The Kind Life


As we near “turkey” day (which I like to think of as adopt-a-turkey, not eat-a-turkey day), it’s nice to know that our feathered friends have some well-known allies! Farm Sanctuary sent me this roundup of celebrity quotes about Thanksgiving (including a few words from yours truly!) and I thought I’d share:

Ellen "Save a life this Thanksgiving, and join me in starting a new tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project." – Ellen DeGeneres, Farm Sanctuary’s 2010 Adopt-A-Turkey Project spokesperson

john"Turkeys are among the most abused animals on earth. The horrors these smart, sensitive birds routinely endure behind closed doors on our nation's factory farms, all so that their tortured bodies can be the centerpiece of a holiday celebration about gratitude, are appalling and incongruent with most Americans' values of compassion." - John Salley, 4-time NBA Champion and wellness guru

Ginnifer “After spending time with the rescued turkeys at Farm Sanctuary’s shelter and seeing how similar they are to my furry companion animals at home, I knew I needed to do everything in my power to protect these friendly and curious birds from the daily pain and suffering they endure on factory farms.” – Ginnifer Goodwin, Farm Sanctuary’s 2009 Adopt-A-Turkey Project spokesperson

Watch Ginnifer’s Thanksgiving PSAs and read our interview with her here!

Daniela“If people knew how personable and fun to hang out with turkeys are and if they knew the horrors that turkeys on factory farms go through for their entire lives, I think fewer people would want to take part in supporting factory farming. Honoring turkeys who have been abused by the system, as they embark on their new life on the sanctuary, is a great thing to do.” – Daniela Sea

Read our special holiday interview with Daniela here! 

Alicia“Here is a list of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes. It's so simple to create a delicious holiday meal without animal cruelty. I promise no one will miss the turkey! Enjoy!”
- Alicia Silverstone

Persia"Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and express our gratitude for all that we have to be thankful for. In the true spirit of this holiday, take a moment to think about the importance of all life. By choosing a vegetarian diet, every one of us can take part in ending the cruelty animals endure on factory farms. Like cats and dogs, turkeys are intelligent, social, and sensitive beings who want to live. Give thanks this holiday and save a life." - Persia White

Corey "There are many ways of giving thanks. Eating turkeys doesn't have to be one of them. Healthy and delicious vegetarian options now make compassionate holidays easier than ever. This Thanksgiving, join with my family in starting a new tradition that celebrates life and promotes peace for all beings." - Corey Feldman

Noah Wyle"Our family holidays always include our animals. On Thanksgiving, we love to walk around our farm and visit with our rescued pigs, goats, horses, emus and many other rescued animals. We give them all special vegetables that day, and the whole family enjoys a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner. We know that the animals are giving thanks that day, and we are also giving thanks for the joy they bring to our lives.” – Noah Wyle

Tracy, Owen and Noah Wyle’s favorite Thanksgiving treats: Baked yams, mashed potatoes, stuffed squash, and pumpkin pie.

Click here for the Wyle family’s favorite Thanksgiving recipes.

Kim "Every living thing feels pain and should be protected from cruelty. Farm animals are no different." - Kim Basinger

Kim’s favorite Thanksgiving treats: Squash casserole, sweet potato soufflé, asparagus, meatless tomato basil loaf, and pumpkin pie.

Casey"I became a vegetarian because when I ate that way I felt better physically, and I couldn't stand the idea that I was, in some small way, supporting the extreme cruelty of factory farming." - Casey Affleck

Casey’s favorite Thanksgiving treats: Tempeh, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, gravy, and rice.

Kevin Nealon "I like to stuff myself at Thanksgiving, not turkeys. Save a life this holiday season … adopt a turkey instead of eating one." – Kevin Nealon

Kevin’s favorite Thanksgiving treats: Tofurky and pumpkin pie!

Charlotte "We all oppose animal cruelty. But sometimes we forget that animals on farms suffer and feel pain like all other animals. They, too, deserve to be protected from harm and cruelty." – Charlotte Ross

Linda "Turkeys are misunderstood. Once I adopted turkeys, I understood this large bird to be a great companion. Contrary to popular belief, they are sweet, kind and funny. My adopted girls filled my heart every day with joy." – Linda Blair  

What is your take on Thanksgiving?

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  • tali
  • Nov 25, 2010
  • 8

Fun filled thanksgiving!  My first vegan one and my extended fam has been incredible.  Yes, there was turkey.  But there were far more vegan dishes! all my aunts brought vegan food and my aunt who hosted made 5 dishes from TKD!!!  The barley casserole wowed everybody and the people couldnt believe the peach crumble was vegan!  Good times.  

Yesterday I was at a vegan cafe and I had some Tofurkey. It tasted great. If you are ever in Philadelphia visit Essene Health Food Store and Cafe (vegan) near 4th and South Sts. A few weeks ago I saw Christina Pirello of Christina Cooks there. She lives near there. There are some older people who eat there 3 times a day. It is nice to see celebrities that would rather adopt turkeys than eat them. Turkeys are birds but they cannot fly.

I try not to go to holiday dinners, especially when my grams cooks "LAMB" or PIG for dinner at christmas, I can't handle a dead animal as a center piece. not to mention the smell. I can't handle that. but when I do go to dinner at someone's house, I always bring a veg. meal,  and people are surprised. once I had my ex's family over for thanksgiving dinner and told them there will be no turkey, they asked if they could bring one! of course I said no! and like Aine said, its a good thing to make others aware of why you are a vegetarian/vegan. It opens other peoples eyes for the first time.

My first vegan Thanksgiving and it was OK.  I brought Alicia's crostini appetizer, and some P/B cups for dessert.  Aside from those, and raw veggies, I was only able to eat some baked sweet potato that someone brought.  The sight of BOTH the ham and turkey made me nauseous.  And the mashed potatoes smothered in cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar made my stomach turn.  I joked with people that I should have some paddles ready in case someone goes down with a heart attack!!  It was all so gross.  People looked at ME funny at what I was having, and yet they all felt, in their words, full and gross!  WHY???  I felt great, even after my PB cup dessert.  I have to admit though that when we got home, I was a bit hungry so I had more veggies and half a bag of kale chips.  But I was so happy to stay true to VEGAN during what can be a difficult, food-centered holiday.  YAY!!!  I love seeing this list of celebrity vegans.  =) 

Since I was 15, I've had the job of preparing everything except the meat for our holiday meals, including mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, all sorts of veggies, and much more. Little do they know that their vegetables are topped with Earth Balance and their sweet potatoes are topped with sweet & sara vegan marshmallows. I smile every time one of them tells me how delicious it is. :)

As for eating dinners with meat eaters, ill do it, but they know i will not let the turkey be the centerpiece. It never touches the table. I cannot sit and give thanks while sitting in front of a dead, abused animal. I was actually able to turn a few people on to my gardein meatless stuffed turkey! My sister, who wont even touch a vegetable and is addicted to meat and cheese said it was really good!! Made my whole thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving: Its a time for thanks, to forgive, to replunish, to help others, to give to one another, to forget the past and say. Happy thinksgiving

We adopted 'Reese' from Farm Sanctuary this year.  I'm the only Vegan, so not sure if my family appreciated me cleaning off the fridge and posting the picture right smack in the kitchen?!  It raised conversation though...one step at a time :)

This is so nice and interesting. Thanks for sharing. If only everybody could be kind-hearted. The world would be a better place- one to be proud to live in.

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