With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to take time to reflect on all the things I’m thankful for this year. It’s not about material possessions, no, it’s about health, family, friends and freedom that top my list.

I’ve always said the most important thing in life isn’t a new car or house, but your health. Without good health, nothing else matters. It’s essential to put your health first. To best care for your family, you need good health yourself because if you ignore it you could be putting yourself at risk for premature death.

I’m fortunate to have a large family, which brings me joy every day since I also work with my immediate family. It’s not common for most 84-year old women to still be working, let alone to be lucky enough to work with their children and grandchildren. For this, I am thankful that at the age of 53 years old, I decided to start Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating and grow it to what it is today and allow me to do good work to help so many people. Now, allowing not only my children, but their children to continue what I started more than 31 years ago. I am SO blessed!

I also realize that most people my age also have some serious health conditions and diseases, and since I do not - I am thankful for it. I have been mindful to always put my health at the top of the list, even when I was a mom of 5 young children. Although it was a different time back then, I still made sure that I ate healthfully and was active. I also was connected to my community, friends, family and had a weekly “time out” to have time for myself.

Having deep, long-lasting friendships is also vital in my happiness as a person and I appreciate and care for my friends greatly. They are a wonderful support system and allow me to have fun. I believe in hard work, but I also believe in having fun too! Life is too short to not have fun. I am thankful to have such wonderful friends who support me and allow me to just be myself.

Without the last I am not sure the others would be possible. Freedom, personal freedom to do what I want, when I want to do it and how I want to do it is something that I am SO thankful for and cherish it greatly. We live in the best country in the world and the freedom we have as Americans - to be who we want - is truly something that makes me thankful each and every day.

As you sit down next week with your family and friends, think about all the things you’re thankful for and share those with your dinner guests. I’m sure you will be humbled and honored by the words that are shared around the table. It’s a wonderful time of year for reflection and for gratitude.

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For those of you who may not be having family in for Thanksgiving or may not want to prepare an entire meal yourself, we have a new holiday special dinner that’s sure to satisfy and to keep you eating healthy even during Thanksgiving! 

It’s only available next week, so check out our website today to place your order for next week and enjoy our roasted turkey breast with cranberry-cherry sauce, sweet potato casserole and green beans. We also have a vegetarian “turkey” meal for the vegetarian plan, complete with all fixings!

This scrumptious special holiday dinner is available in all three-meal plans, 1,200-calorie traditional, 2,000-calorie traditional and 1,500-calorie vegetarian plan.