Some alternative proteins

I was just taking a kind of inventory of the ways that I have substituted vegetable protein for animal protein. My love for these vegetable proteins has increased over time and I have learned to prepare them in many tasty ways. The thought of eating a carcass with the tendons and blood and bones and the possibility for serious bacterial and fecal issues makes me think of "Night of the Living Dead". When I see someone chowing down on a chicken wing, it now looks so low class and rough. I ask myself if the whole meat, egg and dairy industries cleaned up their act - treated the animals with respect for natural in raising (proper quarters, food and medical care, respect for pain-free in slaughter and respect for meat industry workers and the environment - would I go back to eating meat? The answer is most likely - NO! Since my awareness has been raised with all this and I have found ways to eat that meets all the nutritional need AND actually makes me feel better and healthier and needing less medications - the answer is clear. Even with all the 'head' answers, I have developed a very deep-seated unpleasant 'feeling' about the idea of eating animal products. My research and instincts about this whole issue also tell me that the word is spreading pretty mainstream now and if the meat industry continues on its current path (or even if it tries to change), they will have already lost a lot of people like me who have found happiness without meat. This will be the first Thanksgiving that I do not eat turkey. However, my impending change to veganism was predicted for the last couple of years when my husband had to clean off the carcass for me and throw it out. I used to even use it to make soup - recently I couldn't go near it. I have also recently read "Eating Animals" and there was a lot in that book about turkeys that I had not previously known. Now, not eating a turkey will feel good, not sad. The sad part now will be that the gatherings I will go to and sponsor will include a dead turkey. I will not be eating it, but it will be dead and on the table. Although I will not eat it and feel strongly about the situation, I can't use the holiday as a soap box for turkey rights. I will, however, make some vegan dishes to share and be thankful for the fact that I have a wonderful family and that I live where I have choices about what I want to eat. I especially thank my daughter who educated me on these issues and my husband for embracing change, and my son and daughter-in-law for being sensitive to my animal-free diet. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and remembers all the things they have to be thankful for (including the beautiful animals with whom we share this Earth)