Having a green Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean adding yet another layer of stress to an already hectic day. So how can we keep the good food, family, and football, but cut out some of the waste? Here are a few ideas to try this holiday season.
Buy local. Think about it: The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of a bountiful local harvest. Try bringing back that spirit by buying everything for your feast from producers within a 100-mile radius.
Decorate creatively. Instead of hanging plastic Pilgrims in your windows or putting one of those giant inflatable turkeys in your yard, take the kids out for a walk and collect some pinecones, leaves, berries, and twigs to make decorations.
Set a no-waste table. Here’s an excuse to get out the good cloth napkins, china, silverware, and glasses instead of disposable table-settings. If you dread the cleanup, remember you’ll have lots of help. Soy-based and beeswax candles are also greener than paraffin ones, which are made from petroleum.
Turn down the thermostat. With so much cooking going on (and so many of your in-laws in the house), there will be plenty of hot air. You don’t want anybody passing out until after the meal.
Grill the gobbler. To save energy, consider cooking on the barbecue if the weather in your area permits. We have a friend who serves marinated turkey London broil. Simple and still YUM!
Respect the leftovers. When you foist what remains onto the relatives, do it in storage containers rather than in plastic wrap or bags. Use the turkey carcass for soup or stock, and compost the rest.
Use the dishwasher. Since there are usually lots of volunteers to help with cleanup, people tend to stand around the sink with water running. Instead, decline the offers and just pile everything into the dishwasher without rinsing and hit the air-dry button. That method uses much less water and energy.
Recycle the fat. We’re not kidding. City officials in Plano, TX, actually made it possible for townsfolk who fried their birds to donate the fat to the bio-diesel fuel industry. If there’s a similar movement in your area, look into doing the same.
Pump up your tires. If you’re driving to a Thanksgiving dinner this year, inflate your car tires to the psi recommended on the sidewalls. Doing so improves gas mileage by 3.3%, which means less gunk in our air (not to mention, more money in your wallet).
The earth says “Thanks.”
Comments from Members
This is really informative, enjoyed it, lot of useful suggestions.
Going green is a great idea, I love the no decorating except with natures own supplies. HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!!
I have nothing much to add except to say, Happy Thanksgiving to my family and yours.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD FROM ME AND MY FAMILY. MAKE SOME WONDERFUL MEMORIES AND SHARE.
I'm definately making Thanksgiving more simple this year. I love the idea of keeping things local, and natural decorations. My girls and one of their friends gathered leaves, pinecones and sunflower seeds to make a turkey: the pinecone being the body, leaves are the feathers, and sunflowerseeds, the eyes and nose! They're both cute and clever! Everything can be recycled in the end!
Going green is a great idea. My sister-in-law just used some vines and twigs to wrap around a large garbage can to shap into a wreath for her front door. She then used items from nature to put on the wreath ato complete it once the vines were dried. It turned out fantastic. It didn't even cost her any money only her time and creativity. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
I love the natural decoration idea - we could send the kids out to collect the goodies before the meal. I also love the London Broil grilled turkey idea. Anyone have a recipe?
Having nature for holiday decor is so beautiful and inexpensive! I used to ALWAYS have somebody comment the house was getting too hot and would then turn down the heat. This year we are starting off cooler, all the bodies and food should heat the house well and save on our pocket book. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
love the ideas,great!
love the ideas their great!
I don't know about you, but I'm not thanking the earth this Thanksgiving, I'm thanking the God who made the earth. There is a verse in the Bible that tells of people who worship the creature rather than the Creator.
I'm with Sarah. Let's Thank God for our Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. Too many people focus on the commercial side of holidays. The other day someone actually said that Haloween gets more attention than Thanksgiving. How sad is it that people prefer a "money Holiday" over Thanksgiving - which is as it has always been - a holiday for familiy and friends. Maybe I am one of the few lucky ones...All sides of my extended families love getting together with each other. We actually like each other. How sad for the others - they don't have a clue of what they are missing.
Little confused on why you wouldn't want the dishes rinsed? Unless I am just wore out and not reading correctly:Use the dishwasher. Since there are usually lots of
volunteers to help with cleanup, people tend to stand around the sink
with water running. Instead, decline the offers and just pile
everything into the dishwasher without rinsing and hit the air-dry button. That method uses much less water and energy.
Going green is always great for the earth. There were new ideas here. I, too am confused to the dishwasher idea, Danielle. The air-dry button is for drying on my machine. Can anyone clear this up?
Do not compost the fat from the turkey. Animal fats are one thing to leave out of compost. Once the season has past you can compost natural decorations like wreaths that you no longer plan to use - compost the plant parts and recycle the metal parts.
Great advice I would never have thought of! Will looking into all of this!
Some great ideas. Happy Thanksgiving to all at Vocalpoint!Linda
Love the ideas! Keep them coming!
THANKS! to Sarah and Pamela for their comments on 11-18-2009
