Happy Thanksgiving Gurus! Can you believe it is November already? Now that Halloween has come and gone, it’s time to get centered and show our gratitude for all that we have and are thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is steeped in tradition… Some people take a walk before dinner, others watch parades during the day, and some families simply feast. Whether or not these are things you do, traditions are always fun to start and continue. We discovered some fun (and tasty) traditions to begin this thanksgiving that you’ll want to try.

First things first: in order to properly enjoy a holiday with friends and family, you need to be off the tech- so go on a tech fast! Hide the remote, put guests’ phones into a basket when they arrive, and don’t forget to set a good example.

Now for the traditions:

Do service during the day- give others less fortunate a reason to be grateful. Some ideas worth considering:

Volunteer at a nursing home. Talk and spend time with seniors. They are so sweet and fun to talk to, plus they’ve got some cool stories up their sleeves!
Make a blessings basket and secretly deliver it to a family going through a hard time. For example, dropping off a cardboard box filled with little luxuries like hair masks, chocolates, toiletries, treats, lotion, manicure kits, makeup, toys and a handwritten note may be the godsend they needed!
Donate good quality, less played with toys to a local Children’s Hospital. Having your health is always something to be grateful for, but we often forget how important it is until something goes wrong. Show your gratitude for your good health by giving books, magazines and toys to a Children’s Hospital. The kiddos will enjoy the new additions as well as your company… If you don’t have items to donate, try buying some beads and string to make bracelets and necklaces with the kids, or check out interesting children’s books at the library and host a story time. Hospitals are typically very open to having volunteers come in and spend time with the kids, but just be sure to call ahead of time and get permission.
Try working at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. We are so quick to want, want, want in America that we forget some people don’t even know where their next meal is coming from nor have a bed to sleep in at night. Try giving back by volunteering at a soup kitchen or food bank. You can also prepare sack lunches and hand them out to the homeless. Put an inspiring note such as “Have faith”, or “You have an amazing soul” to spread extra cheer.

Giving back to those less fortunate than myself is one of my favorite ways to stay centered and when’s a better time than the holidays? You’ve got so much to be grateful for, so why not share? Service will give you a warm feeling no amount of food can replicate.

Besides performing acts of service, here are a few traditions focused on food and bonding with family during this Thanksgiving:

For whatever reason, whether it’s making dinner or a growing a garden, whenever you help make something, the results are a million times more satisfying than someone else’s work. Apply this concept, and have your family make thanksgiving dinner together. Not only will the meal be more satisfying, but there are plenty of opportunities to bond during the process.
When setting the table, cut butcher paper to the size of placemats and put pencils with the silverware. Explain to your family that during the meal as they remember things they are grateful for they should write them down. After the meal is over and the plates cleared, everyone will read what they wrote around the table. Save the funny and heart touching ones for memories’ sake.
If this holiday there are just two of you, why not splurge and make it a very special time? Oyster soup, vanilla bean truffle ice cream, caviar, asparagus, crab cakes and tangy port wines are all delicious.

The next day, there are going to be leftovers, which make for a delicious second-day meal opportunity:

Leftover turkey is delicious in sandwiches! Try a grilled Turkey Florentine with spinach, vegan bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or one with provolone cheese and pickled vegetables on ciabatta bread. If you’re feeling adventurous, maybe try a savory turkey cranberry chutney sandwich? Mm mm!
Some families eat left over apple or pumpkin pie for breakfast, which beats cereal any day. With a glass of milk, yes please!

Whatever traditions you choose to try out, hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving day- and don’t forget to stay centered, gurus!