Yes, there are reasons to be cynical about Thanksgiving. But there's also turkey …

In the midst of a holiday celebration that has been marred by controversy and commercialism, it's hard to ignore the deeper issues surrounding Thanksgiving. The traditional narrative – one of a harmonious exchange between European settlers and Native Americans – is an oversimplification, at best. And let's not forget the economic and social costs of Black Friday, which has taken over this once-honored day.

Yet, amidst all the cynicism, there remains something undeniably comforting about Thanksgiving: food. Turkey, to be specific. Not just as a centerpiece for the table but also in its many forms – roasted, smoked, barbecued, and even made into cheesecake or other desserts. A perfectly cooked turkey is one of life's simple pleasures.

Of course, no Thanksgiving spread would be complete without an array of traditional sides: fluffy mashed potatoes, homemade gravy infused with a hint of cider, rich stuffing studded with sausage meat, and crispy green beans swaddled in sour cream and breadcrumbs. And for those looking to mix things up, there are plenty of innovative twists – from sweet-potato casserole with marshmallows to creamy pumpkin soup.

Beyond the table, Thanksgiving also has a soft spot for comfort drinks, like L'Antidote's fizzy gamay juice, Sportzot's Belgian ale, and Kinnie, Malta's iconic beverage. When winter's chill sets in, there's only one thing on our minds: ramen. The right bowl can be the difference between huddled despair and steaming warmth.

Finally, a word for cookbook lovers: some new titles have just landed that are sure to become instant favorites – Yasmin Khan's Sabzi, which includes a stunning pumpkin, pecan, and brown butter blondie recipe; Maunika Gowardhan's Curry, with its impressive array of Indian flavors; and Recipes of Life, made by and for Giants, all in support of mental health initiatives.

In the end, it's not about perfecting the holiday or erasing its problematic elements. It's about gathering 'round the table, savoring each bite (and sip), and cherishing the simple pleasures that bring us together – even when the world seems to be falling apart around us.

I'm feeling a bit torn about Thanksgiving this year . On one hand, it's so hard not to feel like we're glossing over some pretty ugly history . But on the other hand, I love the food (especially that cheesy potato casserole) . And let's be real, who doesn't need a break from the chaos of everyday life? Maybe instead of trying to 'perfect' the holiday, we can focus on just being present with each other and enjoying some delicious eats . Like Yasmin Khan's Sabzi sounds amazing btw, I'm totally adding that one to my cookbook wishlist

I gotta say, people are still gonna find ways to ruin Thanksgiving . I mean, we all know the "traditional narrative" is a bunch of hooey, but does anyone actually remember what the real deal was? It's like, we're so caught up in the commercialism and drama that we forget about the actual history... or maybe that's just me being too extra . And don't even get me started on Black Friday . I mean, can't we just stick to one shopping day a year? My point is, let's focus on the good stuff – like the food and drinks . A perfectly cooked turkey is a beautiful thing, fam! And those innovative recipes in that cookbook I mentioned? Game-changer, imo . We should be celebrating the little things that bring us together, not getting caught up in all the drama surrounding Thanksgiving .

I was watching an old video of my grandma making homemade jam from scratch, and man, it brought back memories! She'd spend hours in the kitchen with me, teaching me how to peel the apples just right and cook down the berries to perfection. It's funny how certain smells can transport you back to a specific time and place... like the smell of cooking turkey always makes me think of Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents' house Anyway, have you ever tried making homemade jam from scratch? It's so worth it!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how we can celebrate a day that's supposed to be all about giving thanks, but also have it be so commercialized . Like, who needs all the extra stuff anyway? But at the same time, I mean, have you tried Yasmin Khan's sabzi recipe ?! That pumpkin blondie is LIFE.CHANGING. And don't even get me started on how amazing it feels to curl up with a steaming bowl of ramen when winter hits . For real, can we just appreciate the little things in life and not make Thanksgiving all about Black Friday?

I'm still trying to figure out why we're celebrating this holiday with so much emphasis on food when the bigger issue is how it's affecting local farmers . I mean, think about it, a lot of those turkeys come from factory farms that prioritize profits over animal welfare and the environment. And let's not forget about the cultural appropriation – using Native American traditions to sell overpriced merchandise or food items without any real understanding or respect.

On the other hand, I do love a good cheese cake, especially when it's made with locally sourced ingredients . And who can resist a warm bowl of ramen on a cold winter day? But we need to be more mindful of where our food is coming from and how it's impacting our communities. Maybe instead of focusing on the turkey, we should be highlighting some local chefs who are using Thanksgiving as an opportunity to support sustainable agriculture . That would be a real way to bring people together – over a shared commitment to doing what's right for our planet.

I feel like Thanksgiving is still a thing we can all come together for, even if it's just about food . I mean, let's be real, no one can deny a perfectly cooked turkey or a good ol' fashioned stuffing . And don't even get me started on pumpkin pie – it's the ultimate comfort food . Can we talk about how amazing it is to have all these different drinks and desserts to choose from? I'm totally down for trying out some new recipes, especially that sabzi book sounds like a game-changer . At the end of the day, it's really just about sharing meals with people you care about and enjoying each other's company .

I think Thanksgiving is a complex holiday that has been co-opted by commercialism , but at its core, it's about community and coming together over food. I mean, what's not to love about a perfectly cooked turkey or a warm bowl of ramen on a chilly day ? It's amazing how something as simple as a meal can bring so much joy and comfort. And let's be real, who needs perfecting the holiday when we can just focus on making it our own and supporting good causes like mental health initiatives . I'm all about exploring new recipes and flavors - Yasmin Khan's Sabzi sounds incredible !

Thanksgiving is all about food fam and I'm low-key obsessed with trying out new recipes especially that Yasmin Khan's Sabzi book, her pumpkin blondie recipe sounds AMAZING ! And have you tried Sportzot's Belgian ale yet? Perfect drink for a cozy thanksgiving night in . Ramen is the real MVP when winter hits but let's be real, who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned turkey dinner . I'm all about keeping it real and embracing the imperfections of this holiday .