Have you considered the food that you’ll consume today?  There are countless hands that go into that and Thanksgiving is a perfect time to give “Foodthanks” for the food – and the people. It’s inspired me to make a top 100 food gratitude list.

1.     Chocolate – what did you expect? I am female.

2.     Cheese; yellow or white, moldy or not. It’s all grand on this palate.

3.     Hands that prepare our food – moms, dads, chefs.

4.     Technology that’s bridged food & ag people (even when flawed like Twitter).

5.     Little hands in the kitchen – and the barn.

6.     Turkey – this is Thanksgiving, but I grill it year round.

7.     Clients who give me the opportunity to work with the best people in the world.

8.     Potatoes – mashed, twice baked or made into vodka – what can I say?

9.     Everyone who makes flour possible. Couldn’t cook without it!

10. Parents who pass on the cooking tradition.

11. Bread; French, whole grain, corn, flax, sesame see – whatever form.

12. Nutrition professionals – truly trained ones, not fad followers!

13. Those who challenge our thinking about food (in a professional, respectful way).

14. Fruits – I crave them, rave about them & am uber thankful for them.

15. Almonds – great high protein snack and fast.

16. Truckers – shipping milk through snow or Fritos for football games, they deserve to be thanked.

17.  Spinach – moved from gross to favorite little peep veggie – proves that helping children try different food over time works.

18. Ice Cream – I have been known to out eat a 250 lb. man. Fav food!

19. Friends – their laughter and conversation always make food taste better.

20. Gardeners.

21. Church mission projects – local outreach, big results.

22. Pumpkins.

23. Neighbors that milk our cows.

24. Hunger relief agencies, particularly those helping children.

25. Guns to keep predators away from farm animals.

26. Volunteers who focus on the greater good for farm & food, like those at AgChat Foundation.

28. Cinnamon.

29. Garbage collectors – a thankless job, but oh so necessary!

30. USDA & FDA for food safety regulations – not perfect, but best in world. China. Need I say more?

31. The opportunity for our family to share with those less fortunate.

32. Our friends who grow beef and sell us a great Christmas present for those with everything.

33. Our beloved Holsteins. Dare I say they’ve taught me more in life than people?

34. Popcorn. Most distracting smell in the office for a reason.

35. Vineyards. A place of art and tranquility, the soul of wine. Sure wish we owned one.

36. Lentil soup – best I’ve ever had was at the Cairo Marriott in Egypt.

37. Freedom of choice; important in both the grocery store and on the farm. Isn’t that what freedom is about?

38. Pizza.

39. Family members who help in the kitchen without being asked.

40.  Yeast – couldn’t make bread or cinnamon rolls without it.

41.  Herbs.  Essentials in my garden and kitchen.

42. Sugar –including corn syrup, maple syrup and brown cane sugar. How else would I satisfy my sweet tooth? Let’s be real, it’s been used for centuries.

43. My kitchen. We built one to fit our needs; I take it for granted, but love it!

44. Ability for grassroots changes to be driven by ag folks in social media leadership.

45. Gelato.  Mmmm, heavenly!

46. Cake decorating.  Yes, it’s sugar filled, but it’s a skill to I’ve always wanted to learn and great creative relaxation.

47. Food processors – who has time to extrude, mill and seal our food? I don’t, nor can I do it as well as the professionals.

48. Airplanes – they’ve made it a very small world to connect with others in agriculture.

49. Apps – love accessing food info on my iPhone.

50. Dairy shows – whether judging, showing, or fitting – it’s personal love affair.

Stay tuned for the next 50 on my post next week, just in time for the official #Foodthanks day on November 24!  Won’t you share your gratitude, as well?