Whole Food Thanksgiving Menu

If my thumb were greener, this post would be titled something different.  Maybe Thanksgiving from the garden, or Homegrown Thanksgiving Dinner.  Unfortunately, my thumb is sometimes as black as the puppy's paws are brown with garden soil. So we settle for whole-foods in place of home grown.

What are whole foods?  Whole foods are fresh and homemade or made with as few real ingredients as possible. Store-bought whole foods have generally less than five pronounceable ingredients, ie. flour and water not chemical compounds.

This year, our thanksgiving crowd will be enjoying the following whole foods menu:

Turkey: we purchased a cage-free turkey that had been fed an all vegetarian diet and never any antibiotics.  There are admittedly more humane options.  Free range or grass fed meat is always my preference.  Purchasing direct from a local humane farm adds additional green benefits.  Of course, turkey does not make a Thanksgiving dinner, we could go vegetarian... (Hello?  Have I lost you?)  We opted for a lower price per pound and the convenience of a grocery store purchase for the big meal but try to eat as humanely as possible throughout the rest of our meal plan.
We brine our bird and grill it for a decadent smokey taste, crisp skin, and wide open oven for delicious side dishes!

Mashed potatoes: I mash white or gold potatoes with just a little butter, milk, fresh parsley, and salt.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes: I like my sweet potatoes without marshmallows, maple syrup, or much else.  Seasoned and roasted deliciousness!

Sauteed Fresh Green Beans: again, the emphasis is on simple ingredients that highlight the taste of beautiful farmers market green beans

Applesauce: I chop a few apples early in the day and throw them into a pot with about an inch of apple cider.  They simmer throughout the day and I add spices and sweeteners as requested.  I don't use a recipe, but vary the ingredients and method based on guest preferences.

Homemade bread: my beloved dutch oven makes beautiful, crusty bread with just a few ingredients

For picky kids, there are bowls of sliced cucumbers, baby carrots, and grapes on the counter all day.

I hope that you and your family are enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving today!

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

1 Chronicles 16: 8-9

1 Chronicles 16:8 - Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/thanksgiving-bible-verses-15-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2Cyuu6qLv

1 Chronicles 16:8 - Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/thanksgiving-bible-verses-15-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2Cyuu6qLv