Thanksgiving Fun Facts

Thanksgiving is a delightful time of year that brings families together to celebrate the first harvest in the new world back in 1621. I’m thankful to the pilgrims for giving me an excuse to indulge in delicious food and drink too much.

Thanksgiving is also the time of year that we kick our trash mongering into high gear. Brace yourself for some Thanksgiving fun facts.

The average household throws away 33% of the turkey and 25% of all the food prepared for the day. Try to get the right amount of food instead of an abundance. You don’t need to buy the biggest dang bird in the store people. Chances are that you will have plenty of leftovers. 

During the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Americans waste 33% more food and create 25% more waste overall. That equates to 25 million extra tons of trash each season.

Besides buying the right amount of food, you can reduce waste in other ways. Don’t use disposable cups and plates. It’s more dishes to do but people prefer real dishware and it feels more elegant. Try baking things from scratch rather than buying packaged treats. Compost any food that does get wasted. Buy your liquor in glass bottles and recycle them. 

I have to admit I’ve only made a turkey once and it was with the assistance of my mother in law. It was Thanksgiving of 2011 and she decided it was time I learned how to make a turkey. I appreciate her effort and thoughtfulness. It was, however, a horrific experience that I liken to abuse of a corpse, that I care not to repeat. I was so disgusted by the process that I hardly ate any meat that year. I’m fortunate my mother in law delights in making the turkey and all the fixings. Thanks Char! She even boils the bones to make broth. I lovingly tease her that Jeffrey Dahmer would be pleased with her broth making process.

Enjoy the holiday of Thanksgiving and give some thought to less.

Jive Turkey