Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving has its roots in the US, but has since become a common celebration in the Christian year celebrated in lots of countries around the globe in the Christian year – last but not least because of the good food. With family members and good friends we enjoy delicacies such as stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy, accompanied by pumpkin, sweet potatoes and other tasty side dishes. Not to forget the sweet desserts – mostly a pumpkin pie. But have you ever thought of making Thanksgiving a sustainable experience? Here are a few ideas!
Sustainable festive season, part 1: Happy Thanksgiving!
Seasonal, regional and sustainable food shopping
Why not buy the products you need from a regional farmers’ market or in a small, local food store – this can reduce your CO2-footprint, it supports regional producers and you will have seasonal ingredients on your plate which are a lot fresher and tastier than imported foodstuffs. Pay attention to the amounts that you buy – it would be a shame to have to throw something away and thus waste food.
T(of)u-rkey as an option.
Meat and animal products leave a big CO2-footprint. So why not look for alternative recipes and make a few vegetable dishes part of your delicious and eco-friendly menu? True to the motto: Tofu instead of turkey or pea protein instead of beef – in big supermarkets you can, in the meantime, find a range of alternative high-quality meat replacement products.
Full range of autumnal colors on your table.
The best inspiration is still Mother Nature: leaves, twigs, herbs or green branches will guarantee the right mood for Thanksgiving. Arrange winter squash, sweet apples and nuts on the table – your natural (and also favorably priced) decorations are ready. Likewise, decorative spices such as cinnamon sticks or dried slices of orange with cloves look good and release a delightful aroma. And the best thing – the table decorations can be further processed on the days which follow and served as a delicious snack.
The best of the rest.
The best way to avoid food waste, apart from careful shopping, is to store leftovers in meal-size portions so that they can be used directly or to give you something to take to work on the days which follow. True to the motto: „Cook once but eat several times“! Recipe platforms brim over with myriad possibilities to make new meals from leftovers – such as a legendary turkey sandwich or scrumptious casserole dishes.
Who will deal with the washing up?
After every great meal this question always comes up: „Who will do the washing up?“ We say – the dishwasher! Of course today you can find compostable brushes and zero-waste sponges (made of plant fibers), but a modern dishwasher uses fewer resources than washing up by hand. However, you wish to organize your Thanksgiving-celebration – we would like to say #happythanksgiving! #ItsInOurHands
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