For many people, tradition dictates that the Thanksgiving turkey be the main course of the day. Interestingly, there are a few different reasons why people believe this Thanksgiving tradition to be true, at least in the United States. It has been said that it began because the birds were big enough to feed a crowd, they were affordable and readily available, and they were fresh. Past and present, Americans prefer a large “Tom Turkey” for big celebrations, as one can be enjoyed without any type of economical sacrifice.

The general consensus was that the cows were much more useful alive and beef was also not available commercially until around the late 19th century. Venison might have been a good choice as a Thanksgiving food but many people claimed they were not that excited about having to hunt for the game they would serve at their Thanksgiving feast. They also felt that rooster meat was too tough and the hens were more valuable for their eggs.

Even though both brined pork and ham were as readily available as turkey, it was not deemed good enough for this feast of giving thanks. Turkeys were considered the best bet, as the poults that were born in the spring would have about 7 months to do nothing but eat and grow plump for their place of honor at the Thanksgiving Day feast. It was also felt that eating a Thanksgiving turkey was more in keeping with Britain’s holiday customs that were introduced to the New World by the early settlers.

Economics was an important factor for most early settlers, especially since people were not necessarily preparing just one meal. Thanksgiving was also the time to bake other meats and pies and make preserves that would have to last throughout the winter as well. At one time the British ate swans and geese as a Thanksgiving tradition, but they finally came to prefer the turkey once it was introduced in England around 1540. Swans were not well received due to their diet; they sometimes tasted fishy unless they were fed seeds and wheat several weeks before being slaughtered.

Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863; however, by then the turkey was already pretty much the standard of Thanksgiving Day customs. Of course there are those who believe the Thanksgiving turkey, as well as the traditional sides of mashed potatoes, squash, peas, cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy, became firmly ensconced at center stage partially because of “A Christmas Carol” that was written by Charles Dickens. When Scrooge gave the gift of a turkey to the poor Cratchit family it cemented it as the bird of choice for all future holiday dinners.

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed cure panic attack cures as well as tips on the various anxiety attack medication available at anxietydisordercure.com.

Almost every country and every culture celebrates a day of giving thanks. In America it began over 400 years ago and was celebrated in the form of a feast within the original colonies. But, that does not mean that everyone celebrates Thanksgiving Day the same way; as the traditions of one country may be completely different than those in another.

For example, in the country of Greece they do give thanks, but it is a 9 day harvest festival dedicated to the goddess of agriculture, Demeter. They also engage in other activities after the harvest. For example, all married women build huts made from plants and leaves and then decorate the interior with cushions. They continue into the second day with fasting and then on the third day they host Thanksgiving in their own way, by presenting a big feast complete with meats, sweets, nuts and fruit.

In Great Britain they celebrate the harvest festival, and a particular day in late September or early October is set aside for their celebration, which is then completed with prayers and a church service. The Chinese celebrate their Thanksgiving Day on what they consider the moon’s birthday, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, according to the Chinese calendar. Their tradition is to exchange moon shaped pastries among themselves and eat a meal of fruit and ham.

In Egypt, they celebrate Thanksgiving by paying honor to Min, the god of fertility and the harvest. Originally celebrated during the spring, the time when they harvest their crops, they would pretend to cry while harvesting so that the god would not be upset with them for taking it. The history of Thanksgiving Day in Canada dates back to 1578, and is also a celebration of thanks and family gatherings, and is held on the second Monday in October. Cerelia was a harvest festival that the Romans celebrated to honor the goddess of grains, Ceres. This festival was always held on the 4th of October and the fruits of the harvest and roasted pigs were offered to Ceres. The celebration continued with a parade, music, sports and games and, of course, a huge feast.

With regard to the American Thanksgiving, many people feel that the original idea was to celebrate a day and give thanks for a good harvest and a good life; however, they feel that Thanksgiving Day has become more of a time to spend with family and friends. That it is about being with your loved ones and being grateful. It does not matter what you call it, it is just important that countries take a season, or a day, to be thankful for what they have.

Beth Kaminski is a leading expert in how to panic attacks help and has been publishing lots of information on the best medications for panic disorder for years now at anxietydisordercure.com.

When we think pumpkins, we think Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin pie, and Thanksgiving.

But, factually, there are ways to use a pumpkin!

During October, pumpkins are abundant. Sometimes, they are too abundant. And it’s not uncommon to see excess pumpkins cast aside or left to rot after Halloween, but there’s really no need to let the extras go to waste.

The following are just a few of the great uses for pumpkins:

1. Pumpkins in Recipes

As food, pumpkins are low in calories, yet high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, protein, and potassium. your favorite cookbook and search for recipes containing pumpkin.

