A Kitchen of Thanksgiving

(This installment is adapted from an article I wrote for the November 2010 edition of The Infinite Field Magazine)

I have not been the hugest fan of holidays. The specialness of the day/season somehow can be soured by the push to spend and consume, if we allow it. Thanksgiving in the United States has felt especially distasteful, with a whitewashed version of the first Thanksgiving, which dishonors the Native American in my ancestry. However, I have shifted my perception over the past few years. The holiday we experienced last week (what I now call Living Thanks Day) is the very holy-day that carries the most meaning for me, because collective energy is focused on all that we are grateful for. I choose for every day to be a day of thanksgiving, but there is something to be said for millions of hearts and voices lifted, from the very young to the most aged, stating what they are thankful for—a tradition in my family as well as many others.

The kitchen plays an important role in Living Thanks Day festivities, and the cook(s) can do a lot to set the energetic tone for a true celebration of gratitude. Below are some tips to turn your kitchen into one of thanksgiving.

Fast before you feast. Fasting has been an integral part of spiritual practice in numerous traditions since ancient times. Many people report a heightened awareness and connection to Spirit while fasting. There are numerous well-documented health benefits, as well, including improved insulin sensitivity and metabolic function, possibly anti-aging benefits due to anti-inflammatory effects on our cells, and of course, weight release.

Fasting does not have to be a long, drawn-out process, and could include part of a day or a full day, with or without water. Whatever fast you choose, it should be under the guidance of a physician, especially for those who are pregnant, recovering from surgery, diabetic, or experiencing severe medical conditions.

It is important to stay hydrated and refrain from vigorous exercise and operating heavy equipment during a fast. Then when the fast is broken, make sure to include supportive foods if you feast to help re-hydrate you, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, soups and stews. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages are dehydrating and processed juices often are sugary; they are also hidden sources of extra calories. Therefore, focus on water as your main beverage.

Select whole, fresh foods to prepare. Balance your menu so that it is not top-heavy with meats and starches. This practice will honor your health and your palate. Who wants canned cranberry sauce when you can quickly make fresh cranberries? Substitute agave or local honey for the sugar, and add blueberries or walnuts for an antioxidant-rich side to your main meal. Include a leafy green salad to add refreshment from heavier, cooked foods and to aid your digestion. Make use of abundant seasonal ingredients, like sweet potatoes, to honor Earth Mother and her bountiful gifts. Avoid heavy sauces and gravies that hide the true flavor of the food. Instead, experiment with pureed fruits and vegetables seasoned with your favorite herbs and spices.

Give thanks for the food. Many of us say a rote blessing for food without pausing to savor the words and the feelings of thanksgiving for the abundance of Spirit. Depending on your dish, thank the Creator, and also thank the plants and animals that sacrificed their life for your nutrition. Many hands have gone into bringing the feast to your table; therefore, include the turkey farmer, the produce-pickers, assembly-line workers, truck drivers, grocery stockers and checkers, and of course the cooks, to name a few. Make sure to honor your ancestors who started your bloodline, traveled to this land of plenty, and created opportunity for you to be where you are now. As a result, the food, and you, will be energetically blessed, which will in turn reflect outwardly in your world.

These practices do not have to be limited to a holiday in November. Developing and maintaining a kitchen of gratitude is a worthy endeavor any day of the year. Let your every day be one of thanksgiving—living thanks, and allow yourself to sumptuously feast on life’s abundance.

To find out about my holistic offerings, visit my website at www.mindbodyandspiritworks.com. To tune in to my radio show, Mind, Body & Soul Food, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/tonyaparker.