Most of All
Thanksgiving Day brings to mind
the blessings in our lives
that usually go unnoticed:
a home that surrounds us
with comfort and protection;
delicious food, for pleasure
in both eating and sharing;
clothes to snuggle up in,
books and good entertainment
to expand our minds;
and freedom to worship our God.
Most of all we are thankful
for our family and friends,
those treasured people
who make our lives extra special.
You are part of that cherished group.
On Thanksgiving, (and every day)
we appreciate you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Gratitude — A Main Ingredient for Thanksgiving
On this most treasured of all American holidays, let cultivating an attitude of gratitude be the main course.
Take all those warm, wonderful feelings from sharing a special meal with people you love, and move them into a habit of being grateful every day. It takes humility to be grateful –that is– it takes understanding that life is a gift — every single breath that we take is gift.
People that attend to gratitude on a daily basis are less likely to be depressed.
They are also less likely to experience envy, covetousness, and bitterness. They are less likely to focus on what they do not have. They tend to feel more joyful, engaged, and carefree. They are resilient after disappointments, losses, and sufferings that accompany human lives, and are able to focus on the positives in all areas of their lives, rather than the negative. They have good self-esteem and are able to contribute to the well-being of other people, other creatures, and the planet. Begin this Thanksgiving to practice an attitude of gratitude.
Enjoy these Holiday Recipes
Cranberry Salad
1 bag of fresh cranberries
2 oranges
2 apples
Zest of 1 orange
4-6 dates
Coconut Nectar or Agave Nectar to taste (1/4-1/3 cup
Finely chop or pulse in a food processor the cranberries, oranges and apples. Blend in the orange zest nectar. Let chill together. And that’s it! Delightfully light and zesty complimentary to heavier Thanksgiving foods!
Sweet Potato Souffle`
2 large yams or sweet potatoes
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice or 1/2 tsp lemon extract
1/2 cup water, more or less, as needed
1/4 cup raw cashews
1/4 cup raw pine nuts (or macadamia nuts)
1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
3-6 soft medjool dates
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp grated fresh nutmeg
Peel the yams and cut into cubes. Transfer to blender along with the lemon juice and enough water to allow the blender to work properly. Process until thick and chunky. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth and creamy. Add more water, 1 Tbs at a time, only if necessary to facilitate processing.