Pumpkin breads, pies, and are favorites, but you can probably find plenty of others. As an impromptu house guest in Paris, I was once served an incredible pumpkin soup (though I never completed my search for that particular). There are more exotic recipes to try as well – pumpkin juice, pumpkin ice cream, and even fried pumpkin.

2. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds (also called “pepitas”) are also known to be highly nutritious, and are used in weight-loss diets. They provide fiber, healthy fats, and protein, as well as minerals such as magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and copper. They are also known to strengthen the immune system, and to be good for people with high cholesterol.

Roasted pumpkin seeds make excellent between-meals snacks, can be sprinkled over a holiday squash soup, and are a favorite in Mexican cooking. Candied pumpkin seeds are for parties as well – and even children might accept them among their Halloween candy.

3. Pumpkin for Pets

Mashed pumpkin is a remedy for digestive trouble in dogs. It can be used to combat weight gain or diarrhea, and for resistance to infections. also said to be good for a dog’s night vision and general health.

Simply add a few spoonfuls of cooked and mashed pumpkin to dog’s food. (Important: it must be pure mashed pumpkin, not a mix!) For information on how to create your own mashed pumpkin, see below.

Cats may like pumpkin as well, and it can be used to help cats with similar digestive troubles, as well as hairballs.

Remember, if your pet is sick, take him to the vet! ask your vet about using pumpkin for a home remedy.

4. Saving Pumpkins for Later

more pumpkins than you know what to do with, you can save them for later use in recipes and for winter holidays.

There are several ways to create pumpkin puree which can be frozen for later use. The following are three preparation methods:

1. Baking – Cut the pumpkin into two halves, place it on a baking sheet with the flat side downwith the flat side down{}, and degrees Fahrenheit, for about an hour, or until it is tender when tested with a fork.

2. Microwave – Follow the same procedure as above, but instead of placing the pumpkin in an oven, microwave it on high for about 15 minutes, or until it is tender.

3. Boiling – Cut the pumpkin into large chunks and . Then, place the chunks cover with water (fully immersing the pumpkins, while leaving one inch of water on top), and boil until tender.

After you’ve used one of the above methods to soften the pumpkin, cool it off, peel it, and mash it in a food processor. You can also use a potato masher or another similar device.

Then, simply , or whatever is convenient, and freeze it for for the winter. The puree can be used as a substitute for canned pumpkin, in any recipe.

5. Pumpkins as Dishes

You can clean a pumpkin well, cut it in half, and dry it for use as a serving bowl or a flower vase. You can also use a halved pumpkin to cook or bake other foods in.

6. Pumpkins for the Skin

Pumpkins contain anti-oxidants and alpha-hydroxy, which are said to be good for the skin. You can use pumpkin peels as , to combat wrinkles or other skin problems.

7. Pumpkins for Children and Games

Pumpkins can be used as part of children’s contests. If your kids are too little to start carving yet, they can also decorate pumpkins with markers or paint – or even . Another use of a pumpkin is as a target for archery practice.

We definitely don’t recommend any games that involve throwing pumpkins, nor using them as substitutes for soccer balls.

Possibly even better, how about a cross between a Jack-O-Lantern, a Snow Man, and a Scare Crow? Your kids might have a great time making a Pumpkin Man – and it’s much better for them than watching TV.

8. Pumpkins as Ornaments

Pumpkins, gourds, and squash can be used to create candle holders, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and other ornaments.

9. Musical Pumpkins

Yes, that’s right, pumpkins make musical instruments as well. Or, at least they can if you know how to make (and play) them. You can find a variety of ideas for instruments that can be made from gourds, squashes, and pumpkins. Although many musical instruments are made from gourds, one can easily imagine how a large or small pumpkin would do just as well in many cases.

10. Pumpkins in Crafts

If an experienced craftsman or a devout hobbyist, you might try some more advanced and creative uses of pumpkins. You can make pumpkin leather like the American Indians did, or settle with a simple pumpkin bird house.

As you can see, there’s really no need for pumpkins to go to waste, either before Halloween or afterwards.

During economic recessions, it’s not uncommon for people to have more time on their hands than they have money. Instead of letting extra pumpkins go to waste, are a few ways to stretch your grocery budget a bit further, invest some time in your health, get your kids away from the screen, and have some fun as well.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others understand how to utilize existing resources in their lives, reduce waste, and adopt eco-friendly lifestyles. Find out more at her blogs, the Source and Resource website and the Build and Rebuild website.

Source Article: Ways to Use Pumpkins

When we think of pumpkins, we think of Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin pie, and perhaps Thanksgiving.

But, truthfully, there are many ways to use a pumpkin!

During October, pumpkins are abundant. Sometimes, they are too abundant. And it’s not uncommon to see excess pumpkins cast aside or left to rot after Halloween, but there’s really no need to let the extras go to waste.

