November 2022 Blog

Blessings
Gathering
 Food

Many years ago, a dear friend of mine and I were talking about holidays.
​I asked him what his favorite holiday was.
He said, "Without a doubt..."Thanksgiving!!"
​"Why?", I asked.

He said that to him Thanksgiving was always a day when we're encouraged to be grateful for the blessings in our lives, gather with family and friends and eat delicious food! He added "it's a day of reflecting on how grateful we are for nature's bounty and the people and pets we are blessed to have in our lives." "Wow!," I thought. He had it all figured out! Although, I never considered Thanksgiving my favorite holiday. Easter is my favorite holiday. He made me think about the holiday and how important it really is by highlighting three things during our conversation...Blessings, Gathering, and Food...

Blessings ...

When we think about the many blessings we encounter on a daily basis
our hearts become open to a spirit of compassion and forgiving. 
It's  good to be mindful of them all...that tends to make us happy.
How can we do that??? This is what I came up with...
​I'm sure you have many of your own😊

• Take a moment to stop and look around. I've found that if I stop and look around concentrating on the beauty of the flowers, clouds, blue sky, people, animals and especially Dagger I am keenly aware of the blessings that surround me everyday.
• Reflect on the ways we are a blessing to others by being kind

​         and thoughtful even when we find it hard to. At times, I find this can be very challenging. However, trying is the key to success.

•  Reach out to others with random acts of kindness. 
• Think about your gifts and talents. Write them down and be proud of each and every one of them,  Even the small ones!
• Remember you are Awesome!! Be extra thankful for the gift of YOU!

Gathering...

• Whether we're gathering in person with family and/or friends

or with them through various platforms such as FaceTime and Zoom I've found that being connected together brings happiness to my life.

• A quick phone call to a friend or family member miles away can make someone's Thanksgiving Day memorable. I know it does mine!!
• Three little words, "Thinking of YOU," can mean the world to a person who is spending the holiday alone for Thanksgiving.

• Even a joyful Text has always made my Thanksgiving day special.

Food... 

Sharing a meal with those that we love is the hallmark of the holiday. It's a wonderful way to share what's going on in our lives and even share the things we are grateful for. 
So many of us have a recipe or contribution we take to our
​Thanksgiving table.
​What's yours? Please share it with me in a post below...
This year I found a recipe that I've been modifying as my own.
​ It's my version of Pumpkin Bread... 
I've been testing it on many people. Everyone seems to like it. I'd like to share to with you.  Below is the recipe. 

Download Recipe

Moist Healthy Pumpkin Bread
 Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
 INGREDIENTS:
 2 Cups whole wheat white flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups pumpkin puree (NOT PUMPKIN PIE FILLING)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs beaten
Instructions
1. Grease two 2- 4"x8" loaf glass Pyrex pans with olive oil spray
​and line with parchment paper.
 2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees or 325 degrees for convection oven.
 3. Whisk all dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, and salt) together in one bowl. Set aside.
 4. In a separate bowl whisk to combine the wet ingredients (Pumpkin puree, unsweetened applesauce, honey, melted butter, extra virgin olive, vanilla extract, and eggs). 
 5. Add the wet ingredients (pumpkin mixture) to the dry ingredients (flour mixture).  Mix just until combined.  DO NOT over mix!
 6. Pour batter equally into prepared pans.
 7. Bake for 35-40 minutes. After 35 minutes, check with toothpick (the toothpick should come out clean when inserted in center of loaf) …if toothpick does not come out clean put back in oven for another 5-10 minutes. This baking process depends on your oven. 
 8. Allow bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from pans and transfer to a wire rack until completely cool. 
Enjoy!!
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

My friend taught me a lot the day we had the conversation about our favorite holiday.  Although, I still love celebrating Easter, I have to say that Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite holidays too. Many thanks to my dear wonderful friend for helping me see the greatness in the holiday.

I'd like to close my blog this month by wishing all of you a
​Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.
May you feel blessed.
May you know that you are a blessing.
And
May you enjoy nature's bountiful blessings!
Happy Tales to you,
xoxo Yvonne