Thanksgiving during a pandemic is probably not what any of us had in mind, but since many of us are staying at home and possibly keeping gatherings small, here are a few ideas to simplify the holiday while keeping it special.
- Use the “good” china! What are we saving it for if not the holidays? It’s easy to get stuck in a practical mindset, but this is the time to use our best dishes, stemware, and cloth tablecloths and napkins; single-use paper plates, plastic cups, and plastic utensils just go straight to trash.
- Biodegradable decorations: Dress up your table with a beautiful centerpiece from nature, including pumpkins, squash, ornamental corn, leaves, branches, pinecones, or little vases of herbs from your garden.
- Keep it simple: Many people are hosting smaller groups this year, possibly even just immediate family, so there’s no need to make more than you really need. This might mean not having so many pie choices or reducing the number of side dishes. A family of four might not need an entire turkey. A turkey breast, smaller turkey, or even a roasted chicken will do.
- The Pasture Advantage: If you can’t bear going without the whole bird, a pasture-raised bird is the way to go, according to Heidi Diestel, owner of Diestel Family Ranch. In an interview on com magazine, she says, "These birds are raised almost entirely on open pastures and are free to forage. They also play a crucial role in polyculture, a traditional style of farming that uses agriculture to revitalize agricultural land. Another perk to purchasing a certified-organic or pasture-raised bird from a local family farm is that they are free of antibiotics, hormone stimulants, preservatives and other harmful ingredients. Although you can buy organic turkey fresh or frozen, many frozen turkeys aren't antibiotic-free or third-party animal welfare certified. Also, they are often pumped with a salt solution that increases the overall weight of the bird and its sodium content." Be sure to read the label and buy a bird that's marked with the USDA Certified Organic symbol.
- Another excuse to serve turkey: Climate Conscious says turkey is better than beef or lamb because of their massive environmental impact. “One kilogram of beef leads to an equivalent of 27 kilograms of CO2, while a kilogram of turkey is responsible for just under 11 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Or go full vegetarian for the occasion…Pound-for-pound, tofu has 20% of the emissions from turkey, and less than 10% of the emissions from beef.”
- Don’t over-buy: Americans discard up to 40% of their food during the year, and 95% of food waste goes to landfills, where it decays and produces greenhouse gases. To prevent unnecessary waste, eliminate less popular side dishes and focus on a fantastic meal with family favorites. Does anyone even eat that canned cranberry sauce? Here's a "guestimator" that calculates the amount of food to buy and prepare for your number of guests, plus other tips.
- Shop seasonally: Farmers’ markets are still open for fresh, local, organic produce. Shop the season for pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, kale, apples, pears, and pomegranates!
- Luscious leftovers! Remember that you can freeze almost anything. If you went for broke and made a huge feast, here are some great recipe ideas for leftover turkey.That turkey carcass makes the best homemade soup stock! Check out Jane Brody's famous turkey soup. For our vegan friends, here’s a website for vegan Thanksgiving recipes.
- Reusable containers. Package up leftovers in Tupperware, glass bowls, or beeswax wraps instead of single-use foil tins and other throwaway alternatives. Ask guests to bring their own containers if you plan on sending them home with extra pie. Incidentally, clear glass containers make leftovers much more appealing, easier to spot in your fridge, and more likely to get eaten. Opaque containers are psychologically “mysterious” and tend to languish behind the pickles, destined for waste. Remember to compost kitchen scraps.
- Travel smarter: If you are visiting family from afar, keep in mind that traveling by plane spews almost ten times the emissions than taking the train. If you must fly, choose nonstop whenever possible. According to npr.org, “The average domestic flight uses about 100 gallons of gas per passenger. Fewer takeoffs and landings mean less environmental damage.”
- Carbon offsetting: When flying or doing any activity that widens your carbon footprint, consider “carbon offsetting,” which is a way to compensate for your emissions by making an equivalent carbon dioxide saving elsewhere. Many of us are actually already offsetting carbon by working at home instead of commuting into the city each day. Corporations invest in environmental projects that balance out damaging emissions produced by their operations and supply chains. Check out this Carbon Footprint Calculator or, better yet, join the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge HERE!
- Keep it local. If you’re a guest, bring a bottle of local wine or beer that hasn’t travelled across the world. Go the extra mile (so to speak) and make it organic. After the terrible wildfires in wine country, supporting our vitner neighbors is a gracious gesture
This year, make it a “just enough” Thanksgiving and avoid all the waste that comes from unnecessary over-indulgence. According to RoyalExaminer.com, “Each year, Americans throw away close to $300 million worth of food on Thanksgiving. This is enough to feed New York City for over 100 days.” Simplifying your menu, bringing out your finery, and making only what you need is also less stressful and gives you more time to spend quality time with the people you love during these unusual times.
For another good overall list, visit 12 Tips For an Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving.
Photo by Priscilla du Preez on Unsplash.com
Replies