~ Frederick Keonig

Thanksgiving is approaching and, in anticipation of the traditional celebratory meal, grocery stores are stocking up on turkeys.  About 99.99% of the turkeys sold in grocery stores are industrialized birds, bred to grow rapidly and produce a lot of meat.  This breeding produces cheaper turkeys for consumers and higher profits for producers, but makes for a miserable existence for the birds.  As adults, these commercially bred turkeys are so heavy that they have difficulty walking, moving and even mating.  Like other factory-farmed birds, they are kept in crowded, filthy conditions.

On a day intended for giving thanks for the many blessings we receive, why not show our appreciation for all forms of life, and especially for those whose lives provide us with life?

This Thanksgiving, say no to factory-farmed, over-bred and cruelly-raised birds and choose a heritage turkey.  Like the turkeys eaten by our forefathers, heritage turkey breeds have been created over many generations.  They are properly proportioned and can therefore move around comfortably.  Because they grow naturally and take longer to mature, they have a juicier, richer flavor.  They are breeds that might otherwise go extinct because they are not ideal for large-scale industrial production.  Heritage turkeys are raised humanely on small family farms, so buying a heritage turkey also gives you the opportunity to support local farmers.

Slow Food USA has plenty of links and information on where to buy heritage turkeys in your area in their seasonal online resource, Have a Slow Food Thanksgiving (Click on the Slow Food USA link to the right, under Elaborations).

If you can't find a heritage turkey in your area, other humanely-raised choices include Pastured (raised in the sunshine with plenty of space to move around), Organic and Free Range.

This Thanksgiving, show your gratitude to all the plants, animals and people who give their lives, time and energy to provide you with the food that nourishes you, sustains you and brings you life.  Slow down and take some time to learn where the turkey at the center of your Thanksgiving table came from and how it was raised.   You are what you eat.   Choose healthy, happy and humane.

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Slow down this Thanksgiving and make some Super Easy Homemade Bread. 

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons organic sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter at room temperature

1 organic egg

1/2 cup milk

1 egg, beaten (to brush top of loaf)

Choice of topping (see below)

Toppings:

2 tablespoons of any combination of sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and/or anise seeds.

2 teaspoons of your choice: dried dill, dried crumbled rosemary, dried oregano or dried thyme.

Cheesy 

1/4 cup of grated sharp cheddar or parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350°

Grease a 9" cake pan with butter and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.  Add butter and mix well into flour mixture using a long fork.  Add egg and milk.  Mix until a sticky dough forms, then knead in the bowl using your hands until dough is smooth and formed into a ball.

Press dough into greased cake pan so that bottom of pan is evenly covered.  Brush surface of bread with beaten egg (you won't use all of it).  Sprinkle topping evenly over surface.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is golden.  Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Remove loaf from pan, cut into wedges and serve warm.  Or, if not eating immediately, let loaf cool completely on wire rack and wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap.

Makes 12 servings.