How to Add a Side of Awareness to Your Thanksgiving Meal

1. Be Mindful of your Meat. If you chose to go for tofurkey this year, kudos to you. But, if you decide to go with a turkey, choose an ethically raised or humanely raised turkey. Cooking Turducken? Apply the same principles to your ch

2. Buy fresh, organic, local produce. Hit the Farmer's Market if that's an option for you.  The environmental impact of produce flown in from around the globe is substantial. And going can-free reduces packaging waste and

3. Choose organic roots. Potatoes, carrots, and yams are known as root vegetables, meaning the part you eat is the root of the plant. The Consumers Union compiled a list of produce with the highest levels of pesticide residue and pota

4. Cook more than one item at a time. Instead of boiling your potatoes or using two separate ovens, just bake your yams or potatoes at the same time as your turkey. A little timing and planning can help eliminate the need for more hea

5. Make homemade gravy. Whether you prefer turkey gravy or a vegetarian gravy, you can make your own with a few simple ingredients. This eliminates all kinds of packaging waste, preservatives and fillers often found in pre-made gravy.

6. Homemade Stuffing. Go to your local bakery and ask for the day old bread or stale bread. Quite often they will give it to you at a discount or free. This will make amazing stuffing and eliminate the need for boxed or pre-packaged s

7. Decorate the table with sustainable simplicity. Avoid the expensive, store-bought flower arrangements and create a beautiful, rustic, sustainable centerpiece. This is where you can bring out your inner 'martha' and be a lit

8. Desert store bought dessert. Try making your own homemade dessert this year or purchase from a local bakery as opposed to buying the heavily packaged items you often find at the market. Or you can ask one of your guests that likes

9. Have some old fashioned fun. You don't have to abandon the television all together. There is nothing wrong with watching football or the parade or a favorite holiday film, but have a little old fashioned fun as well. Play some

10. Keep it simple. When you buy good, fresh, organic food it often needs very little to taste amazing. Apply this simplicity not only to your cooking but to your whole day. Keep it simple. Keep it fun. Clean as you go, drink while yo