24 Nov Greening Your Thanksgiving- tips & helpful hints!

Image Courtesy of: The Official Blog of IAHSA – The Global Ageing Network

The holiday season is underway, reminding us to express gratitude, giving us time to spend with family and friends, getting us ready to eat to our heart’s delight, and sharing chores for the preparations and aftermath. Thanksgiving is a lot of work; a lot of rewarding work, but work nonetheless. We’ve included some tips to make it easier for you and the environment- curb the work and increase the rewards!

Thanks for reading! and Happy Holidays!
– Jackie & Erin

Here are a few tips off the top of my head and some links as well
1. Food: When I think of the holidays, i certainly think of all the wonderful foods we prepare and share with our family and friends.  Purchasing food grown or raised close to home supports your local farmers and their families too.  What better way to give thanks for your meal than to say it directly to the person who picked your food that morning.  Farmer’s markets are open Wednesday afternoon, and have a bounty of delisiousness waiting to grace your holiday feast.  Besides, nothing says I love you (to your family and the planet) like nutrient rich local and organic foods.  Remember to bring extra bags.

2. Clean up: Keeping it clean and green is simple, especially when you plan ahead.  We may think it’s easier to break out the disposable dishware, especially with a lot of guests.  Trouble is, it’s not easier on the planet.  Consider of all the extra stuff that gets tossed in the trash around the holidays.  Think ahead by putting our clearly labeled recycling and compost containers.  Utilize that dishwasher too.  (When it’s filled to capacity, it uses less water than hand washing)  Break out those cloth napkins. (They look fancier and are reusable)  Also, use glass jars and other reused containers for leftovers.  (no need to have it returned and everyone gets a little thanksgiving the next day!)

3. Give thanks: Thanksgiving can be everyday (just like earth day)  Honoring our families, our friends, everything that is important to us fills us with appreciation for all that we have.  Living in gratitude instead of taking for granted goes hand in hand with caring for our planet.  I’m thankful for clean air and water, the majestic beauty of the Hill Country, the vast night sky, the cycle of the seasons, and so much more.  What are you thankful for?  Share your thanks with loved one and even strangers.  Your attitude of gratitude can help others realize what they are thankful for too.

Here’s a suggestion from Grist:
http://www.grist.org/article/talking-turkey/
(note: the first few paragraphs may just turn you into a vegetarian, but it’s true and there’s some great info on organic and local foods) 🙂

Here’s a link for why it’s great to eat local (it’s for Seattle, but still relevant here)
http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/eatlocal/why-eat-local.htm

Thinking about doing a veggie thanksgiving?
Here are a few reasons why and some how-tos

Yahoo:
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/226/why-it-s-time-to-rethink-the-bird-this-thanksgiving.html

Planet Green:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/thanksgiving-day/index.html

Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-schwab/white-christmas—-how-ab_b_349094.html

The Alternative Consumer
http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2009/11/21/tips-for-greening-your-thanksgiving/

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas from Whole Foods:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/holidays/recipes/menus.php

Vegetarian Thanksgiving ideas from NPR:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97137098

Chow. com: Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing and other vegetarian dishes
http://www.chow.com/stories/11392