As we know from the Bible, Jesus encouraged mercy for all creation. Turkeys, who are treated as “the least” among us, are in desperate need of our compassion and mercy. These smart, sensitive birds have been known to enjoy clucking along to music and love to have their feathers stroked. In nature, chicks stay with their mothers for up to five months and they like to eat meals together as a family, much as humans do at Thanksgiving.
Perhaps you’ve seen the news that former workers at Plainville Farms, a self-described “humane” turkey supplier, are now facing 141 charges—including six felonies—as a result of a landmark PETA undercover investigation. Exposés like this one—as well as a renewed passion to care for God’s creation—are among the many reasons people of faith are leaving turkeys off the table this year. By choosing a vegan option, we reduce animal abuse and embrace living in harmony with creation.
You have the ability to improve the lives of animals by choosing a new cruelty-free tradition: a compassionate holiday meal. Begin with a hearty vegan roast. Some of our favorites include Gardein’s savory stuffed “turkey” roast seasoned with cranberries and sage, Trader Joe’s breaded stuffed roast with gravy and wild rice cranberry stuffing, Whole Foods’ flavorful vegan turkey roast, and Field Roast’s sage and garlic roast with sausage-style stuffing made from butternut squash, mushrooms, and green apples.
Every traditional holiday staple can easily be made vegan. Use margarine in mashed potatoes, almond milk in apple dumplings, and veggie broth in stuffing. LAMBS offers a library of merciful recipes in addition to our special “ThanksVegan” menu and recipe guide, both of which include a whole host of ideas that are sure to appeal to all your guests! You can also request our free ThanksVegan holiday guide here. And don’t forget to include animals as your family says grace, with these helpful prayers.
Jesus urged us to love our neighbors, of course, and that includes all animals, including turkeys. When we feed our family and friends, we have the opportunity to make compassionate choices—the ones that we believe Jesus would have made. And that’s the plain truth.
We at LAMBS encourage you to take time this holiday season to learn more about the hidden lives of God’s amazing turkeys, and we urge you to take this pledge to spare the lives of all farmed animals by choosing a compassionate ThanksVegan this year and forever.
