Originally Published November 17, 2012 Prevalent in many religions, 
North American celebrations of thanks for a harvest are rooted in English Protestant Traditions. Although school books teach of the Thanksgiving feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and Indians in 1621, Thanksgiving Day as an annual tradition was not formalized in the US until 1863. It was not until 1941 that federal legislation set the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.Â
The days after Halloween leading us through November are dreams of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, football and, oh yes, thoughts of thankfulness for what we have been given and all that we have. Obvious items head the list – parents, family, friends, good health, financial success, and so on. But what about more subtle things like rainbows, a cleansing spring rain, pure rivers, healthy green grass, trees, and a breath of fresh air. In contemplating the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday, I have compiled a list of things I am grateful for. So here it is, my more subtle list:
- Natural Skin Care Products – as they eliminate any of 95 possible contaminants from entering natural waterways and avoid any possibility of toxic chemicals entering my bloodstream from absorption through my skin.
- Bamboo Clothing – as it is extremely soft, comfortable, easy to clean with little environmental impact, and ecofriendly- being made from a sustainable natural resource requiring no fertilizers or pesticides to grow.
- Stainless Steel Water Bottles – as I can get my daily intake of water – without the chemicals that plastic water bottles leach, without adding to the one million barrels of oil used yearly to create plastic water bottles, and without adding to the 83% of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills.
- Recycled Glass Jewelry – as it satisfies my craving for bling while reducing the negative impact on the environment, reuses glass bottles that would have found way to landfills where they would have taken one million years to breakdown, and- should my craving for bling ever end – can be melted for reuse again and again without degrading the integrity of the material.
- Plant-able Holiday Cards – as I love to send greetings to all without the guilt of adding to my carbon footprint, love to know friends and relative will be thinking of me well after the holidays as their discarded -in–the-garden cards sprout wildflowers, and love to know their gardens will attract beautiful butterflies.
- Organic Cotton Sheets – as they are soft and cuddly and I am assured there are no residual chemicals from pesticides or fertilizers on the fibers, no use of genetically enhanced cotton seeds, and use of growing methods that avoid environmental contamination and actually replenish the soil.
- All of the growers, farmers, manufacturers, artists and clever people who have taken gt recycled plastic truckaction to produce organic and eco-friendly products that are kind to the environment and considerate of my health.
The items I am grateful for reduce soil and air contamination allowing me to continue taking that deep breath of fresh air , look upon beautiful scenes of green grass and miles of trees, and swim in a crystal clear lake. They reduce my carbon footprint by using sustainable resources and recycled materials, reduce the amount of energy consumed, and they avoid a variety of health issues caused by toxic chemicals.
So as the month of giving thanks moves forward to the big turkey day, take a look at what you’re thankful for. I would love to see your comments and lists. By all means enjoy the day – Happy Thanksgiving!
