Hi Roz- I went to the link but didn't see the recipe...??? Loved the stories but that was the only recipe I thought I might make (and channel Aunt Karlie).  Karen

before Thanksgiving. - Roz

Next year, can you add Tofurkey into the mix? I'd be interested to see how an organic vegetarian "turkey" (there are actually a number of brands besides Tofurkey) compared in cost per pound to the conventional and organic turkeys. I'd suspect the vegetarian versions would be cheaper.

The cool thing about Tofurkey is that it comes with stuffing inside, and doesn't take as long to cook.  And it's made with certified organic soybeans.

Now, how about doing a cost comparison for a totally compassionate and eco-frienldy Thanksgiving meal -- that would mean vegan, of course.  Better for you, better for the environment.

Unfortunately, your dream meal is an eco-bust.

And, let's be real.  Calling a dish that includes cheese "vegetarian" is most likely a misnomer, as most cheese readily available (particularly hard cheeses) use animal rennet -- the gut of baby cows. So, it really is not vegetarian at all.

I'm no vegetarian, PETA nut, or global warming fanatic, but, let's face it: the vast majority of meat production/consumption cannot be called green.  

Also: WFO, WFC, SMO, SMC?  How about FMO or FMC (farmer's market)?  Or even W (wild)?

Variability aside, I'd much rather see an investigation of the costs of buying locally - or growing/hunting your own.  My friends and I are having an organic local feast for Thanksgiving (sans turkey - though here in WI, we could get a wild local one if we wanted to!).  I am willing to bet that the cost of our T-Day feast will be far less in both monetary terms and environmental terms than that of an organic Whole Foods sponsored feast.

Yeah, actually, when I first saw the heading "What Price Thanksgiving", I thought that it would be about the environmental cost.

Wouldn't it be interesting to take the same "dream menu" (many people's traditional menu; my nightmare menu) and do a side-by-side comparison (organic to conventional; vegan to non-vegan):

The environmental cost (soil erosion, pollution, chemicals, solid waste, etc.)

The Climate Change cost (carbon footprint of the meal)

Thorw in costs for paper napkins used, or laundry required; cost of the electricity to produce the meal. (I could run my house for a month on the electric required to cook a turkey.) Maybe even the carbon expense of travel by Thanksgiving Dinner guests.

No doubt that analysis would be pretty depressing.

Greta

P.S. - I am not suggesting that people do not indulge in these type of infrequent holiday gatherings.  But, I would recommend that they bank the carbon and eco credits during the year. Preferably by conservation rather than carbon credits.

Most of the ones around here had already closed for the season, otherwise I would have included them. If you live someplace where they are open all year, I envy you.

You can still get local pumpkins, apples, cider, and cranberries from local orchards, and also at Whole Foods.