Thanksgiving Celebration

As we gather on our own or with others this Thanksgiving I hope for each, unexpected blessings.

This past year has been full, that is for certain. As I reflect this early morning before the day at hand, I want to first share my thank-you to each and every patient for the priviledge of working with you.

I especially cannot let the day go by without expressing gratitude for the beautiful foods given for us.

And equal gratitude for every soul on this earth that lends to helping others enjoy also from His bounty.

A couple of my favorite organizations are, Tarrant County Food Bank, Meals on Wheels and World Central Kitchen. But there are many other good individuals and organizations helping bridge the gap in food insecurity.

This week I was reminded of the foods enjoyed at our first Thanksgiving. According to Anthropologists the first pilgrims meal was abundant with foods from the Wampanoag Indian tribe and thought you might enjoy excerpts from this weeks Blue Zones article.

“While researching traditional culinary traditions for the Blue Zones American Kitchen, Blue Zones Founder Dan Buettner met Carol Wynne, whose Wampanoag ancestors first hosted the Pilgrims in the 17 century, and Paula Marcoux, culinary anthropologist and food historian.

“All we really need to know about eating as a healthy nation was here when the pilgrims arrived 401 years ago,” says Dan Buettner. “If we were still eating like the Wampanoag, 90 percent of the chronic diseases that we are bearing in this country would go away.”

“When looking at the first Thanksgiving table, there is no evidence that turkey, pumpkin pie, or stuffing graced the scene. Instead, you’d see beans, corn, squash—a mainly whole food, plant-slant meal. These are the same foods you’d see at centenarians’ tables across the world today, whether it is with the Wampanoag people of New England or the Sardinians in Italy.”

For me, I cannot help but smile. We can do this! Here’s to squashes, beans and the sprinkle of your favorite trimmings. Here’s to helping others enjoy the same.

For your health,

God Bless, Debra