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CAN A "REAL" BIRTHDAY CAKE BE VEGAN?
BrittG | | 
1
"In my contacts as a founder of the Vermont Vegetarian Society, I find that a big concern of people who either are vegans or are considering becoming vegans is what to do about family celebrations. The solution I propose is certainly not acceptable to all, but it has worked well for me. It is one way out of the dilemma.
You have adopted a vegan diet and are enjoying your kinder, gentler lifestyle. That is, until the day that little Janey comes home and announces that she wants a "real" cake for her birthday party with her fourth-grade friends. You and she have already settled on a memo of Tofu Pups, potato chips and apple cider. What to do about the cake?
You could take the absolutist position: "We don’t eat cakes in our house. They are unhealthy - too sweet, too much fat." The result? A crying child, who may forever associate vegetarianism with deprivation. You could offer to bake a "health-food" cake, full of whole wheat flour, tofu and molasses, maybe with dried fruits and nuts. Again, Janey cries. "The other kids will think it’s yukky! I want a real birthday cake." You reach for your Betty Crocker Cookbook. Is this an appropriate time to forget about vegan principles and get out the butter, eggs and milk?"
