Thanksgiving: A Feast of Gratitude and Indulgence
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The Anticipation of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, but lately, my stomach is growling with impatience. Are you feeling the same way? The desire to dive into a delicious feast is overwhelming, as Thanksgiving dinner stands as the pinnacle of our festive celebrations. The wait is excruciating!
Of course, I understand that patience is a valuable trait, but sometimes our cravings take precedence over rationality. There’s nothing more satisfying than devouring a beautifully prepared Thanksgiving spread, which seems to vanish in no time. The food looks absolutely scrumptious and tantalizing!
Indulging in a large Thanksgiving meal isn’t for the faint-hearted or the overly cautious. This isn’t the moment to monitor calories; it’s about embracing our primal instincts to indulge and relax, a habit ingrained in us since the days of our ancestors.
Reflecting on Our Ancestors
Historically speaking, during the Paleolithic Era, humans were primarily hunters and gatherers, navigating life in caves and simple shelters. Life was simpler, yet far more challenging.
In those times, the average life expectancy barely exceeded 30 years, with deaths often resulting from infections, starvation, or dehydration. There were no healthcare systems, medications, or co-pays to rely on. To ensure our survival, humans developed genetic adaptations over generations, with no concern for trendy diets or gym memberships.
Survival involved substantial physical activity, with threats from wildlife and conflicts with other groups being a part of daily life. Thankfully, our living conditions have improved significantly.
The Primitive Hunger
Back in those days, food was essential for survival, especially the craving for sugars and proteins. Whenever food was available, it was a feast-or-famine scenario. There were no fast-food chains or convenience stores to ease hunger; hardships were a constant reality.
Imagine a time without grocery stores, where procuring food meant hunting or gathering. The absence of delivery services like Door Dash or Uber Eats would have made things even more daunting.
Such scarcity drove primitive tribes to eat as much as possible whenever the opportunity arose, often consuming several pounds at a time. After gorging, they would sleep for hours or even days, only to wake up again when hunger struck.
The cycle of survival shaped our ancestors, contributing to stronger bones and muscles due to the relentless struggle for existence. While it wasn't glamorous, this scenario plays out in homes across the country during Thanksgiving.
The Thanksgiving Tradition
After eagerly awaiting the big day, we gather to indulge ourselves, raising our tryptophan levels and drifting off for a cozy nap, only to return for seconds or thirds, often with a detour to the dessert table.
We are resilient, united once more with friends and family to celebrate and feast! As the saying goes, there’s a time for everything, and now is the time to enjoy our food. We are all interconnected in this joyous occasion.