Thanksgiving, Thankfulness and Pumpkins

What are you most thankful for this year?

When asking others, most people said family and friends. I am thankful for my wonderful family and supportive friends, as well. I am also extremely grateful when my family is healthy! It is something I took for granted when I was younger, but now I know how precious good health really is. I want to always be thankful when we are healthy!

I think most people also enjoy the yummy Thanksgiving foods! Here are a few recipes to try this holiday:

Pumpkin Gingerbread by Megan McCarthy

Ingredients:

• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth.
2. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
3. In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed.
4. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour.  

Pumpkin Muffins, one of my family's favorites

Ingredients:

• 4 C flour
• 3 C sugar
• 1 t baking powder
• 2 t baking soda
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1 t nutmeg
• 1 t all spice
• 1/2 t cloves
• 1 C oil (I use 1 C apple sauce for a low fat version!)
• 1 15 oz. can pumpkin
• 2/3 C water
• 4 eggs

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients together.  
2. Make a well in flour mixture and pour in oil.  
3. Add the pumpkin and water, blend well.  
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Pour into greased and floured loaf pans, or muffin cups.  
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 30 minutes for loafs, or 25 minutes for muffins.
7. Enjoy!!