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Posts tagged ‘Thanksgiving’

November: A Month of Appreciation

November is a month of thankfulness and appreciation as we celebrate Thanksgiving later this month. A great idea that was started by two dear people in my life, my friend Donna and my cousin Amber, is to note what you are most thankful each day this month. They are posting their thoughts of gratitude in their status each day this month on Facebook. I am collecting my thoughts in a journal and on Thanksgiving Day, I am going to share these messages of gratitude with my family and friends during our Thanksgiving Dinner. I may post messages of gratitude on Facebook, as well. I try to do that now and then throughout the year, anyway.

Upon reflecting on gratitude, attitude comes to mind; gratitude is an attitude of appreciation, knowing the worth of another. Gratitude is a positive feeling of indebtedness to another. It is a form of love, loyalty, and giving back; like an I.O.U. Your heart feels a warmth and longing to be of service to whomever or whatever you feel gratitude.

Gratitude is related to being thankful, grateful and appreciative. It is an uplifting emotion where you feel worthy and valued; and, you usually have a feeling of joy where you want to pay a favor in return directly or indirectly for the person you feel gratitude. An attitude of gratitude brings positiveness and higher energy. It is a glow in the heart, a warmth from within that makes one grin.

A great quote to ponder stated by Denis Waitley, truly makes me realize how much I have to be thankful: “I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man with no feet.”

I am deeply grateful for: my overall good  health, my wonderful husband and family (including Sasha, my fur-baby), my amazing friends both off and on-line, God and the Universe. The gratitude in my heart I extend to all those who have touched my life and molded me into who I am today, including the bullies and heart-breakers; and most importantly for having Jesus Christ in my life…the example He has led as God in Body…God the Experience…God the Flesh…God the Human Example. He showed us the path and the way to be.

I have the gratitude attitude for music, creativity, life, transformations, lessons, love, friendship, fellowship, family, education, color, sight, all my senses, my gender, my femininity, my masculinity, my whole being, my outlook and perspective, my vision, my attitude and openness…for everything. Everything is a blessing that deserves to appreciated! Have “Gratitude Attitude”and a thankful heart. Consider keeping a log of everything you appreciate this month (and perhaps beyond). You will see the positive ways it will change your life. (Parts of this article were used in previous articles in A Kiss of Bliss this year.)

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING, CANADA!

As my husband was born in Canada, we are celebrating Thanksgiving today. And, we get to celebrate again in November. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It affirms my belief in gratitude and appreciation. Happy Thanksgiving! Below is some information I found on Canadian Thanksgiving.

In 1957, the Canadian Parliament solidified the Canadian people’s folk practice of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest by declaring the second Monday in October the official day of Thanksgiving. This year, Thanksgiving Day is October 8. Thanksgiving has a long history in Canada and is a holiday forged out of the Canadian people’s history and desire to give thanks for all the good that surrounds their lovely land.

Canadian Thanksgiving traces its roots across the Atlantic as definitively as it is rooted in its own heartland. The original concept of Canadian Thanksgiving is traced to an old European farming custom in which farmers were known to band together to toast a plentiful harvest. The first known Thanksgiving celebration on Canadian shores was hosted by a European explorer named Martin Frobisher who enjoyed an impromptu harvest feast upon washing his ship ashore in Newfoundland around 1578.

Frobisher famously gave thanks not only for the delicious feast he was enjoying, but also for his and his crew’s good fortune at having avoided the many dangers found on the high seas. The third, much noted aspect of Canadian Thanksgiving’s origin, is attributed to the many Loyalists (Americans who remained faithful to England) who moved north to make a new home in Canada. Loyalists brought with them many American Thanksgiving traditions that were adopted into the Canadian holiday. (from: http://www.spfdbus.com/thanksgiving/happy_canadian_thanksgiving.htm)

I found this poem on a Facebook post and I felt it appropriate to share. May all my Canadian readers, friends and family have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

T = for time to be together,
turkey, talk, and tangy weather.
H = for harvest stored away,
home, and hearth, and holiday.
A = for autumn’s frosty art,
and abundance in the heart.
N = for neighbors, and October,
nice things, new things to remember.
K = for kitchen, kettles’ croon,
kith and kin expected soon.
S = for sizzles, sights, and sounds,
and something special that abounds.

Author: Unknown

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Comfort Food…

akoButternutSquashSoup

As the temperatures drop we start thinking about staying warm, cozy and comfortable. Some foods lend themselves to warming and nourishing our bodies. Some are better than others. Soups are great comfort food and below I have included our family’s recipe for a healthy version of Butternut Squash Soup that can be easily made in a slow-cooker.

Comfort food for the heart and soul come from the warmth we give to each other through love and kindness. Next Monday, Thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada. This is a great time to really contemplate everything for which we are grateful. Between now and the New Year there are many religious and secular holidays that have us give pause and reflect upon love, gratitude, charity and other positive attitudes.

As we start filling our bodies with warm foods and beverages, let us take time to reflect and send for positive thoughts to those who are without. My family delights in saying blessings before every meal, a prayer of thanksgiving and compassion for those who need comfort and love. Let the warmth of the foods and drinks that nourish our bodies remind us how blessed we are, filling our hearts and spirits.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

This the perfect comfort food to nourish your body. No unhealthy calories in this recipe. You will need a crock pot/slow cooker.

INGREDIENTS:

One medium to large butter nut squash.

3 to 4 Chicken/Vegetable Bouillon Cubes

4 to 6 cups of Water

Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

The prep work is what takes the most energy in this…you need to peel the butternut squash; a good, sharp potato peeler works well; and chunk up the butternut squash. Do not use the seeds.

Place the chunks of butternut squash and water in the crock pot. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours; OR on LOW for 6 hours. Add bouillon cubes, salt and pepper anytime after the water heats up to a boil. As you get near to the end of the cooking time (after 3 hours or so), mash the squash or use a hand-held mixer. If you like thick soup, use less water; if you like soups thinner add more water. You can add a sweetener of your choice if you like things on the sweet side.

Variation: add carrots, sweet Vidalia onions, or any of your favorite vegetables.

For any of you who are following Weight Watchers…this has 0 plus points per 1 cup serving.

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