Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year with plenty of yummy foods, lots of friends and family to interact with and a time to cherish all of the things that one is thankful for.
However, it is always important to be mindful of the resources we consume during this holiday. This is especially applicable to the political and environmental crises we are in at this time.
So, to help you pull off this year’s Thanksgiving celebration in a green way, here are a few tips.
First of all, it is important to try to continue to reduce, reuse and recycle during this hectic time. It can be extremely challenging to accomplish this, as it can be tempting to just use disposable dishes and cutlery with so much family over.
In addition to this, if expense limits permit, it is always best to buy organic foods. Non-organic produce has harmful pesticides and herbicides that contribute to many rampant environmental issues, including the declining bee population. With so much food being purchased at this time, this can impact the environment in a harmful way.
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Another issue that comes up during Thanksgiving is the turkey. Although for many this is a holiday staple, some people find themselves loving the meat-free alternative – the Tofurkey – just as much. There are many online recipes for cooking your perfect centerpiece for your holiday meal needs.
It is always good to buy your turkey from a local source, where the birds are treated humanely. A good place to make this purchase is at Bowman & Landes in Dayton, Ohio. This farm raises their turkeys free-range and home-grown as well as feeding them natural grains.
This tip extends to all food purchases. It is always better to support local farmers than to support major corporations.
Another tip to make your Thanksgiving greener is to reduce travel as much as possible. Of course, it is very important to be with your loved ones on this holiday. However, Thanksgiving is one of the most heavily traveled times during the year, contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer.
If possible, it is important to cut down your miles and host your celebration as close to home as possible. Carpooling is also a solid way to decrease greenhouse gas output.
Lastly, it is vital to remember what Thanksgiving is about in the first place. We are blessed with so many animals and plants that provide us with the nutrients we need to survive. Thanksgiving is not only a time to be thankful for everyone and everything in your life, but to honor the beautiful circle of life that we are blessed to take part in.
Anwen Harris
Reporter