Be Don't Be A Turkey This Thanksgiving Be Thankful

Share Your Thanks This Holiday At The Table or In The Classroom With This Meaningful Thanksgiving Activity

At Planetpals we gobble up great ideas to help you have a greener and more thankful holiday, this year is no different.

If you are looking for a fun activity for Thanksgiving try out this Thankful Turkey!

Get This Meaningful Activity For Thanksgiving

It's the perfect activity with kids.  Just Color, cut, assemble. 

Two ways to use it:

1. Children can make their own Thankful Turkey - listing on each feather all the things they are thankful for.
2. Families can pass out the feathers for everyone to write one thing they are thankful for
3. Lastly, assemble it and spend the day admiring all the special things that bring thanks!

See the activity in more detail

While you are planning your Holiday, incorporate these 15 great Ecology Tips to help you make a greener world this holiday

Lastly, learn all kinds of eco friendly and fun Thanksgiving  tips, tricks and crafts - on Planetpals Thanksgiving Journal.

Always Remember the 4 "R"s. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair!

Keep Smiling With A Healthy Mouth

With These Simple Tips You Will Be On Your Way To A Healthier Smile

Don't Overlook Dental Care!  

Research suggests that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems. 

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, there is a relationship between gum (periodontal) disease and health complications such as a stroke and heart disease. Women with gum disease also show higher incidences of pre-term, low birth-weight babies.

According to MouthHealthy.org Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine. For a healthy mouth and smile the ADA recommends you: 

Don't Brush Away The Importance of Brushing:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily. 

• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth. 

• Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. 

The Proper Brushing Technique Is To:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.  

• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.  

• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. 

• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes. 

• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh. 

Keep Your Toothbrush Clean and Disinfected:

• Soak your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash. Rinse thoroughly before using again.

• For everyday cleaning, you can store your toothbrush in a small cup of hydrogen peroxide. When you brush your teeth, change out the hydrogen peroxide.

• Boil your toothbrush for about 3 minutes. Although it is hard on your toothbrush, boiling water will most germs.

• A toothbrush can be put into the silverware compartment of the dishwasher to be sanitized. Run your toothbrush through on the hot cycle without soap.

• Purchase a UV toothbrush sanitizer. These nifty gadgets work by combining steam with dry heat to sanitize your toothbrush. However if you don’t want to shell out the money, studies show that soaking your toothbrush in Listerine works almost just as well.

Lots more ways to be healthy:
What is Here For You To Learn About A Healthy Lifestyle: 

• Health and Food Precautions
• Food Pyramid 
• New Food Pyramid " MY Plate "
• Healthy Lunch and Green Lunchbox
• Healthy Kids Checklist
• Healthy Food Recipes
• Healthy Edible Food Art Crafts

Tis the Season for Homespun Traditions

Tis The Season For Homespun Traditions Design© Judith Gorgone

Make a new tradition this year!

The holiday season is a time for sharing with friends and family near and far.  Why not start a new old fashioned tradition this year that will last a lifetime. Use one of these simple ideas that scream "Home Made Holiday Spirit"!

Send a holiday letter instead of a card or with your card:

Everyone loves mail and it is a great way to update family and friends! Photocopy or print the “year in revue” and use clip art, photos, or drawings to enhance it. As the kids grow, let them have a hand in it! 

Have a pot luck get together:

Invite friends for a "pot luck", or open house event.  Everyone can cook a specialty. Sampling others cooking can be a tasty change! The hostesses will have more fun to enjoy the event, too.

Give a gift of a gift:

Have everyone bring a wrapped generic gift. Donate the gifts to a children's charity, homeless shelter, or nursing home. A great way to share what we all have, set good examples for the kids, all while having fun, too!

Fill a bag with kindness:

Have each household of your extended family purchase a certain amount of small toiletries, kleenex, writing implements, note paper and other useful items.  Have the kids fill small gifts bags with the items.  Then schedule a family trip to a children’s hospital, homeless shelter or nursing home and drop the much needed and appreciated gifts to the residents.

Have a talent show:

During the family holiday get together, schedule a family talent event for young and old.  Encourage each person in the family demonstrate their unique talent.  Be it singing, a cooking lesson, calligraphy or the hoola hoop. The possibilities are endless and you may learn something about an aunt, cousin or grandparent you did not know! 

Have a holiday decorating or cooking party:

Invite family or friends to make decorations together, or bake their famous cookies.  Then divide them up and take them home!

Hand make gifts or ornaments:

Whatever your talent, share it, you can be sure it will be a treasured gift from your heart and hand and no doubt looked forward to each year.  To add to it--wrap it in a home made wrap.

  © Judith Gorgone creator planetpals.com all rights reserved. Contact us for usage and licensing information for Planetpals content and  Planetpals Characters and Brand.