WESTFIELD – The Chau-tauqua County Vegetarian-Vegan Society will meet on Nov. 2 for their Famous Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner. Following the meeting, they will welcome speaker Angus Watkins, whose topic will be “How Dr. Greger’s ‘How Not to Die’ Changed My Diet.”

Watkins has been a lifelong omnivore, and he loves to eat tasty food. However, he is married to Anne Watkins, a vegan who is also coordinator of the Chautauqua County Vegan Society. She has not prepared meals with meat, dairy or eggs for many years. Angus always enjoyed Anne’s vegan meals, but he also enjoyed eating outside of the vegan realm. Last December he got a copy of the book “How Not To Die” by Dr. Michael Greger. This book reveals scientific evidence behind the only diet that can prevent and reverse many of the causes of disease-related death. Angus will talk about how this book changed his perspective on eating and has made him a more enthusiastic aspiring vegan.

The menu for the meal will be Thanksgiving Dinner. Food items will include: kale salad; Shepherd’s pie, butternut squash; green bean casserole; sweet potatoes; roasted Brussels sprouts; stuffing; cranberries; whole-grain bread and pumpkin pie. All food will be vegan (no meat, eggs or dairy products), and much will be home grown and organic. Those attending should also bring their own table service.

The dinner will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the YWCA, 58 S. Portage St., Westfield. The cost of the dinner is $8 per person, with reduced rates for children. To make a reservation, call Gail Erb at 753-7761 or Anne Watkins at 782-4334, or email annewatkins@juno.com. Reservations should be made by Sunday, as this is a planned meal instead of the usual potluck.

All meetings are open to the public, especially to those who are interested in learning more about healthy eating and living. It is not necessary to be vegan or vegetarian to attend the meeting. The Vegetarian Society is an information and support group for individuals seeking to explore healthy eating through vegetarian or vegan lifestyles. The group meets monthly for a vegan dinner. For more information, find the group on Facebook at Chautauqua-Vegetarian-Society.