Raw Thanksgiving: What To Do…
Just say the word “Thanksgiving” and most of us will be transported to another time with wonderful childhood memories of food and relaxation.
Most of the foods were not raw, or even very healthy! A wonderful new book of Raw Recipes geared towards the Holiday Season is Raw for the Holidays by the amazing group over at Raw Food Rehab, led by the fabulous Penni Shelton. I bought it HERE and am loving the recipes! It is very different from the ‘normal’ raw food un-cook book in that it is a collection of raw foods created by real people who are learning how to incorporate Raw Foods into their normal lifestyles.
I have found that as I grow older and healthier 
– I am wanting to find ways to give back… there is a new awareness of others in need… And, as adults I feel we must find ways to carry the torch of thankfulness to the next generation. We teach our children about our family and spiritual traditions. And we look for ways to help those less fortunate.
In honor of World Orphans Day yesterday (November 9th) here are some ways our family is giving back in 2009…
1) We called our local crisis intervention center to ask what items they find themselves needing on a regular basis. We will go to a warehouse where we can buy in bulk and donate some of the following:
- Paper products such as paper towels, tp and tissue
- Personal care items
- School supplies
- We will also bring fruits and veggies
2) We have teamed up with a children’s home in our region to sponsor some of the kids. This includes corresponding with them as well as sending little treats throughout the year. Blue Mountain Children’s Home is one that I can personally vouch for. I know this group and am so excited that we will be going to see them Thanksgiving week. They have many success stories of lives that have been changed by the love they share. At this time they currently have 3 children in the home. *A note from the house mother regarding sponsoring a child: Please don’t get involved personally (through sponsoring individual children) if you are not in it for the long run… these children have been through unstable times as a general rule and tend to feel like it’s their fault if you drop off of the face of the earth… You can still send donations, cards and gifts to the home though even if you know you cannot commit long term!
Another Children’s home that I personally know of is Tupelo Children’s Mansion. They have had an influx of dramatic proportions recently and currently have 58 children with many more seriously needy applicants. They are doing many wonderful things but have many needs. Find out how to help HERE and HERE… According to the President of Tupelo, Strephen Judd in a very informative and inspiring blog post, “It’s God’s work! We are just His hands and arms reaching out to these precious children in need. And all the good that happens here “to the least of these” really is done as unto the Lord.”
~In my opinion, giving of yourself like this is the essence of Thanksgiving.
Tags: awareness, blue mountain children's home, challenges, Charity, children, crisis, donations, Fantastic Family, Friends, fun, giving, help, holidays, intervention, journey, orphans, raw food, rawvelous, Thanksgiving, tupelo children's mansion, twitter, veggies
