Gratitude: Day 22

Camaraderie. Not that this is at all what I had expected, or where I would have originally looked for it, but I'm glad we both have people individually and collectively that we share mutual respect and trust.

Nice meals. Food always tastes better when shared with those you love.

Gratitude: Day 20

Helping people. I am fortunate enough to get to do work that is rewarding. Giving talks on health, answering peoples' questions and working one-on-one with individuals gives me the opportunity to make the world a better place. Health really does start with food--but most people are too confused by what they see on television and/or find the topic too boring to give it much thought. I enjoy the challenge of combating those two issues and helping people to feel better.
Over the years certain experiences, even knowing certain people, really cemented a level of concern about people's relationship with food. In school, reading study after study and learning from progressive doctors, chefs, and authors, was an amazing experience--even eye opening for someone who had given the topic a lot of thought. I am grateful for all I've learned both in and out of the classroom. I am equally grateful for the opportunity to plant seeds that help people feel better.

Thanksgiving thoughts

Made a couple new dishes last night. Shredded Brussel sprouts with butternut squash and apples was one. The other was kale and olive oil mashed potatoes. I think they both came out nice, (and I loved that fact that the first dish reminded me of our wedding colors) but I'm trying to imagine the palette of a fourteen year old girl. I'll eat pretty much any vegetable so sometimes it's challenging to try and plan Thanksgiving food for other people. Well, back to the drawing board...

Thanksgiving 2008

Bruce and I had Thanksgiving together this year just the two of us. It was nice to not have the stress of time schedules, and we ended up hanging out and cooking all day.

I've done cooking on Thanksgiving, but never everything from scratch. We didn't even make very many dishes, but it was quite a bit of work. Mentally more so maybe. We just don't do that much cooking these days. So, psychologically I think it's more tiring. My grandmother used to bake bread, can vegetables, do dishes, and cook stock as a daily routine. Today is just a different time.

I am most happy with the pumpkin cupcakes we made. It was nice to have something traditional and non-traditional rolled into one. And other than the icing (we didn't have any vegan cream cheese) the cupcakes were vegan. I was actually amazed at how great they tasted.