Fun Facts, Food Finds & Gifts of Gratitude

Did you know that a ripe cranberry will bounce?! Did you know that Thanksgiving is the reason that TV dinners were invented?! Would your kids believe that there were NO forks or turkeys at the first Thanksgiving? Well if you haven’t guessed already – this week’s blog is dedicated to fun facts, food finds and ways to give thanks as we approach Turkey Day 2016!

FUN FACTS

Chances are your kids learned about the history of Thanksgiving at school…and might tune you out if you mention the word ‘pilgrim’ or ‘Mayflower’. But you still might be able to impress them (or at least entice a giggle!) by sharing some of these fun facts:

-          A ripe cranberry WILL bounce (bonus points if you let them try it!).

-          There were no forks at the first Thanksgiving; it was eaten with spoons and knives since forks were not even introduced to the Pilgrims until 10 years later and weren't a popular utensil until the 18th century.

-          President Obama once pardoned a 45-pound turkey named Courage, who flew to Disneyland and served as Grand Marshal of the park's Thanksgiving Day parade!

-          Thanksgiving is the reason for TV dinners! In 1953, Swanson had so much extra turkey (260 tons) that a salesman told them they should package it onto aluminum trays with other sides like sweet potatoes — and the first TV dinner was born!

-          Wild turkeys can run 20mph when scared…ask the kids to try it to burn off the sugar from that pumpkin pie!

FOOD FINDS

Doesn’t every family have a story of the lumpy mashed potatoes? The cousin who forgot the whip cream for the pumpkin pie?! The pizza delivery guy that saved Thanksgiving?! While those are some great memory-makers, we'd like to share some potential stress-relievers & resources to help!

The Butterball Turkey Talk Line. We are serious – it IS a thing! Now through Thanksgiving, you can text the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts 24/7 at 844-877-3456 for preventative poultry pitfall tips. (Click HERE)

The Food Network. Let’s face it – is anyone going to complain if you show up with The Pioneer Woman’s Pecan Pie, or Bobbi Flay’s Sourdough, Wild Mushroom, and Bacon Dressing?! Hundreds of recipes, reviews and photos can be found on The Food Network website, and you can always blame a celebrity chef and order pizza if it doesn’t turn out as you hoped! (Click HERE)

Best Pumpkin Pies. Finishing strong isn’t just for athletes – it’s for pie connoisseurs too! Find 15 deliciously different variations on this holiday staple here. (Don’t forget the whip cream!). (Click HERE)

GIVING THANKS

There are definitely some holiday traditions to be thankful for every year. Waking up to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, watching football, finding & fighting over the wishbone...but there are other ways to enjoy comradery & express gratitude the whole year through!

Group Giving. Many families and individuals give generously of their time at the holidays to serve at churches, soup kitchens and food banks. There are also many ways to give together all year long. Check out ‘14+ ways to volunteer with kids in the Bay Area’ and ‘Hands-On Bay Area’.

Acknowledge Personal Victories. You can never be too grateful for your personal health – whether it be physical, mental or emotional. Get inspired by real-life stories of recovery and gain invaluable perspective into the lives of others by reading ‘A Day In The Life of Recovery’. This powerful online exhibition tells the stories of real people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness or a substance abuse disorder and gone through tough times, yet have come out the other side stronger than ever.

Become a RAK-tivist. RAK = Random Acts of Kindness, and there is an entire website dedicated to spreading kindness! You never know who will be grateful for some small but thoughtful action – so try one of these out today!

We hope you have enjoyed the tips and tricks above! The only thing better than the food, friends and family we are about to enjoy - is the memories that we'll make along the way! Enjoy every moment, and make it count!

All our best,

Mark & Jason

team@homesofsv.com

Resources Used:

https://www.momentumformentalhealth.org/

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/thanksgiving-traditions/

http://www.allparenting.com/my-life/articles/969379/20-thanksgiving-fun-facts-to-teach-kids

http://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-stuffing-and-dressing/best-thanksgiving-stuffing-and-dressing-recipes.page-8.html

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/g3986/pumpkin-pie-recipes/?slide=1

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas