Pick the most delicious dish!

What’s cooking?
Many of the GreenCupboards.com team agreed last Wednesday that they were looking forward to “whatever Mom is making”. So with that sentiment in mind, post feast, I’d like to take a moment to recognize the most popular dishes created by GreenCupboards.com Mom’s this year.
Although President Obama pardoned one lucky turkey named Liberty, many more turkey’s were a highly anticipated part of Thanksgiving dinner. Some of our favorite side dishes to accompany the turkey feast ranged from veggies to bread. Here are a few:
Mashed potatoes with gravy were the most popular traditional Thanksgiving dish. Other forerunners included green bean casserole, stuffing, yams, cranberry sauce and warm rolls, baked Brussels sprouts, and stuffed acorn squash.
Of course, the most popular dish of the evening proved to be dessert. Pumpkin pie won first place in our team survey of which Thanksgiving dish was best. Even so, many team members wanted to mention their love for pecan pie, fruit salad, pineapple surprise, and Jell-O!
The most unconventional answer was the Thanksgiving scramble! Which are all Thanksgiving dishes mixed together on one plate for all food lovers.
Now that the feast is over, what are people looking forward to? How about the day after sandwich? Click here to tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish!

Images:

http://www.wallcoo.net/photography/Pumpkins/0Pumpkin_Pumpkins_2650920820011936936zFyYFA_fs.html

http://www.myrecipes.com/menu/family-thanksgiving-dinner-menu-10000001881026/

Halfway to our goal

Winds that swirl through the streets of Spokane have taken on a sudden chill.  The red leaves on the tree outside my window are being swept away, leaving only a few red shivering reminders of the fall transformation.

I’ve been thinking about these cold winds, letting me know that winter is on its way.  Spokane has a number of homeless people, and the GreenCupboards.com office is located within a block of a local shelter.

On November 7^th food began streaming in from GreenCupboards.com team members and we currently have 150 pounds of food collected. We will be ending the collection on November 22^nd and taking the food down the street to our neighboring shelter.

Tis the season to be thankful! Be sure to give locally in order to build community cohesiveness during this national holiday.  Have have some extra time?  Volunteer at your local food shelter!

Vote now!

This Holiday season, GreenCupboards.com is giving back to the green community!  We’re donating a percentage of our profits to two of nine Pacific Northwest non-profit companies who fall into the categories that have a mission statement toward Conservation, Support Local, or Green Education.

Like GreenCupboards.com on Facebook and cast your vote for two of these nine non-profit organizations to receive our donation!  Or click here to get to the voting page!  You can vote once a day!

Conservation Northwest: This non-profit has been keeping the NorthWest wild for 20 years.  They use science based strategies to protect and connect wildlife areas.

EarthCorps: Located in Seattle, this non-profit partners with the AmeriCorps program to establish service learning opportunities for young adults.  This program works to serve the local community while educating individuals about their ability to positively impact their environment.

Greater Yellowstone Coalition: Protecting one of the United States greatest treasures the Greater Yellowstone Coalition is working to keep Yellowstone beautiful.  This organization is responsible for the legacy of the wild animals and protected lands in and around Yellowstone National Park.

Idaho Conservation League: The ICL is the only statewide organization for conservation in Idaho.  They are dedicated to bringing together government and citizens to preserve Idaho’s natural wild lands.

Montana Conservation Corps: In the category of Conservation, this non-profit is helping to provide a service to immerse youth and adults into experiences in nature.  The Montana Conservation Corps has 200 young adults enrolled in their AmeriCorps program, leading the way for a nationwide dedication to conservation.

Oregon Food Bank: Oregon Food bank collects and distributes food to low income people in the counties of Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah, Washington, Harney, Malheur and Tillamook.  They also work toward providing education about nutrition through leaning gardens and the public school system.

Oregon Tilth: In efforts to support eating and growing locally, Oregon Tilth’s mission is to bring “biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture”.  This organization works educate people to the sustainable practices that could improve soil health while conserving natural resources to produce healthy organic foods.

Peak 7 Adventures: Currently the forerunner in this competition, Peak 7 Adventures is a Green Education program.  Serving Spokane County by leading outdoor adventure for the youth, Peak 7 challenges young people to explore nature through experiences rafting, climbing, kayaking, hiking and camping.

Washington Trails Association: This non-profit is dedicated to providing clear trails to explore the miles and miles of hiking land in the state of Washington.  The WTA does a service for all by conserving natural and man-made trails.

Voting ends on Friday, November 18^th and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 22^nd.

Christmas tree in Spokane, 1920's

The day after Halloween is always a time of excitement for me.  Although many advertisements have already started, I always think of the night of Halloween as the official beginning of the holiday season.  I was riding my bike to work this morning and I realized leaves, just recently tinted with a crayon box yellow and red hue, are already covering the ground.  The cold crisp wind is here to stay and snow will soon be blanketing our bare sidewalks.   Some friends are making plans to go home for Thanksgiving, and the more eccentric ones are already fretting about Christmas presents.  As fall turns to winter it’s easy to get mucked down in nostalgia for warmer days.

What better way to keep thoughts of warm days at bay than to consider the exciting things this holiday season has in store for us?

In the spirit of the holidays, this morning I spoke with members of the GreenCupboards.com staff and asked them to share what they were most excited for during the holiday season.

1. Friends and Family came in as the most popular answer.  People are excited to go home and spend time with family members during the holiday season.  Some favorite family past times include watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”, caroling, going to new movies, and seeing children open presents.
2. Snow! GreenCupboards.com staff is willing to fight through poor driving (and biking) conditions to get to work if it means they’ll be having a white Christmas!
3. Food was the most popular answer for men in the office.  Thanksgiving dinner, pies and croissants all came up in holiday discussion.   To many people, going home means the comfort of a warm meals and familiar favorite dishes.
4. Winter sports ranked high among both men and women.  The most anticipated sport in the office is skiing and sledding, but many people are looking forward to indoor rock climbing, dancing classes, indoor cycling, and Zumba.  Even more exciting is the upcoming college basketball season (Go Zags!) and Bowl season.
5. Christmas Decorations mean the holidays are approaching in Spokane.  Lights on the Monroe Street Bridge, Christmas trees in the living room, nativity scenes, and Santa Claus’ workshop in the mall are all highly anticipated holiday scenes.  In the spirit of the holidays we’re looking forward to the red, green, and white lights speckling local neighborhoods and Christmas music blasting on the radio.  The lights in the Manito Park Greenhouse have been mentioned as a Spokane must see!
6. The time change is fast approaching.  Sunday, November 6^th at 2 AM we’ll be setting the clocks back an hour.  This means an extra hour of sleep and an annual symbol of the approaching holiday season.
7. With the prospect of upcoming holidays many assured me that New Years Eve would not be forgotten this year.  A final party to celebrate the year that passed and to welcome the year to come, New Year’s Eve is a time to snuggle up with a loved one or enjoy time with friends.
8. Black Friday! Most popular among women in the office, Black Friday  marks the annual last minute shopping spree.  Deals, decorations, warm drinks, and quality time with Mom are just a few of the good things that come with a hectic day of shopping.  According to some, “It means Christmas season is really here”.

Need more reasons to be excited for the next few months to come?  Ask your friends, family, and co-workers which of these holiday events they’re most excited about.  On this 1st of November, GreenCupboards.com says it’s never too early for holiday cheer!

Sources:

http://greencupboards.com/

Images:

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalcrafts/preservingleaves.htm

http://m.spokesman.com/galleries/2010/nov/24/historical-holiday-photos/