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2 Friday, December 17, 2021brooklintowncrier.com "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 and published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 editorofbtc@gmail.com The Brooklin Town Crier is locally owned and operated and is a publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, Email: mulcahy42@rogers.com Next Issue: Friday, January 14, 2022 Deadline: Friday, January 7, 2022 Publications dates subject to change during COVID-19 Pandemic Christmas is coming, which means dining with non-vegan family members. Here are some tips for navigating time with family and friends. Firsly, I want to be kind to the people in my life, so I will always err on the side of compassion. My change to a plant-based lifestyle meant that some family members thought I was insane - and said so! If you are new to being plant-based, you may face some pushback. People will tell you it's unsafe; others will tell you you can't get enough protein; a few will take a more philosophical approach, stating that humans were meant to eat meat. I will not allow myself to be drawn into a heated debate. I chose this way of eating because it was right for me and over time it was a more compassionate way for me to live. Today I want to offer compassion to animals and my fellow human beings. The internet is replete with "scientific" articles that seem to back many theories. There you will find many conflicting opinions, all claiming to be supported by "science." Recently I came upon an Instagram account called the Liver King where a fellow purports to eat raw liver three times a day. He calls it "ancestral eating" and states we are meant to eat this way. He even provides javelin throwing demos in case you prefer to hunt your own wildlife and eat the raw liver. Yet, he has over 700,000 followers! So theories abound. People feel passionate about their ways of eating. Christmas is about family, giving and love. With that in mind, remember that, when you gather around the table, we are on this journey called life. As we are perfectly imperfect, before casting the first stone, recognize that none of us practices Ahimsa (nonviolence) perfectly. And, in fact, Ahimsa can be practised through words, thoughts and actions. Practical ways to navigate the holidays: Be clear in what you eat. Don't assume someone knows what being a vegan is. Say, I don't eat meat, dairy, eggs etc... Let your hosts know your dietary requirements well in advance Offer to bring a particular dish or a dessert. I've found people very interested in this, and it relieves the host of the stress of finding a recipe. Bring your own vegan butter if you use it. Ask that a few potatoes or other vegetables be put to the side before adding butter and cream. I bring hummus to every event, just in case. Many veggie trays include a dairy-based dip. Answer questions honestly from the heart. Behind some of those questions may be genuine interest. Don't assume they are all combative. Don't get drawn into a fierce debate. Diffuse, walk away and breathe. Don't impose your opinions on others; nobody likes this, even you. Eat before you go if you think there may not be vegan options. This has happened to me at parties where a well-meaning host has said, "Oh, I thought cheese was okay." Sheree's Hack: Be prepared with well thought out kind answers to the questions you will be asked. Christmas as a Vegan Plant-Based Eating by Sheree Nicholson What the wind storm did