history of thanksgiving !

The real origin of the first.

10 things you didn’t know about the history of Thanksgiving

If you’re looking to learn something new about Thanksgiving, it’s never too late to learn more. Take, for example, the ten facts on the history of Thanksgiving that I’m about to share with you! No matter how much you already know about Thanksgiving, there’s bound to be something here that surprises you and expands your knowledge base on the history of Thanksgiving. You may never look at this holiday in quite the same way again! Here we go…

1) What people ate in America before a Thanksgiving feast
One thing that’s always on the menu for a Thanksgiving feast is turkey. But turkey wasn’t a food that Americans ate before they had their first Thanksgiving feast. In fact, most people in America back then only ate beef or pork. The first year people in America had a Thanksgiving feast was 1621 and they were so thankful to be alive after being saved from starvation by Native Americans, who showed them how to plant crops and hunt for food.

2) The first real thanksgiving was actually forced by gunpoint
The first real thanksgiving was actually forced by gunpoint. In 1621, Massachusetts Bay colonists led by William Bradford discovered their corn crop had failed. The Native Americans who lived nearby helped save their crops and taught them how to survive in this new land. They invited the settlers to a three-day feast they called a thanksgiving.
The Native Americans may have been welcoming and helpful, but they were also living in a dangerous world full of hardship.

3) The First President to officially proclaim Thanksgiving
The first president to officially proclaim a national day of thanksgiving was George Washington in 1789. The only other president to ever declare a thanksgiving day was Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

4) The First National Thanksgiving Proclamation
The first national Thanksgiving proclamation was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln on October 3, 1863. It has been observed annually since then. The proclamation’s text was as follows: That on the occasion of this day we may all be granted a renewal of life and an opportunity for higher service. That we may at last realize these words of wisdom: ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand’.

5) How many pilgrims there were on the Mayflower
The Mayflower was not large enough to hold all of the pilgrims, so only half of them came to America. The others had to wait for later ships. Some may have died before they arrived in Plymouth.

6) The original Pilgrims were Separatists
The Pilgrims were a group of Separatists who fled persecution in England and Holland by moving to America. Led by William Bradford, they sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 and landed at Plymouth Rock. The first winter was tough, but they survived because they had help from friendly Native Americans. In 1621, Governor Bradford declared an annual day of thanksgiving to celebrate their good fortune.
#1: The first Thanksgiving wasn’t celebrated until 1621 when Governor Bradford made it an annual holiday.

7) History Lesson From Metacafe’s ‘Totally History’
1) The first known celebration of what is now called ‘Thanksgiving’ was in 1621, when explorer and colonist William Bradford invited local Native American chiefs to dine with them. It was an attempt to establish peace between the two groups.
2) In 1863 Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November a national holiday for giving thanks. 3) President George H. W. Bush signed legislation making Thanksgiving a legal federal holiday during his term from 1989-1993.

8) The original pilgrims were not religious fanatics
In 1620, a group of English settlers arrived on a ship in Massachusetts. Although they had sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to escape religious persecution, they were not exactly devout Christians when they landed at their destination. For one thing, they did not want to call their new settlement New England because that reminded them too much of the place where they had been persecuted for their faith. But it was more than that: these pilgrims just did not seem to care very much about religion.

9) British Did End Up Invading Later Though
The first feast that we now call Thanksgiving was held in 1621 by a group of pilgrims and natives who had been living together in peace for three years. The feast lasted three days, and it consisted mainly of deer meat, wild turkeys, and fish.

Here the 52 best easy recipes!

10) Native Americans Actually Played a Role in Thanksgivings in Early America
In November 1621, an Indian named Squanto helped out the Pilgrims by teaching them how to grow corn and providing them with food. They invited him to a feast that would become known as the first Thanksgiving.

Why the Thanksgiving meal can be unhealthy and caloric.

Thanksgiving Day is an opportunity for many to gather with family and friends to celebrate and share a hearty meal. However, this meal can also be high in calories and fat, which can have adverse health effects.

Here are some reasons why the Thanksgiving meal can be unhealthy and caloric:

The portions are often too large
The Thanksgiving meal often consists of many dishes, such as roast turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and more. With so many choices, it can be easy to over-portion and eat more than necessary.

Foods are often high in fat and calories
Many traditional Thanksgiving dishes are high in fat and calories, such as fried turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, vegetable casseroles, sweet pies, and more. These dishes can be delicious, but they can also be loaded with empty calories that can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.

Beverages can also be high in calories
In addition to Thanksgiving dishes, drinks can also be high in calories. Soft drinks, apple cider, fruit juice and alcohol can all add extra calories to your meal.

How can you make your Thanksgiving meal healthier?

Fortunately, it is possible to make your Thanksgiving meal healthier by making a few adjustments. Here are some ideas to help you:

Prepare dishes with fresh, healthy ingredients
Try replacing high-fat, high-calorie dishes with healthier alternatives. For example, replace fried turkey with roasted or grilled turkey, or replace mashed potatoes with mashed sweet potatoes.

Add fresh vegetables to your menu
Fresh vegetables can be a great way to add flavor and texture to your Thanksgiving meal while increasing the nutrient content. Try adding grilled vegetables or fresh vegetable salads to your menu.

Watch your portion size
Try not to overeat and watch your portion sizes. Take time to savour each bite and eat slowly to help you feel fuller faster.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving dinner can be a time of fun and fellowship, but it’s important not to neglect your health by eating too many calories and fat. By making healthier food choices and watching your portion sizes, you can enjoy this holiday while maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.

I can suggest a healthy and light dish recipe that can be a great option for your Thanksgiving meal:

Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Roasted Squash

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
2 cups diced butternut squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup toasted pecans
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Rinse quinoa under running water. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil, then add the quinoa. Reduce the heat and simmer on low until the quinoa is tender, about 15-20 minutes.

While the quinoa is cooking, place the diced butternut squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Roast the squash in the oven for about 20 minutes, until tender and lightly browned.

In a small bowl, mix the cider vinegar and honey until the honey is completely dissolved.

In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, roasted squash, dried cranberries and toasted pecans. Pour the cider vinegar dressing over the salad and toss to coat all ingredients.

Serve the salad warm or at room temperature.

This Cranberry and Roasted Squash Quinoa Salad is a healthy and delicious option for your Thanksgiving meal. It’s rich in nutrients, fibre and protein, and has a moderate amount of calories. It can be served as a main dish or as a side dish for turkey or another protein. Enjoy!