Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It combines incredible food (turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie!) with all the people I love, perfect sweater weather and for all those sports fans…football! It’s also a time when practicing gratitude takes center stage—a day to reflect and appreciate all of our many blessings. Why not instill some of that Thanksgiving Day spirit into our everyday lives? Researchers have found that those people who practice gratitude on a regular basis are happier and healthier people. Don’t confine your gratitude to one single day—why not make the entire month of November your gratitude month? To practice gratitude in your life, consider these tips:

1. Practice small daily acts of gratitude: Try and share your love and appreciation with everyone and everything you encounter on a daily basis. Even the smallest act counts such as taking a walk, raising your face to the sky and breathing in the autumn air—it’s great to be alive!
2. Look for the good as well as the bad in all situations: Every challenging situation can be met with strength and reflection. You learn from dealing with adversity—ask yourself what the experience has taught you.
3. Focus on what you have not what you want: Life is all about the journey, not the destination. Practicing present-moment gratitude is the key to lifelong happiness.
4. Write it down: Sit down every day in November and write a short sentence: “I am grateful for…” Compile this list and share it with your loved ones on Thanksgiving Day—the official day of gratitude.
5. Eat healthy food and exercise: Don’t take your health for granted, be grateful for it. Maintaining good health is all about taking care of your body and that means living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Take the month of November to practice gratitude for all the blessings in your life. The return on your Thanksgiving investment will make you a happier and healthier person—not a bad ROI!

And don’t forget to lighten up your Thanksgiving day meal—try these turkey seasoning and gravy recipes.

A HAPPY and HEALTHY Thanksgiving to all!

Dr. Janet’s Turkey Seasoning and Lighter Gravy Recipes

TURKEY SEASONING

Fresh herbs and extra virgin olive oil is all you need for a delicious turkey this Thanksgiving!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 onion, peeled and quartered

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine parsley, thyme, rosemary, shallots and oil in a small bowl.
2. Season the cavity with pepper and place peeled onion and pre-prepared stuffing in cavity (if desired).
3. Rub herb blend over entire turkey, place turkey breast side up and roast according to directions.

Turkey Recipe Lighter Gravy:

For added color and nutrition in your gravy, roast with added carrots, celery, onion and garlic. (Baste turkey but try to keep the opening of the oven door to a minimum.)

• Strain broth from roasting pan and pour into a shallow pan and freeze for a few minutes.
• Remove fat layer (fat rises to the top and can be removed with a kitchen spoon). You can also use a gravy fat separator cup available at most cooking supply stores.
• Bring 2 cups of strained and defatted broth to a boil.
• Dissolve 1 Tbsp corn starch in 2 Tbsp water and add slowly to broth.
• Bring back to a boil, remove from stove and serve hot.