL…

Trust me, shifting the focus from the bird to the rest of the meal can have a surprising effect on both your eating habits and the creativity of your cooking.

I always allow the vegetables to play a major role at the table from which I’ll dine and this is exciting to some who wish to add variety to their meal.

A turkey will be present and in the midst of tomorrow’s dinner, it just won’t be “the center of the meal”.

There will be collard greens, string beans, stuffing, cabbage, macaroni and cheese, yams, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, rice, baked potatoes, fish and that’s right; plenty or cornbread.

And just to think.., ten years ago, I thought being a vegetarian would make my holidays dull and boring but instead it forced me to be a better cook! And before you ask..”Yes I can cook”

Have a “Happy Thanksgiving” my CEO family….

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Published by The ReadyWriter

Writer, Published Author, CEO of ReadyWriter Production Company and YouTube podcast Radio Host.

136 thoughts on ““A Turkey Free Thanksgiving Dinner””

    1. @corp.,
      an idea on some ‘sides’ for T-day, Christmas, News Year’s eve Brunch and New Years day!!!

      damn!!! that sounds like alotta food!!!

      where you having dinner @Trace???

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    16. well gone and cry @mrs:
      cause erbody wishin erbody a ‘happy thanksgiving’ it ain’t just about you honey.

      have a happy people!

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      2. shut the hell up @man.,

        “what you cookin? one of Tracy’s sides?”

        @xmen, a couple of her sides, damn what she say.. a turkey, a ham a duck and some chitter-lings!!! Amen!

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      3. @Starr,
        It’s not damn what she say, the thanksgiving meal is “one’s choice” and if you choose to have “heart-attack” in a basket then so be it!

        Esp., with that “OINK-OINK” GROSS!

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      4. LOL @ CEODawg., while waitin on Starr’s comeback.
        How did I know this nice “Happy Thanksgiving” flow would be going down hill any minute? LMAO!!!

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      5. @ceodawg,
        hold da hell up, who eatin a “heart attack” in a damn basket? my food, my choice. Just worry about what yo mama will be puttin in front of yo hungry azz 2morrow.

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      6. @Starr.,
        In terms of national awareness, I think the sun is about to come up on this one. It isn’t “normal” to have cancer in your 50s, a heart attack in your 60s, Read the science: T Colin Campbell’s “The China Study,” Caldwell Esselstyn’s “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease.”

        Let’s see…eat steak and die a painful, ugly death, or eat Tofurkey and live to hike mount everest..let me think…..

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      8. Rezzie., A meal loaded with carbs and fat can be just as unhealthy as one featuring turkey. Health is often achieved by striving for balance, which has little to do with whether a chicken breast or turkey sandwich is anathema.

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    18. I’m reading these comments up., lmao as i’m trying to catch up. i slept late but had to check in.

      Have a happy thanskgiving tho people!

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    20. Just peekin in 2say..Happy Thanksgiving all.

      and Trace enjoy da hell outta ya FISH and ya sides. 🙂

      PS Tra: Hope you gettin up to post on Friday? *hint-hint*

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    21. Awww….How nice to see so many of us fellow ceo bloggers wishing each other a happy thanksgiving!!

      O how i luv my my ceo e-fam….have a wonderful holiday all.

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    27. LATER BIRD..HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY

      S/N ONE THING I HATE ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS IS THE NUMEROUS OF TEXT MESSAGES THATS GONNA COME THRU WHEN YOU TRYING TO SLEEP. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR. I BE ABOUT TO THROW THAT PHONE OUT THE WINDOW.

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    28. THE TRUTH ABOUT SO-CALLED THANKSGIVING….??

      This is not a day to be celebrated.

      ??Do you know how many of our brothers and sisters ( Native Indians are our relatives ) were killed when the so-called edomite pilgrims brought themselves to this land that doesn’t even belong to them??????????

      Do you even know why the Turkey/ Cranberry sauce/ and Dressing are the main attraction for so-called Thanksgiving day?????????

      The Bible has already warned us NOT TO CELEBRATE these feast days. This feast day is based on the murderous blood shed of our brothers and sisters.??Learn the Truth and teach your children the Truth.

