The Health Benefits of Thanksgiving



Today is the day the United States of America has set aside to count our blessings, and walk in a mindful state of gratitude.

At some point, today, I'll be asking my grandchildren if they understand the concepts of gratitude and thankfulness; and then explaining why those concepts are so important. It's good for overall health to hold onto gratitude and thankfulness. No matter how bad your life is, find something to be be thankful for; show gratitude toward anyone who has done something nice for you. Count your blessings, even if you can only think of three things to count.

According to Psychology Today magazine, there are seven scientifically proven benefits of gratitude, including improving sleep and physical health. You can check out that list, by clicking this link.

Before I go any further, I want to tell you how grateful I am that you're reading this; I appreciate you, so very much! And I'm thankful that you continue to follow me, on my journey! I always count you, as one of my Blessings!

There are health benefits to the foods we'll be eating, as well. As we stuff our faces, this evening, it's a good idea to know what we're putting into our bodies. Yummy is so much more fun, when it's healthy, too!



I won't be eating any turkey, this evening; but there are a number of beneficial nutrients, in turkey meat. Healthline.com has a great article, highlighting the nutrient content and potential health benefits of turkey; as well as a warning on the sodium content of processed turkey.




Green bean casserole is one of my favorite things to enjoy, during the holidays. Green beans also happen to be my granddaughter's favorite veggie! The folks at Medical News Today says green beans are a rich source of Vitamins A, C and K; as well as calcium, iron, and other beneficial nutrients.

And let's not forget the mushrooms and onions, in that casserole!


Mashed potatoes are a staple in our house; we eat them, frequently! Potatoes are a great source of fiber, potassium and Vitamins B6, and C. To learn about 11 health benefits of potatoes, click here.

Such a pretty photo!

Sweet potatoes are even better than white potatoes; they're a powerhouse of nutrients, like protein, fiber and B vitamins, to name a few! I like to research on Healthline.com for information on the health benefits of my favorite foods; so I use that site a lot, when I blog about nutrition. Here's their article on sweet potatoes.

I wish cranberries were available throughout the year! I love cranberry sauce, and orange cranberry muffins....super yum!! My daughter makes a fantastic cranberry sauce; and I'm looking forward to having some, this evening. Cranberries are high in antioxidants, and other plant compounds; this is the link to learn about the goodness of cranberries.


And let's not forget the pumpkin pie! Pumpkin is a very versatile veggie; you can enjoy it in savory dishes, and in sweet dishes. It's chock full of goodness, too; it's a good source of fiber and protein. And it's got lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Pumpkin is good for your heart, skin, eyes, and immune system.



I just wanted to end this blog by thanking you (again) for being part of my journey. Knowing that you're in my life, and that I can share my goals, fears, good days, and bad days with you means so much to me! I hope we can be together for a very long time! And I wish you a very blessed day, today!


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