A Special Christmas Doing Nothing And Our Awesome Vegan Brunch And Dinner

This was a very special Christmas.  And we did nothing.  Or, at least very little.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays tend to be fraught with a lot of activity, food prep, and possibly travel as people gather to be with family and loved ones.  As nice as it is to visit family, and gather with friends, it can be equally nice to pause, and just be present, as opposed to getting caught up in the stress of all there is 'to do' especially around the holidays. 

This year we hit the pause button,  I share why, along with a video message abut being present, and our vegan Christmas brunch and dinner, below.  

Christmas Day Brunch:  High-Protein Baked Oatmeal with Pear, Cinnamon & Raisin, topped with Icelandic Provisions Oat Milk Vanilla Bean Skyr (which was amazing in itself) along with Trader Joe's plant-based Cinnamon Rolls (with a light drizzle of icing, these were pleasantly sweet, not heavy or refined tasting) along with TJs juicy, flavorful plant-based Breakfast Sausages.  And, what brunch is complete without some greens?!

Doing the minimal was a priority for us this Christmas.  I have yet to really take time out to recuperate since our epic move from Arizona to Michigan in 2020.  

Quick Recap of The Last Four Years

In case you are new to my blog, here's a brief synopsis of our last four years.  I think it may shed more light on why 'pausing' ~ doing very little this Christmas ~ was exactly what the doctor ordered.  (Feel free to skip ahead if you don't need a recap!)

(Since 2020, we closed our business, moved ourselves and Jasper (my beloved cat friend of 17 years) from Arizona to Michigan, helped fix up and sell my mom's condo, moved her out of Chicago ~ her home since the 1960s ~ into assisted living near us, then helped empty, clean up and sell Don's parents' condo ~ all in one year ~ after they both passed.  Additionally, we attended the funeral services for my aunt and uncle, back in Zion, IL, which was really special as I had not seen my cousins since I was in high school!  Two years ago, we also said goodbye to my beloved Jasper.)

That's a heck of a lot of moving ~ and loss ~ compacted into four years!  We also made the 180º turn around, to return home to our hearts, becoming EX-ex-vegans, thankfully!  An emotionally challenging period to say the least, some of which I summarized in the Updated Preface, What Happened? 2017-2024 in The Macrobiotic Action Plan, Your MAP to Greater Health & Happiness (The MAP, for short.)

Cultural Christmas Traditions 

Christmas is a holiday celebrated by many as the (alleged) birthday of Jesus.  Some despise this holiday, or celebrate other religious traditions.  Retailers make their big push with nonstop advertising, hoping Christmas puts, or keeps them in the green.  While Christmas can seem materialistic, it's all what you make of it.  I personally love all the lights!  It feels like a special time of year, no matter what you celebrate.

For those living in northern climates, the winter solstice marks a return of the sun, and longer days ~ a welcome respite from the long, cold nights.   Winter time is a time of year to spend more time hibernating, and going within.  Being a couple of introverted homebodies, that's right up my alley.

As we reflected on the cultural and familial customs surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas, we decided to make this special time of year better reflect our values, and honor our needs to regroup since our return home to our heart. 

Since being back in the Midwest, I felt excited about Christmas.  One year, Don took me to Frankenmuth, MI, a pretty Bavarian town that's a great place to visit during the winter holidays.

Another year was particularly magical.  We went to a winter concert at the beautiful Rosary Cathedra in Toledo, and drove around viewing some spectacular neighborhood lights, including a Kris Kringle display that is no longer there.

I spent a couple days or more decorating, and putting lights up on our deck.  I sent cards, made Christmas cookies to enjoy and share, and purchased locally made products from the Toledo farmers market to give as gifts to the caregivers at my mom's residence. 

Christmas Bark

Awesome Vegan Sugar-Free Russian Teacakes 

Frankenmuth, MI

This year, we both felt a bit of dread as the holidays approached.  

As we solidify our devotion to practicing ahimsa ~ to cause the least possible harm, in all ways possible ~ the thought of celebrating these holidays over a meal that involves so much suffering seemed incongruous to us.

We certainly did not want any turkey, chicken, ham or prime rib - commonly consumed meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This year, I did what I had the energy or desire to do, and nothing more.

I decorated a little.  

I bought a deck of Christmas cards to send out (with cats on them of course) and never opened the box.

I didn't purchase one gift.  Not even for Don or myself!  

Something inside me just kept saying, NO!  Not this year.  

What I felt a stronger pull to do, aside from very little, was to take time out.  To hit the pause button.  To spend more time meditating.  And praying for the plight of animals in a carnist culture.

And that's what we did.

No animals suffered for us to enjoy a special Christmas day, home alone.

This year, we gave ourselves permission to stay home, and enjoy a quiet, rejuvenating, meditative, and prayerful Christmas day alone.  No gifts needed, other than each other's presence.

You may enjoy my video message, and our Christmas Day brunch and dinner, below.

Wishing you all a great new year.  

Peace, Love & Plants 

~Tracy

(Our Vegan Christmas Brunch)

Traders Joe's Plant-Based Cinnamon Rolls, 
lightly glazed, not too sweet, but a 'sweet' treat for 
our Christmas Day brunch!  

TJs vegan Breakfast Sausages
air fry in just 4 minutes, and are juicy and flavorful

Leftovere Vegan High-Protein Baked Oatmeal w/ Pear, Raisin & Cinnamon
w/ Asian Greens & Seaweed Salad - breakfast the day after Christmas

Our Vegan Christmas Dinner

Tofu, dusted with flour & spices, then air-fried, and topped with Don's uber creamy 
oil-free Mushroom & Onion Gravy, Pan-Fried Greens w/ Radicchio, and Arugula w/ 
gorgeous Watermelon Radishes

Easy Yeast-Free Quinoa Bread
recipe from Wellness Dove.

Asian Sweet Potato Fries.  Actually I had 
originally thought I'd roast them, but forgot until 
the rest of the meal was ready!  Air fryer to the rescue!

Learn More:

• The Fall / Winter Diet
• Learn more about The Macrobiotic Action Plan, Your MAP to Greater Health & Happiness

You May Like These Holiday Recipes!

• Yummy Vegan High-Protein Baked Oatmeal w/ Pear, Raisin & Cinnamon (recipe)
• Best Christmas Cookies - Vegan Sugar-Free Russian Tea Cakes (recipe)
• Apple Cranberry Crisp Pie
• Awesome Vegan Pumpkin Pie
• Our Vegan Thanksgiving Meal & Special Treats

Our Vegan Thanksgiving Meal & Desserts