Happy Turkey Day!
polycounter lvl 18
To fellow Americans getting off 11-25-04 and fellow members working in America, i.e. Harl, Rorshach and others, Happy Turkey day to all of you and enjoy eating your fill.
Did you know Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey named the U.S. national bird instead of the American Bald Eagle?
Did you know Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey named the U.S. national bird instead of the American Bald Eagle?
Replies
Franklin should have got his way
Unfortunately, yes it is tomorrow, and no I don't know what I am doing. Depends on the boyfriend's work schedule. All I know is that if I don't get to binge on turkey, stuffing, bread and the works, I will not be a happy groupie.
If Franklin would have gotten his way, does that mean we would feast on eagle?!
"Does the tryptophan in turkey make you sleepy after eating a big Thanksgiving turkey dinner?
Sorry to say, that if you're looking for the sedative effect, it's unlikely you'll get it from eating meats like turkey. L-tryptophan doesn't act on the brain unless you take it on an empty stomach with no protein present. So it probably isn't at fault for the sudden drowsiness that hits right after the meal when the football games come on, and the dishes are waiting!
It's more likely due to the combination of drinking alcohol and overeating - not just turkey, but also mashed potatoes, ham, creamed onions, cranberries, sweet potatoes, peas, stuffing (or dressing, if you prefer), carrots, bread, pies, and whipped cream - all of which have the effect of puling the blood away from your brain to help your digestive tract do it's work, and the sugar/insulin effect.
On the bright side, more evidence suggest that caffeine is not only NOT bad for you; it actually helps many brain functions, alertness, learning, memory and countering Alzheimers... so as long as you don't become a total, jittery addict... have a cup of coffee or green tea.
I'm weak.
After that, it is home to have a turkey pot pie with the dog and play games and drink. Wooo!
In October 1864, the president again decreed that the last Thursday of November be set aside to offer up prayers "for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations." Shortly thereafter, on October 27, a citizen of New York City known first only by the initials GWB (belonging to noted editor George W. Blunt), used the occasion of the holiday to propose a great national endeavor. Blunt suggested that "something be done for the Army and Navy" for Thanksgiving, "not only to aid them in keeping the day properly, but to show them they are remembered at home." He proposed to send the troops "poultry and pies, or puddings, all cooked, ready for use." He estimated it would take 50,000 turkeys and a like number of pies to feed the 220,000 men of the Army and Navy in Virginia then besieging Richmond. "This seems to be a big undertaking," he wrote, "but I do not see any difficulty in carrying it out." The food could be prepared and boxed up by those who could afford it, and shipped from New York a few days in advance, in time to be distributed the day before. If the idea has merit, he wrote, "I am ready to do my best with others to put it through."
http://www.nationalreview.com/robbins/robbins200411240851.asp
Scott
and they did.
So tonight is First Christmas Eve, and appropriately it's snowed a lot today. Went out and finished up shopping, going to get a jump start on the food prep for tomorrow, and then stuff some stockings and go to bed!
I was supposed to spend Thanksgiving in Portland today, but I'm here beta testing our game instead. canadian Thanksgiving is in oct (colder, earlier harvest I'm assuming is the reason) But all my favorite Thanksgiving moments have been in Portland with my best friend leo's family. Very cozy holoiday, I love turkey
God Bless,
-R
Ham is just better.