We had a small but enjoyable “Goodbye 2020” Vegan Waffle Party. Our waffles symbolized some of the emotions and events of this year, with some dark humor sprinkled in. You’re welcome to join us virtually, as described below.
“This has been such a crazy year,” I’ve heard roughly 12,329 times. When asked how I’m doing, my most common response has become, “I’m just grateful to be able to breathe.” I’m not in a hospital with a covid respirator, I’m not choking on wildfire smoke, I don’t have someone brutally kneeling on my neck, and I’m not being teargassed. I’m sure I’m leaving out many other possibilities as well.
Whew. Big exhale.
Before moving on, I’d like to pause a moment to recognize all the brave efforts that people displayed on various levels this year, amidst the challenges.
Only time will tell whether we learned some lasting lessons from this year’s events. Because this year gave us a lot to consider. That being said, I’m glad to be alive to bid farewell to 2020 and welcome 2021. To recognize the transition, we threw a small covid-style vegan waffle party with the three members of our household.
I had some ripe bananas to use up, so I whipped up some doubly bananalicious gluten-free vegan waffles. If you’re craving waffles, check out some vegan waffle recipes and useful vegan waffle baking tips.
I missed having a larger event this year, but invite you to join us virtually. If you throw a vegan waffle party to ring out the old year and/or ring in the new one, please post photos of your delicious vegan waffles and toppings on the Vegan Waffles Facebook page.
Below are more photos from our waffle party, with descriptions of what the topping arrangements symbolize. We were using up some frozen fruit, which isn’t quite as photogenic as fresh fruit, but still delicious.
On this vegan waffle, the mixed nuts and bananas represent some of the unbelievably chaotic events that happened this year. The mango and strawberry represent our “inner flame” or desire to keep striving, learning, and creating a better world. The chocolate chips are there just because, well, chocolate is yummers.
This vegan waffle uses its chocolate chips for a purpose. The “X” symbolizes crossing 2020 off the calendar as we move into 2021, putting time behind us while carrying any new insights forward.
The bananas symbolize eyes looking forward to the future. If you really use your imagination, you can see a face wearing a covid mask made of mango. It’s not wearing its mask properly, though, because the strawberry nose is sticking out above it.
On this decadent vegan waffle, the blueberries in their own squares represent people separated by pandemic precautions. The blueberries clustered in nut butter symbolize people maintaining connection in creative ways.
The generous drizzling of maple syrup signifies drowning one’s sorrows and anxiety through baking and eating tasty vegan waffles. Because sometimes that’s okay, too.
This vegan waffle is “totally forked,” like parts of 2020.
Finally, here’s a baby Yoda snowflake that Megan made recently. Watching us as we ate waffles he was. Because sometimes you also need a little baby Yoda to help you get through the year.
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