The following are just a few of the great uses for pumpkins:

Pumpkins in Recipes

As food, pumpkins are low in calories, yet high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, protein, and potassium. Dig out your favorite cookbook and search for recipes containing pumpkin.

Pumpkin breads, pies, and pumpkin muffins are favorites, but you can probably find plenty of others. As an impromptu house guest in Paris, I was once served an incredible pumpkin soup (though I never completed my search for that particular). There are more exotic recipes to try as well – pumpkin juice, pumpkin ice cream, and even fried pumpkin.

Pumpkin Seeds

Also called “pepitas,” pumpkin seeds are known to be highly nutritious, and are used in weight-loss diets. They provide fiber, healthy fats, and protein, as well as such minerals as magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and copper. They are also known to strengthen the immune system, and to be good for people with high cholesterol.

Roasted pumpkin seeds make excellent snacks between meals, can be sprinkled over a holiday squash soup, and are a favorite in Mexican cooking. Candied pumpkin seeds are great for parties as well – and even your children might accept them among their Halloween candy.

Pumpkins for Later

If you have more pumpkins than you know what to do with, you can save them for later use in recipes and for winter holidays.

There are several ways to create pumpkin puree which can be frozen for later use. The following are three preparation methods:

1. Baking – Cut the pumpkin in half, place it on a baking sheet with the flat side down, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for about an hour, or until it is tender when tested with a fork.

2. Microwave – Follow the same procedure as above, but instead of placing the pumpkin in an oven, microwave it on high for about 15 minutes, or until it is tender.

3. Boiling – Cut the pumpkin into large chunks and rinse. Then, place the chunks in a large pot, cover with water (fully immersing the pumpkins, plus one inch of water on top), and boil until tender.

After you have used one of the methods above to soften the pumpkin, cool it off, peel it, and mash it in a food processor. You can also use a potato masher or similar device.

Then, simply seal the puree into zip lock bags, or whatever is convenient, and freeze it for for the winter. The puree can be used as a substitute for canned pumpkin, in any recipe.

Pumpkin for Pets

Mashed pumpkin is a great remedy for digestive trouble in dogs. It can be used to combat weight gain or diarrhea, and for resistance to infections. It’s also said to be good for a dog’s night vision and general health.

Simply add a few spoons of cooked and mashed pumpkin to your dog’s food. (Important: it must be pure mashed pumpkin, not a mix!)

Cats may like pumpkin as well, and it can be given to help cats with similar digestive troubles, as well as hairballs.

Remember, if your pet is sick, take him to the vet! Also, ask your vet about using pumpkin as a home remedy.

Pumpkins for the Skin

Pumpkins contain anti-oxidants and alpha-hydroxy, which are said to be good for the skin. You can use pumpkin peels as a facial, to combat wrinkles or other skin problems.

Pumpkins as Dishes

You can clean a pumpkin well, cut it in half, and dry it for use as a serving bowl or a flower vase. You can also use a halved pumpkin to cook or bake other foods in.

Pumpkins as Ornaments

Pumpkins, gourds, and squash can be used to create candle holders, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and other ornaments.

Pumpkins for Children and Games

Pumpkins can be used for children’s drawing or carving contests. If your kids are too little to start carving yet, they can also decorate pumpkins with markers or paint – or even create a pumpkin collage. Another use of pumpkins is as targets for archery practice.

But we definitely don’t recommend any games that involve throwing pumpkins, nor using them as substitutes for foot balls.

Possibly even better, how about a cross between a Jack-O-Lantern, a Snow Man, and a Scare Crow? Your kids might have a great time making a Pumpkin Man – and it’s much better for them than watching TV.

Pumpkins for Crafts

If you’re an experienced craftsman or a devout hobbyist, you might try some more advanced and creative uses of pumpkins. You can make pumpkin leather like the American Indians did, or just settle with a simple pumpkin bird house.

Musical Pumpkins

Yes, that’s right, pumpkins make great musical instruments as well. Or, at least they can if you know how to make (and play) them. You can find a variety of ideas for instruments that can be made from gourds, squashes, and pumpkins. Although many musical instruments are made from gourds, one can easily imagine how a large or small pumpkin would do just as well in several cases.

As you can see, there’s really no need for pumpkins to go to waste, either before Halloween or afterwards.

During economic recessions, it’s not uncommon that people have more time on their hands than they have money. A woman who’s lost her job doesn’t stop looking for work. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have more time on her hands, which she can use for a few creative domestic tasks, that help keep costs down.

Instead of letting extra pumpkins go to waste, the above are a few ways you can stretch your grocery budget a bit further, invest some time in your health, get your kids away from the screen, and have some fun at the same time.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others understand how to utilize existing resources in their lives, reduce waste, and adopt eco-friendly lifestyles. Find out more at her blogs, the Source and Resource website and Build and Rebuild.

Source Article: Different Uses of Pumpkins