Why you should skip the turkey this year

While President Donald Trump is pardoning two turkeys for Thanksgiving, every one of us can exercise that same presidential power by choosing a non-violent Thanksgiving observance.

Here are some other good reasons:

' Brag about pardoning a turkey - like Trump (or not).

' Stay awake for your entire favorite football game.

' Sensible vegetarian kids won't have to boycott the family dinner.

' Plant-based holiday roasts don't have to carry government warning labels.

' You won't have to call Poultry Hotline to keep your family out of the hospital.

' Your body will appreciate a holiday from the fat, cholesterol and hormones.

' You won't sweat the environment and food resources devastation guilt trip.

' You won't spend a sleepless night wondering how the turkey lived and died.

Seriously, this Thanksgiving, let's give thanks for our good fortune, health and happiness with a life-affirming, cruelty-free feast of plant-based holiday roast, vegetables, fruits and grains.

Our own dinner will feature a store-bought plant-based holiday roast, mashed potatoes, stuffed squash, candied yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. An internet search on 'vegetarian Thanksgiving” is getting us more recipes than we could possibly use.

Charlie Reuther

Cedar Rapids