Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
Start Thanksgiving with fun and healthy family traditions
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Enjoy a group bike ride at a local park or trail Bicycling is a great way to get some exercise and it’s also very fun. There’s something about flying down hills on two wheels that makes you feel free. Riding bikes is a great group activity since it’s something both children and adults can do. Find a local park with a path or a neighboring trail to explore sights outside.
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5 Try a new, healthier recipe this holiday
Thanksgiving is one of the more foodfocused holidays of the year and not all those foods are the healthiest. The cooks in the family may have some extra time on their hands if they’re not preparing a meal for as big of a group this year. Use that time to try and experiment with new, healthier recipes to add to the table. Get the whole family involved and maybe even have a cook-ff.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted just about every aspect of life including holidays. This year’s Thanksgiving celebration will likely be very different from past holidays for most people, but 2020 is also an opportunity to begin new and healthy traditions. Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays celebrated in the U.S. as it involves football, family and of course food. Traditionally, friends and family travel long distances for a large gathering. These are two activities not recommended during a pandemic. Coronavirus rates continue to rise in the region, even surpassing numbers seen in March and April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided recommended guidelines for celebrating Thanksgiving during the pandemic which can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ daily-life-coping/holidays.html. People are encouraged to participate in small or virtual gatherings this year, continue wearing masks, and maintain social distancing from those outside their household. Although long-standing customs may be altered this year, Thanksgiving in 2020 can still be a great celebration focused on community and gratefulness which are the fundamental components of the holiday. Below is a list of ideas for new Thanksgiving traditions with a wellness focus.
6 Take part in a 5K or Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving 5K events and Turkey Trots are common around this time of the year. Some of these events may have gone virtual but that just means you decide when and where to do the running. Get the family together and begin Thanksgiving morning with a run so you don’t feel as guilty when you get seconds, or even thirds, of all those side dishes. Families can add even more fun by dressing up for the occasion. This can mean wearing turkey costumes or wearing matching outfits as a group.
At right: A woman smiles as she runs alongside a young boy in Boyertown. This photo was taken before 2020.
Above: People participate in an outdoor Zumba dance class at Memorial Park in Pottstown. This photo was taken before 2020.
4 Have a family dance competition
Dancing is not always seen as exercise, but it should be because it certainly gets the body moving and heart pumping. It’s hard to not laugh and smile while dancing to music. With the stress-related events of 2020, a dance break is exactly what a lot of us need. Prepare for the holiday by making a Thanksgiving playlist of songs. Then take it one step further this Thanksgiving and organize a full dance competition. Record one another doing dance moves to share with families and friends who you couldn’t celebrate in person with this year.