      Notice that a turkey has its tail as a ‘ spread of feathers ‘, the turkey represents the Native Indian Chiefs who wore a crown with feathers similar to the Turkey’s tail. The killing and preparation of the Turkey represents the killings of the Native Indian Chiefs…??Cranberry is self explanatory. Cranberry’s color is the color of Blood. The blood of our brothers and sisters who were viciously murdered at the hands of the edomite pilgrims AND SOME OF OUR BLACK ANCESTORS?( the Buffalo Soldiers ) WHO WERE USED TO KILL THE SWIFTEST ONES OF THE NATIVE INDIAN TRIBES. I forget the name of that tribe, but I will find out tho.??Dressing. This here is just pathetic…those evil edomite pilgrims cut off the breasts of the Native Indian Women and young women, and used it to play BASEBALL….BASEBALL PEOPLE!!!!!??So, NO I refuse to celebrate a day of mass murder of my brothers and sisters by the hands of the edomite pilgrims.??I will celebrate when the Almighty God repays the edomites for all the evil that they have done and the blood they have spilled on this land that doesn’t even belong to them.

      That song that Bob Marley got called Buffalo Soldiers is a lie. He probably didn’t know it tho because he probably read the fake history books just like the majority of America.??The Buffalo Soldiers ( who are the tribe of Judah, descendants of Jacob ) were used to KILL the tribe of Native Indians ( who are also descendants of Jacob ) that the evil edomite pilgrims could not catch. That tribe was too fast for the so-called pilgrims, so they commissioned or tricked the Buffalo Soldiers into helping them catch that tribe.

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    35. IM OUT YA’LL HAVE A HAPPY TURKEY DAY…WEAR STRETCH PANTS AND BE SAFE.

      🙂 AND TO YOU ALL..TALK TO YA’LL ON MONDAY

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  7. I’m a meat eater who loves vegetables equally as much.
    But when it comes to Thanksgiving the vegetable side dishes have always been my favorite. There is only so much you can do with turkey! lol.

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  8. “Have a “Happy Thanksgiving” my CEO family….””

    You too my bad azz blog diva!!!!

    Must b-nice…can WRITE + COOK!!!!!

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  9. I really would have no problem-eating vegetarian this Thanksgiving. But I will most likely eat everything in sight like I usually do on holidays. lol.

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  11. Thanks for sharing Ms. Bell but you JIPPED us though..last year you posted a recipe. 🙂

    Still ain’t mad atcha……

    Happy Thanksgiving Boo. *two snaps and a wink*

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  12. Thanks for the post Trace., highlighting that the turkey is overrated on the Thanksgiving table. lol.

    I was raised vegetarian and did not eat meat until I was about 21. we should hook up., add me to the list., i’m giving UP TURKEY tomorrow in your honor too. 🙂

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    1. @Anthony,
      i didn’t see no where in dat post where she asked for anybody to give up turkey tomorrow in her honor. stop being so damn extra!!!

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    4. @CorporateBitch.,
      cause I know Trace ain’t lettin no turkey eatin, ham-hock suckin moutherfucker slobber her down. it’s apparent she want a man WHO DON’T EAT MEAT!

      If I was a vegan, I wouldn’t wanna be kissing my girl if she had ‘fried chicken breathe’. GTFOH!!

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    7. lmmfao @ anthony,
      it only makes sense right?

      i remember trace saying/writing once, that a friend told her she should ‘only hook-up with someone who DON’T eat meat’ she prbly will.

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    9. I’m sorry ya’ll. wait!!!

      I’m LMAO @ Anthony because that’s how I would feel if I were a vegatarian. I’m always leary of what my man ate b4 we share a kiss and I’m not. so one can only imagine that! IMO.

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      1. @ANGELHAIR., YOU ARE ONE NASTY, FREAKY, SICK, TWISTED FUCKED UP BIATCH!!! AND FOR THAT, YO AZZ SHOULD BE BANNED OFF THIS BLOG!

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      5. i’m seeing that this ‘angelhair’ character not only BUTTS in ya comment wit some stupid shit but the bish is nasty as all hail too.

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      6. i’m officially running an auction fellas. who wanna eat ‘angel-hair’s pussy out so she can stop reading in2 shit that she’s really fantasizng about happening to her.
        i’ll start my bid off with a $1.00

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      7. @man,
        hell no., dat pussy prbly corroded and unclean. eatin a bish out take more about knowing her than on some damn blog. i gotta know, do you wash? do you dooshe on a reg? is yo mamma clean? is yo house clean? how often do you change ya sheets? hell i gotta know bish on the in b4 we talk about me eatin her out! oh hells no!!!

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      8. *I’m all the way dead @slick’s comment*
        @man, you are just a mess!

        Left for a couple of hours and shit is outta hand.

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      9. no thank you @man.,
        passing up on the “pussy eatin” auction. That’s personal and btween 2 people in a committed relationship.

        serves “angel-hair” right 2b blasted now you gotta have some balls to say such shit in a public forum 2someone you don’t even know. smh.

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      10. oh this girl gotta prblm fam. sic azz.

