You are vegan? That must mean you can never have a good time at parties.. you can’t go to barbecues, events, dinner parties.. This is what you get a lot as a vegan! People think you can only have a good time if you can eat dead animals or animal products. This is so not true! People associate having a good time with good food. I agree that good food makes things enjoyable, but apart from that eating a carcass of an animal is for me the opposite of having a good time, I also think that it’s more about the fun you have in general. The conversations you have and the people you meet. Or are you only going to the party to eat the food? If that is your main reason, you might have fun wrong.. haha! I do admit, that going to parties, eating out and all things around food was the last thing what kept me from being 100% vegan. Then I got over that, because I realised that it’s my body, my life and so it’s my choice. Then there was also the aspect of having vegan food available in situations as at other peoples parties. How do you handle that?

If I go to a birthday party and I’m not sure if there will be some plant-based food there, I bring some snacks myself and often I bring a lot more, so I can share. If I go to a wedding, a restaurant or even on a long flight, I always check if there is a possibility to have a vegan meal. If not, I bring my own. But in my experience it never happened that I had to bring my own, because there was always something. A good chef will always provide you with a suitable meal. It isn’t that hard, despite what people think. A little tricker is when you’re invited to a dinner party. In this case I offer to make something too and I bring it. Think of a fancy salad, sushi rolls, pastries, cakes, chocolate mousse.. things which are easy to bring and everybody will enjoy. This way you provide food for yourself and show others that it isn’t that hard to have good food. Try not too make too much different things as in some cases you might offend the host(ess). Depends a bit on who you go to though.

But what about a barbecue? Warmer days are coming and people get excited to throw barbecue parties. I used to really enjoy that, let’s say.. before I woke up! Now I can’t imagine how I ever enjoyed that, but you still get invited sometimes. It’s up to you though, but I do not enjoy barbecues at all!! I can not stand the smell, being around all these dead animals and worst: people who are being happy about it. It makes me sad, cross and very upset. So I don’t go. Though, if you are going you can always bring your own things and ask to cook your things first, before the meat touches the barbecue. A better idea is to throw your own barbecue party. Make sure you have lots of nice goodies, to show people it’s not necessary to kill animals to have a lovely time on long summer evenings. So what can you get for a good barbecue?

*Burgers/Hotdogs/Sausages or other good substitutes.
*Perfect bbq veggies: portobello mushrooms, bell pepper, corn on the cob, onion, fennel, courgette, aubergine, asparagus.
*Perfect bbq fruits: pineapple, peaches/nectarines, mango.
*Vegetable kebabs: bell pepper, onion, courgette.
*Cauliflower wings.
*Potatoes covered in a little oil and salt, wrapped in some foil.
*Pasta salads, potato salads, leafy salads.
*To make hotdogs and hamburgers: bread rolls, gherkins, tomatoes, lettuce, fried onions, mayonnaise, ketchup, barbecue sauce.
*Baguettes, garlic butter, houmous, guacamole, tortilla’s.
*Make sure you have some yummy dessert too: marshmallows, cake, nicecream, fruit salad, frozen grapes/blueberries/cherries on a skewer.
*To drink: lemonade, juices, smoothies with umbrella’s. Wine/Cocktails (if you’re into that).

Say again?! Yes exactly.. this (and I’m sure you can think of so much more) is how you enjoy a cruelty free bbq party! Put on some suitable music, decorate the garden with lanterns, little lights, candles, open fires, blankets, cushions, napkins, nice table cloths and make people ask you to do this more often. Maybe you could make it a tradition. If I had a garden, I would have! You can ask people to bring a vegan dish, to encourage them to think of a barbecue in a different way. I hope this will become a real thing instead of smelling the flesh of roasted animals everywhere on a hot summer day.

Were you always a bit anxious of how you get through parties? Did you ever have difficulties? Please share your experiences! Also, are you excited to throw a cruelty free bbq now? I am! In case you know other very good vegan bbq ideas, please comment below and share or show me by tagging me on Instagram! Thank you! X