I have learned that when I go tailgating, I'd be wise to bring a cooler with my own food -- most people don't think to throw some Boca Burgers in with the brats, and I don't expect them too. Being a vegetarian is my choice, not theirs. However, if you know you have some vegetarians coming to your tailgate and want to plan for that, I have a few tips for you!

First of all, know your options. You can very easily stock up on a few store-bought options and keep everyone very happy -- there are some delicious veggie burger, chicken patty, and hot dog options out there. However, you need to read the instructions carefully because these items don't cook quite like meat, and some really aren't meant to be grilled at all.

Second, plan out your grilling. Many vegetarians would prefer not to have their food grilled on top of meat particles. If you have a couple of grills going, that should be pretty easy, but if you're using just one, your guests would probably appreciate it if you did a thorough cleaning and scraping before slapping their vegetarian fare on.

Finally, remember that vegetarian food isn't just for vegetarians. Lots of yummy, non-meat (and healthful) foods are easy for everyone to enjoy. Try doing some skewers with pineapple, peppers, onions, and mushrooms -- people can pile those goodies on a burger or just eat them off the stick. And side dishes are a great way to give everyone options. Bring (vegetarian) baked beans, mac and cheese, or fruit, bean, or pasta salads. And then let me know where you'll be -- I'm going to have to stop by!