        @man, yeah she dreamin of somebody eatin her out cuz how da hell you say that 2sombody on a blog? somebody you don’t evn know. dat shit is personal.

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      11. who eatin who’s pussy up in here? and does BQ know about it? Let me scroll up and read what da hell i miss.

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      12. 🙂 ya’ll are too much for me, but I hope each and everyone of you all have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving. *walks out with my virgin eyes closed*

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    1. Ebony: Im looking at the pics and getting hungry azz all hail too. damn!!! I hate when she post food b4 lunch. lol.

      A thansgiving w/o a turkey, my moms will neva try hearing dat shit!!!

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    4. My mouth is watering to from looking at the picture…

      I must admit., last year my GF had a full vegan Thanksgiving potluck, and I was so impressed by the amazing flavor and the breadth of vegan dishes she served.

      There were some mock turkey options there, which were ok, but by far the sides were what kept me going back to the buffet table over and over again. It was like me and her husband were in a race. lol.

      Ya’ll have a great Thanksgiving.

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  14. You go Ms. Bell!
    Turkey on Thanksgiving day makes one tired and lazy…cause it’s so heavy and overpowering.

    A vegan thanksgiving is what’s up. If I were your man I’d give up Turkey tomorrow too.

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  15. Since Americans now tend to unfortunately make meat the centerpiece of every meal, night after night they should instead focus more on traditional comfort foods as well as unique additions on a day that should celebrate real cooking and not just a turkey in the middle of the table.

    Thank you Ms. Bell… 🙂

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    1. Joanne,
      I agree..i like bcuz tracy bring diversity and variety to her blog-spot.

      hope you have a wonderful holiday!

      will you see blog queen for thansgiving.?

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    2. Lexy, may you have a wonderful thanksgiving holiday as well.

      blog queen? I just know her as “TRACY” sorry. she have a lot going on, but perhaps I might.

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  17. I am grateful to hear about more humane ways to celebrate our most cherished national holiday besides over-eating and chowing down on a turkey.

    That Ms. Bell is a prize!!!! 🙂

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    1. @CEODawg.,
      I don’t get the whole vegan thing. What’s the big fuckin deal???
      What is sooooooooo wrong with eating meat?

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  18. Dear Ms. Tracy Bell:
    I want to thank you so much for both promoting a vegan/vegetarian thanksgiving, but mad as hell that you did not provide any inspiring recipes to enable us to maybe prepare the same thing.!

    Nice post but minus recipe blog queen fail!

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving though! 🙂

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    2. Oh so now you wanna rush it right….You ain’t right Ms. Tracy.
      I want the recipe you posted last year for your grandmama’s yams.

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  19. Thank you Tracy!
    Can’t wait to try some of these new ideas, especially some spinach!!

    Thanks again! With inspiration like this, more people will realize how doable healthy, environmentally-friendly and compassionate eating can be!

    Just wished you would of posted a recipe. 😦

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    1. @Lisa,
      Part of the problem with trying to eat more vegetables is not knowing how to fix them, and the other issue is the time involved in prepping the veg. Then a few hours after a few hours, I’m hungry again – doesn’t happen when there’s meat on the table.

      That’s why I agree..Tracy should have given us a vegetable recipe.

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    5. First off, I only cook “raw/fresh vegetables” never frozen.

      a.) Buy raw spinach leaves, they usually come in a bag.

      b.) add some EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and chopped garlic to a skillet and let heat.

      c.) add fresh spinach until the leaves shrink and turn dark green (takes only a minute)

      d.) scatter spinach and garlic around in the oil until saturated and serve.

      I use a lot of garlic., it gives it MAD flavor! 🙂

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    2. well wipe your damn tears @lisa,
      cause this boy is a fool! and you make me SICK!!! SICK…I tell ya for CHEERING HIM ON!!! Damnit!!!

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  21. Focusing on the vegetables opens you up to spices and other food traditions. It really does make life more interesting, and that, coupled with the health benefits makes it all worthwhile.

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  22. THE REAL MOTIVATION FOR BEING A VEGAN**

    (1) Moral: Killing animals for it flesh is uncivilized.

    (2) For various health reasons.

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  26. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Tracy.
    Keep up the great work. Even though everyone doesn’t agree, don’t stop spreading the word.

    To everyone else, have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

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  30. Happy Turkey Day everbody, especially you Ms. Tracy, I am thankful to have a place to pass the time and escape from my real life once in a while. Have a great holiday everybody and hope yall gain like 5 pounds each.

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  31. I am thankful that I am able to give back whenever and wherever I can (no matter how big or small). You never know when you or your friends/fam may need help. It is a blessing to be a BLESSING!

    Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless!

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