The Pilgrims and your third-grade teacher started something by preaching the turkey gospel. But if you didn't have turkey---as your vegetarian friends remind you, it's so much better than Big Macs--- what would you serve?

Some ideas:

• Lasagna---it's always a crowd-pleaser.

• Slice avocadoes and combine with sliced cucumbers, chopped green olives, diced tomatoes, and sliced onions for a winter red/green salad.

• Serve Mexican and have a "Feliz Navidad" party.

• Serve Holiday Noodles---Thai, lo mein, crispy, or egg noodles tossed with scallions and covered with red curry powder or red pepper.

• Get your Omega-3 boost from salmon, made festive with salsa and guacamole toppings.

• Make a "Christmas pizza": green peppers, tomatoes, goat cheese, green olives...let your imagination run wild!

Of course, don't forget the Christmas cookies!

Enjoy the turkey-free healthy and tasty holiday traditions you've created.

About The Author

Copyright Kristin Johnson.

Kristin Johnson is co-author of the "highly recommended" Midwest Book Review pick, Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). A downloadablemedia kit is available at our Web site, www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com, or e-mail the publisher (info@tyrpublishing.com) to receive a printed media kit and sample copy of the book. More articles available at http://www.bakingchristmascookies.com.

kristin@poemsforyou.com