A More Intentional Thanksgiving

The wheel of time has come back around to the time of thanks. Have you started to plan for the upcoming holiday? This year my mother and I are driving to Minneapolis, MN. to have thanksgiving in my future brother-in-laws home with his family. There’s going to be over 20 people! I stated that I’d bring the mashed potatoes and a charcuterie board.

What does intentional mean? And how can it relate to Thanksgiving? Intentional simply means done with purpose. Because Thanksgiving is a time to quite literally give thanks, it seems pretty fitting that this day would be observed with intention weaved into the cornucopia. Oh yes cornucopias, the large horn shaped centerpiece overflowing with the abundant offerings of the harvest.

Purpose, giving thanks, and abundance. What a gorgeous symphony of holiday delight!

We can practice purposeful spending by keeping our money within our local community. I bet you that someone within your community raises turkeys. I, for example, know 4 people personally who are selling pasture raised turkeys.

The sad fact is that commercially raised turkeys never see the light of day, and are kept in squaller conditions. Look at how sweet this image is… Turkeys raised on actual grass, eating actual bugs and receiving sunlight. These are a friends turkeys, who will be butchered this holiday season. Their meat will be roasted for turkey sandwiches and the bones used to make a rich and nourishing bone broth.

Okay, now back to ingredient sourcing. For the charcuterie board, I’m buying cheese from local cheese stores. I live in Green County Wisconsin after all, the Meca of cheese! And I’ll purchase an assortment of meat from my local farmers, Sparrow Hill Farm. Sparrow Hill is a true gem and they’re not far from my home. Sometimes I even get invited over when a new litter of pigs are born. I love pigs so much! Getting to witness their animals grow up from baby all the way to butchering time is really special and encompasses the full spectrum of life.

And finally, for the mashed potatoes… I like to purchase quality potatoes from my co-op. Basics Co-op, in Janesville WI makes grocery shopping fun! I love my once a week trips there. I know a handful of the employees who will stop and have conversations with me. And for many of the products available, there’s a story about the owner of the company, so you get a little insight into where these local products are from.

One practice that I love sharing at Thanksgiving is simply going around the dinner table and posing the statement “what I’m thankful for”. It infuses an energy of wholesomeness and warmth right before diving into the meal.

Remember, this time of year is about giving thanks. Giving thanks for food, family and the abundance that surrounds you! When we focus on the good, more good flows to us. It’s literally Universal Law! Focus on ways that you can be generous with your community and loved ones. After all, generosity breeds more generosity.

November blessings to you!
xo,
Paula