November 22, 2023 –
I’ve always preferred Thanksgiving over Halloween. Miniature Hershey Bars, Babe Ruth, and Tootsie Rolls stuffed into a trick-or-trick bag do not compare to turkey, dressing, gravy, and cranberry sauce on the family table.
The Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag shared a feast in 1621, now remembered as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations.
Turkey, potatoes, stuffing, canned pumpkin, and other staples have increased in price this year. The U.S. government estimates food prices will be up 9.5% to 10.5% this year; historically, they’ve risen only 2% annually. We often worry about the calorie count in a Thanksgiving meal, according to estimates by the Calorie Control Council. Americans take in 3,000 to 4,500 calories at their Thanksgiving celebrations.
We all need something to be thankful for, and this year, on November 24, 2023, let us be grateful for our Thanksgiving meal, be it turkey, ham, chicken, or fish. You can exchange your meal for a peanut and jelly sandwich with only 300 calories. But remember, you will need to eat something else to maintain your daily calorie needs — 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men.
We can be thankful; we have food, family, friends, and a primarily optimistic future, among other blessings.