On Thanksgiving Day, most Americans will eat turkey, watch football and the Macy’s Day parade and give thanks for all our blessings. Yes, most of us are grateful on this special day, but did you know that people who practice “gratefulness” on a regular basis have been proven to be happier people? New scientific evidence has shown that gratitude actually produces emotional, physical and social health benefits. So why not make the entire month of November “gratitude month” rather than confining your thankfulness to a single day? Here are three tips for helping you to serve up gratitude:

• Keep a daily “journal of thankfulness”

The simple act of writing down the small but meaningful joys in your life will clarify the myriad gratitude-inspiring events and situations that all of us have in our lives. Even writing about such mundane actions as biting into a delicious apple can increase your awareness and help you to recognize and be thankful for life’s small pleasures.

• Tally up your thankfulness areas on paper

Are you and your family members in good health? What about your job or your financial situation? How about your close friends? Can you afford to eat beautiful, healthy food? Do you have the luxury of leisure time? Do you enjoy hobbies? Divide up your thankfulness regions on paper and you will see the many areas of blessing that permeate our lives.

• Express your thankfulness verbally to those you love.

Many of us choose to express our thankfulness on a single day, Thanksgiving Day. Why not make this a weekly event? Perhaps choose one night a week when you have a sit-down family meal to go around the table and have everyone express their thanks for one small but meaningful joy in their life?

Make November your “gratitude month” and reap the health and happiness rewards of this simple task. People who regularly practice expressions of gratitude are less ill, physically and emotionally. This Thanksgiving month, serve up gratitude for a happier you!

Wishing you best of health,

Dr. Janet

I am Thankful for Delicious Lighter Pecan Pie!

Oh pecan pie…gloriously sweet and rich. But did you know that a small slice of pecan pie weighs in at a hefty 500 calories? Lighten up this recipe and you can cut the calories down by 150 and be thankful for less holiday weight gain!

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 slice with 1 Tbsp fat-free whipped topping)

• 1 cup Splenda® brown sugar blend
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 2/3 cup quick oats
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 Tbsp Promise light margarine, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup Egg Beaters® egg substitute
• 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1 refrigerated pie dough crust (trans-fat free and preferably fat-reduced)
• Fat-free whipped topping, thawed

Preheat oven to 325 ºF. Combine all ingredients listed above pie crust, stirring well. Pour into prepared crust and bake for 60 minutes or until center is set. Cool and slice. Serve with a dollop of fat-free whipped topping.

Nutritional Information per Serving:

Calories: 330, Fat: 12 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 210 mg,

Carbohydrate: 55 g, Dietary Fiber: 1 g, Protein: 4 g

Recipe Copyright © 2012 Janet Brill, Ph.D. For more healthy recipes please visit DrJanet.com.